The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) has officially released Advertisement No. 62/9-2026, announcing 228 vacancies for the post of Medical Officer (General Wing) under the Department of Health and Family Welfare. The online application window via the Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal is live and will close strictly on 16 October 2026 (11:59 PM). If you are an MBBS graduate who has completed your compulsory rotating internship, this is one of the most substantial state-level medical recruitments of the year. However, candidates must clearly understand the “Job Trainee” financial structure and the new two-paper exam pattern before applying.
The Financial Reality: Decoding the “Job Trainee” Status
Many candidates misinterpret this notification as a direct entry into a standard 7th CPC (Central Pay Commission) permanent pay scale. This is not the case.
Selected candidates will initially be engaged strictly as Job Trainees. During this trainee period, you will not receive a standard pay band, Dearness Allowance (DA), or House Rent Allowance (HRA). Instead, you will receive a fixed, consolidated monthly emolument of ₹34,000 per month. Regularization and placement into the standard Class-I (Group A) government pay scale will only occur after the successful completion of the trainee period as per Himachal Pradesh government policies.
Strategic Advantage: The 45-Year Age Limit
A major highlight of this recruitment is the exceptionally generous age bracket. While central recruitments like the UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) cap the maximum age around 32 years, the HPPSC Medical Officer drive extends the upper age limit to 45 years (calculated as of 01 January 2026). This makes the recruitment highly accessible for mid-career doctors, private practitioners, and those who missed earlier government opportunities.
Age Relaxation: A standard 5-year relaxation applies to bona fide SC, ST, OBC, WFF, and PwD candidates exclusively domiciled in Himachal Pradesh.
The Selection Process: The 2-Paper Examination System
HPPSC does not simply conduct an interview for these 228 posts. The selection process is a rigorous multi-stage elimination designed to test both regional awareness and medical aptitude.
Stage 1: Screening / Subject Aptitude Test (SAT)
The written examination is divided into two distinct papers:
- Paper-I (100 Marks): A general aptitude test covering the General Knowledge of Himachal Pradesh (30 Marks), National & International Affairs (30 Marks), Hindi Language (20 Marks), and English Language (20 Marks).
- Paper-II (120 Marks): The Subject Aptitude Test (SAT). This descriptive/objective paper will heavily test your core MBBS curriculum (Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pediatrics, etc.).
Minimum Qualifying Marks: You must secure at least 45% (General) or 40% (Reserved) in the SAT to be considered for the next round.
Stage 2: Personality Test (30 Marks)
Candidates who clear the written cut-off will face a 30-mark Personality Test (Interview). You must score a minimum of 12 marks (General) or 9 marks (Reserved) to pass this final stage.
Important Dates & The Unusual Fee Structure
| Online Application Starts | 19/09/2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online & Pay Fee | 16/10/2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Age Calculation Cut-off Date | 01/01/2026 |
Application Fee Catch: Unlike standard state PSC exams where SC, ST, OBC, and female candidates receive massive fee concessions, HPPSC has mandated a flat, uniform fee of ₹600 for all candidates, irrespective of their category or gender. This fee must be paid online and is strictly non-refundable.
Vacancy Breakdown (228 Posts)
The 228 vacancies include a significant number of backlog posts from previous recruitment cycles. The major distribution is as follows:
- Unreserved (UR): 64 Posts
- UR Ex-Servicemen: 53 Posts
- UR Orthopedically Handicapped: 24 Posts
- SC / ST / OBC / EWS: Distributed as per HP state roster (See official notification for exact backlog breakup).
How to Apply Online (ORA Portal)
- Visit the official HPPSC website at hppsc.hp.gov.in.
- If you are a new user, you must complete the One Time Registration (OTR) process. Existing users can directly log into the ORA dashboard.
- Locate Advertisement No. 62/9-2026 and click “Apply”.
- Ensure your MBBS Degree and Compulsory Rotating Internship Completion certificates are scanned in the prescribed format.
- Upload a valid Medical Council Registration Certificate.
- Pay the ₹600 fee via Debit/Credit Card or UPI.
- Review the preview page carefully, hit submit before 11:59 PM on 16 October 2026, and print the confirmation page for document verification.
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | hppsc.hp.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is the HPPSC Medical Officer post a permanent government job?
Candidates are initially appointed as “Job Trainees” on a fixed monthly stipend of ₹34,000. Regularization into a permanent pay scale occurs after the successful completion of the trainee period as per state government rules.
Q2. Can doctors from outside Himachal Pradesh apply?
Yes, candidates from other states can apply under the Unreserved (UR) category. However, Paper-I contains 30 marks dedicated exclusively to the General Knowledge of Himachal Pradesh, which out-of-state candidates must prepare for.
Q3. Is there a fee concession for female or SC/ST candidates?
No. The official notification explicitly states that a uniform application fee of ₹600 applies to all candidates, regardless of their category or gender.
Q4. I have not completed my MBBS internship yet. Can I apply?
No. The completion of a compulsory rotating internship and possessing a valid Medical Council registration are mandatory prerequisites before the application closing date.
