UP Police Constable Recruitment 2026: Complete Guide to 32,679 Posts

This is your complete, legally accurate, no-nonsense guide to UP Police Constable Recruitment 2026.

The Uttar Pradesh Police Department has released one of India’s largest recruitment drives this year: 32,679 constable posts across multiple cadres. Whether you’re a 12th-pass aspirant or someone considering a career in law enforcement, this guide breaks down everything you need to know—from eligibility to selection process to a proven 3-month preparation strategy.

Unlike job portals that simply republish notifications, this guide provides actionable strategies, realistic expectations, and tested preparation methods that will help you actually clear this exam on your first attempt.

1. Vacancy Breakdown: Where Are The 32,679 Posts?

The UP Police Department isn’t hiring 32,679 constables for just one role. These positions span multiple cadres, categories, and districts across Uttar Pradesh. Understanding the breakdown helps you identify which posts suit your profile.

Post-Wise Vacancy Breakdown

Category-Wise Reservation Breakdown

These 32,679 posts are distributed among reserved and unreserved categories following Uttar Pradesh’s state-mandated reservation policy.

Female Candidate Opportunity

Out of 32,679 posts, 2,388 are exclusively for female candidates (7.3%). Additionally, women can compete in general category posts as well. Female candidates also receive:

• Age relaxation: 18–28 years (vs. 18–22 for males)
• Reduced running distance: 2.4 km in 14 minutes (vs. 4.8 km in 25 for males)
• No chest measurement requirement
• Dedicated female battalion posts with better working conditions

2. Eligibility Criteria: Can YOU Apply?

Before investing time in preparation, confirm you meet all eligibility requirements. Missing even one disqualifies your application—no exceptions, no appeals.

Educational Qualification

Acceptable qualifications:

• 12th (HSC) from CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards
• 12th from open schooling (NIOS, State Open School)
• Equivalent diploma recognized by the government

NOT acceptable: 10th pass only, intermediate-level vocational certificates, or foreign qualifications without equivalence certification.

Age Limit (Critical—Strict Deadline)

Physical Standards Test (PST) Requirements

Physical standards are non-negotiable and strictly enforced. Candidates below these limits are rejected at PST itself—no appeals.

For Male Candidates

How chest expansion works: Chest is measured at rest, then the candidate takes a deep breath and expands the chest. The difference must be at least 5 cm. This is a breathing capacity test.

For Female Candidates

Vision & Medical Fitness

• Vision: Corrected vision 6/6 or 6/9 acceptable. Spectacles/contact lenses allowed.
• Medical: Must be medically fit as per UP Police norms. No chronic diseases, normal blood pressure, no color blindness.
• Drug Test: Negative for drugs/narcotics (simple test during medical).

Citizenship & Domicile

• Must be an Indian citizen.
• Permanent resident of Uttar Pradesh (domicile proof required).
• Domicile duration typically 5–10 years (check official notification for exact requirement).

Character & Background Verification

Candidates with the following are typically disqualified:

• Serious criminal charges or conviction
• Involvement in anti-national activities
• Fake certificate/qualification fraud (automatic lifelong ban from government jobs)
• False information in application form

3. Salary & Benefits: ₹21,700–₹69,100 Explained

One of the biggest misconceptions is “₹21,700 salary.” That’s actually your starting basic salary. Here’s the complete breakdown of what you’ll actually earn monthly.

Pay Structure Breakdown

Deductions from Gross Salary

Not all of your gross salary is yours to keep. Here’s what gets deducted:

Realistic Monthly Net: ₹24,000–₹29,000 after all deductions.

Long-Term Salary Growth

Your salary doesn’t stay at ₹30,000. Here’s how it grows over a career:

Additional Benefits (Beyond Salary)

• Pension: 50% of average salary after 20 years + family pension
• Medical: Free government hospital treatment for self and dependents
• Leave: 30 days casual leave + 20 days earned leave annually
• Insurance: Government group insurance cover
• Housing: Police quarters provided (varies by posting)
• Children’s Education: Some schemes for educational assistance

4. Selection Process: 5 Phases Explained

UP Police Constable recruitment is NOT just a written exam. You must clear 5 sequential phases. Failure at any stage = elimination. Here’s exactly what happens at each stage.

