HPSC Section Officer HPF&AS Recruitment 2026 has been announced by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission for 26 vacancies across the State. This recruitment is exclusive to serving Himachal Pradesh Government employees with a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 3 years of regular service. The application window closes on 05/08/2026, and eligible candidates must apply online through the official OTRS portal.
Recruitment Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) |
| Post Name | Section Officer, HPF&AS (Himachal Pradesh Finance and Accounts Service) |
| Total Vacancies | 26 |
| Advertisement Number | 56/7-2026 |
| Application Mode | Online (OTRS portal) |
| Job Location | Shimla |
| Official Website | https://hppsc.hp.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 09/07/2026 |
| Closing Date for Application | 05/08/2026, 11:59 PM |
| Closing Date for Fee Payment | 05/08/2026, 11:59 PM |
| Preliminary Entrance Examination | To be notified separately |
| Main Entrance Examination | To be notified after the preliminary results |
Exam dates will be announced on the official website. Candidates should monitor the HPPSC portal regularly for updates on the entrance examination schedule.
HPSC Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Breakdown
| Category | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 17 |
| UR – Hearing Impaired of H.P. | 1 |
| UR – Intellectual Disability / Multiple Disability of H.P. | 1 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) of H.P. | 2 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) of H.P. | 2 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) of H.P. | 3 |
| Total | 26 |
The number of posts is tentative and may increase or decrease at the discretion of the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission.
Eligibility Criteria
HPSC Section Officer HPF&AS Recruitment 2026 is restricted to serving employees of the Himachal Pradesh Government, its boards, corporations, autonomous bodies, universities, and co-operative banks. As per the official notification released by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission on 09/07/2026, candidates must satisfy the following requirements as on the closing date of the application.
Educational Qualification & Service Requirements: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university and have completed a minimum of 3 years of regular continuous service in a Himachal Pradesh Government Department, Board, Corporation, Autonomous Body, University, or Co-operative Bank. Knowledge of Himachal Pradesh customs, traditions, and local dialects is desirable but not mandatory.
| Age Limit Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age | 45 years |
| Age Reckoned As | 01 January 2026 |
Is This Recruitment Right for You?
- Serving H.P. Government employees currently working in any department, board, corporation, autonomous body, or university are eligible to apply.
- You must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university with no qualification restrictions mentioned.
- If you have completed 3 years of regular, continuous service with your employer as on 05/08/2026, you meet the service criterion.
- The age bracket of 18 to 45 years covers most mid-career government employees seeking career advancement into the finance and accounts service.
Pay Scale and Benefits
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Band Level | Level-13 (7th CPC) |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 46,000 to Rs. 1,46,500 |
| Additional Benefits | Allowances as per the Himachal Pradesh Government rules |
Selected candidates will be placed in Pay Band Level-13, a mid-level position within the Himachal Pradesh Finance and Accounts Service (HPF&AS). At this level, employees receive a starting salary of Rs. 46,000 and can progress to Rs. 1,46,500 as per the 7th Central Pay Commission structure. The position qualifies as a Group-A service, offering stable career progression, pension eligibility, and all standard government allowances, including dearness allowance, house rent allowance, and other benefits as applicable in Himachal Pradesh.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Candidates | Rs. 600 |
The application fee is uniform across all categories and is charged separately for the Preliminary and Main Examinations. Candidates must pay online via Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or digital payment methods through the OTRS portal. Once paid, the fee is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted against any other examination or selection process conducted by the HPPSC.
Selection Process
The HPSC Section Officer HPF&AS selection comprises two stages: Preliminary and Main Entrance Examinations, followed by document verification and training.
Preliminary Entrance Examination
The Preliminary Examination screens candidates for the Main stage. The exam consists of 120 objective-type multiple-choice questions, each carrying 1 mark, to be completed in 2 hours. The question paper is divided into three equal sections: English & Hindi (40 questions), Omnibus Accounts (40 questions), and FRSR & HPFR 2009 (40 questions). Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies to each incorrect answer. Candidates are shortlisted for the Main Examination at a ratio of 10 times the number of vacancies.
