UP Anganwadi Worker Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 71 Posts in Lucknow | Eligibility, Salary & Last Date

The District Program Officer, Lucknow, has announced a significant recruitment drive for Anganwadi Worker positions in January 2026. This government job opportunity presents an excellent path for eligible women to secure stable employment with the Uttar Pradesh government. With 71 vacant posts spread across multiple projects in Lucknow, this is one of the largest Anganwadi recruitment drives in recent months.

If you’re a job seeker from Lucknow or nearby areas with basic educational qualifications, understanding the details of this notification is crucial to successfully apply and secure a position.

Quick Overview: UP Anganwadi Worker Recruitment 2026

Post-Wise Vacancy Distribution in Lucknow

The 71 positions are distributed across 10 different Anganwadi projects in Lucknow district:

The Aliganj and Alamnagar projects account for over 55% of total vacancies, making these areas prime targets for applicants.

Eligibility Criteria for Anganwadi Worker 2026

Before proceeding with your application, ensure you meet all eligibility requirements:

Gender Requirement

Only female candidates are eligible for Anganwadi Worker positions. This is a mandatory requirement and cannot be waived.

Educational Qualification

The minimum educational qualification is Intermediate (12th pass) or equivalent from a recognized board. Candidates who have passed Higher Secondary (10+2) examinations are eligible. Higher qualifications like graduation or postgraduate degrees don’t disqualify candidates but won’t provide additional advantage during selection.

Age Limit

You must be between 18 and 35 years of age, with age calculated as of 01 January 2026. Age verification will be done through the date of birth mentioned in your High School (10th) or Intermediate mark sheet/certificate. There is no age relaxation mentioned for this recruitment.

Residential Requirement (Gram Sabha/Ward Basis)

This is a critical eligibility criterion: you must be a resident of the same Gram Sabha (for rural areas) or related Ward (for urban areas) where the Anganwadi center post is vacant. You can only apply for positions in your own Gram Sabha/Ward. This means if you apply for an Anganwadi center in Aliganj, you must reside in Aliganj.

Selection Process and Priority Criteria

The selection process for Anganwadi Worker 2026 is merit-based but with specific priority weightage given to certain categories. Understanding this is essential as it directly impacts your chances of selection.

Priority Order (Highest to Lowest)

The selection follows a strict hierarchical preference system:

Priority 1: Widow Women Below Poverty Line — Widow women living below the poverty line (BPL) from the same Gram Sabha/Ward receive the highest preference. Required documents include a death certificate issued by Gram Panchayat Officer or municipal body and a certified copy of the family register.

Priority 2: Women Below Poverty Line (Not Widow) — If no BPL widow is available, women from BPL families in the same Gram Sabha/Ward are preferred. Income proof must be from the competent authority as per UP Government norms.

Priority 3: Legally Divorced/Abandoned Women Below Poverty Line — Divorced or abandoned women living below the poverty line are given preference at this level. Legal court orders from the High Court or competent judicial authority are required.

Priority 4: Widow Women Above Poverty Line — Widow women with income above poverty line from the same Gram Sabha/Ward. Age and residency requirements still apply.

Priority 5: General Women (APL) — Women from families above the poverty line in the respective Gram Sabha/Ward. This category includes all other eligible women who don’t fall into above categories.

Merit Determination

Merit is calculated based on marks obtained from Intermediate through Postgraduate level education. All educational qualifications from 12th pass onwards are considered. Higher marks equal better ranking on the merit list. If you have graduation or postgraduate degrees, marks from those will also be counted in determining your merit position.

Important Documents Required for Application

Ensure you have the following documents ready before applying online:

Educational Certificates: High School (10th) mark sheet and certificate, Intermediate (12th) mark sheet and certificate, and if applicable, graduation certificate and mark sheet.

Age Verification Document: High School or Intermediate certificate with date of birth clearly mentioned is the only acceptable proof for age verification.

Residency Certificate: Must be issued by Tahsil (district revenue office) with digital signature online and should be verifiable online. Non-digital certificates won’t be accepted.

Caste Certificate: Issued by competent Tahsil authority with digital signature. Only online verifiable certificates are accepted.

Income Certificate (if applicable): Required for BPL candidates or those claiming priority status. Must be issued by competent revenue authority as per UP Government Order No. 3959/1-9-11-Ra.9 dated 30.09.2021 and should be online verifiable.

Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card (preferred), Voter ID Card, PAN Card, or Driver’s License.

Passport-Sized Photographs: Recent, clear, and colored photographs (typically 3-4 copies).

Additional Documents (If Applicable): For widow category: death certificate and family register certified copy. For divorced/abandoned: court orders from competent judicial authority.

All documents must be self-attested and photocopies should be clean and clearly readable.

How to Apply for Anganwadi Worker 2026

The application process is entirely online. Offline or postal applications will not be accepted.

