Syllabus for UPPSC Combined State/ Upper Subordinate Services Exam

UPPSC Combined State/ Upper Subordinate Services Exam Syllabus

The UPPSC Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services Exam, also known as the PCS (Provincial Civil Services) exam, is conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC). It comprises three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination
2. Main Examination
3. Interview

1. Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Exam consists of two papers, both of which are objective-type (multiple choice questions).

Paper 1: General Studies I

• Duration: 2 hours
• Marks: 200
• Topics:
  • • Current events of national and international importance
    • History of India and the Indian National Movement
    • Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
    • Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
    • Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
    • General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change – General awareness of the subject
    • General Science

Paper 2: General Studies II (CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test)

• Duration: 2 hours
• Marks: 200
• Topics:

1. 1. • 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 and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.
      • Data interpretation (Class X level) – Charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.
      • English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level)

Note: Paper 2 (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, and candidates need to secure at least 33% marks.

2. Main Examination

The Main Examination consists of a written examination and a personality test (interview). The written examination consists of the following papers:

Paper 1: General Hindi

• Marks: 150
• Topics:

1. 1. • Essay Writing in Hindi
      • English to Hindi Translation
      • Hindi Grammar

Paper 2: Essay

• Marks: 150
• Candidates are required to write three essays in three sections. The topics are broadly based on:
  • • Section A: Literature, Culture, Science, Agriculture, Environment
    • Section B: Political, Social, National and International Affairs
    • Section C: Economic, Science, Management, Economy, Industry, Agriculture, Environment, and Technology

Papers 3 to 6: General Studies (GS) I, II, III, and IV

• Each paper carries 200 marks.

Paper 3: General Studies I – History, Geography, and Culture

• Indian History – Ancient, Medieval, and Modern
• Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
• Culture of Uttar Pradesh

Paper 4: General Studies II – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations

• Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure
• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States
• Separation of powers between various organs
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
• Parliament and State Legislatures
• Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary
• Representation of People’s Act
• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
• Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies
• Government policies and interventions for development
• Development processes and the development industry
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population
• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services
• Role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders

Paper 5: General Studies III – Economy, Agriculture, Science and Technology, Environment, Disaster Management

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development, and employment
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
• Government Budgeting
• Major crops, cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems
• Science and Technology – Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
• Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology
• Indigenization of Technology and developing new technology
• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, etc.
• Environmental and Ecological issues

Paper 6: General Studies IV – Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

• Ethics and Human Interface
• Attitude
• Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service
• Emotional Intelligence
• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world
• Public/Civil Service values and Ethics in Public Administration
• Probity in Governance
• Case Studies on the above issues

Optional Subject Papers (Paper 7 & 8)

• Two papers on one optional subject (candidates can choose from a list of subjects provided by UPPSC)
• Each paper carries 200 marks.
• Subjects include Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce, Economics, Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology, and others.

3. Interview

• The interview carries 100 marks.
• It assesses the candidate’s overall personality, intelligence, presence of mind, and suitability for a career in administration.

Conclusion

Candidates must perform well in both the Prelims and the Mains to qualify for the Interview stage. The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Mains and the Interview.