UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025 explains how candidates progress through Prelims, Mains, and Interview. With detailed marks distribution and negative marking rules, it guides aspirants on what counts toward final merit and how accuracy shapes success in the exam.
theIAShub | 20 Sep, 2025 | 4083 | 0 |
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) exam (also called UPPCS) is held in three stages: the Preliminary exam, the Main exam, and a Personality Test (Interview). Together with the UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025, the exam consists of the Main (1500 marks) and Interview (100 marks) form the final merit total (1600 marks). The Prelims (400 marks) serves only as a screening test; its score is not added to the final tally. For first-time aspirants, understanding the updated UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025 and the UPPSC marks distribution is crucial for effective preparation.
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UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025 and Marks Distribution 2025 |
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| Stage | Papers/Subjects |
Total Marks |
| Preliminary | GS I (Paper I) + GS II (Paper II, CSAT) | 400 (2×200) |
| Mains (Written) | General Hindi, Essay, GS I–VI | 1500 (6×200 + 150 + 150) |
| Interview | Personality Test | 100 |
| Total (Final) | – | 1600 |
Also Read: UPPSC Syllabus
UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025 for Preliminary Exam (UPPCS Prelims) is a qualifying stage designed to screen candidates. UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern consists of two papers – General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT) – each carrying 200 marks. Paper I has 150 objective questions (MCQs) and Paper II has 100 MCQs. Both papers are conducted on the same day for 2 hours each.
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UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025 for Prelims |
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| Paper (Prelims) | Questions | Marks | Duration | Qualifying Criteria | Purpose | Nature | Language | Marks Distribution |
Negative Marking |
| General Studies I (Paper I) | 150 | 200 | 2 hrs | Merit ranking | Screening test; not counted in final score | Objective (MCQs) | Hindi & English | 150 Q × 1.33 = 200 | −0.33 per wrong answer |
| General Studies II (CSAT, Paper II) | 100 | 200 | 2 hrs | 33% cutoff (66 marks) | Qualifying only; not added to final score | Objective (MCQs) | Hindi & English | 100 Q × 2.00 = 200 | −0.33 per wrong answer |
Also Read: UPPSC Question Paper
The UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025 for mains is a written (descriptive) stage comprising eight papers. UPPSC Mains Exam pattern consists of: General Hindi (Paper I), Essay (Paper II), and six General Studies papers (Papers III–VIII). Each GS paper is 200 marks; Hindi and Essay are 150 marks each.
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UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025 for Mains Exam |
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| Mains Paper | Duration |
Marks |
| General Hindi (Paper I) | 3 hrs | 150 |
| Essay (Paper II) | 3 hrs | 150 |
| General Studies – I (Paper III) | 3 hrs | 200 |
| General Studies – II (Paper IV) | 3 hrs | 200 |
| General Studies – III (Paper V) | 3 hrs | 200 |
| General Studies – IV (Paper VI) | 3 hrs | 200 |
| General Studies – V (Paper VII) | 3 hrs | 200 |
| General Studies – VI (Paper VIII) | 3 hrs | 200 |
| Written Total | – | 1500 |
| Interview (Personality Test) | – | 100 |
| Grand Total | – | 1600 |
Also Read: UPPSC Mains Preparation Strategy
Understanding the UPPSC marking scheme is essential. In the UPPSC Exam Pattern for Prelims, each correct answer in GS Paper I earns +1.33 marks and each correct answer in CSAT (Paper II) earns +2.00 marks. Every incorrect answer incurs a penalty of one-third of the question’s marks: about −0.33 marks in Paper I and −0.66 in Paper II. In other words, three wrong answers will negate one correct answer’s gain. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
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UPPSC Exam Pattern Marks Distribution |
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| Exam Stage | Correct Answer |
Wrong Answer Penalty |
| Prelims – GS Paper I | +1.33 marks | −0.33 marks |
| Prelims – GS Paper II | +2.00 marks | −0.66 marks |
| Mains (any paper) | (Essay-type scoring) | 0 (no negative marking) |
| Interview | Up to 100 marks | N/A |
In the UPPSC Preliminary Examination for the objective type Question papers, penalty (Negative Marking) shall be imposed for wrong answers given by the candidates which is as below:–
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UPPSC exam pattern for 2025 emphasizes accuracy in Prelims (due to its 1/3 negative marking) and comprehensive writing in the Mains. For example, the UPPSC negative marking rule deducts 0.33 marks for each incorrect Prelims answer, making accuracy essential. First-time candidates should note the marks distribution: the Prelims (400 marks) merely qualifies candidates, while the Mains+Interview (1600 marks) decide the outcome. Careful preparation aligned with this pattern and marking scheme is key to success.
The UPPSC Pattern for prelims includes two papers: General Studies I (150 questions, 200 marks) and CSAT or General Studies II (100 questions, 200 marks). Paper I counts for merit, while Paper II is qualifying only with a 33% cutoff. Both papers carry negative marking.
The UPPSC Pattern for mains consists of eight descriptive papers: General Hindi (150 marks), Essay (150 marks), and six General Studies papers (200 marks each). This stage carries 1500 marks in total and forms the core of the final merit calculation.
In the UPPSC marking scheme 2025, Prelims papers have objective scoring with negative marking. Each correct answer in GS Paper I gives +1.33 marks and in CSAT gives +2.00 marks. Wrong answers deduct one-third marks. The Mains and Interview have descriptive evaluation without negative marking.
Yes. The UPPSC negative marking rule applies to both Prelims papers. For GS Paper I, each wrong answer deducts 0.33 marks, while in CSAT, each wrong answer deducts 0.66 marks. No negative marking applies in Mains or Interview.
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