Note<\/strong>: Prelims marks are not counted in the final merit list. They are only used for shortlisting candidates for Mains.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/span>UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus 2026<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nThe Prelims exam has two papers. Paper I is for screening, while Paper II (CSAT) is only qualifying \u2014 meaning you need to score at least 33% in it, but those marks won’t be added to your merit score.<\/p>\n
Paper I \u2013 General Studies (200 Marks)<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis paper has 150 questions, each carrying 2\/3 of a mark. There is negative marking of 1\/3 mark per wrong answer.<\/p>\n
Topics covered in Paper I:<\/strong><\/p>\nHistory of India and Indian National Movement<\/strong> This includes Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History. The focus should be on the freedom struggle, important events, social reform movements, and key personalities.<\/p>\nIndian and World Geography<\/strong> Covers Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World. Topics like rivers, mountains, climate, soil types, population, agriculture, and natural resources are important.<\/p>\nIndian Polity and Governance<\/strong> Constitutional features, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, and governance-related topics.<\/p>\nIndian Economy<\/strong> Economic development, Planning, Five-Year Plans, current economic policies, poverty, unemployment, infrastructure, and financial institutions.<\/p>\nGeneral Science<\/strong> Basic concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Special focus on everyday science and current scientific developments.<\/p>\nCurrent Events of National and International Importance<\/strong> Major events happening in India and the world \u2014 politics, economy, sports, awards, science, and environment.<\/p>\nGeneral Mental Ability<\/strong> Basic reasoning, comprehension, numerical ability, and analytical skills.<\/p>\nSpecial Focus on Uttar Pradesh<\/strong> The UPPSC exam gives special importance to UP-specific questions. Topics include:<\/p>\n\n- History, Culture, and Art of Uttar Pradesh<\/li>\n
- Geography of UP<\/li>\n
- Economy and Agriculture of UP<\/li>\n
- Social developments, Infrastructure, and State Governance<\/li>\n
- Current affairs related to UP<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Paper II \u2013 CSAT (200 Marks, Qualifying Only)<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis paper tests your aptitude and analytical ability. You need to score at least 33% (66 marks) to qualify.<\/p>\n
Topics covered in Paper II:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Comprehension (Reading and Understanding of passages)<\/li>\n
- Interpersonal skills and Communication skills<\/li>\n
- Logical reasoning and Analytical ability<\/li>\n
- Decision-making and Problem-solving<\/li>\n
- General Mental Ability<\/li>\n
- Basic Numeracy (Class X level)<\/li>\n
- Data Interpretation (Charts, Graphs, Tables)<\/li>\n
- Hindi Language comprehension (Class X level)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus 2026<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nCandidates who clear the Prelims are called for the Mains examination. The Mains is a descriptive exam with 8 papers in total. It tests the depth of your knowledge, writing ability, and understanding of various subjects.<\/p>\n
Overview of Mains Papers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
\n\n\n| Paper<\/th>\n | Subject<\/th>\n | Marks<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
\n\n| Paper I<\/td>\n | General Hindi<\/td>\n | 150<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Paper II<\/td>\n | Essay<\/td>\n | 150<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Paper III<\/td>\n | General Studies I<\/td>\n | 200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Paper IV<\/td>\n | General Studies II<\/td>\n | 200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Paper V<\/td>\n | General Studies III<\/td>\n | 200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Paper VI<\/td>\n | General Studies IV<\/td>\n | 200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Paper VII<\/td>\n | Optional Subject \u2013 Paper I<\/td>\n | 200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Paper VIII<\/td>\n | Optional Subject \u2013 Paper II<\/td>\n | 200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\nTotal<\/strong><\/td>\n| <\/td>\n | 1500<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\nPaper I \u2013 General Hindi (150 Marks)<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis paper is aimed at testing your command over the Hindi language. Questions are set at the level of a Class XII student.<\/p>\n Key topics include:<\/p>\n \n- Given passage and its title (Unseen comprehension)<\/li>\n
- Government and Semi-Government letter writing<\/li>\n
- Translation from English to Hindi<\/li>\n
- Vocabulary \u2014 antonyms, synonyms<\/li>\n
- One-word substitution<\/li>\n
- Sentence correction<\/li>\n
- Idioms and Proverbs<\/li>\n
- Use of Hindi equivalents of English words<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Paper II \u2013 Essay (150 Marks)<\/strong><\/h3>\nCandidates are required to write three essays, one from each of the three sections. Each essay is of 50 marks.<\/p>\n The topics are usually from:<\/p>\n \n- Section A:<\/strong> Literature and Culture \/ Social Sector \/ Political System<\/li>\n
- Section B:<\/strong> Science, Environment, and Technology \/ Economic Sector<\/li>\n
