UPPSC Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern: Complete Guide & PDF Download

The UPPSC selection process consists of three distinct stages: Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. Candidates must qualify for the Preliminary exam to advance to the Mains, followed by the final interview round. Aspirants should thoroughly analyze the detailed UPPSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 to align their preparation strategy for the Combined State / Upper Subordinate Services (PCS) examination.

UPPSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026

While the syllabus for UPPSC PCS 2026 varies between the Prelims and Mains stages, an integrated preparation approach is highly recommended due to the significant overlap in core topics. Review these key syllabus highlights to effectively jump-start your exam readiness.

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UPPSC Selection Process 2026

The UPPSC PCS Group A and Group B officers are recruited to manage critical administrative functions for the state. The exam follows a three-stage structure. Notably, per the updated UPPSC Syllabus 2026, the two optional papers have been replaced by two additional General Studies papers.

1. Prelims: 2 Papers (Objective)
2. Mains: 8 papers (essay/ descriptive type)
3. Interview/Personality Test

UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern is designed primarily as a screening tool to filter candidates. Both Paper I and Paper II consist of 200 marks each, featuring objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Refer to the table below for a breakdown of the Prelims structure.

Marking Scheme For UPPSC Prelims Exam

1. Paper- I will decide the cut off of the exam,
2. Paper- II is qualifying in nature, candidates need to score 33% marks in paper II.
3. There will be a 0.33% negative marking for every incorrect answer.
4. For e.g., if the maximum marks allotted for a question is 2, then answering it incorrectly would incur a penalty of 0.66 marks
5. Filling multiple circles on the OMR sheet for the same question would be treated as an incorrect answer and it would lead to negative marking.
6. There is no negative marking for leaving a question blank.

UPPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026

The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature; marks secured here do not contribute to the final merit list. Only those who clear this stage are eligible to appear for the Mains. The syllabus for the UPPSC PCS and ACF/RFO Prelims closely mirrors the civil services examination pattern.

UPPSC Prelims Syllabus for Paper I (GS)

1. Current events of National and International importance: On Current Events of National and International Importance, candidates will be expected to have knowledge about them.
2. Indian History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern: In History emphasis should be on a broad understanding of social, economic and political aspects of Indian History. In the Indian National Movement, the candidates are expected to have a synoptic view of the nature and character of the freedom movement, the growth of nationalism, and the attainment of Independence
3. Indian and World Geography- Physical, Social, and Economic geography of India and the World: In World Geography only a general understanding of the subject will be expected. Questions on the Geography of India will relate to the Physical, Social & Economic Geography of India.
4. Indian Governance and Polity: It covers details of Indian Polity, Economics, and Culture, questions will test knowledge of the country's political system including Panchayati Raj and Community Development, broad features of Economic policy in India and Indian CulturePolitical System, Constitution, Public Policy, Panchayati Raj, Rights issues, etc.
5. Social and Economic Development: Sustainable Development Poverty Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.General Issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialization.
6. Environmental Ecology, Climate Change, and Biodiversity – general issues that do not require subject specialization: The questions will be in respect to problems and relationship between Population, Environment and Urbanisation. General Issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization, General awareness of the subject is expected from candidates.

UPPSC Prelims Syllabus for Paper 2 (CSAT)

1. Comprehension
2. Interpersonal skills (including communication skills)
3. Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
4. Problem Solving & Decision Making
5. General Mental Ability
6. Elementary Mathematics (class X level – Algebra, Statistics, Geometry and Arithmetic):
7. General English (Class X level)
8. General Hindi (Class X level)

UPPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2026

Candidates who successfully clear the Prelims are invited to the Mains examination. The UPPSC Mains is the definitive merit-deciding round, carrying a total of 1500 marks. The exam consists of eight descriptive-type papers that rigorously test candidates' depth of knowledge.

There are two major changes in the current UPPSC Mains exam pattern.

The UPPSC has discontinued the objective-type papers, reintroducing the descriptive format to ensure a more comprehensive assessment of candidate expertise.

A new 'Ethics' paper has been introduced, broadening the scope of the Mains curriculum.

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2026

The UPPSC Mains encompasses eight papers in total. Performance in these descriptive papers is the primary factor determining a candidate's final selection.

UPPSC Syllabus: Mains Paper II

For the Essay paper, candidates must select and write three essays, each approximately 700 words long. Topics are drawn from the following three thematic sections:

Section A: Literature and Culture, Social sphere, and Political landscape.

Section B: Science, Environment, Technology, Economics, Agriculture, Industry, and Trade.

Section C: National and International Current Events, Natural Calamities (e.g., Landslides, Earthquakes, Droughts), and Government Development Projects.