Step 1: Visit the Official Website — Go to http://upanganwadibharti.in. This is the only official portal for applications.

Step 2: Register/Login — Create your account if you’re a first-time applicant. Provide basic details like name, email, phone number, and Aadhaar number.

Step 3: Fill the Application Form Carefully — Fill all mandatory fields with accurate information. Select your preferred project area and Gram Sabha/Ward as per your residential address. Double-check all entries before moving to the next step.

Step 4: Upload Required Documents — Upload scanned copies of all documents. Ensure documents are clear, legible, in proper format, and within file size limits. All documents should be self-attested with your signature.

Step 5: Review and Submit — Review your complete application one final time. Check that all information matches your documents. Your application will generate a unique acknowledgment number—save this for future reference.

Step 6: Payment (if applicable) — Check if any application fee is required. Latest notification suggests online applications are free.

Apply at least 2-3 days before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Important Dates and Deadline

The 11 February 2026 deadline is strict.

Anganwadi Worker Salary and Benefits in UP 2026

Monthly Salary Range

Anganwadi Workers at main centers earn between ₹6,000 to ₹8,000 per month, with an additional performance-linked incentive of ₹500 per month, bringing total monthly income to approximately ₹6,500 to ₹8,500.

Annual Income

Base salary ranges from ₹72,000 to ₹96,000 per year, with incentives bringing annual income to ₹78,000 to ₹102,000.

Additional Benefits

Workers receive Dearness Allowance (DA) as per government norms, Ayushman Bharat coverage providing health insurance for AWWs and helpers, festival bonus as per government guidelines, and performance incentive of ₹500 per month for achieving targets. Government employment provides job security, and eligible workers are entitled to contributory pension scheme benefits.

The salary is provided as a consolidated monthly honorarium, meaning gross and in-hand amounts are typically the same with minimal deductions.

Key Responsibilities of Anganwadi Worker

Understanding the job responsibilities will help you assess if this position is suitable for you. The role involves monitoring health and nutritional status of children aged 0-6 years, conducting pre-school educational activities, assisting in immunization and health check-ups, distributing supplementary nutrition to eligible children and pregnant/lactating mothers, conducting awareness sessions on health and hygiene, maintaining proper records of beneficiaries and program activities, coordinating with ANM and other health workers, and undertaking regular home visits and community mobilization.

This is a community-focused role that requires dedication to child welfare and maternal health.

Government Order Reference

This recruitment is being conducted under Government Order No. 2025/3313/58-1-2025 (1917687) dated 17 September 2025, issued by the Secretary, Department of Women & Child Development, Uttar Pradesh Government. All applicants are advised to thoroughly review this Government Order before applying.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Selection

Apply early—at least 5-7 days before the deadline. Verify your eligibility first, especially the Gram Sabha/Ward residency requirement, which is the most common reason for rejection. Prepare quality documents by ensuring all scanned documents are clear, properly aligned, and legible. Keep all educational certificates (10th, 12th, and higher qualifications) easily accessible.

Get residency and income certificates in advance, as government offices often have delays. Double-check that all information in your form matches your documents. Check the official website regularly for updates or corrigendums. Understand which priority category you belong to and prepare relevant documents accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will the merit list be released? Merit lists are usually published 2-4 weeks after the application deadline.

Will there be a written exam? The notification doesn’t mention any written test. Selection will be based on merit (academic marks) and document verification.

What’s the difference between Anganwadi Worker and Anganwadi Helper? Anganwadi Worker requires Intermediate qualification with salary of ₹6,000-₹8,000 per month, while Anganwadi Helper requires 8th/10th pass with salary of ₹4,500-₹6,000 per month.

Can I apply from another state? No. You must be a resident of the specific Gram Sabha/Ward in Lucknow where you’re applying.

Is there any application fee? No application fee is mentioned in the official notification. Applications are free.

Official Resources

Official Website: http://upanganwadibharti.in

Contact: District Program Officer, Lucknow, Vikas Bhawan, Lucknow

Complete village-wise and ward-wise details are available at Collectorate offices, Vikas Bhawan, all Tahsil offices, Development Block offices, and respective Anganwadi project offices.

Conclusion

The UP Anganwadi Worker Recruitment 2026 is a golden opportunity for eligible women in Lucknow to secure a stable government job with decent salary, benefits, and job security. With 71 posts available and a straightforward selection process based on merit, your chances of success depend on meeting all eligibility criteria (especially residency), preparing quality documents in advance, submitting a complete and accurate application on time, and demonstrating strong academic performance.

Start your application process immediately. Gather all required documents, verify your eligibility, and submit your application well before the 11 February 2026 deadline. This job opportunity can provide stable employment, financial security, and the satisfaction of working in child development and maternal health—a truly meaningful career path.