- Section C:<\/strong> Agriculture, Industry, and Trade \/ National and International Events \/ Natural Disasters (Flood, Earthquake, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Good essay writing requires clear thinking, a structured argument, and knowledge of current issues. Regular reading of newspapers and editorial writing practice is highly recommended.<\/p>\n Paper III \u2013 General Studies I (200 Marks)<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis paper focuses on History, Culture, and Geography.<\/p>\n History and Culture of India and the World<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic period, Maurya and Gupta empires<\/li>\n
- Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal period, Bhakti and Sufi movements<\/li>\n
- Modern India: Colonial rule, social reforms, Indian freedom struggle<\/li>\n
- History of Uttar Pradesh<\/li>\n
- Art, architecture, painting, music, and literature of India<\/li>\n
- World History: Important events from the 18th to 20th centuries \u2014 World Wars, Industrial Revolution, colonialism<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Geography of India and the World<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Physical Geography \u2014 landforms, water bodies, climate<\/li>\n
- Human and Economic Geography \u2014 population, urbanization, agriculture, industries<\/li>\n
- Geography of Uttar Pradesh<\/li>\n
- Environmental Geography and sustainability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Paper IV \u2013 General Studies II (200 Marks)<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis paper covers Indian Constitution, Governance, and Social Issues.<\/p>\n Indian Constitution and Political System<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Making of the Constitution and its Preamble<\/li>\n
- Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and Fundamental Duties<\/li>\n
- Parliament, State Legislature, and their functioning<\/li>\n
- Constitutional bodies \u2014 Election Commission, CAG, UPSC, etc.<\/li>\n
- Federal structure and Centre-State relations<\/li>\n
- Local governance \u2014 Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Social Justice and Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Government schemes and programs for vulnerable sections<\/li>\n
- Welfare schemes for SC\/ST, OBC, Women, Children, Disabled, and Minorities<\/li>\n
- Mechanisms for grievance redressal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
International Relations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- India’s foreign policy and its bilateral relations<\/li>\n
- India and its neighbors<\/li>\n
- Effect of foreign country policies on India<\/li>\n
- International organizations and their roles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Special focus on Uttar Pradesh<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Political system, administration, and current development programs in UP<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Paper V \u2013 General Studies III (200 Marks)<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis paper deals with Economics, Agriculture, and Technology.<\/p>\n Economic Development<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Basic concepts of Indian economy<\/li>\n
- Inclusive growth \u2014 meaning, challenges, and government initiatives<\/li>\n
- Budget, fiscal policy, and taxation<\/li>\n
- Banking, insurance, and financial markets<\/li>\n
- Infrastructure \u2014 transport, energy, urban development<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Agriculture and Rural Development<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Agricultural production and cropping patterns in India and UP<\/li>\n
- Land reforms and land use<\/li>\n
- Irrigation and water management<\/li>\n
- Agricultural markets \u2014 MSP, APMC, FCI<\/li>\n
- Farmer welfare schemes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Role of science and technology in national development<\/li>\n
- Biotechnology, Space technology, and IT<\/li>\n
- Achievements of Indian scientists and institutions like ISRO, DRDO, CSIR<\/li>\n
- Intellectual property rights, patents, and copyrights<\/li>\n
- Cybersecurity and digital India initiatives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Environment and Ecology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Environmental pollution and conservation<\/li>\n
- Climate change and its impact<\/li>\n
- Biodiversity and endangered species<\/li>\n
- Environmental laws and agreements<\/li>\n
- Disaster management<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Special focus on Uttar Pradesh:<\/strong> Agriculture in UP, irrigation systems, Ganga expressway, industrial development zones, and state-level economic initiatives.<\/p>\nPaper VI \u2013 General Studies IV (200 Marks)<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis paper is the Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude paper \u2014 similar to the UPSC GS Paper IV.<\/p>\n Ethics and Human Interface<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Meaning of ethics, its role in human life<\/li>\n
- Attitude, aptitude, values, and their influence on decision-making<\/li>\n
- Emotional intelligence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Ethics in Public Administration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Probity in governance<\/li>\n
- Public service values<\/li>\n
- Ethical dilemmas in governance<\/li>\n
- Accountability, transparency, and integrity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Thinkers and Philosophers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Contributions and teachings of great moral thinkers like Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Ambedkar, and others<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Case Studies<\/strong><\/p>\n | |