HP SET Syllabus 2026: Download Subject-Wise Syllabus PDF and Exam Pattern

HP SET Syllabus 2026: The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission has released the HP SET syllabus and exam pattern on its official website. The HP State Eligibility Test (SET) 2026 will be conducted in 22 subjects in Offline mode only in various test centres across the State. Candidates should check the syllabus before planning their strategy. This helps them focus on relevant chapters with frequent revision and practice. The H.P. Public Service Commission SET 2026 is divided into two papers. Paper 1 is about the Teaching and Research Aptitude. Paper 2 will be based on the subject opted by the candidate and will assess their domain knowledge. Candidates should build a strong foundation across all the topics to succeed in the exam. We have shared below the latest HP SET Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern for reference purposes.

HP SET Syllabus 2026

The HP State Eligibility Test (SET) will be conducted to determine the candidate’s eligibility for recruitment to the Assistant Professor posts in Universities and Colleges located within the State of Himachal Pradesh.  Candidates aiming for the SET 2026 exam should first understand the syllabus and prepare a list of all the topics that matter. The HP SET 2026 exam comprises two papers. Both papers contain only objective-type multiple-choice questions in two separate sessions. Paper 1 comprises 50 questions worth 100 marks. Paper 2 consists of 100 questions worth 200 marks. Once you get comfortable with basic concepts, start practising with mocks & PYQs. This helps you achieve mastery in all the key topics. Learn more about the latest HP SET Syllabus and Exam Pattern on this page.

HP SET Syllabus 2026 Overview

Understanding the HP SET syllabus can simplify your exam preparation. It helps you study all the relevant topics and practice enough to score well. Below is the overview of the SET 2026 exam for reference:

HP SET Exam Pattern 2026

Candidates should analyse the HP SET Exam Pattern to understand the paper format, question type, section, number of questions, maximum marks, and marking scheme. The written exam will be conducted offline, comprising 150 MCQs for 300 marks. The medium of the exam shall be in English and Hindi only, except for language papers, Computer Science and Environment Sciences. As per the marking scheme, each question carries 2 marks, and there will be no negative marking for incorrect responses. Below is the exam pattern for the HP SET 2026 exam:

HP SET Exam Pattern 2026 for Paper 1

Paper 1 is about the Teaching and Research Aptitude. It is divided into 10 units, comprising 50 questions for 100 marks. The exam duration will be 1 hour. Below is the HP SET Exam Pattern for Paper 1:

HP SET Exam Pattern 2026 for Paper 2

HP SET Paper 2 will be based on the subject opted by the aspirant and is intended to test the domain knowledge of the candidate. Paper 2 contains 100 objective-type questions worth 200 marks. The exam duration will be 2 hours.  Below is the HP SET Exam Pattern for Paper 2:

HP SET Syllabus 2026 PDF Download

Candidates can access the HP SET Syllabus 2026 PDF Download link to identify exam-relevant topics. Studying only topics that matter will make their preparation more effective. This lets them avoid random preparation and wastage of syllabus. Download the HP SET exam syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2 here.

HP SET Syllabus 2026 Subject-Wise

The HP SET syllabus is divided into two papers. Paper 1 test candidate’s teaching/ research aptitude while Paper 2 assess candidate’s domain knowledge. Thus, it is essential to master the basics and core topics of every topic to perform well. Below is the subject-wise HP SET Syllabus for reference.

HP SET Syllabus for Paper 1

The HP SET Paper 1 syllabus is divided into 10 units. This paper basically checks your teaching/ research aptitude. It will evaluate your reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness. Check below the topic-wise HP SET syllabus for Paper 1:

Download HP SET Paper 1 Syllabus Here

HP SET Syllabus for Teaching Aptitude

Below is the HP SET Syllabus for Teaching Aptitude for the clarity of the candidates:

• Teaching: Concept, Objectives, Levels of teaching (Memory, Understanding and Reflective), Characteristics and basic requirements.

• Learner’s characteristics: Characteristics of adolescent and adult learners (Academic, Social, Emotional and Cognitive), Individual differences.

• Factors affecting teaching related to: Teacher, Learner, Support material, Instructional facilities, Learning environment and Institution.

• Methods of teaching in Institutions of higher learning: Teacher centred vs. Learner centred methods; Off-line vs. On-line methods (Swayam, Swayamprabha, MOOCs etc.)

• Teaching Support System: Traditional, Modern and ICT based.

• Evaluation Systems: Elements and Types of evaluation, Evaluation in Choice Based Credit System in Higher education, Computer based testing, Innovations in evaluation systems.

HP SET Syllabus for Research Aptitude

Below is the HP SET Syllabus for Research Aptitude for reference purposes:

• Research: Meaning, Types, and Characteristics, Positivism and Postpositivistic approach to research.

• Methods of Research: Experimental, Descriptive, Historical, Qualitative and Quantitative methods.

• Steps of Research.

• Thesis and Article writing: Format and styles of referencing.

• Application of ICT in research.

• Research ethics.

HP SET Syllabus for Comprehension

A passage of text be given. Questions be asked from the passage to be answered.

HP SET Syllabus for Communication

Given below is the HP SET Syllabus for Communication for candidate’s reference:

• Communication: Meaning, types and characteristics of communication.

• Effective communication: Verbal and Non-verbal, Inter-Cultural and group communications, Classroom communication.

• Barriers to effective communication.

• Mass-Media and Society.

HP SET Syllabus for Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude

Given below are important topics mentioned in the HP SET Syllabus for Maths:

• Types of reasoning.

• Number series, Letter series, Codes and Relationships.

• Mathematical Aptitude (Fraction, Time & Distance, Ratio, Proportion and Percentage, Profit and Loss, Interest and Discounting, Averages etc.).

