PPSC Eligibility 2026, Check Age, Educational, & Physical Criteria

PPSC 2026 aspirants must meet specific eligibility requirements to apply. A minimum educational qualification of a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is mandatory, along with matriculation in Punjabi as a compulsory or elective subject. The minimum age limit is set at 21 years, with the maximum fixed at 37 years for general posts and 28 years for positions in Punjab Police Service and Punjab Prisons Service. Applicants for Deputy Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent Jails must also fulfill the required physical standards and qualify for the designated physical tests.

PPSC Nationality 2026

Candidates must fulfil the following nationality criteria to be eligible for PPSC. The candidate must be:

• A citizen of India, or
• A citizen of Nepal, or
• A subject of Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st Jan 1962, to settle permanently, or
• A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia), or Vietnam, intending to settle permanently in India.

(Non-Indian candidates must have a certificate of eligibility from the competent authority as per the Punjab Civil Services Rules, 1994.)

PPSC Age Limit 2026

The age limit required by candidates to be eligible for PPSC are mentioned below based on posts:

• General Category: Minimum 21 to maximum 37 years as on 1st January 2026.
• Punjab Police Service & Punjab Prisons Service (DSP/Dy. Supdt. Jails): Minimum 21 to maximum 28 years.
• Relaxations are mentioned in the table below:

PPSC Educational Qualification 2026

Candidates must hold the following qualifications to be eligible for the Punjab Public Service Commission. The candidates:

• Must possess a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university or institution.
• Candidates studying for the qualifying degree may appear in the Prelims Exam, but they must produce proof of passing the degree to be eligible for the Main Exam.
• Must have passed Matriculation with Punjabi as a compulsory/elective subject OR any other equivalent examination in Punjabi specified by the Government.
• Exemptions:
  • Wards of Defence Service Personnel (bona fide residents of Punjab) must clear the Punjabi language test within 2 years of appointment.
  • War Heroes, disabled ex-servicemen, widows/dependents appointed under Govt instructions are exempted from the Punjabi language condition.

PPSC Physical Standards 2026

Both male and female candidates are required to meet the standard physical standards to be eligible for PPSC. The details for the required physical standards for PPSC 2026 for male and female candidates are mentioned in the table below:

There are relaxations in the number of attempts for PPSC Physical Standards for the following categories:

PPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026 require candidates to hold a bachelor’s degree, be at least 21 years old, and not exceed 37 years for general posts or 28 years for Police/Prisons posts. Punjabi at matriculation and prescribed physical standards for DSP/Jails are mandatory.