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UPPCS Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026
UPPCS conducts recruitment exams of premier services in state in three stages:
- Preliminary examination
- Mains examination
- Interview
UPPCS Exam Pattern 2026
There are three phases in UPPCS —Prelims, Mains and Interview—like in recent years unless a new notification alters that. Prelims consisted of two objective papers, GS-I and qualifying CSAT, both 200 marks, each taking 2 hours. Mains: consisted of eight descriptive papers, a total of 1500 marks, and Interview: 100 marks.
UPPCS Preliminary Exam Pattern
The Preliminary examination consists of two papers i.e. GS Paper-I (General Studies) and GS Paper-II (CSAT). Both the papers are objective type in nature (Multiple choice questions) for shortlisting the candidates for the second stage i.e. Mains examination. The marks for GS Paper -I is considered for Merit or shortlisting of the candidates and GS paper-II is qualifying in nature.
| Paper | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration | Nature of Questions | Qualifying / Counted for Merit | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I | 150 | 200 | 2 hours | Objective (MCQs) | Counted for Merit | Yes (⅓ mark per wrong answer) |
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | Objective (MCQs) | Qualifying only (33% needed) | Yes (⅓ mark per wrong answer) |
UPPCS Mains Exam Pattern
Mains exam is Written or descriptive in nature and the marks are considered for the merit.
| Paper Number | Paper Name | Maximum Marks | Duration | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Hindi | 150 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
| Paper 2 | Essay | 150 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
| Paper 3 | General Studies I | 200 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
| Paper 4 | General Studies II | 200 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
| Paper 5 | General Studies III | 200 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
| Paper 6 | General Studies IV | 200 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
| Paper 7 | General Studies V | 200 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
| Paper 8 | General Studies VI | 200 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
- Total Marks (Mains Written): 1500
- Optional Subjects: Removed (as per new pattern)
- Medium: Hindi or English.
UPPCS Interview Pattern
Candidates, who qualify in mains examination are called for the personality test or Interview.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Purpose | To assess candidate’s personality, suitability for civil services, and decision-making ability |
| Key Aspects Evaluated | Communication skills, confidence, clarity of thought, leadership qualities, and general awareness |
| Other Criteria | Mental alertness, intellectual balance, social traits, and interest in current affairs |
| Medium | Hindi or English |
| Weightage in Final Merit | Combined with Mains written exam marks for final selection |
UPPCS Exam Syllabus 2026
The syllabus for UPPCS 2026 is a reflection of UPSC with a state-centric perspective. Prelims: GS Paper I (Current affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science); CSAT (qualifying: Comprehension, Reasoning, Maths, English/Hindi). Mains: General Hindi, Essay, GS I-VI (India/UP-specific History, Polity, Economy, Geography, Ethics, UP GK), one optional. Interview follows.
Syllabus for UPPCS Prelims Exam
Here the comprehensive Preliminary detailed syllabus coverage is given below:
| Subject | Important Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I |
Current Affairs (National & International) History of India & Indian National Movement Geography of India and Uttar Pradesh Indian Polity and Governance Economic and Social Development Environment Biodiversity and Climate Change General Science |
| General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) | Comprehension, Interpersonal skills, Logical reasoning, Decision making, General mental ability, Basic numeracy (up to class X level), Hindi and English language comprehension |
Syllabus for UPPCS Mains Exam
Here the comprehensive Mains detailed syllabus coverage is given below:
| Paper | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| General Hindi (Paper I) | Comprehension and precise writing, official and semi-official letter writing, notice and circular drafting, word knowledge and usage (suffixes, prefixes, antonyms, synonyms, spelling correction), idioms and proverbs, vocabulary, grammar. |
| Essay (Paper II) | Three sections; candidates must write one essay (700 words each) from each: (A) Literature and culture, social and political spheres; (B) Science, environment, economy, agriculture, and trade; (C) National/international events, natural disasters, and development programs. |
| GS Paper I (Paper III) | Indian history, culture, and geography; world history (1757–1947); post-independence consolidation; art, literature, and architecture; salient features of Indian society; globalization; social empowerment; communalism; secularism; physical geography and natural resources; population issues and urbanization. |
| GS Paper II (Paper IV) | Indian Constitution, polity, and governance; federalism; Finance Commission; separation of powers; Parliament and State legislatures; Judiciary; Representation of People Act; NITI Aayog; welfare schemes; social sectors (health, education, HRD); transparency and accountability; India’s foreign relations; international institutions; current affairs. |
| GS Paper III (Paper V) | Indian economy, budgeting, and planning; agriculture and food processing; land reforms; liberalization and industrial policy; infrastructure; science and technology; ICT and space; environment and disaster management; internal and external security challenges; defense and paramilitary setup. |
| GS Paper IV (Paper VI) | Ethics, integrity, and aptitude; human values; attitude and emotional intelligence; moral thinkers; ethics in public administration; transparency and probity in governance; case studies on ethical dilemmas, RTI, work culture, corruption, and accountability. |
| GS Paper V (Paper VII) | Uttar Pradesh-specific topics: history, culture, freedom struggle, architecture, governance, political setup, public administration, land reforms, local bodies, good governance, law and order, education and health systems, NGOs, tourism, security issues, innovation and employment in UP. |
| GS Paper VI (Paper VIII) | UP economy and budget, trade and commerce, industries, schemes, investment and fiscal policy, agriculture, forestry, climate and pollution, natural resources, demographic patterns, development indices, renewable energy, infrastructure, forest policies, wildlife sanctuaries, and public-private partnerships in development. |
Key Highlights
- Optional subjects have been removed from the new exam pattern.
- GS Papers V and VI are state-specific (focused on Uttar Pradesh’s economy, governance, and development).
- Each paper (Hindi, Essay & GS I–VI) is descriptive in nature, and requires analytical and structured answers.
Preparation Tips
- Understand the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly.
- Read NCERT books (History, Geography, Polity, Economy).
- Follow UP-specific content, including UP Economic Survey & Census Reports.
- Stay updated with Current Affairs (Newspapers, PIB, Yojana).
- Solve previous years’ papers & mock tests regularly.
- Revise and practice answer writing for the Mains exam.