Phase 1: Written Examination (150 marks, 150 minutes)

Timeline: Expected May–July 2026 (date TBD by UPPRPB)

Exam Pattern

• Total Questions: 150 (multiple choice)
• Total Marks: 300
• Duration: 150 minutes (2.5 hours)
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer
• Language Options: English, Hindi, and 13 other regional languages
• Medium: Computer-based test (OMR)

Subject-Wise Breakdown

Minimum Passing Marks

Cutoff varies by category:

• General/EWS: 30% (~90/300 marks)
• OBC: 25% (~75/300 marks)
• SC/ST: 20% (~60/300 marks)

Reality: While technically 30% is passing, actual merit cutoff is much higher. Based on 2024–2025 trends, expect:

• General: 170–190/300
• OBC: 160–175/300
• SC/ST: 140–160/300

Phase 2: Physical Standard Test (PST) — Measurement

Timeline: 2–3 weeks after exam results

At this stage, your height, chest (males), and vision are measured. This is objective—no second chances.

• Height Measurement: Without shoes, on flat ground
• Chest Expansion (Males Only): Relaxed measurement, then expanded after deep breath
• Vision Test: Basic eye chart test

Pass/Fail: You either meet standards or you don’t. Estimated pass rate: 85–90% (most written exam qualifiers also meet PST standards).

Phase 3: Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — Running

Timeline: 1–2 weeks after PST

Now you run. This is the most elimination-heavy phase. Estimated pass rate: 70–75%.

Running Standards

Key Point: PET is a pass/fail test only. Faster times don’t give extra marks. Just finish within the limit and you pass.

Phase 4: Document Verification (DV)

Timeline: 2–4 weeks after PET

Officials verify your original certificates, educational qualifications, age, address, caste certificate (if applicable), and background.

Documents Required

• 12th pass certificate/mark sheet (original)
• Birth certificate OR Passport OR Aadhar (proof of age)
• Caste certificate (if applying under SC/ST/OBC)
• Domicile certificate (proof of UP residence)
• Character certificate from school/college
• Medical fitness certificate (if available)
• Recent passport-size photographs

Common Rejection Reasons at DV:

• Educational qualifications don’t match application form
• Age discrepancy between documents
• Invalid caste certificate
• Criminal record discovered during background check
• Fake document detected

Pass Rate: ~95% (most rejections happen at previous stages)

Phase 5: Medical Examination

Timeline: 1–2 weeks after DV

Government doctor checks your overall health. This includes blood pressure, vision, hearing, general fitness assessment.

Medical Disqualifying Conditions

• Chronic hypertension (high BP)
• Diabetes (insulin-dependent)
• Heart disease or chest ailment
• Mental illness or psychiatric conditions
• Color blindness
• Deafness in both ears
• Positive for drugs/narcotics

Pass Rate: ~98% (very few candidates are medically unfit)

Final Selection & Merit List

After clearing all 5 phases, your final selection is based on:

• Written exam score (300 marks)
• Category-wise merit ranking
• District/zone preference (if applicable)

Overall Selection Rate: ~25–30% of initial applicants (most elimination happens at written exam and running test).

5. Written Exam: Syllabus, Pattern & Strategy

The written exam is the primary elimination stage. Out of ~5 lakh applicants, only ~50,000 qualify. You must score higher than 160–180/300 to have a realistic chance. Here’s how.

Subject 1: General Hindi (30 questions, 60 marks)

Topics Covered

• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Reading Comprehension (1–2 passages)
• Sentence Correction / Error Detection
• Fill in the Blanks
• Word Meanings
• Grammar (verb tenses, noun forms, prepositions)

Scoring Strategy

Target: 45–50/60 marks (achievable with 2-month focused preparation)

How:

• Learn 50 common Hindi synonyms daily (takes 30 min/day)
• Practice 5 reading comprehensions weekly
• Memorize 20–30 grammar rules

Subject 2: General Knowledge (30 questions, 60 marks)

Topics Covered

• Uttar Pradesh: Districts, history, culture, chief minister, capital, rivers
• India: Constitution, presidents, prime ministers, important dates
• Current Affairs: Last 6 months news, awards, discoveries
• Sports: National/international events, world records
• Books & Authors, Scientific Discoveries

Scoring Strategy

Target: 45–55/60 marks (highest scoring section if prepared well)

How:

