UP Teacher Eligibility Test, or UPTET 2026, has entered its second day, with more than 19 lakh candidates appearing for the exam across Uttar Pradesh, a record turnout for the test. To manage such a massive number of candidates, the state government has set up thousands of high-tech exam centres spread across 60 districts. The centres have been chosen carefully so that candidates from both rural and urban areas do not face major difficulty reaching their allotted venue.
Long queues from east to west
From the eastern to the western parts of Uttar Pradesh, exam centres in every city have seen long queues of candidates forming since early morning. Lakhs of young aspirants, all chasing the dream of becoming government school teachers, are now at the final stretch of a journey that has involved months of preparation.
Bus stands and railway stations packed
With over 19 lakh candidates travelling at the same time, bus stands and railway stations across the state are witnessing heavy crowds. Every candidate appears to be racing against the clock to reach their centre on time and avoid any last-minute trouble.
Morning shift begins sharp at 9:30 am
Today's first shift will begin exactly at 9:30 am. Candidates appearing for this shift will be allowed entry from 8:30 am onward, a step meant to prevent any chaos or last-minute rush at the gates. The first shift will conclude at exactly 12:00 noon.
Afternoon shift runs from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm
The second shift of the day will run from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm, and candidates for this slot will start gathering outside their centres from as early as 1:30 pm. Authorities have made it clear that gates will be shut exactly half an hour before the exam starts, meaning latecomers will be denied entry.
Heat and humidity fail to dampen spirits
On the first day of the exam, candidates showed no drop in enthusiasm despite intense heat and humidity. For lakhs of young aspirants hoping to land a government teaching job, the discomfort of the weather mattered little in front of the scale of the opportunity at stake.
