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Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission’s (UPPSC) - Combined State/ Upper

Scheme and Subjects for the Preliminary and Main Examination.
A. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
The Examination shall comprise two compulsory Papers of 200 marks each.
Note :
I. The General Studies Paper-II of the State Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying
paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
II. The question papers will be set both in Hindi and English.
III. The merit of the Candidates will be determined on the basis of marks obtained in Paper-I of the Preliminary
Examination.

Name of the Paper No of Marks Time Nature of Exam Negative

Questions Allotted Allotted Marking

Paper I: General Studies 150 200 2 hours The score will be Paper 1- 0.44
(Objective-type) considered for the Cut-off

Paper-II: General 100 200 2 hours Qualifying Nature- Paper 2- 0.66

Studies-II (CSAT) Candidates will have to
(Objective-Type) score 33% to qualify for
CSAT.
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Syllabus for the Preliminary Examination:

PAPER -I (200 marks) Duration: Two hours
1. Current events of national and international importance.
2. History of India and Indian National Movement.
3. Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, and Economic geography of India and the World.
4. Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights
issues, etc.
5. Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development Poverty Inclusion, Demographics, Social
Sector Initiatives, etc.
6. General Issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change- that do not require subject
specialization.
7. General Science
PAPER-II (200 marks) Duration: Two hours
1. Comprehension
2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
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, and Statistics.
7. General English up to Class X level.
8. General Hindi up to Class X level.

B. MAIN EXAMINATION
SUBJECTS FOR THE COMBINED STATE / UPPER SUBORDINATE SERVICES MAIN (WRITTEN)
EXAMINATION: The Written examination will consist of the following Compulsory subjects.
1. General Hindi
2. Essay
3. General Studies (First Paper)
4. General Studies (Second Paper)
5. General Studies (Third Paper)
6. General Studies (Fourth Paper)
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7. General Studies (Fifth Paper)

8. General Studies (Sixth Paper)
The following table contains the UPPSC Mains Exam Pattern. The final selection of the candidates will take into
account the candidates’ scores in the main exam. There are eight papers of a descriptive nature in the UPPSC
Mains Exam. The UPPSC Mains Exam, which has a cumulative weighting of 1500 marks, is a merit-deciding
round. In the UPPSC Mains Exam Pattern, there are two major changes that happened in 2018 and one change in
2023 is the removal of optional papers from the Mains syllabus.
2018 Changes:
1. With an increase in the number of papers, UPPSC has replaced objective-type papers with descriptive-
type papers in the Mains exam once again.
2. The “Ethics” paper, which was not there before, was introduced by UPPSC.

Name of Exam UPPSC PCS Mains (Written) Examination

Number of Papers (8) 1. General Hindi - 150 Marks

2. Essay - 150 Marks
3. General Studies I - 200 Marks
4. General Studies II - 200 Marks
5. General Studies III - 200 Marks
6. General Studies IV - 200 Marks
7. General Studies V - 200 Marks
8. General Studies VI - 200 Marks

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 Total – 1500 marks

Type of Exam Offline (Pen-paper)

Nature of Questions Essay/descriptive type

Negative Marking NIL

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UPPSC Interview
An Interview or Personality Test is the last round of the UPPSC Exam. The UPPSC Exam’s current round is the
last one. Candidates who passed the main exam will receive an invitation to the personnel interview. There will
be a 100-mark interview. A Board that is appointed by the UPPSC conducts interviews with candidates.
The purpose of the interview is to determine if the candidate is personally qualified for a career in state services
by a board of experienced and impartial observers. In the Personality Test Round, candidates must be informed
of events/issues both internal and external of their state or country, in addition to their academic studies. The
interview is more of a purposeful dialogue meant to probe the candidate’s mental capabilities and capacity for
analysis.

