The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) has officially released the detailed notification for the recruitment of Research Officer (Group-A) in the Department of Planning, Government of Punjab. The Commission is inviting online applications to fill a total of 16 vacancies (05 in the Economic Policy and Planning Board and 11 in the State Directorate of Statistics) across two separate advertisements. The PPSC Research Officer online application process is open, with the last date to apply being April 12, 2026.
PPSC Research Officer Notification 2026 Out
The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) has published two notifications for the recruitment of Research Officers in the Department of Planning. The detailed advertisements are available on the official website at ppsc.gov.in. Interested candidates must carefully check the eligibility criteria, reservation details, and the scheme of the examination before applying online. The selection process will consist of a written competitive examination followed by an interview for both sets of posts.
Check Notification PDF — LINK 1 || LINK 2
Punjab PSC Research Officer 2026: Highlights
This recruitment is for a prestigious Group-A post under the Government of Punjab. Below are the key highlights.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) |
| Post Name | Research Officer (Group-A) |
| Department | Planning, Government of Punjab |
| Total Vacancies | 16 (05 + 11) |
| Category | State Government Job |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Location | Punjab |
PPSC Research Officer 2026: Important Dates
The PPSC has released the schedule for the Research Officer recruitment. Candidates are advised to keep track of the following important dates.
| Events | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| PPSC Research Officer Notification Date | Released (March 20, 2026) |
| Application Form Start Date | Already Started |
| Last Date to Submit Application Form | April 12, 2026 (by 11:59 PM) |
| Last Date to Submit Sports/PwD Certificates | April 30, 2026 |
Also Read: RITES Limited Assistant Recruitment 2026
PPSC Research Officer Application Form 2026
The online application form for the PPSC Research Officer 2026 is available on the official website of the Commission. Candidates must register and fill out the form with accurate personal, educational, and category details. The last date for the submission of the online application form is April 12, 2026.
Candidates belonging to categories like Sports Person and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) must submit their relevant certificates via email or by hand to the PPSC office by April 30, 2026, failing which they will not be eligible for the benefits of those categories.
Application Fee
The application fee must be paid online. The fee structure is as per the Punjab Government’s latest instructions.
| Category | Application & Exam Fee |
|---|---|
| Ex-Serviceman (ESM), EWS, PwD, LDESM (Punjab only) | Rs. 500/- (No Examination Fee) |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST) of all States & Backward Classes (BC) of Punjab only | Rs. 750/- (Rs. 500 charges + Rs. 250 exam fee) |
| All Other Categories | Rs. 1500/- (Rs. 500 charges + Rs. 1000 exam fee) |
Note: The fee is non-refundable and must be submitted online through the payment gateway on the PPSC website.
Steps to Apply?
Candidates can apply for the PPSC Research Officer 2026 by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Punjab Public Service Commission at http://ppsc.gov.in.
Step 2: Click on the relevant advertisement for “Recruitment to Research Officer (Group-A)” and then click on the “Apply Online” link.
Step 3: Complete the one-time registration to generate your login credentials.
Step 4: Log in and fill in the online application form with your personal details, educational qualifications, category, and other required information. Select your category code carefully (e.g., 71 for General, 76 for PwD, 81 for Balmiki/Mazbhi Sikh).
Step 5: Upload your scanned photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
Step 6: Pay the application fee through the online payment gateway (net banking, credit card, debit card).
Step 7: After successful payment, submit the form. Download and take a printout of the final application form for future reference.
Who is Eligible to Apply for Punjab PSC Research Officer 2026?
Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for the PPSC Research Officer posts. Note that the educational qualifications differ slightly between the two advertisements.
Educational Qualification
For 05 Posts (Economic Policy and Planning Board):
- Essential: Must possess a Master’s degree with at least 50% marks in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or Commerce from a recognized university or institution.
- Experience: Must have a minimum of one year of working experience in economic planning, development appraisal of projects/programmes, compilation, or research work in a State/Central Government department, recognized university, research institute, or Public Sector Undertaking.
For 11 Posts (State Directorate of Statistics):
- Essential: Must possess a Master’s degree with at least 50% marks in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, or Commerce (with Statistics as one of the papers) from a recognized university or institution.
- Experience: Must have at least one year of experience in statistical work in a State/Central Government department, recognized university, research institute, or Public Sector Undertaking.
Common Qualifications for Both Posts
- Punjabi Language: Must have passed the Matriculation examination with Punjabi as one of the compulsory or elective subjects or an equivalent examination in the Punjabi language.
- Qualification Date: The requisite qualification must be possessed by the candidate before the last date of application, i.e., April 12, 2026.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 37 years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) & Backward Classes (BC) of Punjab | Up to 42 years |
| Punjab Government Employees, State/Central Govt. Employees | Up to 45 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) of Punjab | Up to 47 years |
| Widows, Divorcees, and certain other categories of women | Up to 42 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) of Punjab | Deduction of service period + up to 3 years |
PPSC Research Officer Vacancy Details 2026
The total number of vacancies is 16, distributed across two advertisements with specific reservations.
Vacancy for 05 Posts (Economic Policy and Planning Board)
| Category Code | Category Name | Total Posts | Posts for Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | General | 04 | 01 |
| 81 | Balmiki/Mazbhi Sikhs, Punjab | 01 | 00 |
| Total | 05 | 01 |
Vacancy for 11 Posts (State Directorate of Statistics)
| Category Code | Category Name | Total Posts | Posts for Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | General | 04 | 01 |
| 92 | General Economically Weaker Section, Punjab | 01 | 01 |
| 72/73 | Ex-Serviceman/LDESM Punjab | 01 | 01 |
| 76-C | Person with Disability (Locomotive Disability) | 01 | 01 |
| 77 | Scheduled Castes (Others), Punjab | 01 | – |
| 81 | Balmiki/Mazbhi Sikhs, Punjab | 02 | 01 |
| 85 | Backward Classes, Punjab | 01 | 01 |
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Punjab PSC Research Officer Selection Process 2026
The selection process for the Research Officer post consists of two stages:
- Written Competitive Examination
- Interview
FAQs
Q1. What is the last date to apply for PPSC Research Officer 2026?
Ans. The last date for submission of the online application form is April 12, 2026.
Q2. How many total vacancies are there for the PPSC Research Officer post?
Ans. There are a total of 16 vacancies—05 in the Economic Policy and Planning Board and 11 in the State Directorate of Statistics.
Q3. What is the educational qualification for the 11 Research Officer posts?
Ans. Candidates must have a Master’s degree with 50% marks in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, or Commerce (with Statistics as one of the papers), along with one year of experience in statistical work.
Q4. What is the exam pattern for the PPSC Research Officer 2026?
Ans. The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) for 480 marks. The duration is 2 hours, and there is a negative marking of 1 mark per incorrect answer.
Q5. What is the application fee for the General category?
Ans. The application fee for the General category is Rs. 1500/-.
