- Himachal Pradesh University was established on 22 July 1970 at Summer Hill, Shimla and is accredited Grade A by NAAC, with 13 faculties and 132 academic programmes
- Its distance-education wing, formerly ICDEOL, is now the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), recognised by the UGC Distance Education Bureau
- Applications are submitted online through the official portal at nadmissions.hpushimla.in.
Himachal Pradesh University, commonly known as HPU, is a public state university located at Summer Hill, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Established on 22 July 1970 under the Himachal Pradesh University Act, it is one of the oldest and most reputed universities in the state and is funded through the budget provisions of the State Government along with grants from the University Grants Commission.
HPU is not a single unit but a family of faculties, departments, institutes and centres. To enrol in most of its programmes, a candidate has to clear the relevant HPU examination or admission process. This article explains the eligibility, documents, dates and step-by-step application process for the HPU examination in 2026.
What Is the HPU Examination?
The HPU examination refers to the entrance tests and admission process conducted by Himachal Pradesh University for its undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and doctoral programmes. Courses include BBA, BCA, MBA, LLB, M.Com and MTTM, with admission based on merit or an entrance test depending on the programme applied for.
The University offers an array of courses at the UG, PG and doctoral level, such as:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Vocational Studies
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Bachelor of Law
- M.Sc. (Physics, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Mathematics)
- Ph.D. in Physics, Education, Management, Rural Development, Tourism and Journalism
What Are the HPU Examination Eligibility Criteria?
Eligibility for the HPU examination varies by course. Undergraduate programmes such as BBA and B.Com require a pass in class 12 with around 45 percent marks, while postgraduate courses like MBA need a bachelor's degree with at least 50 percent marks. A relaxation of five percent applies to SC and ST candidates.
The eligibility criteria for each course differ. Students can check the criteria for some of the popular courses below:
| Course | Eligibility Criteria (2026) |
|---|---|
| BBA / B.Com | Passed class 12 from a recognised board with at least 45 percent marks in aggregate (40 percent for SC/ST candidates). |
| BCA | Passed class 12 from a recognised board with at least 40 percent marks in aggregate (35 percent for SC/ST candidates). |
| B.Ed | Passed 10+2 with at least 50 percent marks in aggregate (45 percent for SC/ST candidates). |
| MBBS / BDS | Only NEET-UG 2026 qualified candidates are eligible. |
| MBA | Bachelor's degree with at least 50 percent marks (45 percent for SC/ST candidates); maximum age 26 years for boys and 28 years for girls (29 years for SC/ST) as on 1 July of the year concerned. |
| Diploma Programmes | A bachelor's degree is required to be eligible for the diploma courses. |
Which Documents Are Required for the HPU Examination?
Before applying for the HPU examination, keep scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph and signature ready in JPG or JPEG format. You also need class 10 and 12 mark sheets, migration and passing certificates, proof of Himachal Pradesh domicile where applicable, and an Aadhaar or PAN card for identity verification.
Before proceeding to apply for the HPU examination, students must keep the following documents ready to fill the application form:
- Recent passport-size colour photograph in formals, with no shadows or red eye, in JPG or JPEG format up to 100 KB.
- Scanned signature made with black ink on white paper, signed only by the applicant, in JPG or JPEG format up to 100 KB.
- Scanned signature of the applicant's father or mother.
- Class 10 and 12 mark sheets.
- Migration certificate and passing certificates of class 10 and 12.
- Proof of Himachal Pradesh domicile, and category or ward-of-employee certificate where applicable.
- Aadhaar card or PAN card.
When Are the HPU Admission and Exam Dates in 2026?
For 2026, HPU extended its Centre for Distance and Online Education admission deadlines, with UG, PG and diploma applications open until 5 April 2026 and B.Ed and MBA applications until 7 April 2026. Regular entrance examinations for programmes like BBA, BCA and MBA are usually held between May and June each year.
The key HPU admission deadlines for the 2026 cycle, as listed on the official admission portal, are given below. Always confirm exact entrance-exam dates on the official website before applying.
| Programme | Application Deadline 2026 |
|---|---|
| UG (BA, B.Com), PG (MA, M.Com) and Diploma courses | Extended till 5 April 2026 |
| B.Ed and MBA | Extended till 7 April 2026 |
| Regular entrance exams (BBA, BCA, MBA, MTTM) | Typically held May-June 2026 (confirm on official portal) |
How Do You Fill the HPU Application Form?
To apply, visit the official HPU admission portal at nadmissions.hpushimla.in and select your desired UG, PG, diploma or doctoral programme. Fill in your personal and educational details to generate a unique registration number, upload the required documents, pay the application fee online, and submit the form to receive a confirmation page.
Students need to follow the steps below to fill the application form and apply for courses at Himachal Pradesh University:
- Visit the official HPU admission portal at nadmissions.hpushimla.in to fill the application form.
- Click on the link to apply for the various UG, PG, diploma and doctoral programmes.
- Select the specific programme you wish to apply for.
- Fill in the required personal and educational details; a Unique Registration Number (URN) is generated on submission.
- Upload the required documents and pay the application fee online.
- Submit the form; the confirmation page confirms the final submission of the application.
What Is HPU CDOE (Formerly ICDEOL)?
HPU set up its Directorate of Correspondence Courses in 1971, later renamed the International Centre for Distance Education and Open Learning (ICDEOL) and now the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE). Recognised by the UGC Distance Education Bureau, it offers UG, PG and diploma courses such as BA, B.Com, MA, MBA and MCA.
Established soon after the University in 1971, this centre was the first to offer postgraduate instruction in social sciences, humanities, commerce and teacher training through distance mode. It delivers UG, PG and diploma programmes to learners across India, with admission handled online through the HPU admission portal.
- BA
- B.Com
- MBA
- MCA
- M.Sc. in Mathematics
How Do You Apply for HPU B.Ed?
HPU B.Ed admission is an annual, online process. Register on the official HPU website to receive your login credentials, complete the application form with personal and academic details, upload the scanned photograph, signature and required documents, pay the fee online or offline, and verify all details before final submission.
The process involved in applying for the HPU B.Ed examination online includes the following steps:
- Registration: register for the entrance examination by visiting the official HPU website and filling the registration form.
- Application form: use the login credentials received to fill in and verify your personal and academic details.
- Uploading documents: provide the passport-size photograph, signature and other required documents.
- Payment: pay the application fee online or offline; this is a mandatory step.
- Verification: confirm all the details provided before completing the admission process.