Papers to be counted for Merit:

Paper-I
 General Hindi.............................................................................................. 150 Marks
Paper-II
 Essay……………....................................................................................... 150 Marks
Paper-III
 General Studies –I ..................................................................................... 200 Marks
(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)
Paper-IV
 General Studies –II..................................................................................... 200 Marks
(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations)
Paper-V
 General Studies –III..................................................................................... 200 Marks
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)
Paper-VI
 General Studies –IV................................................................................... 200 Marks
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
Paper-VII
 General Studies –V..................................................................................... 200 Marks
(UP Specific)
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Paper-VIII
 General Studies –VI……............................................................................ 200 Marks
(UP Specific)

Sub Total (Written test) - 1500 Marks

 Personality Test......................................................................................... 100 Marks

Grand Total 1600 Marks

PAPER-I

सामान्य हिन्दी
1. दिये हुए गद्य खण्ड का अवबोध एवं प्रश्नोत्तर ।

2. संक्षेपण ।

3. सरकारी एवं अधधसरकारी पत्र लेखन, तार लेखन, कायाधलय आिेश, अदधसच
ू ना, पररपत्र ।

4. शब्ि ज्ञान एवं प्रयोग । (अ) उपसगध एवं प्रत्यय प्रयोग, (ब) दवलोम शब्ि (स) वाकयांश के दलए एकशब्ि, (ि) वतधनी एवं वाकय शदु ि,

5. लोकोदि एवं मुहावरे ।

PAPER-II
ESSAY
 There will be three sections in the question paper of Essay. Candidates will have to select one topic from
each section and they are required to write an essay of 700 words on each topic. In the three sections, the
topics of the essay will be based on the following sphere:
 Section A : (1) Literature and Culture. (2) Social sphere. (3) Political sphere.
 Section B: (1) Science, Environment, and Technology. (2) Economic Sphere (3) Agriculture, Industry,
and Trade.
 Section C: (1) National and International Events. (2) Natural Calamities, Landslides, Earthquake,
Deluge, Drought, etc. (3) National Development programmes and projects.
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PAPER-III
General Studies –I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)
 History of Indian Culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from

ancient to modern times.

 Modern Indian history (from A.D.1757 to A.D. 1947): Significant events, personalities and issues, etc.

 The Freedom Struggle- its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of

the country.

 Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country (till 1965A.D.). History of the

world will include events from 18th century to the middle of the 20th century such as the French revolution
of 1789, the industrial revolution, the World Wars, the redraw of national boundaries, Socialism, Nazism,
Fascism etc-their forms and their effect on society.

 Salient features of Indian Society and culture.

 Role of Women in society and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and

developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

 Meaning of liberalization, privatization and globalization and their effects on economy, polity and social

structure.

 Social empowernment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

 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).

 Salient features of Physical Geography- Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone, Ocean Currents,

winds and glaciers.

 Oceanic resources of India and their potential.

 Human migration-refugee problem of the World with focus on India.

 Frontiers and boundaries with reference to Indian sub-continent.

 Population and Settlements- Types and Patterns, Urbanization, Smart Cities and Smart Villages.
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PAPER-IV
General Studies –II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
 Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and
basic structure, Role of Supreme Court in evolution of basic provisions of Constitution.
 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 .
 Role of Finance Commission in Centre- State financial relations.

 Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. Emergence and use of alternative
dispute redressal mechanisms.
 Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other major democratic countries.

 Parliament and State legislatures- structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges and
concerned issues.
 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).
 Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.

 Appointment to various Constitutional posts, Powers, functions and their responsibilities.

 Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies including NITI Aayog, their features and
functioning.
 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their
design, implementation and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
 Development processes- the role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs),
various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
 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.
 Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education,
and Human Resources.
 Issues relating to poverty and hunger, and their implication on the body politic.

 Important aspects of governance. Transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models,

successes, limitations and potential, citizens, charters, and institutional measures.
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 Role of Civil Services in a democracy in the context of emerging trends

 India and its relationship with neighboring Countries.

 Bilateral, Regional, and Global groupings and agreements involving India and/ or affecting India's interest.

 Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests- Indian diaspora.

 Important International Institutions, Agencies their structure, mandate, and functioning.

 Current affairs and events of Regional, National, and International importance.

PAPER-V
General Studies –III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and
Disaster Management)
 Economic planning in India, objectives and achievements. Role of NITI Aayog, Pursuit of Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
 Issues of Poverty, Unemployment, Social justice, and inclusive growth.

 Components of Government Budgets and Financial System.

 Major Crops, Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems, storage, transport, and marketing of
agricultural produce, and e-technology in the aid of farmers.
 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, and Technology
missions in agriculture.
 Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream
requirements, and supply chain management.
 Land reforms in India since independence.

 Effects of liberalization and globalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy, and their effects
on industrial growth.
 Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.

