• Updated on 13 Sept, 2025 by Souvik
UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025: UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025 consists of three main stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The Preliminary exam has two objective-type papers: General Studies Paper I and Paper II (CSAT), each lasting two hours and carrying 200 marks. Paper II is a qualifying paper requiring a minimum of 33% marks. The Mains exam is descriptive and consists of eight papers, including Essay, General Hindi, and six General Studies papers. Each mains paper lasts three hours, with a total of 1500 marks. Finally, candidates face a personal interview worth 100 marks. The exam pattern of UPPSC Exam 2025 tests a candidate’s knowledge, clarity, and personality comprehensively, ensuring only the most eligible candidates are selected for various government posts in Uttar Pradesh.
UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025
UPPSC PCS exam is conducted in three stages i.e., preliminary, mains, and then interview. Candidates can check the stage-wise UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025 here. Candidates who will qualify for the prelims exam will be allowed to appear in the mains exam.
UPPSC PCS Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates can check the prelims exam pattern for the UPPSC PCS exam in the table below. Candidates will be asked a total of 250 questions in the prelims exams from Paper 1 and Paper 2. The total duration of the UPPSC Prelims exam is 4 hours.
UPPSC PCS Mains Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates who will qualify UPPSC Prelims exam will be able to appear in the mains exam. The total narks in the mains exam are 1500, and there will be eight papers in the exam. Candidates can check the exam pattern in the table below.
Paper-wise Details
Also Read, UPPSC Application Form 2025
UPPSC Exam Syllabus 2025
There will be three stages in UPPSC PCS exam i.e., Prelims, Mains, and the interview round. Candidates can check the stage-wise UPPSC Exam Syllabus 2025 below.
UPPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025
The prelims exam will have two papers in the exam i.e., Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates can check the syllabus for prelims in the table below.
UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025
The mains exam will include eight papers in the exam. Candidates can check the syllabus for the mains in the table below.
UPPSC Mains Syllabus GS Paper 1
- The history of culture will cover the salient aspects of art forms, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian history (from A.D. 1757 to A.D. 1947): significant events, personalities, issues, etc.
- The Freedom Struggle—its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country (till 1965 A.D.)
- The history of the world will include events from the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century, such as the French Revolution of 1789, the Revolution, World Wars, the redrawing of national boundaries, Socialism, Nazism, Fascism, etc.—their forms and effects on society.
- Salient features of Indian society and culture.
- Role of women in society and women's organizations, population, and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems, and their remedies.
- The meaning of liberalization, privatization, and globalization and their effects on the economy, politics, and social structure.
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, and secularism.
- Distribution of major natural resources of the world—water, soils, and forests—about South and Southeast Asia with special reference to India. Factors responsible for the location of industries (with special reference to India).
- Salient features of physical geography include earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones, ocean currents, winds, and glaciers.
- The oceanic resources of India and their potential.
- The human migration-refugee problem of the world, with a focus on India.
- Frontiers and boundaries of the Indian subcontinent
- Population and Settlements: Types and Patterns, Urbanization, Smart Cities, and Smart Villages.
UPPSC Mains Syllabus GS Paper 2
- Indian Constitution: historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure; the role of the Supreme Court in the evolution of basic provisions of the 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 the Finance Commission in center-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, conduct of business, powers and privileges, and concerned issues.
- Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary.
UPPSC Mains Syllabus GS Paper 3
- Economic planning in India, objectives, and achievements. Role of NITI Aayog in Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Issues of poverty, unemployment, social justice, and inclusive growth.
- Components of government budgets and financial systems.
- Major crops, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems, storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce, and e-technology in the aid of farmers.
- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices, the Public Distribution System—objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping, issues of buffer stocks and food security, and 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 are India's science and technology policy.
- Achievements of Indians in science and technology, indigenization of technology. Development of new technologies, transfer of technology, dual and critical use technologies.
- Awareness in the fields of information and communication technology (ICT), space technology, computers, energy resources, nanotechnology, microbiology, and biotechnology. Issues relating to intellectual property rights (IPR) and digital rights.
- Environmental security and ecosystems, conservation of wildlife, biodiversity, environmental pollution and degradation, and environmental impact assessment.
- Disaster as a non-traditional security and safety challenge, disaster mitigation, and management.
- Challenges of International Security: Issues of Nuclear Proliferation and the Causes and spread of extremism Communication networks, the role of media and social networking, The basics of cyber security, money laundering, and human trafficking.
- India's internal security challenges include terrorism, corruption, insurgency, and organized crimes.
- Role, kind, and mandate of security forces and defense organizations in India
- Issues in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, and Animal Husbandry.
UPPSC Mains Syllabus GS Paper 4
- Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, Determinants, and Consequences of Ethics in Human Action, Dimensions of Ethics, Ethics in Private and Public Relationships. Humans learn from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators about the role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values.
- Attitude: content, structure, function, its influence, and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence; and persuasion.
- Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service include integrity, impartiality, and nonpartisanship; 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 around the world.
- Public 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 Governance.
- Probity in Governance: the concept of public service, the philosophical basis of governance and probity, information sharing, and transparency in government.
- Case studies on the above issues.
UPPSC Mains Syllabus GS Paper 5
- History, Civilization, Culture, and Ancient Cities of UP.
- architecture, their significance and maintainability, and the museum, archive, and archaeology of UP.
- Contributions to the Urban, Pre, and Post-Freedom Struggles of India.
- Eminent freedom fighters and personalities of UP.
- Rural, urban, and tribal issues: social structure, festivals, fairs, music, folk dances, literature, languages and languages/dialects, and social customs of UP.
