PPSC Research Officer Recruitment 2026

About This Job

PPSC has released notification for 16 Research Officer (Group-A) posts under the Department of Planning, Government of Punjab. Candidates who hold a Master's degree with 50% marks in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, or Commerce with 1 year experience can apply online. Last date to apply is 12 April 2026. Starting salary is Rs. 47,600 per month.

PPSC Research Officer (Group-A) Recruitment 2026 - 16 Posts

Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), headquartered at Baradari Garden, Patiala, has announced recruitment for 16 Research Officer (Group-A) posts through two separate advertisements (Advt. No. 20261 and 20262). These positions are spread across the State Directorate of Statistics (11 posts) and the Economic Policy and Planning Board (5 posts), both under the Department of Planning, Government of Punjab. This is a great opportunity for postgraduate candidates with a background in economics, statistics, or commerce who have at least one year of relevant work experience.

Vacancy Breakdown

• Research Officer (State Directorate of Statistics): 11 posts
• Research Officer (Economic Policy and Planning Board): 5 posts

Category-wise Breakdown (11 posts - Statistics Directorate, Advt. 20261):

• General: 4 posts (1 reserved for women)
• General EWS: 1 post (1 reserved for women)
• Ex-Serviceman/LDESM Punjab: 1 post (1 reserved for women)
• Person with Disability (Locomotive): 1 post (1 reserved for women)
• Scheduled Castes Others, Punjab: 1 post
• Balmiki/Mazbhi Sikhs, Punjab: 2 posts (1 reserved for women)
• Backward Classes, Punjab: 1 post (1 reserved for women)

Category-wise Breakdown (5 posts - Economic Policy Board, Advt. 20262):

• General: 4 posts (1 reserved for women)
• Balmiki/Mazbhi Sikhs, Punjab: 1 post

33% of total posts are reserved for women candidates of Punjab as per Punjab Civil Services (Reservation of Posts for Women) Rules 2020.

Who Can Apply?

For Statistics Directorate Posts (11 posts):

• Qualification: You need 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 recognised university.
• Experience: You must have at least 1 year of experience in statistical work in a State or Central Government department, recognised university, research institute, or Public Sector Undertaking.
• Punjabi Language: You should have passed Matriculation with Punjabi as a compulsory or elective subject.

For Economic Policy and Planning Board Posts (5 posts):

• Qualification: You need a Master's degree with at least 50% marks in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or Commerce from a recognised university.
• Experience: You must have at least 1 year of experience in economic planning, development appraisal of projects/programmes, compilation, or research work in a State or Central Government department, recognised university, research institute, or Public Sector Undertaking.
• Punjabi Language: You should have passed Matriculation with Punjabi as a compulsory or elective subject.

Age Limit

• You should be between 18 and 37 years old as on 01 January 2026.
• Punjab Govt / Central Govt employees: Upper age relaxed up to 45 years.
• SC / BC Punjab: Upper age relaxed up to 42 years.
• Widows and certain categories of women: Upper age relaxed up to 42 years.
• Ex-Servicemen (Punjab): Service period deducted from age + 3 years extra relaxation.
• Persons with Disability (Punjab): Upper age relaxed up to 47 years.

Salary

• Selected candidates will receive an initial pay of Rs. 47,600 per month.
• During the 3-year probation period, fixed emolument equal to minimum pay without any allowance will be paid.
• After probation, you will receive DA, HRA, and other allowances as per Punjab Government rules.

Application Fee

• General / All Other Categories: Rs. 1,500 (Rs. 500 application + Rs. 1,000 exam fee)
• SC / ST (all states) / BC (Punjab only): Rs. 750 (Rs. 500 application + Rs. 250 exam fee)
• Ex-Serviceman / EWS / PwD / LDESM (Punjab only): Rs. 500 (application charges only, no exam fee)
• Payment Mode: Online only (Credit/Debit card, Net Banking, UPI, NEFT/RTGS)

Selection Process

The selection will be done in 2 stages:

1. Written Competitive Examination (480 marks): 120 MCQs, 4 marks each, 2 hours duration. Negative marking of 1 mark per wrong answer. Candidates scoring minimum 40% (35% for SC/BC Punjab) will be shortlisted.
2. Interview (60 marks): Candidates not more than 2 times the total posts (based on merit in written exam) will be called for interview. The interview assesses your personal qualities and suitability for the job.

Total Marks: 540 (Written Exam 480 + Interview 60). Final merit list will be based on the combined score of both stages.

How to Apply

1. Go to the PPSC portal at ppsc.gov.in.
2. Click on "Open Advertisement" and find the Research Officer advertisement.
3. Click on "Apply Online" and complete the one-time registration.
4. Log in with your credentials and fill in the online application form carefully with your personal, educational, and category details.
5. Upload your scanned photograph and signature (10KB to 40KB each).
6. Pay the application fee through the online payment gateway.
7. Submit the form and save a printout for your records.

Sports Person and PwD candidates must submit their certificates by email or by hand to PPSC office by 30 April 2026.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 20 March 2026
• Application Start Date: Already started
• Last Date to Apply Online: 12 April 2026 (by 11:59 PM)
• Last Date for Sports/PwD Certificates: 30 April 2026
• Exam Date: To be announced

• Collect, compile, and analyse economic and statistical data for government planning purposes
• Prepare research reports, policy briefs, and statistical publications for the department
• Conduct field surveys and data collection exercises across Punjab
• Assist senior officers in formulating state-level economic plans and development programmes
• Maintain databases and records of socio-economic indicators
• Coordinate with central and state agencies for data sharing and verification
• Present research findings and statistical analyses to departmental committees