Every year, millions of aspirants apply for government jobs across Uttar Pradesh. Among the most talked-about recruitment drives in 2025 is the Assistant Professor vacancy, not just for the opportunity it presents but also for the surprisingly high application fees attached to it.
The Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Services Commission (UPHESC) has opened online applications for 107 Assistant Professor posts. The recruitment drive has gained traction due to the unusually steep fees charged from applicants—raising eyebrows across student and aspirant communities.
Application Process and Key Dates
The application window for UP Assistant Professor Recruitment 2025 began on May 23, 2025, and will remain open until June 12, 2025. However, candidates can pay the application fee until June 13, 2025. Only those who successfully submit the application fee will be considered for the recruitment process.
To apply, candidates must visit the official website: upessc.up.gov.in
Here’s What You’ll Pay to Apply
According to the official notification, candidates from the General Category must pay a hefty ₹2000 as the application fee. For candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD), the fee is ₹1000—still significantly high by usual standards.
The fee can be paid online via net banking, debit card, or UPI. Once the fee is paid, the application will be deemed complete.
Shocking Comparison: 20 Times Costlier Than IAS/PCS
What’s fuelling the controversy is how this fee compares to other prestigious government exams. For instance:
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UPSC Civil Services Exam charges only ₹100 for General category applicants. SC/ST, women, and PwD candidates are exempt from paying any fee.
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UP PCS (Provincial Civil Services) Exam requires General category candidates to pay just ₹125. For SC/ST applicants, the fee is ₹65, and for PwD candidates, it’s a mere ₹25.
That means, comparatively, the fee for the UP Assistant Professor post is nearly 20 times higher than what candidates pay to appear for India’s toughest and most prestigious competitive exams.
Why the High Fee?
While no official explanation has been provided for the steep pricing, experts and students alike are questioning the rationale. Given that Assistant Professor positions cater to academic aspirants—many of whom come from modest financial backgrounds—the pricing is being criticized as discouraging and exclusionary.
Social media platforms and education forums are abuzz with reactions. Students and job seekers argue that such high costs for applying may deter talented individuals from participating, thereby affecting the quality and inclusiveness of recruitment.
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Final Thoughts
While the UP Assistant Professor job remains a golden opportunity for many, the disproportionately high application fee has cast a shadow over the recruitment drive. For a state that produces a large number of aspiring educators and scholars, such fee structures may need urgent reevaluation.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear—landing a government job as an Assistant Professor in UP is no longer just about clearing the exam; it's also about affording the application process.