- Political System of UP: Governance, Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, State Assembly and State Council, Center-State Relation.
- Public Service, Public Service Commission, Auditing, Advocate General, High Court, and its jurisdiction in UP.
- Special State Selection Criteria, Official Language, Consolidated Fund and Contingency Fund, Political Parties, and State Election Commission of UP.
- Local Self-Government: Urban and Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Related Issues in the U.P.
- Good Governance, Eradication of Corruption, Lokayukta, Citizen Charters, EGovernance, Right to Information, and Redressal Policy.
- Land Reforms and their impact in UP.
- Issues Related to Security in UP.
- Law and Order and Civil Defense in UP.
- Medical and Health Issues in UP
- State Education System of UP.
- Contribution to the development of India.
- Current Affairs at UP.
- Implementation of the Jal Shakti Mission and another central welfare scheme in UP.
- NGOs in UP: Issues, Contribution, and Impact.
- Tourism in UP: Issues and Prospects.
- Emphasis on innovation in various fields in UP: issues and its impact on employment and the socio-economic development of society.
UPPSC Mains Syllabus GS Paper 6
- Overview of the Economy of UP: Main Features of the Economy and State Budgets, Infrastructure, and the Importance of Physical Resources.
- Trade, commerce, and industries in UP.
- UP Government Schemes, Projects, and Planned Development for the Welfare of People, Human Resources, and Skill Development.
- Investment in U P: Issues and Impact 5- Public Finance and Fiscal Policy, Tax and Economic Reforms, One District, One Product Policy of the UP Government.
- Planning and management of renewable and non-renewable energy resources in UP.
- Demography, Population, and Censuses of UP.
- Commercialization of agriculture and production of crops in UP.
- UP New Forest Policy.
- Agro and Social Forestry in the U.P.
- Agricultural Diversity, Problems of Agriculture, and Their Solutions in UP.
- Developmental indicators of U Pin various fields.
- Geography of UP: Geographical Location, Relief, and Structure, Climate, Irrigation, Minerals, Drainage System, and Vegetation.
- National Parks and Wild Life Sanctuaries in UP.
- Transport Network in UP.
- Power Resources, Infrastructure, and Industrial Development of UP.
- Pollution and Environmental Issues in the U.P. Pollution Control Board and its Functions.
- Natural Resources of UP- Soil, Water, Air, Forests, Grasslands, and Wetlands.
- Climate Change and Weather Forecasting Issues in UP.
- Habitat and Ecosystem, Structure and Function, Adjustment; Flora and Fauna Concerning UP.
- Science and Technology: Its Issues, Advancements, and Efforts in the U.P.
- Aquaculture, Viticulture, Sericulture, Floriculture, Horticulture, and Arboric Culture in Up and Their Impact on the Development of UP.
- The evolution of Public-Private partnerships (PPP) for the Development of UP.
UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
What is the UPPSC PCS exam pattern for 2025?
The UPPSC PCS exam has three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The Prelims is objective with two papers. The Mains is descriptive with seven papers. The Interview tests personality and suitability. Candidates must pass each stage to move forward. The exam tests knowledge, skills, and suitability for administrative roles in Uttar Pradesh.
How many papers are there in the Prelims exam?
The Prelims exam has two papers: General Studies Paper 1 and General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT). Paper 1 is of 400 marks, and Paper 2 is qualifying only. Paper 2 tests comprehension and basic math skills. Both papers have multiple-choice questions. The Prelims serve as a screening test for the Mains exam.
What is the marking scheme for Prelims?
In Prelims, each question carries one mark. There is a negative marking of one-third for wrong answers. Paper 1 is of 400 marks. Paper 2 is qualifying with 200 marks, but the marks are not counted for ranking. Candidates must score a minimum qualifying mark in Paper 2 to qualify for Mains.
How many papers are in the Mains exam?
The Mains exam has seven papers. Two are qualifying papers: one in Hindi/English and one in an Essay. The remaining five papers are counted for the final ranking and cover General Studies and Optional subjects. Each paper is descriptive, with a total of 1750 marks. Candidates must pass the qualifying papers to have their papers evaluated.
What are the qualifying papers in Mains?
The qualifying papers in Mains are: one language paper (either Hindi or English) and one Essay paper. These papers are judged on basic language skills and the ability to write essays. Candidates need to pass these papers to have their General Studies and Optional papers evaluated. Failing these papers means disqualification from further evaluation.
What subjects are included in General Studies papers?
General Studies papers test knowledge of history, geography, economy, polity, environment, science and technology, and current affairs of India and Uttar Pradesh. These papers also include questions on culture, society, and other relevant fields. The aim is to assess the candidate’s awareness and analytical skills.
Are optional subjects part of Mains?
Yes, candidates choose one optional subject from a list for the Mains exam. The optional paper has two papers, each with 150 marks. Candidates should choose optional subjects based on their academic background or interests. Optional subjects allow candidates to showcase deeper knowledge in a specific field.
What is the total duration of each Mains paper?
Each main paper is of 3 hours duration. Candidates must manage their time well to complete the paper within the limit. Clarity and completeness in answers are important. Time management is key to scoring well in descriptive exams.
What is the weightage of the Interview round?
The Interview round carries 100 marks. It assesses the candidate’s personality, leadership qualities, communication skills, and suitability for a government administrative role. The Interview is conducted after candidates clear the Mains exam. Good performance in the Interview can improve a candidate’s final ranking.
Is the Prelims exam qualifying or merit-based?
The Prelims exam is mainly qualifying. Marks obtained in Prelims Paper 1 determine eligibility for the Mains exam. Paper 2 is qualifying only, and its marks are not counted for merit. Candidates must score above the cutoff in Paper 1 to move to the next stage.