The UPPSC PCS ( Civil Services) exam is conducted in three stages:
1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Purpose: Screening test for Mains
- Nature: Qualifying only, marks not counted in final merit
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Studies-I | 150 | 2 Hours | Objective |
| II | General Studies-II (CSAT) | 100 | 2 Hours | Objective / Qualifying (33% marks needed) |
Note: There is negative marking (1/3rd mark deduction for each wrong answer).
2. Main Examination (Descriptive Type)
- Total Papers: 8
- Duration: 3 Hours per paper
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Hindi | 150 |
| Paper 2 | Essay | 150 |
| Paper 3 | General Studies-I | 200 |
| Paper 4 | General Studies-II | 200 |
| Paper 5 | General Studies-III | 200 |
| Paper 6 | General Studies-IV | 200 |
| Paper 7 | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 200 |
| Paper 8 | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 200 |
➡️ Total Marks (Mains): 1500
➡️ Interview (Personality Test): 100 Marks
📚 UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus
General Studies Paper I
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- India and World Geography (Physical, Social, Economic)
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Economic and Social Development
- Environmental Ecology, Climate Change
- General Science
- Uttar Pradesh-specific GK (Geography, History, Culture, Economy, Polity)
General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
- Decision Making and Problem Solving
- General Mental Ability
- Basic Numeracy (Class X level)
- Data Interpretation
- English Language Comprehension (Class X level)
📝 UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus
Paper 1 – General Hindi
- Essay, Precise Writing, Translation, Grammar
Paper 2 – Essay
- Sections usually include:
- Literature and Culture
- Political and Social Issues
- Science, Environment, Economy, and Agriculture
Papers 3 to 6 – General Studies I to IV
GS I: History, Geography, Indian Society, Culture, UP Heritage
GS II: Constitution, Governance, International Relations, Polity
GS III: Economy, Agriculture, Science & Tech, Environment, UP Budget
GS IV: Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude, Civil Service Values
Optional Subjects (Choose any one subject – 2 papers)
Some of the popular options include:
- History
- Geography
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Anthropology
- Philosophy
- Law
- Psychology (For full list, refer to the official UPPSC notification)
🎯 Final Selection
- Based on Mains (1500 marks) + Interview (100 marks)
- Prelims is only qualifying
🎯 Bonus Tips from Toppers
- Don’t blindly follow multiple sources – be selective and focused.
- Stay away from distractions and negative thoughts.
- Keep a balance between hard work, smart work, and self-care.
- Practice UPPSC PCS Mock Test Series at Star Mock Test Online.
- Keep UP-specific facts and data ready for both Prelims and Mains.
- Believe in yourself — it’s a marathon, not a sprint!