The Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC), Prayagraj has published two notifications for 2,647 Principal and Headmaster posts in aided non-government secondary schools of Uttar Pradesh. Online applications opened on 23 October 2026 at upessc.up.gov.in. Complete One Time Registration (OTR), the application and fee payment by 22 November 2026.
Important Note
1. Pay the fee by 22 November 2026. The correction window closes on 25 November 2026, and no changes to category, date of birth or gender are allowed after final submission.
2. The written exam has negative marking. A correct answer earns 3 marks, and each wrong or multiple answer loses 1 mark. The exam is scheduled for 7 January 2027.
3. All 2,647 vacancies are unreserved, and no age relaxation applies to any category. Male candidates cannot be appointed as Principal in a girls’ institution.
UPESSC Principal Headmaster Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC), 23 Elganj, Prayagraj-211002 |
| Post Name | Principal (Pradhanacharya) and Headmaster (Pradhanadhyapak) |
| Advertisement No. | 08/2026 (Principal), 09/2026 (Headmaster) |
| Total Vacancies | 2,647 (Principal 1,475 + Headmaster 1,172) |
| Schools | Aided non-government schools, Secondary Education Department, Uttar Pradesh |
| Update | Notification released, online application open |
| Last Date (Fee Payment) | 22 November 2026 |
| Exam Date | 7 January 2027 |
| Selection | Written exam (360 marks) + Interview (40 marks) |
| Official Website | upessc.up.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification published | 23 October 2026 |
| OTR and online application start | 23 October 2026 |
| Last date to pay online fee | 22 November 2026 |
| Last date for application correction | 25 November 2026 |
| Exam centre district on website | 10 days before the exam |
| Admit card download | 3 days before the exam |
| Written examination | 7 January 2027 |
| Interview date | Not yet announced |
The notification does not list a separate last date for submitting the form. Treat 22 November 2026 as the deadline for registration, application and fee payment.
UPESSC Principal Headmaster Vacancy 2026
| Post | Advt. No. | Boys’ Schools | Girls’ Schools | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal (Pradhanacharya) | 08/2026 | 1,318 | 157 | 1,475 |
| Headmaster (Pradhanadhyapak) | 09/2026 | 1,037 | 135 | 1,172 |
| Total | 2,355 | 292 | 2,647 |
The Commission states that the number of vacancies may increase or decrease. The totals include posts added in compliance with the Allahabad High Court order dated 15 April 2026 in Special Appeal No. 376/2026, covering requisition years 2019–20 and 2021–22. The school-wise list, with division, district, school name and post count, is in Table-2 of each notification PDF.
Reservation: All posts are unreserved. The posts are identified as suitable for candidates with benchmark disabilities in specified sub-categories, and a person with a disability can be appointed against an unreserved post identified for their category of disability.
Eligibility Criteria
Principal (Advt. No. 08/2026)
- A Master’s degree with at least 50% marks from a recognised university or institution.
- A B.Ed. degree from an NCTE-recognised course.
- At least 4 years of teaching experience as Lecturer or Assistant Teacher in Classes 9 to 12 of a Central or State Government recognised institution, or at least 4 years as Headmaster of a High School.
Headmaster (Advt. No. 09/2026)
- A Master’s degree with at least 50% marks from a recognised university or institution.
- A B.Ed. or B.P.Ed. degree from an NCTE-recognised course.
- At least 4 years of teaching experience as Lecturer or Assistant Teacher in Classes 9 to 12 of a Central or State Government recognised institution, or at least 4 years as Headmaster of a Junior High School.
Experience certificate: It must be issued by the district-level officer and countersigned by the divisional officer. For Kendriya Vidyalayas, the Regional Officer issues it. The format is in Appendix-2 of the notification.
Other Conditions
- Only Indian citizens can apply. All qualifications must be held on or before the last date of application.
- Female candidates can apply for boys’ or girls’ schools but must pick one category in the form.
- Working candidates need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer at the interview.
- A health certificate from a government hospital or primary health centre is required before final selection.
- Any pending court case must be declared. Hiding or misstating it cancels the candidature.
Age Limit (as on 1 July 2026)
| Criteria | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum | 30 years |
| Maximum | 62 years |
Only the date of birth in the High School (or equivalent) certificate is accepted. The notification gives no age relaxation for any category.
Pay Scale
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Principal | Level 12 | Rs. 78,800 – Rs. 2,09,200 |
| Headmaster | Level 10 | Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500 |
Allowances and other benefits are not mentioned in the available information. Check the notification at upessc.up.gov.in.