Main Entrance Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | English and Hindi (Precis, letter writing, noting and drafting) | 150 (75+75) | 3 hours |
| Paper II | Omnibus Accounts (Pay Fixation, Pension, TA, LTC, Leave, GPF rules) | 150 | 3 hours |
| Paper III | Financial Rules, State Rules & HPFR 2009 | 150 | 3 hours |
Candidates must secure a minimum of 40% marks in each paper and 45% aggregate (with 5% relaxation for reserved category candidates) to qualify. The final merit list is prepared strictly based on aggregate marks obtained, subject to the applicable reservation policy. Selected candidates must undergo pre-induction training at MSHIPA (Maharaja Sansar Chand Institute of Public Administration) followed by HPF&AS Part-I and Part-II examinations before final confirmation in the service.
Documents Required
Candidates must prepare and upload the following documents on the OTRS portal during application:
- Matriculation certificate for age proof
- Bachelor’s Degree certificate, mark sheets of all years, or provisional degree certificate
- Valid category certificates if applicable (SC, ST, OBC, Ex-Servicemen, Ward of Ex-Servicemen, WFF, Persons with Disabilities)
- Bonafide Himachali Certificate (mandatory for reserved category candidates)
- Service Certificate and undertaking from current employer (Annexure-II and Annexure-III as prescribed)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer (Annexure-IV, mandatory for Main Examination admission)
How to Apply for HPSC Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official HPPSC website at https://hppsc.hp.gov.in
- Locate the Section Officer HPF&AS Recruitment 2026 notification and click the online application link
- Register on the OTRS (Online Transact Recruitment System) portal with your email ID and create a password
- Fill out the complete application form with accurate personal, educational, and service details
- Upload all required documents in the specified formats and file sizes as per portal instructions
- Pay the non-refundable application fee of Rs. 600 online via Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or net banking
- Submit the application before 05/08/2026 at 11:59 PM
- Download and retain a copy of the submitted application for future reference
Candidates are advised to complete the application process at least 2-3 days before the deadline to avoid technical issues or unexpected portal congestion. Ensure all document uploads are clear and legible, as the selection committee relies on these for document verification after the Main Examination.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying
- Submitting incorrect service details or years of service that do not match employer records, the HPPSC verifies all employment data, and discrepancies lead to disqualification.
- Uploading unclear or incomplete educational certificates; all documents must be legible and contain all necessary pages and official seals.
- Missing the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current employer; this is mandatory to sit for the Main Examination, and cannot be obtained after the application deadline.
- Entering the wrong date of birth or calculating age incorrectly; age is reckoned as on 01 January 2026, not the current date.
- Paying the application fee after the closing date; the fee payment window closes simultaneously with the application deadline at 05/08/2026, 11:59 PM.
- Selecting the wrong category or sub-category; once submitted, category changes are generally not permitted, and errors can disqualify your candidature.
Important Instructions
- Reservation benefits for SC/ST/OBC candidates apply only to bona fide residents of Himachal Pradesh; bona fide certificates are mandatory for reserved category applicants.
- No candidate will be admitted to the Main Examination without complete submission of all annexures (Annexure I through IV) in the prescribed format.
- A No Objection Certificate from your current employer is compulsory before sitting for the Main Examination; contract, casual, adhoc, daily-rated, and work-charged employees are exempt from this requirement.
- Re-checking or re-evaluation of OMR sheets or answer books is not permitted under any circumstances after the examination.
- Entry to the examination hall closes 30 minutes before the scheduled examination start time; candidates arriving late will not be permitted.
- No employee is allowed more than 5 chances to appear in the entrance examination across all attempts.
- Selected trainees must execute a service bond of Rs. 5,00,000, committing to serve the Government of Himachal Pradesh for a minimum of 5 years after the completion of training.
- All examinations are governed by the Himachal Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2025.
- In case of disputes, the jurisdiction of the courts at Shimla applies.
What Happens After You Apply?
- Application window closes on 05/08/2026, 11:59 PM; fee payment also closes on the same date.