UPPSC Syllabus: Mains Paper III

1. History of Indian Culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2. Modern Indian history (from A.D.1757 to A.D. 1947): Significant events, personalities and issues, etc.
3. The Freedom Struggle- its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
4. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country (till 1965A.D.).
5. The history of the world will include events from 18 century to the middle of the 20 century such that as the French revolution of 1789, the industrial revolution, the World Wars, the redraw of national boundaries, Socialism, Nazism, Fascism etc-their forms and effect on the society.
6. Salient features of Indian Society and culture.
7. Role of Women in society and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
8. Meaning of liberalization, privatization and globalization and their effects on the economy, polity and social structure.
9. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
10. Distribution of major natural resources of World- Water, Soils, Forests in reference to South and South-East Asia with special reference to India. Factors responsible for the location of industries (with special reference to India).
11. Salient features of Physical Geography- Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone, Ocean Currents, winds and glaciers.
12. Oceanic resources of India and their potential.
13. The human migration-refugee problem of the World with focus on India.
14. Frontiers and boundaries with reference to the Indian sub-continent.
15. Population and Settlements- Types and Patterns, Urbanization, Smart Cities and Smart Villages.

UPPSC Syllabus: Mains Paper IV

1. Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basis structure, Role of Supreme Court in the evolution of basic provisions of Constitution.
2. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States: issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
3. Role of Finance Commission in Centre-State financial relations.
4. Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. Emergence and use of alternative dispute redressal mechanisms.
5. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other major democratic countries.
6. Parliament and State legislatures- structure, functioning, the conduct of business, powers and privileges and concerned issues.
7. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary: Ministries and Departments of the Government, Pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
8. Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.
9. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, Powers, functions and their responsibilities.
10. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies including NITI Aayog, their features and functioning.
11. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design, implementation and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
12. Development processes- the role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
13. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes, mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
14. Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
15. Issues relating to poverty and hunger, their implication on body politic.
16. Important aspects of governance. Transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential, citizens, charters and institutional measures.
17. Role of Civil Services in a democracy in the context of emerging trends.
18. India and its relationship with neighbouring Countries.
19. Bilateral, Regional and Global groupings and agreements involving India and/ or affecting India's interest.
20. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests- Indian diaspora.
21. Important International Institutions, Agencies their structure, mandate and functioning.
22. Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh regarding Political, Administrative, Revenue and Judicial System
23. Current affairs and events of Regional, State, National and International importance.

UPPSC Syllabus: Mains Paper V

1. Economic planning in India, objectives and achievements. Role of NITI Aayog, Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
2. Issues of Poverty, Unemployment, Social justice and inclusive growth.
3. Components of Government Budgets and Financial System.
4. Major Crops, Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems, storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce, e-technology in the aid of farmers.
5. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices, Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping, issues of buffer stocks and food security, Technology missions in agriculture.
6. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
7. Land reforms in India since independence.
8. Effects of liberalization and globalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
9. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
10. Science and Technology-developments and applications in everyday life and in National Security, India’s Science and Technology Policy.
11. Achievements of Indians in science & technology, indigenization of technology. Developments of New technologies, transfer of technology, dual and critical use technologies.
12. Awareness in the fields of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Space Technology, Computers, Energy resources, nanotechnology, microbiology, biotechnology. Issues relating to intellectual property rights (IPR), and digital rights.
13. Environmental security and Ecosystems, Conservation of Wildlife, Biodiversity, Environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment,
14. Disaster as a Non-traditional security and safety challenge, disaster mitigation and management.
15. Challenges of International Security: Issues of Nuclear proliferation, Causes and spread of extremism, Communication networks, the role of media and social networking, Basics of cyber security, money laundering and human trafficking.
16. India’s internal security challenges: Terrorism, corruption, insurgency and organized crimes.
17. The role, kind and mandate of security forces, Higher defence organizations in India18- Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh Economy:- Overview of UP Economy: State Budgets. Importance of Agriculture, Industry, Infrastructure and physical resources. Human Resources and Skill development. Government Programmes and Welfare Schemes.
18. Issues in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry.
19. Law and Order and Civil Defence with special reference to U.P.

UPPSC Syllabus: Mains Paper VI

1. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human action, dimensions of ethics, ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values-lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators, the role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
2. Attitude: Content, structure, function, its influence and relation with thought and behavior, moral and political attitudes, social influence and persuasion.
3. Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public services, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
4. Emotional Intelligence- concept and dimensions, its utility and application in administration and governance.
5. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
6. Public/Civil Service values and ethics in Public Administration: status and problems, ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions, laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance, accountability and ethical governance, strengthening of moral values in governance, ethical issues in international relations and funding, corporate governance.
7. Probity in Governance: the concept of public service, the philosophical basis of governance and probity, information sharing and transparency in government. Right to Information, codes of ethics, codes of conduct, citizen’s charter, work culture, quality of service delivery, utilization of public funds, and challenges of corruption.
8. Case studies on the above issues.

Download the official UPPSC Prelims and Mains syllabus PDF via the link provided below.

Official UPPSC Prelims & Mains Syllabus PDF Download

UPPSC Interview

The final stage of the recruitment process is the Interview. Candidates who qualify in the Mains are invited for a personality test, which carries 100 marks and is conducted by a Board appointed by the UPPSC.

The purpose of this interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in state services, evaluated by a board of unbiased, expert observers.

Beyond academic excellence, candidates must demonstrate a deep awareness of current affairs, both national and international.

The interview functions as a structured conversation designed to gauge the candidate's mental agility, analytical capabilities, and leadership qualities.

UPPSC Marking Scheme 2026

Candidates can review the full, elaborated UPPSC exam pattern for all three stages—Prelims, Mains, and Interview—to ensure thorough preparation.

Download Previous Year UPPSC PCS Question Papers Here