HPPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026: The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) has released an official notification (Advertisement No. 65/10-2026) inviting Online Recruitment Applications (ORA) for the position of Scientific Officer, Group-B (Job Trainee) in the Directorate of Forensic Services, Department of Home, Himachal Pradesh. If you have a postgraduate background in Forensic Science, Chemistry, or Pharmacy, along with relevant analytical experience, this is a prime opportunity to build a career in government.
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official portal from 07/10/2026 until 03/11/2026 (11:59 PM). Below are all the critical recruitment details, including vacancy breakups, eligibility criteria, examination patterns, and step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Details for HPPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026
| Organization | Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) |
| Department | Directorate of Forensic Services (Department of Home) |
| Post Name | Scientific Officer, Group-B (Job Trainee) |
| Advertisement Number | 65/10-2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 03 (Unreserved / General) |
| Fixed Emoluments / Salary | Rs. 28,000/- per month (Fixed Job Trainee stipend) |
| Mode of Application | Online via HPPSC OTRS Portal |
| Last Date to Apply & Pay Fee | 03/11/2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Official Website | hppsc.hp.gov.in |
Important Dates to Remember
- Notification Release Date: 07/10/2026
- Opening Date for Online Application: 07/10/2026
- Closing Date for Online Application: 03/11/2026 (11:59 PM)
- Last Date for Online Fee Payment: 03/11/2026 (11:59 PM)
- Screening Test / Exam Date: To be announced
Vacancy Details & Emoluments
The selected candidates will be engaged under the State Government’s scheme for engagement of job trainees on a fixed amount.
- Post Title: Scientific Officer (Job Trainee)
- Total Posts: 03 Posts (Unreserved = 03)
- Monthly Pay: Rs. 28,000/- per month
Note: Since all 3 vacancies are Unreserved, candidates across categories are welcome to apply on merit, but benefits of category reservations/fee concessions apply as per standard rules.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualifications
- At least 2nd class M.Sc. in Forensic Science (with specialization/dissertation/course work/project work in the field of Chemical Sciences).
OR - At least 2nd class M.Sc. in Chemistry / Bio-Chemistry / Pharmacy / M.S. (Pharm.) / M.Pharm. from a recognized University.
2. Experience Required
- Minimum 3 years of post-qualification experience in Research, Training, and Analytical Work within any of the qualifying subjects listed above.
- The certificate must be formally issued and signed by either the Research Supervisor or the Head of the Organization/Department.
- Ph.D. Consideration: Any research work carried out specifically for the completion of a Ph.D. degree will count toward the total mandatory 3-year experience.
3. Desirable Qualifications
- PhD degree in any of the relevant qualifying subjects.
- Knowledge of the customs, manners, and dialects of Himachal Pradesh and suitability for engagement in the prevailing regional conditions.
4. Age Limit (as of 01-01-2026)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 45 years
- Age Relaxation: A 5-year upper age relaxation applies to bona fide SC/ST/OBC/WFF/PwBD candidates of Himachal Pradesh only when vacancies are reserved for them, and for HP Government Employees/Ex-servicemen as per government orders.
Application Fee & Payment Mode
- Application Fee: A uniform examination fee of Rs. 600.00 is applicable to all candidates, irrespective of category or gender.
- Payment Mode: Online only via Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking on the OTRS portal. Fees once submitted are strictly non-refundable.
Selection Process & Examination Pattern
The recruitment process consists of two primary stages: a Written Test/Screening Test followed by a Personality Test.
Stage 1: Written Examination (Conducted in Two Sessions on the Same Day)
Paper-I: Screening Test / CBT (100 Marks – 1 Hour)
Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) covering the following sections:
- General Knowledge of Himachal Pradesh: 30 Marks
- National & International Current Affairs: 30 Marks
- Knowledge of Hindi Language: 20 Marks
- Knowledge of English Language: 20 Marks
Negative Marking Rules:
- Each wrong answer incurs a 0.25 mark deduction.
- Multiple selections for a single question are treated as incorrect (-0.25 marks).
