UPPCS PCS SYLLABUS 2023
Before we discuss the UPPSC Syllabus let us first have an idea of the Exam Pattern. The UPPSC PCS Exam comprises of three stages.
- Prelims – 2 papers – objective type questions (MCQs).
- Mains – 8 papers – essay/descriptive type.
- Interview.
The candidate will have to clear each of the rounds successfully to be appointed as UPPSC Officer.
UPPCS EXAM PATTERN
| Name of the Exam | Type of the Exam/Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|
UPPSC Prelims |
· Paper 1 – General Studies I · Paper 2 – General Studies II (CSAT) |
·Paper 1: 150 questions · Paper 2: 100 questions |
UPPSC Mains |
· General Hindi · Essay · General Studies I · General Studies II · General Studies III · General Studies IV · Optional Subject – Paper 1 · Optional Subject – Paper 2 |
·General Hindi – 150 marks · Essay – 150 marks · All General Studies papers and Optional subject papers will be of 200 marks each · Total – 1500 marks |
UPPSC Interview |
· Personality Test/Interview | · 100 marks |
UPPSC Syllabus: UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern:
The UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern is given below. This is qualifying in nature used to filter out candidates to appear for the UPPSC Mains Exam. The UPPSC Prelims comprises of two papers: || Paper I Paper II ||. Both the papers will be of 200 marks each with Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The duration of the exam would be 2 hours with both the papers being conducted on the same day.
UPPSC PCS Preliminary Exam:
No. of Papers-(2)
Duration of Exam-
Maximum Marks-
Number of Questions-
Type of Exam-
Nature of Questions-
Marking Scheme For UPPSC Prelims Exam
- There will be a 33% negative markingfor every incorrect answer.
- If the maximum marks allotted for a question is 2, then answering it incorrectly would incur a penalty of 0.66 marks
- Filling multiple circles on the OMR sheet for the same question would be treated as an incorrect answer and it would lead to negative marking.
- There is no negative marking for leaving a question blank.
- Paper 2(CSAT) is a qualifying paper in UPPCS/ PCS Pre paper in which the candidates must obtain a minimum of 33% marks.
- The selection from the UPPCS/ PCS Pre paper stage will be done based on marks obtained in Paper 1.
UPPSC Syllabus For Prelims
The Syllabus for the UPPSC PCS Prelims is quite similar to that of IAS. As you know that the UPPSC Prelims comprises of two papers objective in nature, therefore the syllabus for both the papers is provided below.
UPPSC Prelims Syllabus For Paper I
- Current events of National & International importance
- Indian History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern
- National Movement
- Indian and World Geography – Socio-economic, Physical geography
- Indian Governance and Polity – Political System, Constitution, Public Policy, Panchayati Raj, Rights issues,etc.
- Social and Economic Development – Demographics, Sustainable Development, Poverty Inclusion, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
- Environmental Ecology, Climate Change, and Biodiversity – general issues that do not require subject specialization.
- General Science
UPPSC Syllabus For Paper 2
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills (including communication skills)
- Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
- General Mental Ability
- Elementary Mathematics (class X level – Algebra, Statistics, Geometry, and Arithmetic)
- General English (class X level)
- General Hindi (class X level)
UPPSC Syllabus: UPPSC Mains Exam Pattern
The UPPSC Mains Exam Pattern is given below. The marks obtained in this exam will be considered for the final selection of the candidates. The UPPSC Mains Exam comprises of eight papers descriptive in nature. The duration of the exam would be 3 hours for each paper.The UPPSC Mains Exam will be of a total of 1500 marks. The papers will be conducted over a week’s duration.
UPPSC PCS Mains (Written) Examination:
Number of Papers (8)-
Duration of Exam-
Maximum Marks-
Type of Exam-
Nature of Questions-
Optional Subjects-
The UPPSC Mains Exam comprises of eight papers. The marks secured in the UPPSC PCS main exam are the deciding factor in the final selection. There are two major changes in the UPPSC main exam pattern.
Firstly,UPPSC does away with the objective type papers and re-introduced the descriptive type papers as in the past but with the increase in the number of papers.
Secondly, UPPSC introduced the ‘Ethics’ paper which was not there earlier.