HP SET Syllabus for Logical Reasoning

Learn about the crucial topics covered in the HP SET Syllabus for Reasoning:

• Understanding the structure of arguments: argument forms, structure of categorical propositions, Mood and Figure, Formal and Informal fallacies, Uses of language, Connotations and denotations of terms, Classical square of opposition.

• Evaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoning.

• Analogies.

• Venn diagram: Simple and multiple use for establishing validity of arguments.

• Indian Logic: Means of knowledge.

• Pramanas: Pratyaksha (Perception), Anumana (Inference), Upamana (Comparison), Shabda (Verbal testimony), Arthapatti (Implication) and Anupalabddhi (Non-apprehension).

• Structure and kinds of Anumana (inference), Vyapti (invariable relation), Hetvabhasas (fallacies of inference).

HP SET Syllabus for Data Interpretation

Below is the HP SET Syllabus for Data Interpretation for reference purposes:

• Sources, acquisition and classification of Data.

• Quantitative and Qualitative Data.

• Graphical representation (Bar-chart, Histograms, Pie-chart, Table-chart and Line-chart) and mapping of Data.

• Data Interpretation.

• Data and Governance.

HP SET Syllabus for Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Below is the HP SET Syllabus for ICT for reference purposes:

• ICT: General abbreviations and terminology.

• Basics of Internet, Intranet, E-mail, Audio and Video-conferencing.

• Digital initiatives in higher education.

• ICT and Governance.

HP SET Syllabus for People, Development and Environment

The HP SET syllabus for People and Environment covers the following topics:

• Development and environment: Millennium development and Sustainable development goals.

• Human and environment interaction: Anthropogenic activities and their impacts on the environment.

• Environmental issues: Local, Regional and Global; Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Noise pollution, Waste (solid, liquid, biomedical, hazardous, electronic), Climate change and its Socio-Economic and Political dimensions.

• Impacts of pollutants on human health.

• Natural and energy resources: Solar, Wind, Soil, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass, Nuclear and Forests.

• Natural hazards and disasters: Mitigation strategies.

• Environmental Protection Act (1986), National Action Plan on Climate Change, International agreements/efforts -Montreal Protocol, Rio Summit, Convention on Biodiversity, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, International Solar Alliance.

HP SET Syllabus for Higher Education System

Below is the HP SET Syllabus for Higher Education System for reference purposes:

• Institutions of higher learning and education in ancient India.

• Evolution of higher learning and research in Post Independence India.

• Oriental, Conventional and Non-conventional learning programmes in India.

• Professional, Technical and Skill Based education.

• Value education and environmental education.

• Policies, Governance, and Administration

HP SET Syllabus for Paper 2

The HP SET Paper 2 syllabus is focused on the Concerned subject. Paper 2 covers questions that will be based on the subject opted by the candidate and test their domain knowledge. It comprises a list of 22 subjects. This includes Chemical Sciences, English, Life Sciences, Commerce, Economics, Geography, History, Mathematical Sciences, etc. Get the direct links to download the HP SET Syllabus PDF for Paper 2 in the table below:

HP SET Syllabus for Life Science

Candidates can check below some of the important topics for the HP SET Life Science subject:

• Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology

• Cellular Organization

• Fundamental Processes

• Cell Communication and Cell Signaling

• Developmental Biology

• System Physiology – Plant

• System Physiology – Animal

• Inheritance Biology

• Diversity of Life Forms

• Ecological Principles

• Evolution and Behavior

• Applied Biology

• Methods in Biology

HP SET Syllabus for Political Science

The HP SET Political Science syllabus comprises the following topics:

• Unit - 1: Political Theory

• Unit - 2: Political Thought

• Unit - 3: Indian Political Thought

• Unit - 4: Comparative Political Analysis 

• Unit - 5: International Relations

• Unit - 6: India’s Foreign Policy, etc

HP SET Syllabus for Mathematical Sciences 

The HP SET Mathematical Sciences syllabus comprises the following topics:

• Analysis and Linear Algebra

• Complex Analysis,  Algebra, and Topology

• Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs), Partial Differential Equations (PDEs), Numerical Analysis, Calculus of Variations, etc

• Descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis, etc

HP SET Syllabus for Economics 

The HP SET Economics syllabus comprises the following topics:

• Micro Economics

• Macro Economics

• Statistics and Econometrics

• Mathematical Economics

• International Economics

• Public Economics

• Money and Banking

• Growth and Development Economics

• Environmental Economics and Demography

• Indian Economy

HP SET Syllabus for Chemical Sciences

The HP SET Chemical Sciences syllabus comprises the following topics:

• Inorganic Chemistry

• Physical Chemistry

• Organic Chemistry 

• Interdisciplinary topics

HP SET Syllabus for English

The HP SET English syllabus comprises the following topics:

• Unit I: Drama

• Unit II: Poetry

• Unit III: Fiction, short story

• Unit IV: Non-Fictional Prose

• Unit V: Language: Basic concepts, theories and pedagogy. English in Use.

• Unit VI: English in India: history, evolution and futures

• Unit VII: Cultural Studies

• Unit VIII: Literary Criticism

• Unit IX: Literary Theory post World War II

• Unit X: Research Methods and Materials in English

How to Cover the HP SET Syllabus 2026?

The HP SET preparation requires smart planning, consistency, and the right resources. You must begin by understanding the syllabus and mastering all essential topics. Below are the tips and tricks to ace the HP SET exam:

• Examine the latest HP SET syllabus and pattern to determine relevant topics and exam requirements.

• Create an effective study plan and set achievable targets to stay on track.

• Practice mocks and past papers to identify your strengths and challenges.

• Revise all the topics regularly for better retention.