UPPSC PCS Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern: Download UP PCS Syllabus PDF

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) conducts the UPPSC PCS Exam 2026 to recruit eligible candidates for various Uttar Pradesh State and Subordinate Services. The examination process involves three key stages: Prelims, Mains, and an Interview. Candidates who successfully clear the preliminary examination are eligible to appear for the Mains examination, which is then followed by a personal interview. It is crucial for aspiring candidates to thoroughly review the detailed UPPSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 before commencing their preparation for the Combined State / Upper Subordinate Services (PCS) Examination to ensure a targeted study approach. 

UPPSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026

The UPPSC PCS Mains Exam 2026 is scheduled to take place from March 29th to April 1st, 2026, for the recruitment of 200 UP PCS Officers. While the syllabus for the UPPSC Prelims and Mains exams differs, candidates are advised to adopt an integrated preparation strategy as many topics are common across both stages. Review the key highlights of the syllabus and exam pattern to effectively kick-start your preparation for the UPPSC PCS 2026. 

UPPSC Syllabus 2026: Overview
Exam Conducting Body	Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC)
Exam Name	Uttar Pradesh Combined State Upper Subordinate Services Examination-2025
Category	Syllabus & Exam Pattern
UPPSC PCS Mains Exam Date 2026	29th March to 1st April 2026
Type of Questions	Prelims- Objective Mains- Descriptive
Negative Marking	Prelims- Paper 1- 0.44 & Paper 2- 0.66
Mode of Exam	Offline
Selection Process	Prelims, Mains, Interview

UPPSC PCS Mains Exam Date 2026 Announced: Click Here to Verify

UPPSC Selection Process 2026

The UPPSC PCS recruitment process aims to select candidates for Group A and Group B Officer positions within the state government's administrative services. The UPPSC PCS 2026 Exam is structured into three distinct stages. As per the latest UPPSC Syllabus 2026, the examination pattern has been updated, with the two optional papers being replaced by two 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 as a qualifying stage, serving to filter out less prepared candidates. The UPPSC PCS and ACF/RFO Prelims consist of two papers: Paper I and Paper II. Both papers are worth 200 marks and feature Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of the UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern.

UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
Name of Exam	UPPSC PCS Preliminary Exam
No. of Papers (2)	Paper 1 – General Studies I Paper 2 – General Studies II (CSAT)
Duration of Exam	2 hours each
Maximum Marks	200 marks each
Number of Questions	Paper-I: 150 questions Paper-II: 100 questions
Type of Exam	Offline (Pen-paper) OMR sheets
Negative Marking	Paper 1- 0.44 Paper 2- 0.66
Nature of Questions	All questions will be of Objective type (MCQs)

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 UPPSC Prelims Examination primarily serves as a screening test. The marks obtained by candidates in the PCS and ACF/RFO Preliminary Examination will not be considered for determining their final merit ranking. Only those candidates declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will proceed to the next stage. Notably, the syllabus for the UPPSC PCS and ACF/RFO Prelims closely aligns with that of the UPSC Civil Services Exam (IAS).

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 qualify the PCS and ACF/RFO Prelims exam are then eligible to participate in the Mains examination. The UPPSC Mains Exam Pattern is detailed below. Marks obtained in the Mains examination are crucial for the final selection of candidates. The UPPSC Mains Exam consists of eight descriptive papers and is a significant merit-deciding stage, carrying a total weightage of 1500 marks.

There have been two significant changes implemented in the UPPSC Mains exam pattern.

UPPSC has transitioned away from objective-type papers, reintroducing descriptive-style papers similar to the previous format, but with an increased number of papers overall.

The introduction of an 'Ethics' paper marks a new addition to the UPPSC Mains examination, which was not present in the earlier syllabus.

Name of Exam	UPPSC PCS Mains (Written) Examination
Number of Papers (8)	1. General Hindi 2. Essay 3. General Studies I 4. General Studies II 5. General Studies III 6. General Studies IV 7. General Studies V 8. General Studies VI
Duration of Exam	Papers will be conducted over a week’s duration;
Sessions	Morning Session – 9.30 AM – 12.30 AM Afternoon Session – 2 PM – 5 PM
Maximum Marks	General Hindi – 150 marks Essay – 150 marks All General Studies papers will be of 200 marks each Total – 1500 marks
Type of Exam	Offline (Pen-paper)
Nature of Questions	Essay/descriptive type
Negative Marking	NIL
Optional Subjects	As per the new UPPSC exam pattern, in UPPSC Examination there is no optional subject.

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2026

The UPPSC Mains Exam comprises a total of eight papers. The aggregate marks obtained in these UPPSC PCS Mains examination papers are the determining factor for the final selection of candidates.

UPPSC Syllabus: Mains Paper II

The question paper for the essay section will be divided into three distinct sections. Candidates will be required to choose one topic from each section and write an essay of approximately 700 words on the chosen topic. The essay topics will be drawn from the following spheres:

Section A: Literature and Culture, Social Sphere, Political Sphere.

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

Section C: National and International Events, Natural Calamities (Landslide, Earthquake, Deluge, Drought, etc.), National Development Programs, and 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 Syllabus PDF for both Prelims and Mains examinations by clicking the link provided below.

Download UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern and Syllabus PDF Here

UPPSC Interview

The Personal Interview constitutes the final stage of the UPPSC Exam. Candidates who successfully clear the Mains examination will be invited for this interview, which carries a weightage of 100 marks. This round is conducted by a Board appointed by the UPPSC.

The primary objective of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in state services, evaluated by a panel of competent and impartial observers.

Beyond academic knowledge, candidates are expected to possess a strong awareness of current affairs, both within their state and on a national and international level, during the personality test.

The interview is designed as a purposeful conversation to probe the mental qualities and analytical abilities of the candidate.

UPPSC Marking Scheme 2026

Candidates can find the detailed exam pattern for all three stages of the UPPSC exam – Prelims, Mains, and Interview – outlined in this article. 

Name of the Exam	Type of the Exam/Time	Marks
UPPSC Prelims Exam	Paper 1: General Studies I	150 marks
	Paper 2: General Studies II (CSAT)	100 marks
UPPSC Mains Exam	General Hindi	150 marks
	Essay	150 marks
	General Studies I	200 marks
	General Studies II	200 marks
	General Studies III	200 marks
	General Studies IV	200 marks
	General Studies V	200 marks
	General Studies VI	200 marks
UPPSC Interview	Personality Test/Interview	100 marks

Download UPPSC PCS Previous Year Question Papers Now