Essay: Paper-II
There will be three sections in the question paper of Candidates will have to select Essay. One topic from each section and they are required to write an essay in 700 words on each topic. In the three sections, the topics of the essay will be based on the following sphere :
Section A: Literature and Culture, Social sphere, Political sphere.
Section B: Science, Environment and Technology, Economic Sphere Agriculture, Industry, and Trade.
Section C: National and International Events, Natural Calamities, Land slide, Earthquake, Deluge, Drought, etc. National Development programs and projects.
General Studies I: Paper III
1- History of Indian Culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2- Modern Indian history (from A.D.1757 to A.D. 1947): Significant events, personalities and issues, etc.
3- The Freedom Struggle- its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
4- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country (till 1965A.D.).
5- History of the world will include events from 18 century to the middle of the 20 century such that as French revolution of 1789, the industrial revolution, World Wars, redraw of national boundaries, Socialism, Nazism, Fascism etc-their forms, and effect on society.
6- Salient features of Indian Society and culture.
7- Role of Women in society and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems, and their remedies.
8- Meaning of liberalization, privatization, and globalization and their effects on the economy, polity and social structure.
9- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
10- Distribution of major natural resources of World- Water, Soils, Forests about South and South-East Asia with special reference to India. Factors responsible for the location of industries (with special reference to India).
11- Salient features of Physical Geography- Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone, Ocean Currents, winds, and glaciers.
12- Oceanic resources of India and their potential.
13- Human migration-refugee problem of the World with a focus on India.
14- Frontiers and boundaries regarding the Indian sub-continent.
15- Population and Settlements- Types and Patterns, Urbanization, Smart Cities and Smart Villages.
General Studies II: Paper IV
- Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure, Role of Supreme Court in the evolution of basic provisions of Constitution.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States: issues and challenges about 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, the conduct of business, powers and privileges, and concerning 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’sAct.
- 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, Human Resources.
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger, 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.
- Role of Civil Services in a democracy in the context of emerging trends.
- India and its relationship with neighbouring 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.
- Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh regarding Political, Administrative, Revenue, and Judicial System.
- Current affairs and events of Regional, State, National, and International importance.
- 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, 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, Technology missions in agriculture.
- Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, 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 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.
- Awareness in the fields of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Space Technology, Computers, Energy resources, nanotechnology, microbiology, 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 cybersecurity, money laundering, and human trafficking.
- India’s internal security challenges: Terrorism, corruption, insurgency, and organized crimes.
- The role, kind, and mandate of security forces, Higher defence organizations in India18- Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh Economy:- Overview of UP Economy: State Budgets. Importance of Agriculture, Industry, Infrastructure, and physical resources. Human Resources and Skill development. Government Programmes and Welfare Schemes.
- Issues in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, and Animal Husbandry.
- Law and Order and Civil Defence with special reference to U.P.
- 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 behaviour, moral and political attitudes, social influence, and persuasion.
- Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, 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, thical 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, challenges of corruption.
- Case studies on the above issues
- Agriculture & Veterinary
- Science Arabic Lit.
- Zoology
- Chemistry
- Hindi Lit.
- Statistics
- Defense Studies
- Persian Lit.
- Physics
- Management
- Sanskrit Lit.
- Mathematics
- Political Science & International Relations
- Geology
- Commerce & Accountancy
- Geography
- Psychology
- History Civil
- Engineering
- Public Administration
- Social Work
- Medical Science
- Sociology
- Agricultural Engineering
- Philosopy
- Anthropology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Botany
- Electrical Engineering
- Law
- English Lit.
- Animal Husbandry
- Urdu Lit
General Studies III: Paper V
General Studies Paper IV: Paper VI
Optional Paper For UPPSC PCS Mains Exam: Paper VII & VIII
The UPPSC PCS Mains exam will consist of eight papers of which candidates will have to choose from a list of 34 subjects for the last two papers. Candidates will be able to select one optional subject as both the optional papers will constitute questions from the subject opted by candidates. The list of all the optional subjects has been provided below.
UPPSC PCS Syllabus: List Of Optional Subjects For Mains
UPPSC Interview
This is the final round of the UPPSC Exam. Candidates qualifying for the Prelims and the Mains exam will be called to appear for the Interview. The Interview will be for 100 Marks.The test will relate to the matter of general interest keeping the matter of academic interest in view and for general awareness, intelligence, character, expression power/personality, andgeneral suitability for the service.