• Read UP state GK guide once thoroughly (4 hours)
• Follow current affairs daily (10 min/day on news apps)
• This is the easiest section if you’re consistent

Subject 3: Numerical Ability (40 questions, 80 marks)

Topics Covered

• Simplification & BODMAS
• Percentage, Ratio & Proportion
• Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest
• Time, Speed & Distance
• Time & Work
• Basic Geometry & Algebra
• Average, Age problems

Scoring Strategy

Target: 60–70/80 marks (requires consistent practice)

How:

• Spend 1.5 hours daily solving 20–25 problems
• Master one topic fully before moving to next
• Speed comes with practice—initially focus on accuracy

Subject 4: Mental Ability / Reasoning (50 questions, 100 marks)

Topics Covered

• Analogy (A is to B as C is to ?)
• Classification (odd one out)
• Series Completion (number/alphabet patterns)
• Logical Reasoning (if-then, truth statements)
• Coding-Decoding
• Blood Relations
• Direction Sense (north-south-east-west)
• Dice & Cube Problems

Scoring Strategy

Target: 70–85/100 marks (this is the highest-value section)

How:

• Reason daily—solve 30 problems minimum
• Understand pattern recognition (not memorization)
• Mock tests are crucial here

Overall Exam Strategy

Time Allocation During Exam (150 minutes)

Expected Cut-Off Trends (2023–2025)

Based on previous UP Police recruitments, here’s what to expect:

6. Physical Tests: Running, Height, Chest Standards

Physical fitness is non-negotiable. You cannot negotiate, appeal, or request a retest. Here’s how to prepare systematically.

Physical Standard Test (PST) — Measurement Criteria

Height Standards

Important: Measurements are taken without shoes, on flat ground. Tolerance of ±0.5 cm is typical.

Chest Measurement (Males Only)

Chest is measured in TWO states:

1. At Rest: Normal breathing, no expansion. Minimum 79 cm (Gen/OBC/SC) or 77 cm (ST).
2. Expanded: After deep breath. Minimum 84 cm (Gen/OBC/SC) or 82 cm (ST).

Expansion Requirement: Must expand by at least 5 cm when breathing in. This proves lung capacity.

How to Improve Chest Expansion:

• Deep breathing exercises (10 min daily): Breathe in slowly, hold for 3 sec, exhale
• Running/cardio improves lung capacity
• Swimming (if available) is excellent for chest development
• Push-ups & chest exercises build muscle around ribs

Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — Running Standards

This is the most-failed phase. Many candidates who clear written exam fail PET. Here’s how to ensure you don’t.

Running Requirements

Reality Check:

• Males: 4.8 km in 25 min = 5:12/km pace. This is moderate jogging—not fast running, not sprinting.
• Females: 2.4 km in 14 min = 5:50/km pace. Even slower—this is comfortable jogging.

This is achievable for ANYONE with 8 weeks of training.

8-Week Running Training Plan

Week 1–2: Baseline & Endurance Building

• Monday: Run 2 km (slow pace, focus on breathing)
• Wednesday: Run 2 km
• Friday: Run 2 km
• Sunday: Walk 3 km (recovery)
• Goal: Build aerobic base, get body used to running

Week 3–4: Distance Increase

• Monday: Run 3 km
• Wednesday: Run 3 km
• Friday: Run 3.5 km
• Sunday: Walk 3 km
• Goal: Increase endurance, body adapts to longer distances

Week 5–6: Tempo & Speed Work

• Monday: Run 4 km at steady pace
• Wednesday: Run 3 km with 1 km fast in middle
• Friday: Run 4.5 km steady
• Sunday: Walk 3 km
• Goal: Introduce speed work, improve pace

Week 7: Full Distance Practice

• Monday: Run 5 km steady
• Wednesday: Run 4 km with speed intervals
• Friday: Run full 4.8 km (males) or 2.4 km (females) at target pace
• Sunday: Walk 2 km (recovery)
• Goal: Test target pace, build confidence

Week 8: Taper & Mock Tests

• Monday: Light run 3 km
• Wednesday: Run 4.8 km (males) / 2.4 km (females) at test pace—time yourself
• Friday: Light run 2 km
• Sunday: Rest
• Goal: Recover, maintain fitness, confirm you can meet standard

Common Running Mistakes (Avoid These)

Injury Prevention & Recovery

• Warm-up (5 min before run): Walk briskly, light jogging, leg stretches
• Cool-down (5 min after run): Walk slowly, stretch hamstrings, quads, calves
• Rest Days: Minimum 1 rest day per week (Sunday recommended)
• Nutrition: Eat protein-rich food, stay hydrated (8 glasses water daily)
• Sleep: 7–8 hours nightly (recovery happens during sleep)

Realistic Timeline to Fitness

If you’re starting from zero fitness:

7. 3-Month Preparation Roadmap

You have ~3 months from now (mid-January) until exam (expected May–June). Here’s exactly how to use that time.

