PSSSB Excise Inspector Admit Card 2026
Job Description
Eligibility
How to Apply
Overview
The Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB) conducts the recruitment examination for the post of Excise Inspector in the Excise and Taxation Department of Punjab. This examination selects candidates for enforcement and regulatory roles involving excise duty collection, prevention of illicit liquor trade, and implementation of excise laws. The Excise Inspector position is a Group-B gazetted post under the Punjab Government with significant field responsibilities. Selected candidates will be responsible for excise policy implementation, revenue collection, and enforcement activities across Punjab. This recruitment offers 197 vacancies across various categories with competitive salary and growth prospects in the state excise department.
Important Dates
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | January 2026 (Expected) |
| Application Start Date | January 2026 (Expected) |
| Application Last Date | February 2026 (Expected) |
| Fee Payment Last Date | February 2026 (Expected) |
| Admit Card Release | March 2026 (Expected) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | April 2026 (Expected) |
| Main Exam Date | June 2026 (Expected) |
| Result Declaration | August 2026 (Expected) |
Note: Dates are indicative and subject to official notification
Vacancy Details
Vacancy Distribution
Typical / Indicative figures based on 197 total posts:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (General) | 79 |
| SC | 59 |
| ST | 4 |
| OBC | 39 |
| EWS | 16 |
| Total | 197 |
Eligibility
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Minimum: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university
- Preferred: Degree in Commerce, Economics, or related field
- Candidates appearing in final year/semester are also eligible to apply
- Must possess valid degree certificate at the time of document verification
Age Limit
Age as on 01/01/2026:
| Parameter | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age | 35 years |
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| EWS | No relaxation |
| PWD (General) | 10 years |
| PWD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| PWD (OBC) | 13 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Service period + 3 years |
Nationality
- Must be a citizen of India
- Preference given to residents of Punjab for domicile-based posts
How to Apply
How to Apply
- Visit the official PSSSB website at www.punjabsssb.gov.in
- Click on 'Apply Online' link for Excise Inspector Recruitment 2026
- Register as new user with valid email ID and mobile number
- Verify registration through OTP received on mobile/email
- Login using registration credentials and fill the application form completely
- Upload scanned photograph (50 KB), signature (20 KB), and required documents as per specifications
- Pay application fee through online mode (Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking)
- Review filled application form carefully before final submission
- Submit the application and take printout of confirmation page for future reference
- Keep transaction ID and application number safe for tracking application status
Application Fees
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹1,000 |
| SC/ST | ₹250 |
| PWD | ₹250 |
| Ex-Servicemen | ₹250 |
Fee includes examination fee and portal charges. No refund under any circumstances.
Selection Process
Selection Stages
- Preliminary Examination: Computer-based objective type test covering General Knowledge, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English. Qualifying in nature, marks not counted for final merit.
- Main Examination: Written examination consisting of two papers - Paper I (General Studies) and Paper II (Subject Knowledge including Excise Law, Taxation, Economics). Marks obtained will be considered for final merit list.
- Physical Measurement Test (PMT): Candidates qualifying Main Exam will undergo physical measurement verification as per prescribed standards for height, chest (for males), and weight.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Candidates qualifying PMT will undergo physical efficiency test including running, long jump, and other physical activities as prescribed.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates after PET must present original documents for verification of educational qualification, category certificate, age proof, and domicile certificate.
- Medical Examination: Final shortlisted candidates will undergo comprehensive medical examination by designated medical board to ensure fitness for the post.
- Final Merit List: Based on marks obtained in Main Examination and successful completion of all stages, final merit list will be prepared and appointments issued.
Exam Pattern
Examination Pattern
Preliminary Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 2 hours |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | (120 minutes) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | |
| English Language | 25 | 25 | |
| Total | 125 | 125 |
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
Main Examination
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies, Current Affairs, Punjab History & Culture | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper-II | Excise Law, Taxation, Economics, Commerce, Accounts | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer in Main Examination
Note: Questions will be objective type (MCQ). Minimum qualifying marks: 40% for General, 35% for SC/ST/OBC categories
Syllabus
Detailed Syllabus
General Knowledge & Current Affairs
- Indian History, Freedom Movement, and Indian National Movement
- Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj
- Indian Economy, Planning, Five Year Plans, Economic Reforms
- Geography of India and Punjab - Physical, Economic, Social aspects
- General Science - Physics, Chemistry, Biology basics
- Current National and International Events
- Sports, Awards, Books and Authors
- Important Days and Events
Reasoning Ability
- Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning
- Analogies, Classifications, Series
- Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations
- Direction Sense, Seating Arrangements
- Syllogisms, Statements and Conclusions
- Puzzles and Problem Solving
- Data Interpretation
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number Systems, HCF and LCM
- Simplification and Approximation
- Percentage, Ratio and Proportion
- Average, Profit and Loss
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work, Time and Distance
- Mensuration - Area, Volume
- Data Interpretation - Tables, Graphs, Charts
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar - Tenses, Articles, Prepositions
- Vocabulary - Synonyms, Antonyms
- Sentence Correction and Improvement
- Error Detection and Correction
- Fill in the Blanks
- Idioms and Phrases
- Active and Passive Voice
