UPPSC

Introduction
The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) conducts the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) examination every year for various administrative positions under the state government. The Commission has released the updated UPPSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern for 2025. It is crucial for aspirants to understand the complete syllabus, marking scheme, and exam stages to plan their preparation effectively. This article provides a complete overview of the UPPSC PCS Prelims and Mains syllabus and pattern along with detailed subject coverage.

UPPSC Selection Process
The UPPSC PCS Examination consists of three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
2. Main Examination (Descriptive Type)
3. Personality Test or Interview

UPPSC Syllabus 2025 Overview
The examination follows a multi-stage evaluation process designed to assess the candidate’s administrative knowledge, analytical skills, and personality suitability. Below is the overall structure of the exam and marking scheme.

Stages of UPPSC Exam

UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025

• The Prelims Exam serves as a screening stage.
• It consists of two papers — both objective type and carrying 200 marks each.
• Paper I marks determine merit for shortlisting, while Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature.
• Both papers have Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

Exam Timing and Structure

• Paper 1: General Studies I – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
• Paper 2: General Studies II (CSAT) – 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
• Each paper carries 200 marks.
• Paper I has 150 questions; Paper II has 100 questions.
• Duration: 2 hours for each paper.
• Negative marking: 0.33 marks deduction per incorrect answer.
• Type: Objective (MCQs).

UPPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025

The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature, meant to shortlist candidates for the Mains Examination. The marks obtained in Prelims are not counted in the final merit.

Paper I – General Studies I

1. Current Events of National and International Importance
   Candidates are expected to be aware of major events of national and international relevance.
2. History of India and Indian National Movement
   Emphasis on broad understanding of social, economic, and political aspects of Indian History.
   Coverage includes major events and phases of the freedom movement, growth of nationalism, and independence.
3. India and World Geography
   Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World.
   General understanding of world geography with detailed focus on India’s geography.
4. Indian Polity and Governance
   Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
   Tests knowledge of India’s political structure and governance mechanisms.
5. Economic and Social Development
   Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, and relationship between population, environment, and urbanisation.
6. General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
   Basic general awareness without requiring subject specialisation.
7. General Science
   Covers general appreciation of science and its relevance in everyday life.

Note: Candidates should have knowledge of these subjects with special reference to Uttar Pradesh.

Paper II – General Studies II (CSAT)

1. Comprehension
2. Interpersonal skills including communication
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability
4. Decision-making and problem-solving
5. General mental ability
6. Elementary Mathematics up to Class X level (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics)
7. General English up to Class X level
8. General Hindi up to Class X level

Detailed Topics under Elementary Mathematics (Class X level)

• Arithmetic:
  Number systems, LCM and HCF, Average, Ratio and Proportion, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Work and Time, Speed, Time and Distance.
• Algebra:
  Factors of polynomials, LCM and HCF of polynomials, Remainder theorem, simultaneous linear equations, quadratic equations, Set theory, union and intersection of sets, Venn diagrams.
• Geometry:
  Construction and theorems regarding triangles, rectangles, circles, perimeters, areas, volume and surface area of solid shapes.
• Statistics:
  Collection and classification of data, frequency distribution, bar diagrams, pie charts, histograms, cumulative frequency curves, mean, median, mode.
• General English:
  Comprehension, Voice, Parts of Speech, Transformation of Sentences, Direct-Indirect Speech, Punctuation, Spellings, Vocabulary, Idioms, Fill in the Blanks.
• General Hindi:
  Hindi alphabets, Sandhi, Samas, word-forms, antonyms, synonyms, idioms, tenses, and major dialects of Uttar Pradesh.

UPPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025

• Candidates qualifying the Prelims are eligible for Mains.
• Mains marks decide final merit.
• It has eight descriptive papers.
• Total Marks: 1500.
• Mode: Offline, Pen-paper.
• Duration: Each paper is 3 hours.
• No negative marking.

Mains Structure

• 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

Morning session: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Afternoon session: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025

General Hindi

1. Comprehension passage and answers
2. Precis writing
3. Official and semi-official letters, orders, notifications
4. Word knowledge and usage
5. Prefix, suffix, antonyms, single word substitution, spelling correction, idioms.

Essay

Three sections – one topic from each. Each essay of 700 words.

• Section A: Literature and Culture, Social, Political.
• Section B: Science and Technology, Economic, Agriculture and Industry.
• Section C: National and International Events, Natural Disasters, Development Projects.

General Studies Paper I

• Indian culture, art, and architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian history (1757–1947), freedom struggle, and post-independence consolidation.
• World history: 18th–20th centuries, including French and Industrial Revolutions, World Wars, socialism, fascism.
• Indian society and culture: women’s role, population, poverty, urbanisation.
• Liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation and their effects.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, secularism.
• Natural resources distribution, industrial location factors.
• Physical geography – earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, glaciers.
• Human migration and refugee issues.
• Smart cities and settlements.

General Studies Paper II

• Indian Constitution, amendments, provisions, federalism, Finance Commission.
• Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms.
• Parliament and state legislatures, executive, judiciary.
• Representation of People’s Act.
• NITI Aayog, statutory and quasi-judicial bodies.
• Government policies, ICT, NGOs, SHGs, welfare schemes.
• Social sector issues – health, education, human resources.
• Governance: transparency, accountability, e-governance.
• Civil services role, India’s foreign policy, global groupings, diaspora, international institutions, and current affairs.

General Studies Paper III

• Economic planning, NITI Aayog, SDGs.
• Poverty, unemployment, social justice.
• Budgets and financial system.
• Agriculture, irrigation, subsidies, MSP, PDS, buffer stocks.
• Food processing and industries.
• Land reforms, liberalisation, infrastructure, science and technology.
• Environment, biodiversity, climate change, disaster management.
• Security issues – cyber, terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking.
• Role of security forces and internal defence.

General Studies Paper IV

• Ethics and Human Interface.
• Human Values, lessons from leaders and reformers.
• Attitude, aptitude, integrity, impartiality, empathy.
• Emotional Intelligence.
• Public service ethics, moral governance, RTI, corruption, probity, case studies.

General Studies Paper V (Uttar Pradesh Focus)

• History, culture, architecture, archaeology of UP.
• Freedom struggle contributions of UP.
• Political system and institutions in UP.
• Local self-government, Panchayati Raj, governance.
• Good governance, corruption eradication, Lokayukta, e-governance, RTI.
• Land reforms, internal security, cyber security, law and order.
• Health, education, innovation, tourism, NGOs, and welfare schemes.

General Studies Paper VI (Economy and Development of UP)

• Economy of UP, budget, infrastructure, trade, and industries.
• UP Government schemes, projects, and human resource development.
• Public finance, taxation, ODOP policy.
• Energy resource management, demography, agriculture, forestry, environment.
• Transport network, industrial development, natural resources, pollution, and climate change.
• Science and technology, aquaculture, floriculture, horticulture, PPP models.

UPPSC Interview

• Candidates who clear Mains appear for the Interview (100 marks).
• Conducted by a board appointed by UPPSC.
• Purpose: to assess mental ability, personality, and analytical skills.
• Marks from the interview are added to Mains for final merit ranking.