- An extra Option ‘E’ is provided if you do not wish to attempt a question. Leaving a question completely blank will result in a negative marking penalty (-0.25 marks).
Paper-II: Descriptive Subject Aptitude Test (SAT) (120 Marks – 3 Hours)
- Descriptive test based on the specific syllabus prescribed by HPPSC.
- Evaluation of Paper-II is merit-based according to Paper-I performance.
- Qualifying Marks for SAT: 45% for General category and 40% for Reserved categories.
Stage 2: Personality Test / Interview (30 Marks)
- Held exclusively at the HPPSC Office in Shimla.
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 40% (12 marks) for General category and 30% (9 marks) for Reserved categories.
- Final Merit List: Calculated based on cumulative marks obtained in Paper-II (120 Marks) + Personality Test (30 Marks).
How to Apply
- Navigate to the HPPSC official website: hppsc.hp.gov.in.
- Click on “Apply Online” and choose “One Time Registration (OTR) for Examinations”.
- Register your profile via “New Registration” or log in to your existing account.
- Go to the live recruitment dashboard, select Advertisement No. 65/10-2026, and complete the form.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents (Matriculation certificate for age, degree certificates/mark sheets, 3-year experience certificates, category certificates if applicable).
- Review the uploaded documents for clarity and submit your declaration.
- Pay the Rs. 600/- examination fee using the online gateway.
- Download and print the completed confirmation page for reference.
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs – HPPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026
Q1: What is the total number of vacancies advertised for the Scientific Officer post?
A total of 03 vacancies have been announced, and all 03 are under the Unreserved (UR) category.
Q2: What is the last date to apply and pay the examination fee?
The closing date for submission of the Online Recruitment Application (ORA) and payment of the examination fee is 03/11/2026 at 11:59 PM.
Q3: What are the essential educational qualifications required?
Candidates must possess either:
At least a 2nd class M.Sc. in Forensic Science (with specialization, dissertation, coursework, or project work in the field of Chemical Sciences).
OR at least a 2nd class M.Sc. in Chemistry, Bio-Chemistry, Pharmacy, M.S. (Pharm.), or an M.Pharm. degree from a recognized University.
Q4: Is work experience mandatory to apply?
Yes. Candidates must have a minimum of three (03) years of post-qualification experience in Research, Training, and Analytical Work within the specified subjects. The experience certificate must be formally signed by the Research Supervisor or Head of the Organization/Department. Research work carried out specifically for a PhD degree also counts toward this requirement.
Q5: What is the age limit for this recruitment?
Candidates must be between 18 and 45 years of age, reckoned as of 01-01-2026. Upper age relaxation of five years is admissible to bona fide SC, ST, OBC, WFF, and Persons with Disabilities of Himachal Pradesh, provided there is a post reserved for those categories.
Q6: What is the monthly salary/remuneration for this post?
The post is under the scheme for engagement of job trainees, offering a fixed monthly emolument of Rs. 28,000/- per month.
Q7: How much is the application fee?
A uniform examination fee of Rs. 600.00 is charged for all candidates, regardless of gender or category, payable online via debit/credit card, UPI, or digital modes.
Q8: Can candidates from other states apply?
Yes, but candidates belonging to reserved categories from other states will be treated as General Category (Unreserved) candidates, and no reservation or fee concession will be admissible to them.
Q9: What is the examination and selection scheme?
Paper-I (Screening Test/CBT): 100 marks (1 hour) covering HP GK (30 marks), National/International Affairs (30 marks), Hindi (20 marks), and English (20 marks).
Paper-II (Subject Aptitude Test – SAT): Descriptive test of 120 marks (3 hours) based on the syllabus prescribed by the Commission.
Personality Test: 30 marks, conducted at the Commission’s office in Shimla. The final selection is based on the combined marks of Paper-II (120 marks) and the Personality Test (30 marks).
Q10: Is there negative marking in the screening test?
Yes. A penalty of one-fourth (0.25 marks) is deducted for each incorrect answer, for multiple responses to a single question, or if a question is left completely blank. If you do not wish to attempt a question, you must mark Option ‘E’ to avoid the penalty.