Excise Law & Taxation
- Punjab Excise Act and Rules
- Central Excise Act and GST basics
- Prohibition and regulation of intoxicants
- Licensing procedures and regulations
- Penal provisions and offences
- Powers of Excise Officers
- Revenue collection mechanisms
Economics & Commerce
- Basic Economic Concepts - Demand, Supply, Elasticity
- National Income Accounting
- Money and Banking System
- Inflation, Deflation, Stagflation
- Public Finance and Fiscal Policy
- Accountancy Basics - Journal, Ledger, Trial Balance
- Financial Statements interpretation
Punjab History, Culture & Geography
- History of Punjab from ancient to modern times
- Sikh Gurus and Sikh Religion
- Freedom fighters of Punjab
- Art, Culture, Festivals of Punjab
- Geography of Punjab - Rivers, Climate, Crops
- Economic and Social development of Punjab
- Current developments in Punjab
Salary
Salary Structure for PSSSB Excise Inspector
Typical / Indicative salary details as per Punjab Government pay scales:
| Component | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Starting) | 35,400 |
| Pay Scale | 35,400 - 1,12,400 (Level-7) |
| DA (Dearness Allowance) @ 50% | 17,700 |
| HRA (House Rent Allowance) | 10,620 - 14,160 |
| Transport Allowance | 3,600 |
| Other Allowances | 2,000 - 3,000 |
| Gross Monthly Salary | 69,000 - 71,000 |
| In-Hand Salary (approx) | 55,000 - 58,000 |
Additional Benefits:
- Medical reimbursement for self and family
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- Pension benefits under National Pension Scheme (NPS)
- Group Insurance coverage
- Performance-linked incentives
- Government accommodation or HRA
- Annual increment as per rules
Career Growth
Excise Inspectors in Punjab have excellent career progression opportunities within the Excise and Taxation Department. Promotions are available to posts of Superintendent Excise and Taxation, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, and eventually to Deputy Commissioner level positions based on seniority, performance, and departmental examinations. Officers can expect promotions every 7-10 years with corresponding salary increments and expanded administrative responsibilities including district-level postings and policy-making roles.
Admit Card
The PSSSB Excise Inspector Admit Card 2026 will be released approximately 10-15 days before the scheduled examination date on the official website www.punjabsssb.gov.in. Candidates must download the admit card using their registration number and password, then take a printout to carry to the examination centre along with valid original photo ID proof. No postal dispatch of admit cards will be done; only online download facility will be provided.
Result
Results for the PSSSB Excise Inspector examination will be declared separately for Preliminary and Main examinations on the official PSSSB website. Preliminary exam results are typically announced within 30-45 days of the exam, while Main exam results take 60-90 days post-examination. Candidates can check results by entering their roll number or registration details, and scorecards will be available for download from the official portal.
Expected Cutoff
Typical / Indicative cutoff marks for PSSSB Excise Inspector based on previous recruitment patterns: General category candidates typically need to score 60-65% marks in Main examination to qualify, while SC category requires around 50-55%, ST category 45-50%, and OBC category 55-60%. Cutoffs vary based on number of applicants, difficulty level, and vacancy distribution. Preliminary exam cutoff is generally lower at 40-45% for General category, serving as qualifying threshold only.
Exam Centres
Examination Centres
Examinations will be conducted at multiple centres across Punjab state:
Major Cities: Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, Mohali, Chandigarh, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Moga, Sangrur, Barnala, Faridkot, Muktsar, Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Firozpur, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib
Neighbouring States (if capacity constraints): Chandigarh (UT), Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), Jammu (J&K)
Note: Specific exam centre allocation will be mentioned on the admit card. Candidates should select preferred centres during application, but final centre allocation is at PSSSB's discretion based on availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the educational qualification required for PSSSB Excise Inspector 2026?
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Candidates appearing in final year examinations are also eligible to apply, but must produce the degree certificate at the time of document verification.
What is the application fee for PSSSB Excise Inspector recruitment?
The application fee is ₹1,000 for General, OBC, and EWS category candidates. SC, ST, PWD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates need to pay ₹250 as application fee. Fee payment can be made online through Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking.
How many vacancies are available for Excise Inspector in PSSSB 2026?
A total of 197 vacancies are available for the post of Excise Inspector in Punjab through PSSSB recruitment 2026. These vacancies are distributed across UR (79), SC (59), ST (4), OBC (39), and EWS (16) categories, subject to official notification confirmation.
What is the expected salary for PSSSB Excise Inspector?
The starting basic pay for Excise Inspector is ₹35,400 in Pay Level-7 (₹35,400 - ₹1,12,400). With DA, HRA, and other allowances, the gross monthly salary ranges from ₹69,000 to ₹71,000, with in-hand salary approximately ₹55,000 to ₹58,000 per month.
How many attempts are allowed for PSSSB Excise Inspector exam?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for PSSSB Excise Inspector examination. Candidates can appear for the exam any number of times as long as they meet the age eligibility criteria (18-35 years with relaxation as applicable).
Is there negative marking in PSSSB Excise Inspector exam?
Yes, there is negative marking in both Preliminary and Main examinations. For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks (one-fourth of the marks assigned to the question) will be deducted. Unattempted questions carry no negative marking.
Can I apply for PSSSB Excise Inspector offline?
No, offline applications are not accepted. Candidates must apply only through the online mode on the official PSSSB website www.punjabsssb.gov.in. Application fee must also be paid online through available payment gateways.
What are the selection stages for PSSSB Excise Inspector?
The selection process consists of seven stages: Preliminary Examination (qualifying), Main Examination (merit-based), Physical Measurement Test, Physical Efficiency Test, Document Verification, Medical Examination, and Final Merit List preparation. Candidates must clear each stage to proceed to the next.