- The HPPSC will announce the Preliminary Entrance Examination date separately on the official website; eligible candidates will be invited via email and portal notification.
- Candidates qualifying the Preliminary Examination at a ratio of 10:1 will be shortlisted for the Main Entrance Examination.
- The Main Examination will be conducted in three papers over separate days or combined sessions as per the HPPSC schedule.
- Merit list will be prepared based on the Main Examination marks, subject to the reservation policy applicable in Himachal Pradesh.
- Selected candidates will undergo document verification and pre-induction training at MSHIPA.
- Final appointment letter and joining notification will be issued after successful completion of all stages and training examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can contract or casual employees of the H.P. Government apply for HPSC Section Officer HPF&AS Recruitment 2026?
Ans. Contract, casual, adhoc, daily-rated, and work-charged employees are not eligible under the standard criteria, as the recruitment is restricted to those with 3 years of regular continuous service. However, such employees are exempt from submitting the No Objection Certificate (NOC) if they meet other eligibility conditions. Applicants must verify their employment status with their HR department before applying.
Q2. What is the age relaxation for reserved category candidates?
Ans. The maximum age limit is 45 years as on 01 January 2026 for all candidates, with 5% relaxation in the qualifying marks during the Main Examination for SC/ST/OBC candidates. Age relaxation as a categorical extension is not separately mentioned in the notification; candidates should refer to the official rules or contact HPPSC for clarification on age relaxation norms.
Q3. Is the application fee refundable if I fail the Preliminary Examination?
Ans. No, the application fee is non-refundable under any circumstance, including failure in the Preliminary Examination, disqualification, or withdrawal. The fee is charged separately for Preliminary and Main Examinations, meaning you must pay again if you qualify for the Main stage. No fee adjustment is allowed across different examinations or recruitment processes.
Q4. What subjects are covered in the Main Examination for Section Officer HPF&AS?
Ans. The Main Examination consists of three papers: Paper I covers English and Hindi (Precis, letter writing, noting and drafting); Paper II covers Omnibus Accounts (Pay Fixation, Pension, TA, LTC, Leave, GPF rules); Paper III covers Financial Rules, State Rules, and Himachal Pradesh Financial Rules (HPFR) 2009. Each paper carries 150 marks and has a 3-hour duration.
Q5. Can I apply if I am a bona fide resident of Himachal Pradesh but working outside the state?
Ans. You are eligible only if you are currently a serving employee of a Himachal Pradesh Government Department, Board, Corporation, Autonomous Body, University, or Co-operative Bank at the time of application. Simply being a bona fide resident is insufficient; you must be actively employed in one of these organisations and must submit the required documents, including a No Objection Certificate from your current employer.
Q6. What is the service bond requirement for selected candidates?
Ans. Selected trainees must execute a service bond of Rs. 5,00,000 (Five Lakh Rupees), committing to serve the Government of Himachal Pradesh for a minimum of 5 years immediately after successful completion of training. Failure to complete the bond period may result in financial penalties and legal action as per government rules.
Q7. How many times can I attempt the HPSC Section Officer HPF&AS entrance examination?
Ans. You are allowed a maximum of 5 chances to appear in the entrance examination across all attempts. Once you exhaust all 5 attempts, you become ineligible for future cycles of this recruitment.
Q8. What is the examination centre for HPSC Recruitment 2026?
Ans. The examination centre is in Shimla. Candidates will be allotted specific centres within Shimla based on the total number of applicants and HPPSC’s examination arrangements. Centre details will be mentioned on the admit card.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| Official HPPSC Website | Visit Website |
How to Proceed
Eligible serving Himachal Pradesh Government employees meeting the bachelor’s degree and 3-year service requirement must submit their online application before 05/08/2026 at 11:59 PM through the OTRS portal. After the application window closes, the HPPSC will announce the Preliminary Examination date on the official website, and candidates shortlisted at a 10:1 ratio will be invited for the Main Examination.
Stay informed about exam dates and result announcements by regularly checking the official HPPSC website and enabling notifications from our free job alert service for the latest updates on HPPSC recruitment cycles and other government job openings in Himachal Pradesh.
