The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) has invited online applications under Advertisement No. 61/9-2026 for 5 Assistant Professor (College Cadre) Anthropology posts in the Department of Higher Education, Himachal Pradesh. All five notified vacancies are Unreserved (UR).
The advertisement was published on 19 September 2026. Online applications and fee payment remain open until 16 October 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Important Job-Trainee note: This is a Group-A Job-Trainee engagement on fixed monthly emoluments of ₹35,000, not a regular Assistant Professor pay-scale appointment. Under the Himachal Pradesh Job-Trainee scheme, engagement is for two years on a consolidated fixed amount. Any later consideration for regularisation is governed by the applicable government instructions and prescribed qualifying conditions; it is not automatic.
HPPSC Assistant Professor Anthropology Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting authority | Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission |
| Department | Higher Education, Himachal Pradesh |
| Advertisement No. | 61/9-2026 |
| Post | Assistant Professor (College Cadre) Anthropology |
| Group / engagement | Group-A Job-Trainee |
| Total vacancies | 5 |
| Vacancy category | UR – 5 |
| Advertisement date | 19 September 2026 |
| Application mode | Online |
| Last date | 16 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Monthly emoluments | ₹35,000 fixed |
| Age limit | 18–45 years as on 1 January 2026 |
| Examination fee | ₹600 |
| Examination station | Shimla |
| Selection | Screening Test + Subject Aptitude Test + Personality Test |
Vacancy Details
| Post | Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor (College Cadre) Anthropology | UR | 5 |
| Total | — | 5 |
The notified number of posts is tentative and may be increased or decreased by the Commission according to administrative requirements.
Educational Qualification
Candidates should satisfy the prescribed academic and eligibility-test requirements by the closing date of the online application.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | Master’s degree in Anthropology from a recognised Indian university, or an equivalent recognised foreign degree |
| Minimum marks | Normally 55% marks or equivalent grade at Master’s level |
| Eligibility test | NET conducted by UGC/CSIR, SLET or SET, subject to the notified exemption provisions |
| Desirable | Knowledge of Himachal Pradesh customs, manners and dialects and suitability for appointment under conditions prevailing in the state |
Relaxation in Master’s Degree Marks
The advertisement provides a relaxation from 55% to 50% at Master’s level for the specified eligible categories, including SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), eligible persons with physical/visual disabilities, and eligible Ph.D. degree holders who obtained their Master’s degree before September 1991, subject to the exact notification conditions.
NET / SLET / SET Exemption for Eligible Ph.D. Candidates
A Ph.D. does not automatically remove the NET/SLET/SET requirement. Candidates claiming exemption must satisfy the conditions prescribed in the applicable regulations and advertisement. For certain candidates registered for M.Phil./Ph.D. before 11 July 2009, the exemption is subject to conditions such as regular-mode Ph.D., external thesis evaluation, open viva, research publications and conference/seminar presentations, with the required university certification.
Age Limit
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Maximum age | 45 years |
| Age reckoning date | 1 January 2026 |
Eligible bonafide Himachal Pradesh candidates belonging to notified reserved/special categories may receive the prescribed upper-age relaxation. Reserved-category candidates belonging to other states are treated as Unreserved for Himachal Pradesh reservation benefits. Ex-Servicemen and eligible Himachal Pradesh Government employees receive relaxation according to the applicable rules.
Application Fee
| Candidate category | Examination fee |
|---|---|
| All candidates, irrespective of category or gender | ₹600 |
The fee is payable through the prescribed online payment modes and is generally non-refundable.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement published | 19 September 2026 |
| Online application begins | 19 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 16 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Last date for fee payment | 16 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Screening / SAT date | To be announced |
| Personality Test | To be announced |
Job-Trainee Emoluments and Engagement
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly fixed amount | ₹35,000 |
| Nature | Group-A Job-Trainee engagement |
| Job-Trainee period | Two years under the state scheme |
| Regular pay-scale status | Not a regular pay-scale appointment during the Job-Trainee period |
A Job Trainee is engaged on a consolidated fixed amount under the Himachal Pradesh Government scheme. The scheme states that Job Trainees do not receive the full benefits available to regular government employees during the trainee period. Consideration after completion of the Job-Trainee period is subject to the applicable government instructions and prescribed qualifying or efficiency requirements.