Application Fee
| Category | Principal | Headmaster |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs. 2,000 | Rs. 1,500 |
| SC / ST | Rs. 2,000 | Rs. 1,500 |
| Persons with Disabilities | Rs. 2,000 | Rs. 1,500 |
Pay online by credit card, debit card or net banking. The payment counts only after the bank confirms it. Fees are non-refundable and cannot be moved to another application.
Selection Process and Exam Pattern
Selection is based on 400 marks in total. The final merit list is prepared from the combined written and interview marks.
| Stage | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 objective (MCQ) questions, 2 hours, OMR-based | 360 |
| Interview | Candidates shortlisted on written exam marks | 40 |
| Total | 400 |
- Each correct answer earns 3 marks. Each wrong or multiple answer loses 1 mark.
- The question paper is in Hindi and English, except for language subjects.
- The syllabus is available at upessc.up.gov.in.
- Tie-breaking order: written exam marks, then interview marks, then PG percentage, then B.Ed. (or B.Ed./B.P.Ed. for Headmaster) percentage. If all of these are equal, the older candidate ranks higher.
How to Apply Online
- Go to upessc.up.gov.in.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR). This is mandatory before applying.
- Read the User Manual (Hindi and English) and watch the tutorial videos on the website.
- Fill in the application form in English only.
- Upload your photograph and signature (on a white background) in JPG/JPEG format, 10 KB to 100 KB each.
- Upload certificates in PDF format, 20 KB to 200 KB each.
- Pay the fee online: Rs. 2,000 for Principal or Rs. 1,500 for Headmaster.
- Submit the form and take three printouts. Keep the fee receipt.
If you submit more than one application for the same post, only the last one is accepted.
Exam Day and OMR Instructions
- Use only a black ball point pen on the OMR sheet. Blue pens, gel pens, pencils and whitener are banned.
- Once you darken a bubble, you cannot change it. A question with more than one darkened bubble gets zero marks.
- A damaged OMR sheet is cancelled. You can download a sample OMR format from the website to practise.
- Write the exam only at the centre on your admit card. Centre changes are not allowed.
- Download the admit card using your registration number or mobile number and date of birth.
- Candidates with disabilities who need a scribe must bring their own and register the scribe’s details at the Commission office at least one week before the exam. They get 20 extra minutes per hour.
Documents Required at the Interview
Bring the originals plus two sets of self-attested copies of:
- The online application form
- High School, Intermediate, Graduation, Postgraduation and B.Ed./B.P.Ed. marksheets and certificates
- The experience certificate (Appendix-2) and the NOC
- A disability certificate (Appendix-1), if applicable
- The affidavit (Appendix-3) and the affidavit on pending court cases
- A character certificate from your last institution and two from respectable persons
If you do not bring the originals, the interview will not be held. No travel or daily allowance is paid for the exam or the interview.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online (OTR) | Click Here |
| Principal Notification PDF (Advt. No. 08/2026) | Click Here |
| Headmaster Notification PDF (Advt. No. 09/2026) | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs
How many vacancies are in UPESSC Principal Headmaster Recruitment 2026?
There are 2,647 posts: 1,475 Principal and 1,172 Headmaster. The Commission says this number may change.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date to pay the online fee is 22 November 2026. Corrections are allowed until 25 November 2026.
When is the UPESSC Principal Headmaster exam?
The written exam is scheduled for 7 January 2027. The admit card will be available 3 days before the exam.
What is the age limit?
The minimum age is 30 and the maximum is 62, both as on 1 July 2026. No category gets age relaxation.
Is there negative marking in the exam?
Yes. Each wrong or multiple answer loses 1 mark, and each correct answer earns 3 marks.
What is the salary of UPESSC Principal and Headmaster?
Principal is in Level 12 (Rs. 78,800 – Rs. 2,09,200). Headmaster is in Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500).
Can a male candidate apply for Principal in a girls’ school?
No. Male candidates are not eligible for appointment as Principal in a girls’ institution. Female candidates can apply for either category but must choose one.
Disclaimer
This article is based on UPESSC Advertisement No. 08/2026 and No. 09/2026, published on 23 October 2026. No unconfirmed figures from secondary sources are used, but vacancy numbers may be revised by the Commission. Check the admit card, exam centre and interview schedules on upessc.up.gov.in. JobShouter is not associated with the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission. This article is for informational purposes only.
