UPTET 2026 begins July 2, CM Yogi orders separate test for in-service teachers

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed UPTET 2026 preparations, directing officials to ensure a fair, transparent and hassle-free examination. He also ordered a separate Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers to provide them with greater opportunities and easier access.

In Short

• UPTET 2026 to be held on July 2-4 with full fairness and transparency
• Separate TET exam planned for in-service teachers to protect their interests
• Nearly 20 lakh candidates expected across 955 centres in 60 Uttar Pradesh districts

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday instructed officials to ensure that the UPTET 2026 examination is conducted with complete fairness, transparency, and credibility, leaving no room for compromise.

"Uttar Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (UPTET)-2026 is an extremely important examination linked to the aspirations of lakhs of youths. Its fairness, transparency and credibility should not be compromised under any circumstances. Conducting the examination is not merely an administrative responsibility but a matter of the government's accountability towards the future of the youth," Adityanath said.

"Providing every candidate with a safe, well-organised and stress-free environment is the state government's highest priority," he added.

Reviewing the preparations for the UPTET 2026 at a high-level meeting on Tuesday, the chief minister instructed officials to ensure that candidates do not face any inconvenience due to inadequate transport, accommodation, security, or other essential facilities.

According to a statement issued by the Uttar Pradesh government, the UPTET 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted on July 2, 3, and 4.

FOCUS ON IN-SERVICE TEACHERS

The chief minister also stressed the need to adopt a sensitive approach towards in-service teachers, directing officials to safeguard their interests while implementing examination-related arrangements.

"Keeping in view the mandatory requirement of the Teacher Eligibility Test, serving teachers should be provided adequate opportunities to establish their eligibility," Adityanath said.

To further this objective, Adityanath instructed the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission to hold a separate Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers, saying the move would provide them with greater opportunities and ensure that no teacher is deprived simply because of limited access to the examination.

CANDIDATES' CONVENIENCE AND SAFETY

"A large number of candidates will be coming not only from various districts of Uttar Pradesh but also from other states during the examination. Therefore, adequate assistance arrangements should be ensured at railway stations, bus stands and major transport hubs. Candidates should not face any inconvenience in reaching their examination centres," he said.

Adityanath instructed officials to ensure that every examination centre is equipped with essential facilities, including safe drinking water, clean toilets, shaded waiting areas, uninterrupted electricity, fire safety measures, and emergency medical support.

Given the prevailing weather conditions, he also directed the health and disaster management departments to remain on high alert. He said the control rooms set up in every district must function efficiently and respond promptly to any information or emergencies.

The chief minister further instructed all district magistrates, via video conference, to conduct a comprehensive rehearsal of the examination arrangements a day before the test to ensure its smooth and error-free conduct.

TIGHT SECURITY AND MONITORING

"The sanctity of the examination is paramount. Only officers and employees with an impeccable reputation should be assigned examination duties. The entire process of storage, transportation, and safe dispatch of confidential examination material to the Commission after the examination should be carried out in accordance with the highest security standards," Adityanath said.

The chief minister also instructed officials to keep a close watch on the spread of rumours, misinformation, and fake content on social media and other platforms, directing them to take swift and effective action against any such attempts.

ABOUT UPTET 2026

The Uttar Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (UPTET) 2026 will be conducted from July 2 to July 4 across 955 examination centres in 60 districts of the state.

Organised by the UP Education Service Selection Commission for the first time, the exam will see nearly 20 lakh candidates appear, including 8.16 lakh for the Upper Primary (Classes 6–8) level, 3.88 lakh for the Primary (Classes 1–5) level, and 3.95 lakh for both papers. The exam will be held in two shifts on July 2 and 3, while July 4 will have only the morning shift.

Varanasi has the highest number of examination centres (68), followed by Prayagraj (53) and Lucknow (45).

The Commission said elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure a fair and transparent examination. Multi-layer security measures, including biometric iris scanning, CCTV surveillance, and monitoring through a command and control centre, have been put in place, while observers, including Commission members and retired IAS and IPS officers, have been deployed across districts.

The UP STF will monitor against cheating, and candidates will be allowed entry only with a valid admit card. Examination centres have been allotted in neighbouring districts for most candidates, while differently-abled candidates have been assigned centres within their home districts.

The Commission has also coordinated with the state transport corporation and the Railways to facilitate travel and advised candidates to reach their centres well before the reporting time.

(With inputs from PTI)

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