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The Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC), Prayagraj, has released a new notification for Principal recruitment in aided degree colleges of the state. This is a golden opportunity for eligible and experienced academicians who wish to lead a government-aided college in Uttar Pradesh as Principal.
The commission has invited online applications from citizens of India against a total of 111 vacant posts spread across co-education and women’s colleges. Candidates who hold a PhD along with the required teaching and research experience can apply for this post before the last date 20.08.2026. In this article, we cover the full details of UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026, including apply link, exam date, vacancy, eligibility, age limit, fees, and selection process.
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Out
UPESSC has issued Advertisement No. 02/2026 for the recruitment of Principal in aided co-education and women’s degree colleges of Uttar Pradesh. The online application process has started from 21 July 2026. Candidates who meet the eligibility conditions can apply through the official website of UPESSC before the last date. The recruitment covers a total of 111 Principal posts across the state. UPESSC Principal will be selected through written exam and interview process whose details are given below in the selection process section.
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026: Overview
Here is a quick overview of the important details of this recruitment.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | UP Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC) |
| Post Name | Principal |
| Advertisement No. | 02/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 111 |
| Notification Date | 21.07.2026 |
| Application Start Date | 21.07.2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Fee | 20.08.2026 |
| Last Date for Correction | 23.08.2026 |
| Exam Date | 24.09.2026 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | www.upessc.up.gov.in |
| Notification | Download PDF |
UPESSC Principal Vacancy
UPESSC has announced a total of 111 vacancies for the post of Principal this year. These posts are divided between co-education degree colleges and women’s degree colleges of Uttar Pradesh. The vacancy details have been provided by the Directorate of Higher Education, Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj. Below is the vacancy details as per college type:
| College Type | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Co-education Degree Colleges | 89 |
| Women’s Degree Colleges | 22 |
| Total | 111 |
UPESSC Principal Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfill the required educational qualification and experience to apply for this post. The eligibility conditions given by UPESSC are shown below in table form.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | PhD degree |
| Experience | At least 15 years of teaching/research experience as Professor or Associate Professor in a university, college, or institution of higher education |
| Research Publications | At least 10 research publications in peer-reviewed or UGC-listed journals |
| Minimum Research Score | 110 (as per API Table 2) |
| Age Limit | Maximum 62 years as on 01.07.2026 |
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Apply Link
Candidates can apply online for UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 through the official website of the commission. The direct apply link is available at www.upessc.up.gov.in. Only online applications through the OTR (One Time Registration) based system will be accepted for this recruitment. No other mode of application will be considered valid. Below is the link to apply for UPESSC Principal Recruitment:
How to Apply for UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026
Interested and eligible candidates need to follow a simple online process to submit their application. Please read the steps carefully before starting the application.
- Visit the official website www.upessc.up.gov.in.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR), which is mandatory before applying.
- Fill in the online application form with correct details.
- Upload photo, signature, and required documents as per the given format.
- Pay the application fee through the available online payment mode.
- Submit the form and take a printout for future reference.
UPESSC Principal Application Fees
The application fee for UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 is the same for all categories of candidates. Candidates need to pay the fee online through credit card, debit card, or net banking. The fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved/OBC/EWS and Others | Rs. 3,000 |
| SC/ST | Rs. 3,000 |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | Rs. 3,000 |
UPESSC Principal Age Limit
The maximum age limit for the post of Principal has been fixed by UPESSC as per the given notification. Candidates must check their age carefully before applying, since the commission does not entertain any change in date of birth after final submission of the form. Candidates whose age exceeds the upper limit on the cut-off date will not be considered eligible for this recruitment.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Cut-off Date for Age | 01.07.2026 |
| Maximum Age Limit | 62 years |
| Age Relaxation | Not mentioned category-wise in the notification |
UPESSC Principal Selection Process
Candidates will be selected for the post of UPESSC Principal through a written exam followed by an interview. The written exam and interview marks together decide the final merit list. The selection process details are given below in the table.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Written Exam | 360 marks (120 objective type questions) |
| Marking Scheme | 3 marks for each correct answer |
| Negative Marking | 1 mark deducted for each wrong or multiple answer |
| Minimum Research Score Required | 110 (API score) |
| Interview | 40 marks |
| Final Selection | Based on combined written exam and interview marks |
UPESSC Principal Salary
Selected candidates for the post of Principal will get a good pay package as per the 7th Pay Commission scale. The salary structure is mentioned below.
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Principal | Level-14 | Rs. 1,44,200 to Rs. 2,18,200 |





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