Month 1: Foundation Building (Week 1–4)

Week 1: Assess & Plan

• Take 1 mock test to see your baseline score
• Identify weakest subjects
• Create study schedule (dedicate 4–5 hours daily minimum)
• Start running training (Week 1 plan above)

Weeks 2–4: Subject-Wise Foundation

Month 2: Subject Mastery (Week 5–8)

Focus: Deep dive into each subject, solve practice problems, take weekly mock tests.

Revised Study Schedule

• Monday–Friday: 5–6 hours study + 1 hour running/fitness
• Saturday: 4 hours study + mock test (4 hours)
• Sunday: Review weak topics + light running

What to Focus On

• Reasoning: Solve 50–75 problems daily (highest value, worth 100 marks)
• Numerical: Master all formulas, practice 40 problems daily
• Hindi: Read 2 comprehensions daily, practice 5 error-detection questions
• GK: Read current affairs 20 min daily, revise UP GK once more

Month 3: Revision & Final Preparation (Week 9–12)

Focus: Speed, accuracy, confidence, and mock test performance.

Weekly Schedule

• Monday–Thursday: 2 full-length mock tests per week (8 total). Practice exam conditions.
• Friday: 3 hours revision of weak topics
• Saturday: Practice running test to confirm you meet standard
• Sunday: Rest, light review

Mock Test Analysis

After EACH mock test:

• Write score in notebook
• Identify questions you got wrong
• Understand the concept you missed
• Solve similar questions (not the same question)

Expected Progress:

• Week 5: 100–120/300 (foundation weak)
• Week 7: 140–160/300 (getting there)
• Week 9: 160–180/300 (on track)
• Week 11: 180–200/300 (excellent)

If you’re scoring 180+ consistently in mocks, you’re likely to clear written exam.

8. Category-Wise Strategy & Selection Chances

Your selection chances vary significantly based on your category. Here’s a realistic breakdown.

General Category (UR) — Most Competitive

Total seats: ~8,000 out of 32,679

Expected applicants: ~150,000 General category candidates

Selection ratio: 1 in 18.75

OBC Category — Good Chances

Total seats: ~13,000 out of 32,679

Expected applicants: ~130,000 OBC candidates

Selection ratio: 1 in 10

SC/ST Categories — Best Chances

Total seats: ~10,500 (6,000 SC + 4,500 ST) out of 32,679

Expected applicants: ~80,000 SC/ST candidates

Selection ratio: 1 in 7.6

Female Candidates — Exceptional Advantage

Total seats: ~2,388 female-only posts + open to compete in general posts

Selection advantage: Separate pool + lower physical standards + age relaxation (18–28 vs 18–22)

Ex-Servicemen & Other Reservations

Additional age relaxation (depends on service period). Check official notification for exact details.

Realistic Self-Assessment Table

Key Insight: SC/ST and female candidates have significantly better selection chances. If you belong to these categories, you have a realistic shot even with moderate scores.

9. FAQs: 20 Real Questions Answered

10. Scam Warning & Official Resources

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Unknown agents claiming “connections”: Ignore. Recruitment is transparent and merit-based.
• WhatsApp messages about “exclusive links”: Scam. Only apply through uppbpb.gov.in.
• Websites asking for payment before form: Fraud. Official site is free.
• Offers of “guaranteed selection”: Impossible. Selection depends on your performance.
• Promises of “interview without exam”: Never happens. All candidates sit written exam.

Official & Verified Resources

How to Safely Apply

1. Visit official UPPRPB website ONLY
2. Register with real name, email, phone number
3. Fill form carefully—verify all details
4. Upload documents (12th cert, photo, signature)
5. Pay fee (₹500 General/OBC, ₹400 SC/ST) via bank account, debit card, or UPI
6. Save confirmation email & admit card when released