There is arguably no government post in Uttar Pradesh more sought-after at the Group C level than Lekhpal. The combination of 7,994 vacancies, a minimum qualification of just 12th pass with CCC computer certificate, and the prospect of working in your home district has made this UPSSSC recruitment one of the most fiercely competitive examinations in the state. Lekhpal — the village revenue officer — is the eyes and ears of UP's revenue administration at the ground level, and this notification is the opportunity that lakhs of candidates across UP have been waiting for.
What a Lekhpal Does in the Village
The Lekhpal is the official custodian of land records in their assigned area, which typically covers a cluster of villages. Your primary responsibility is maintaining the khasra (field-by-field record of crops and land use), khatauni (record of ownership), and other revenue records. When a farmer wants to sell his land, the Lekhpal verifies the ownership records and updates the mutation register. When the government needs to acquire land for a highway or railway project, the Lekhpal's records determine who gets compensated and how much. When a dispute arises between neighbours over a boundary line, the Lekhpal's field measurement is the first official reference point.
Beyond land records, Lekhpals assist in natural disaster assessments — surveying crop damage after floods or drought, estimating losses for compensation claims, and preparing reports for the district administration. During elections, Lekhpals often serve as booth-level officers. The role places you at the heart of rural governance, interacting daily with farmers, tehsil officials, and the local community.
Salary and Benefits
Lekhpals are placed at Pay Level 2-3 with starting basic pay of Rs 19,900-21,700. With dearness allowance and other components, the starting monthly salary is approximately Rs 25,000-30,000. This may seem modest, but for a 12th pass qualification, it comes with full government benefits — EPF/NPS, medical reimbursement, paid leave, and the crucial advantage of posting in your home district under the current recruitment policy. The cost of living in rural and semi-urban UP makes this salary entirely liveable, and increments over 25-30 years of service bring the salary to Rs 50,000+.
Selection Process
UPSSSC PET clearance is mandatory. After PET, the Lekhpal exam tests General Hindi, Mathematics, General Knowledge (with emphasis on UP revenue law, land records, and rural development), and Reasoning. There is also a Physical Efficiency Test — candidates must complete a specified distance run within the time limit. The PET is an elimination round that many candidates underestimate. Prepare specifically for UP revenue terminology, the UP Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, and basic mensuration formulas used in land measurement.
Career Growth
From Lekhpal, the promotion path through departmental exams leads to Naib Tehsildar, then Tehsildar — a gazetted officer responsible for an entire tehsil's revenue administration. Some Lekhpals who qualify through PCS exams can reach SDM and even DM level, though this requires clearing UPPSC. With 7,994 posts, the competition will be intense (expect 25-30 lakh applicants), but for those who prepare strategically and perform well in both written exam and PET, this is the most accessible Group C government job in UP.