How to become Lekhpal in UP

Becoming a Lekhpal in Uttar Pradesh is a highly sought-after career, offering a respected government position as a village-level revenue accountant. It's a role that places you at the heart of rural administration. If you're looking for a professional yet detailed guide on how to achieve this goal, you've come to the right place.

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the process, including eligibility, the selection stages, and what the job entails.

1. Understanding the Role: What is a Lekhpal?

A Lekhpal (also known as a Rajasva Lekhpal) is the ground-level officer for the revenue department in a specific area (usually a village or a small cluster of villages) in UP.

• Core Responsibilities:
• Maintaining village land records (Khatauni).
• Recording changes in land ownership and cultivation details.
• Assisting in revenue collection and tax management.
• Reporting to higher authorities (like the Revenue Inspector/Tehsildar) on natural calamities, crop status, and other village-level issues.
• Conducting field surveys.

2. Essential Eligibility Criteria

Before you start preparing, you must meet the fundamental requirements set by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC), the conducting body.

• Educational Qualification: You must have passed the 12th grade (Intermediate) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board.
• UPSSSC Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET): This is the most crucial step. To be eligible for the Lekhpal Mains exam, you must have appeared for and qualified in the UPSSSC PET. Only candidates who score above the qualifying cutoff in the PET are shortlisted for the Lekhpal Main Examination.
• Age Limit: The typical age bracket is 18 to 40 years. Age relaxation is provided for candidates belonging to reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) as per UP Government rules.
• Nationality/Residency: You must be a citizen of India and preferably a resident of Uttar Pradesh.

3. The Selection Process: A Two-Stage Journey

The recruitment process is primarily two-tiered:

A. Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) - The Gateway

The PET is a mandatory screening test for various Group C posts under UPSSSC, including Lekhpal. You need to take this exam first to become eligible for the main Lekhpal recruitment.

Key Action: Register for the PET when the notification is released and aim for a high normalized score, as the Lekhpal cutoff is determined based on PET scores.

B. Lekhpal Main Examination - The Deciding Factor

Once shortlisted from the PET, you proceed to the Main Written Examination.

• Exam Pattern: This is typically a single-stage objective (multiple-choice) written test. The total marks are usually 100, and the duration is about 2 hours.
• Core Subjects: The exam generally covers four main sections:
1. General Hindi (सामान्य हिन्दी)
2. Mathematics (गणित)
3. General Knowledge (सामान्य ज्ञान)
4. Rural Development and Rural Society (ग्राम्य समाज एवं विकास)
• Negative Marking: There is usually a penalty for incorrect answers, so accuracy is important.
• Document Verification (DV): Candidates who qualify the written exam based on the final merit list are called for Document Verification. This is where your educational certificates, PET score card, age proof, and caste/domicile certificates are checked.

4. Preparation and Application Tips

• Start with the Syllabus: Download the official, detailed syllabus for the Lekhpal Main Exam from the UPSSSC website. Focus heavily on the Rural Development and Rural Society section, as it's unique to this exam.
• Master the Basics: Ensure you have a strong command over 10th-grade level Maths, General Hindi grammar, and current affairs for General Knowledge.
• Practice with PET: Regularly solve mock tests and previous years' PET papers to maximize your score in the screening stage.
• Stay Updated: The recruitment is announced via an official Notification on the UPSSSC website ($\text{upsssc.gov.in}$). Check the website regularly or subscribe to reliable job alerts.
• Online Application: The application process is entirely online. Ensure all details, especially your PET registration number, are entered correctly to avoid rejection during Document Verification.

5. Salary and Career Growth

The Lekhpal post offers a stable and respectable career.

• Salary Structure: Based on the 7th Pay Commission, the initial gross monthly salary generally ranges between ₹30,000 to ₹35,000 (this includes Basic Pay, Grade Pay, Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other allowances). The pay scale is in the range of $\text{₹21,700 – ₹69,100}$ (Level 3).
• Career Progression: A Lekhpal can advance through departmental examinations and seniority. The typical promotion path is:

Lekhpal → Revenue Inspector (Rajswa Nirikshak/RI) → Naib Tehsildar → Tehsildar

The path to becoming a Lekhpal in UP requires dedication to qualifying the PET first, followed by a focused preparation for the Mains examination. Stay persistent, keep your documents ready, and good luck!