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Paper I | Objective screening test, 100 marks, 1 hour |
| Paper II | Descriptive Subject Aptitude Test in the relevant subject, 120 marks, 3 hours |
| Document Verification | Verification of eligibility and uploaded documents |
| Personality Test | 30 marks |
| Final ranking | Based on Subject Aptitude Test and Personality Test marks, subject to the notified conditions |
Paper I Exam Pattern
| Area | Marks |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge of Himachal Pradesh | 30 |
| General Knowledge of National & International Affairs | 30 |
| Hindi Language | 20 |
| English Language | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
Paper I may be conducted as a Computer Based Test or offline screening test according to HPPSC arrangements.
Negative Marking
For the objective screening test, one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for an incorrect response. Where the paper provides an Option E for not attempting a question, candidates who do not wish to answer should use that option as instructed; leaving a question without selecting the prescribed option can attract the notified penalty.
Subject Aptitude Test and Personality Test
Paper II is a three-hour descriptive Subject Aptitude Test carrying 120 marks. HPPSC publishes the detailed subject syllabus separately. Candidates shortlisted under the notified procedure proceed to document verification and the Personality Test.
The Personality Test carries 30 marks and is held by HPPSC. Candidates should prepare not only Anthropology subject knowledge but also their academic profile, teaching aptitude and awareness relevant to higher education in Himachal Pradesh.
How to Apply
- Open the HPPSC Official Website.
- Select Apply Online and open the One Time Registration (OTR) for Examinations facility.
- Create a new OTR profile if you are not already registered, or log in to your existing account.
- Select Advertisement No. 61/9-2026 – Assistant Professor (Anthropology) from the live advertisements shown in the dashboard.
- Enter personal, academic and eligibility details carefully.
- Upload the prescribed qualification certificates, photograph, signature and supporting documents.
- Pay the ₹600 examination fee through the available online mode.
- Preview the full application and confirm that every uploaded document is clear and readable.
- Submit the application before 16 October 2026 at 11:59 PM and save the final acknowledgement.
HPPSC states that submitted applications are generally final, so candidates should check every field before final submission.
Documents to Keep Ready
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Matriculation certificate | Date-of-birth proof |
| Master’s degree certificate in Anthropology | Essential qualification |
| Master’s marksheets | Minimum-marks verification |
| NET / SLET / SET certificate | Eligibility-test proof |
| Ph.D. degree and exemption documents | Where exemption is claimed |
| University certification for Ph.D. exemption conditions | Where applicable |
| Category / Bonafide Himachali certificate | Where a state-specific benefit is claimed |
| Disability certificate | Where applicable |
| NOC | Candidates already in regular government service, where required |
| Recent photograph and signature | Online application upload |
Important Links
| Link | Purpose |
|---|---|
| HPPSC Advertisement Page | Official advertisement listing |
| Assistant Professor Anthropology Notification | Advertisement No. 61/9-2026 |
| HPPSC OTR / Online Application | Registration, login and application |
| HPPSC Official Website | Recruitment updates and notices |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many HPPSC Assistant Professor Anthropology vacancies are available?
There are 5 vacancies, all notified as Unreserved (UR).
What is the last date to apply?
The online application and fee-payment deadline is 16 October 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Is this a regular Assistant Professor appointment?
The advertisement is for Group-A Job-Trainee engagement on fixed monthly emoluments. It should not be treated as a regular Assistant Professor pay-scale appointment during the trainee period.
What are the monthly emoluments?
The notified fixed amount is ₹35,000 per month.
What qualification is required?
Candidates need the prescribed Master’s degree in Anthropology with normally at least 55% marks, along with NET/SLET/SET or a valid exemption under the notified Ph.D. provisions.
What is the age limit?
The basic age limit is 18 to 45 years as on 1 January 2026, subject to applicable relaxation under the notification and state rules.
What is the application fee?
The notified examination fee is ₹600.
How will candidates be selected?
The process includes an objective screening test, a descriptive Subject Aptitude Test, document verification and a Personality Test.