UP PET 2026: distant exam centres leave 3.7 million aspirants in lurch

Candidates appearing for the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission’s (UPSSSC) Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) are encountering significant challenges, including extensive travel and overcrowded public transport, as the examination proceeds on October 25, 30, and November 1, 2026. Aspirants from various districts across Uttar Pradesh reported receiving exam centre allotments located 300 to 500 kilometres from their homes, leading to physical exhaustion, financial strain, and mental stress.

The PET serves as a qualifying examination for recruitment into several Group C government posts within Uttar Pradesh. With approximately 3.7 million candidates expected to appear for the UP PET 2026, the widespread allocation of distant centres has resulted in many candidates being forced to spend nights on railway station floors due to the inability to afford hotels or lodges.

Challenges Faced by Candidates

The allocation of PET exam centres far from candidates’ residences has led to numerous difficulties. Sunil Parashari, an MBA student from Barabanki, highlighted the disparity, stating, “During elections, the government arranges polling booths close to voters’ homes, but for recruitment examinations, young people are sent 400 to 500 km away.” This sentiment was echoed by Ashish from Azamgarh, who previously missed a Railway Junior Engineer examination because his centre was in Agra, nearly 500 km from his home. Ashish emphasised that “excessive distance from centres and the difficulties involved in travelling there should not deprive candidates of the opportunity to appear in examinations.”

Anupam Shukla from Sultanpur travelled nearly 450 km to reach Bareilly for his exam, while Madhu Shivhare from Delhi had her PET examination centre allotted in Budaun. Pradeep Kumar, a mechanical engineering student from Rae Bareli, also reported missing an earlier Railway Junior Engineer examination due to the excessive distance to Agra. Manoj Kumar from Ayodhya described the severe overcrowding on trains, stating there was hardly any space to stand, with candidates holding general tickets often struggling for space in sleeper and AC coaches.

Official Directives and Local Arrangements

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued detailed guidelines for the UP PET 2026 examination, directing officials to ensure tight security and deploy additional police forces at examination centres. District administrations were instructed to make adequate arrangements for smooth transportation of candidates, respectable accommodation in night shelters, and coordination with the Transport Department for adequate buses. In addition, coordination with the Railways was instructed to ensure candidates’ movement is not hindered.

In Bareilly, where 62,024 candidates were registered to appear at 23 examination centres, the administration stated that arrangements have been made for the peaceful and fair conduct of the examination. Nodal officer and Additional District Magistrate (City) Avinash Tripathi confirmed, “Elaborate security arrangements have been made at all examination centres to ensure that the examination is conducted in a transparent, peaceful and malpractice-free manner.” Despite these directives, candidates questioned claims of special train arrangements, reporting continued overcrowding and difficult travel conditions.

Financial and Emotional Impact on Aspirants

The long-distance travel and associated expenses are placing a significant burden on candidates, particularly those from poor and middle-class families. Pushpa Raje noted, “Long-distance travel causes considerable financial losses to candidates from poor and middle-class families. The agencies conducting examinations must take these practical difficulties seriously.” The financial strain, coupled with the physical and mental stress of travel, has led to frustration among aspirants. Madhu Shivhare expressed her disappointment, stating, “I have now lost all hope in the government.”

Nikhil Pratap Singh warned of the potential for wider discontent, remarking, “The government should not test the endurance of young people or harass them in this manner. Such anger among youth has been witnessed earlier in Delhi and in Nepal. The system needs to be improved without delay.” The ongoing hardships highlight a recurring issue for recruitment examinations in the state, with candidates hoping for systemic improvements to prevent similar situations in future tests.

Further reading

• MHT CET 2027 exam centre allotment may link to class 12 college PIN codes

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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