AP universities exam clashes with panchayat poll duty on Dec 2; APPSC yet to decide
By TUF News Desk · Published 12 November 2026 · 3 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Thousands of candidates preparing for the Andhra Pradesh Universities Recruitment Examination are waiting on a decision from the state public service commission. The exam is set for December 1 to 5, but December 2 is also the third phase of the panchayat elections in the state. In-service candidates who have been assigned poll duty that day cannot be in two places at once.
The exam fills Assistant Professor and Lecturer posts across 19 universities in Andhra Pradesh. The Deccan Chronicle reported that around 1,500 assistant professor posts are involved. The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) will run the exam in computer-based mode.
Who the clash hits hardest
Many of the applicants are already in government service. School assistants and employees of other departments make up a large part of the applicant pool, and election duty is mandatory for them. A candidate posted to a polling station on December 2 would have to miss the exam.
EdexLive reported the case of a school assistant from Vijayawada who applied for the English Lecturer post at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT) and has been assigned election duty on the same day. A candidate from Guntur who applied for the same post raised the same concern. Both have asked APPSC to decide quickly so they know whether to keep preparing for December 2 or wait for a new date.
Representations reach APPSC
Candidates have sent representations to the commission asking it to move the exam. Some also approached the State Election Commission. On November 5, the election commission forwarded a representation to APPSC in a letter numbered 1138/SEC-B1/2026. The letter only asks APPSC to consider the request. It does not direct a postponement, and the election commission has said the decision is APPSC’s to make.
EdexLive contacted the APPSC helpdesk on Tuesday, November 10. The helpdesk confirmed that the commission had received the representations and was examining them, but said no decision had been taken. If the commission does change anything, it will publish a web note on its portal.
What happens next
As of November 12, the December 1 to 5 schedule stands. Candidates have been told not to trust postponement claims circulating on social media and to keep preparing while watching the official portal.
One question remains open: if APPSC does act, would it move only the December 2 papers or revise the full five-day schedule? The commission has indicated neither so far. Hall tickets are expected seven to ten days before the exam, going by previous APPSC practice.
Candidates can check the official APPSC portal for any update. The 19 universities in the recruitment drive are state universities, and our guide to central, state and private universities explains how they differ.
Frequently asked questions
When is the AP Universities Recruitment Examination 2026?
December 1 to 5, 2026. The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission will conduct it in computer-based mode for Assistant Professor and Lecturer posts across 19 universities.
Why are candidates asking APPSC to postpone the exam?
December 2, the third phase of the panchayat elections, falls inside the exam window. In-service candidates assigned election duty that day cannot attend the exam.
Has APPSC postponed the AP Universities exam?
No. As of November 12, 2026, the commission has not taken a decision and the December 1 to 5 schedule stands.
Where will APPSC announce a decision on the exam dates?
On its official portal, psc.ap.gov.in. The commission has said it will publish a web note there if the schedule changes.
Frequently asked questions
When is the AP Universities Recruitment Examination 2026?
December 1 to 5, 2026. The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission will conduct it in computer-based mode for Assistant Professor and Lecturer posts across 19 universities.
Why are candidates asking APPSC to postpone the exam?
December 2, the third phase of the panchayat elections, falls inside the exam window. In-service candidates assigned election duty that day cannot attend the exam.
Has APPSC postponed the AP Universities exam?
No. As of November 12, 2026, the commission has not taken a decision and the December 1 to 5 schedule stands.
Where will APPSC announce a decision on the exam dates?
On its official portal, psc.ap.gov.in. The commission has said it will publish a web note there if the schedule changes.
Sources: EdexLive, Deccan Chronicle