HPPSC Scientific Officer 2026 Notification

HPPSC Scientific Officer (Digital Forensic) 2026: the vacancy

The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission has invited online applications under Advertisement No. 68/10-2026, dated 14/10/2026, for 1 unreserved post of Scientific Officer (Digital Forensic), Group-B. The post is in the Directorate of Forensic Services, Department of Home, Himachal Pradesh. It is filled as a Job Trainee on fixed emoluments of ₹28,000 per month, under the State Government's scheme for engaging job trainees notified by the Department of Personnel on 19th July, 2025. The vacancies may increase or decrease.

Who can apply: qualification and experience

You need at least a 2nd class M.Sc. in Forensic Science, Digital Forensics, Cyber Forensics or Physics, or an MCA, or a Master Degree in Engineering with Computer Science, Electronics, Information Technology or Electronics Communication from a recognised university. On top of the degree, you need at least three years of experience gained after it in research, training and analytical work in one of those subjects. The experience certificate must be issued and signed by the Research Supervisor or the Head of the Organisation or Department, and research done for a Ph.D. counts. A Ph.D. and knowledge of Himachal's customs and dialects are desirable. Eligibility is judged as on the closing date, 10/11/2026.

Age limit and reservation

Candidates must be between 18 and 45 years of age as on 01-01-2026, and only the date of birth in the matriculation certificate is accepted. Reservation and fee concessions apply only to bonafide residents of Himachal Pradesh; reserved category candidates from other states are treated as general. The five-year upper age relaxation for bonafide SC, ST, OBC, WFF and disabled candidates of Himachal Pradesh is available only if a post is reserved for that category, and this post is unreserved.

Application fee and how to pay

Every candidate pays the same fee of ₹600, whatever the category or gender. It is paid online by debit card, credit card, UPI or another online mode on or before 10/11/2026, 11:59 PM, which is also the last date of the application. Fee once paid is not refunded or kept for another examination, and an application without the fee is rejected.

Selection process and marks

Both written papers are held on the same day in two sessions. Paper-I is a one-hour objective screening test of 100 marks with negative marking of one fourth of a question's marks. Its merit decides whose Paper-II answer sheets are checked, and anyone scoring zero or less in Paper-I is left out. Paper-II is a three-hour descriptive Subject Aptitude Test of 120 marks; general category candidates need 45% and reserved categories 40% to reach the Personality Test. The Personality Test carries 30 marks, with pass marks of 12 for general and 9 for reserved categories. The final ranking adds the SAT and Personality Test marks.

Documents to keep ready

Upload your matriculation certificate as age proof, degree certificates with mark sheets of all years, the experience certificate, valid category certificates, and the Bonafide Himachali certificate if you claim a reserved category. Originals are checked on the day of the Personality Test. Candidates in regular government service must inform their head of office and bring a No Objection Certificate, without which they will not be interviewed.