The UPPSC PCS (Combined State / Upper Subordinate Services) Examination is conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) to recruit candidates for Group A and Group B gazetted and non-gazetted posts such as Deputy Collector (SDM), DSP, Block Development Officer and Sub-Registrar. The exam has three stages – Preliminary, Main, and Interview. Since 2023, the Mains exam pattern has removed the optional subject entirely, replacing it with two additional General Studies papers focused on Uttar Pradesh. This article covers the complete UPPSC PCS Syllabus 2026 for Prelims and Mains, along with the exam pattern and marking scheme.
UPPSC PCS Exam Pattern – Overview
| Stage | Nature | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Examination | Objective (MCQ), qualifying only | 400 (200 + 200) |
| Main Examination | Descriptive, 8 papers | 1,500 |
| Interview / Personality Test | Oral | 100 |
| Final Merit (Mains + Interview) | – | 1,600 |
Prelims marks are used only to shortlist candidates for Mains and are not added to the final merit list. Final selection is based solely on Mains + Interview marks.
UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus
The Preliminary Examination consists of two compulsory objective-type papers, each of 200 marks and 2 hours duration. There is negative marking in both Prelims papers. For each incorrect answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question is deducted. If more than one option is marked, the answer is treated as incorrect. No penalty applies to questions left unanswered.
General Studies Paper I (200 marks)
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and the Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography (physical, social and economic)
- Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, rights issues
- Economic and Social Development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
- General Science
General Studies Paper II / CSAT (200 marks, qualifying)
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy (Class X level) – numbers, relationships, data interpretation
CSAT (GS Paper II) is qualifying in nature – Candidates must obtain at least 33% marks (66 out of 200). Subject to qualifying CSAT, GS Paper I marks are used for Prelims shortlisting. Only GS Paper I marks determine shortlisting for Mains.
UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus
The Main Examination consists of 8 compulsory descriptive papers totalling 1,500 marks. Each paper is of 3 hours duration. There is no optional subject – this was removed starting with the 2023 exam cycle and replaced with two Uttar Pradesh-focused General Studies papers.
| 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 | General Studies V | 200 |
| Paper 8 | General Studies VI | 200 |
| Total | – | 1,500 |
General Hindi (150 marks)
Tests command of the Hindi language, grammar and vocabulary, including comprehension, précis writing, letter writing, and sentence/word formation.
Essay (150 marks)
Candidates write essays from three sections: Section A (literature, culture, social/political topics), Section B (science, environment, economy, agriculture), and Section C (national/international events, natural disasters, development programmes). One essay from each section, approximately 700 words each.
General Studies I (200 marks)
Indian history and world history, geography, Indian society, and Indian culture.
General Studies II (200 marks)
Indian Constitution, polity, and governance, including public administration and government schemes.
General Studies III (200 marks)
Technology, economic development, biodiversity, and environmental issues.
General Studies IV (200 marks)
Ethics, integrity and aptitude – including ethics in human action, human values, attitude, emotional intelligence, probity in governance, and case studies.
General Studies V (200 marks)
Focused specifically on Uttar Pradesh – history, civilisation, culture and ancient cities of UP; architecture, museums, archives and archaeology of UP; UP’s contribution to the freedom struggle; and the rural, urban and tribal social structure of UP.
General Studies VI (200 marks)
Focused on Uttar Pradesh’s economy, geography, infrastructure, and overall development.
Interview / Personality Test
Candidates who clear the Mains examination are called for an Interview (Personality Test) of 100 marks. There is no fixed syllabus for the interview – questions relate to general awareness, current affairs, and matters of academic and general interest, assessing the candidate’s intelligence, expression, character and overall suitability for the service.
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination (qualifying, not counted in final merit)
- Main Examination (8 descriptive papers, 1,500 marks)
- Interview / Personality Test (100 marks)
- Final Merit List (based on Mains + Interview marks only)
Important Official Links
| Link | Official URL |
|---|---|
| Official Website | uppsc.up.nic.in |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Syllabus | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many stages does the UPPSC PCS exam have?
Three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview (Personality Test).
2. Is there an optional subject in UPPSC PCS Mains 2026?
No. The optional subject was removed starting with the 2023 exam cycle and replaced with two Uttar Pradesh-focused General Studies papers (GS V and GS VI).
3. How many papers are there in UPPSC PCS Mains?
Eight compulsory descriptive papers: General Hindi (150 marks), Essay (150 marks), and General Studies I to VI (200 marks each), totalling 1,500 marks.
4. Are Prelims marks counted in the final UPPSC PCS merit?
No. Prelims is only a qualifying stage for shortlisting to Mains. The final merit is based on Mains and Interview marks only.
5. Is CSAT (GS Paper II) counted in the Prelims merit?
No. CSAT is qualifying in nature. Only General Studies Paper I marks are used to determine the Prelims cutoff and shortlisting for Mains.
6. Is there negative marking in UPPSC PCS?
Yes, there is negative marking in both Prelims papers. For each incorrect answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question is deducted. If more than one option is marked, the answer is treated as incorrect. No penalty applies to questions left unanswered.
7. What does the UPPSC PCS Interview carry marks for?
The Interview/Personality Test carries 100 marks and has no fixed syllabus. It assesses general awareness, communication, character and overall suitability for the service.
