UPESSC Revises Assistant Professor Exam Pattern 2026; Introduces Negative Marking
The Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC) has approved a revised examination pattern for the recruitment of Assistant Professors in 330 government-aided degree colleges across Uttar Pradesh. The new pattern introduces negative marking for the first time and increases the number of questions in the written examination to improve the quality of candidate assessment.
The revised pattern will apply to upcoming Assistant Professor recruitment examinations conducted by the commission. According to UPESSSC officials, the changes are intended to ensure a more comprehensive evaluation of candidates' subject knowledge and general awareness.
UPESSC Assistant Professor Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
| Particular | Revised Pattern |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC) |
| Posts | Assistant Professor |
| Institutions | 330 Government-Aided Degree Colleges |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
| Subject Questions | 90 |
| General Studies Questions | 30 |
| Marks per Question | 3 Marks |
| Total Marks | 360 Marks |
| Negative Marking | Yes (1/3 mark deducted for each incorrect answer) |
What's New in the Revised Pattern?
Increase in Number of Questions
The written examination will now consist of:
- 90 subject-specific questions
- 30 General Studies questions
This is an increase from the previous pattern, which included 70 subject-related questions and 30 General Studies questions, for a total of 100 questions.
Introduction of Negative Marking
For the first time, UPESSC has introduced negative marking in the Assistant Professor recruitment examination.
- Each question carries 3 marks.
- One-third of the allotted marks (1 mark) will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
- No deduction is expected for unanswered questions, as per the revised pattern.
Previous vs Revised Exam Pattern
| Feature | Previous Pattern | Revised Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 100 | 120 |
| Subject Questions | 70 | 90 |
| General Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Marks per Question | 2 | 3 |
| Total Marks | 200 | 360 |
| Negative Marking | No | Yes (1/3 mark deduction) |
Why Has UPESSC Changed the Pattern?
According to the commission, the revised examination pattern aims to:
- Improve the overall quality of candidate assessment.
- Test deeper subject knowledge.
- Reduce random guessing through negative marking.
- Select the most suitable candidates for Assistant Professor positions in aided degree colleges.
Changes for TGT and PGT Exams
UPESSC has also revised the examination pattern for Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) and Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) recruitment. Future TGT and PGT written examinations will include General Studies questions in addition to subject-specific questions, unlike earlier exams that focused only on the subject concerned.
Preparation Tips for Aspirants
Candidates preparing for the revised examination should:
- Strengthen conceptual understanding of their subject.
- Allocate regular study time to General Studies.
- Practice mock tests with negative marking.
- Avoid blind guessing during the examination.
- Focus on accuracy as well as speed.
FAQs
What is the new UPESSC Assistant Professor exam pattern?
The revised exam will have 120 multiple-choice questions (90 subject-specific and 30 General Studies), carrying a total of 360 marks, to be completed in 2 hours.
Has UPESSC introduced negative marking?
Yes. Negative marking has been introduced for the first time. Candidates will lose one-third of the marks allotted to a question for every incorrect response.
How many marks is the written examination worth?
The revised written examination carries 360 marks, with each question worth 3 marks.
Will General Studies be included in the exam?
Yes. The written examination will include 30 General Studies questions along with 90 subject-specific questions