 Science and Technology-developments and applications in everyday life and in National Security, India's
Science and Technology Policy.
 Achievements of Indians in science & technology, indigenization of technology. Developments of New
technologies, transfer of technology, dual and critical use technologies.
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 Awareness in the fields of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Space Technology,
Computers, Energy resources, nano-technology, microbiology, and biotechnology. Issues relating to
intellectual property rights (IPR) and digital rights.
 Environmental security and Ecosystems, Conservation of Wildlife, Biodiversity, Environmental pollution
and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
 Disaster as a Non-traditional security and safety challenge, disaster mitigation, and management.
 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.
 India's internal security challenges: Terrorism, corruption, insurgency, and organized crimes.
 Role, kind, and mandate of security forces, Higher defence organizations in India
 Issues in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, and Animal Husbandry.

PAPER-VI
General Studies –IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)
 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.
 Attitude: Content, structure, function, its influence, and relation with thought and behavior, moral and
political attitudes, social influence, and persuasion.
 Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity,
dedication to public services, empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards the weaker sections.
 Emotional Intelligence- concept and dimensions, its utility and application in administration and
governance.
 Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
 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.
 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.
 Case studies on the above issues.
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PAPER-VII
General Studies –V (UP Specific)
 History, Civilization, Culture and Ancient Cities of UP.

 Architecture, their significance and maintainability, museum, archive and archaeology of UP.

 Contributions of UPin Pre and post-1857 freedom struggles of India.

 Eminent freedom fighters and personalities of UP.

 Rural, Urban and Tribal issues: social structure, festivals, fairs, music, folk dances, literature and
languages/dialects, and social customs of UP.
 Political System of UP: Governance, Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, State Assembly and
State Council, Center-State Relation.
 Public Service, Public Service Commission, Auditing, Advocate General, High Court and its jurisdiction
in UP.
 Special State Selection Criteria, Official Language, Consolidated Fund and Contingency fund, Political
Parties and State Election Commission of UP.
 Local Self Government: Urban and Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Right related issues in U P.

 Good Governance, Eradication of Corruption, Lokayukta, Citizen Charters, E-Governance, Right to

Information, Redressal Policy.
 Land Reforms and their impact on UP.

 Issues Related to Security in UP.

 Linkage between development and spread of extremism.

 Role of External, State, and Interstate actors in creating challenges to internal security through
communication
 networks, media, and social networking sites.
 Basic rules of cyber security, money- laundering, and its prevention.
 Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
 Security challenges and their management in border areas, linkage of organized crimes with terrorism.

 Law and Order and Civil Defense in UP.

 Medical and Health issues in UP

 State Education System of UP.

 Contribution of UP to the development of India.

 Current Affairs of UP.

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 Implementation of the Jal Shakti Mission and other central welfare schemes in UP.

 NGOs in UP: Issues, Contribution, and Impact.

 Tourism in U P: Issues and prospects.

 Emphasis on Innovation in various fields in UP: Issues and it's impact on employment and socio-economic
development of the society.

PAPER-VIII
General Studies –VI (UP Specific)
 Overview of Economy of UP: Main features of economy and State Budgets, Infrastructure and importance
of Physical Resources.
 Trade, Commerce and industries of UP.

 UP Government Schemes, Projects and Planned Development for welfare of People, Human Resources and
Skill Development.
 Investment in U P: Issues and Impact

 Public Finance and Fiscal Policy, Tax and Economic Reforms, One District One Product Policy of
UPGovernment.
 Planning and management of renewable and non-renewable energy resources of UP.

 Demography, Population and Censuses of UP.

 Commercialization of agriculture and production of agricultural crops in UP.

 UP New Forest Policy.

 Agro and Social Forestry in U.P

 Agricultural Diversity, Problems of agriculture and their solutions in UP.

 Developmental Indices of U Pin various fields.

 Geography of UP: Geographical Location, Relief and Structure, Climate, Irrigation, Minerals, Drainage
System and Vegetation.
 National Parks and Wild Life Sanctuaries in UP.

 Transport Network in UP.

 Power Resources, Infrastructure and Industrial Development of UP.

 Pollution and Environmental Issues in U P, Pollution Control Board and its functions.

 Natural Resources of UP- Soil, Water, Air, Forests, Grasslands, Wetlands.

 Climate Change and Weather Forecasting issues in UP.

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 Habitat and Ecosystem, structure and function, adjustment; Flora and Fauna with reference to UP.

 Science and Technology: Its issues, advancements and efforts in U P.

 Aquaculture, Viticulture, Sericulture, Floriculture, Horticulture, and Arboric culture in up and its impact
on the development of UP.
 The Evolvement of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the development of UP

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