The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) conducts the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) Examination every year to recruit candidates for various Group A and Group B administrative posts in Uttar Pradesh. The selection process consists of three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview). Candidates must qualify each stage to move forward in the recruitment process.

Selection Process:
1. Preliminary Examination (Objective)
2. Main Examination (Descriptive)
3. Interview / Personality Test

UPPSC PCS Preliminary Exam Syllabus

The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature for selection to the Main Examination. It consists of two objective-type papers carrying 200 marks each.

Paper Subject Marks Duration
Paper I General Studies-I 200 2 Hours
Paper II General Studies-II (CSAT) 200 (Qualifying - Minimum 33%) 2 Hours

General Studies Paper-I Syllabus

  • Current events of National and International Importance.
  • History of India and Indian National Movement.
  • Indian and World Geography including Physical, Social and Economic Geography.
  • Indian Polity and Governance.
  • Constitution of India.
  • Panchayati Raj.
  • Public Policy.
  • Rights Issues.
  • General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change.
  • Economic and Social Development.
  • General Science.
  • General issues related to Uttar Pradesh.

General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) Syllabus

  • Comprehension.
  • Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills.
  • Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability.
  • Decision Making and Problem Solving.
  • General Mental Ability.
  • Elementary Mathematics (Class X Level).
  • Data Interpretation.
  • Data Sufficiency.
  • Basic Numeracy.
  • English Language Comprehension.
  • Hindi Language Comprehension.

UPPSC PCS Main Examination Pattern

Paper Subject Marks
General Hindi Descriptive 150
Essay Descriptive 150
General Studies-I Descriptive 200
General Studies-II Descriptive 200
General Studies-III Descriptive 200
General Studies-IV Descriptive 200
General Studies-V Descriptive 200
General Studies-VI Descriptive 200
Interview Personality Test 100

General Hindi Syllabus

  • Essay Writing.
  • Precis Writing.
  • Letter Writing.
  • Translation (English to Hindi).
  • Explanation of Hindi Passage.
  • Grammar.
  • Vocabulary.
  • Idioms and Proverbs.
  • Correction of Sentences.

Essay Paper Syllabus

Candidates have to write essays from multiple sections. Topics generally include:

  • Literature and Culture.
  • Social Issues.
  • Political Issues.
  • Economic Issues.
  • Agriculture.
  • Science and Technology.
  • Environment.
  • National and International Events.
  • Education.
  • Women Empowerment.
  • Democracy.
  • Indian Society.

General Studies Paper-I

  • History of Ancient India.
  • Medieval Indian History.
  • Modern Indian History.
  • Indian Freedom Movement.
  • World History.
  • Indian Society.
  • Salient Features of Indian Society.
  • Women Issues.
  • Role of Women.
  • Population and Urbanization.
  • Globalization.
  • Communalism.
  • Regionalism.
  • Secularism.
  • Physical Geography of India.
  • World Geography.
  • Geography of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Natural Resources.
  • Disaster Management.

General Studies Paper-II

  • Indian Constitution.
  • Evolution of Constitution.
  • Fundamental Rights.
  • Directive Principles of State Policy.
  • Fundamental Duties.
  • Union Government.
  • State Government.
  • Judiciary.
  • Parliament.
  • Legislature.
  • Executive.
  • Constitutional Bodies.
  • Statutory Bodies.
  • Government Policies.
  • Good Governance.
  • Social Justice.
  • International Relations.
  • Important International Organizations.

General Studies Paper-III

  • Indian Economy.
  • Planning.
  • Inclusive Growth.
  • Government Budgeting.
  • Infrastructure.
  • Agriculture.
  • Food Processing.
  • Science and Technology.
  • Information Technology.
  • Space Technology.
  • Biotechnology.
  • Robotics.
  • Artificial Intelligence.
  • Cyber Security.
  • Internal Security.
  • Money Laundering.
  • Disaster Management.
  • Environment.
  • Biodiversity.
  • Climate Change.

General Studies Paper-IV (Ethics)

  • Ethics and Human Interface.
  • Human Values.
  • Attitude.
  • Emotional Intelligence.
  • Aptitude and Foundational Values.
  • Probity in Governance.
  • Public Service Values.
  • Integrity.
  • Transparency.
  • Accountability.
  • Code of Conduct.
  • Case Studies.

General Studies Paper-V (Uttar Pradesh Special)

  • History of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Culture of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Architecture.
  • Tourism.
  • Geography of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Natural Resources.
  • Agriculture.
  • Economy of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Industrial Development.
  • Education.
  • Health.
  • Law and Order.
  • Social Welfare Schemes.
  • Women and Child Development.
  • Rural Development.
  • Urban Development.

General Studies Paper-VI

  • Ethics in Public Administration.
  • Administrative Management.
  • Decision Making.
  • Case Studies.
  • Disaster Management.
  • Law and Governance.
  • Citizen Charter.
  • E-Governance.
  • Innovation.
  • Public Service Delivery.
  • Leadership.
  • Transparency.
  • Integrity.
  • Social Accountability.
  • Public Policy Implementation.

Interview (Personality Test)

Candidates qualifying the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test carrying 100 marks. The interview assesses the candidate's overall personality rather than academic knowledge. Questions are generally asked on current affairs, Uttar Pradesh, educational background, hobbies, administration, governance, leadership qualities, communication skills, logical thinking, ethics, decision-making ability, and overall suitability for civil services.

Important Preparation Tips

  • Complete the NCERT books for History, Geography, Economy and Polity.
  • Study Uttar Pradesh specific history, geography, economy and government schemes.
  • Read daily current affairs and newspapers.
  • Practice answer writing for Main Examination.
  • Solve previous year question papers regularly.
  • Revise ethics case studies and essay writing.
  • Prepare maps, government reports and important constitutional amendments.
  • Improve communication skills for the interview stage.
Note: The CSAT Paper-II in the Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature, and candidates must secure at least 33% marks. The merit list for the Preliminary Examination is prepared based only on the marks obtained in General Studies Paper-I. Final selection is based on the marks obtained in the Main Examination and the Personality Test.