Are you preparing for the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) Upper Provincial Civil Services (PCS) 2025 exam? Understanding the syllabus and exam pattern is the first step toward a structured preparation strategy.

This article provides a detailed breakdown of the UKPSC Upper PCS Syllabus 2025, exam pattern, and essential preparation tips to help you ace the exam.


UKPSC Upper PCS Exam Pattern 2025

The UKPSC Upper PCS selection process consists of three stages:

  1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)

  2. Main Examination (Descriptive Type)

  3. Interview (Personality Test)

1. Preliminary Exam Pattern

Subject No. of Questions Marks Duration
General Studies (GS) Paper-I 150 150 2 Hours
General Studies (GS) Paper-II (CSAT) 100 100 2 Hours
Total 250 Questions 250 Marks 4 Hours

Key Points:

  • Both papers are objective-type (MCQs).

  • Paper-II (CSAT) is qualifying (33% marks required).

  • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.

2. Main Exam Pattern

The Main Exam consists of 6 compulsory papers and 2 optional papers (total 8 papers).

Paper Subject Marks Duration
Paper-I Essay 100 3 Hours
Paper-II General Studies-I (History, Culture, Geography) 200 3 Hours
Paper-III General Studies-II (Polity, Governance, International Relations) 200 3 Hours
Paper-IV General Studies-III (Economy, Science & Tech, Environment) 200 3 Hours
Paper-V General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude) 200 3 Hours
Paper-VI Hindi 100 3 Hours
Optional Paper-I Subject Chosen by Candidate 200 3 Hours
Optional Paper-II Subject Chosen by Candidate 200 3 Hours
Total 1400 Marks Descriptive Format

3. Interview (Personality Test)

  • Marks: 200

  • Candidates who clear the Main Exam are called for the interview.

Important Dates

Event Date
Application Start Date May 7, 2025
Application End Date May 27, 2025

Important Links

Description Status
Official Notification Available on UKPSC portal & here
Apply Online Link Active on 07-05-2025 at ukpsc.net.in

UKPSC Upper PCS Syllabus 2025

Preliminary Exam Syllabus

General Studies (GS) Paper-I

  • Current Affairs (National & International)

  • Indian History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)

  • Geography (World & Indian)

  • Indian Polity & Governance

  • Economy & Social Development

  • Environmental Studies & Ecology

  • General Science & Technology

General Studies (GS) Paper-II (CSAT)

  • Comprehension & Communication Skills

  • Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability

  • Decision Making & Problem Solving

  • Basic Numeracy & Data Interpretation

Main Exam Syllabus

Compulsory Papers:

  1. Essay (Social, Economic, Political Issues)

  2. General Studies-I (History, Culture, Geography)

  3. General Studies-II (Constitution, Governance, International Relations)

  4. General Studies-III (Economy, Agriculture, Science & Tech)

  5. General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude)

  6. Hindi (Essay, Grammar, Comprehension)

Optional Subjects (Choose any two):

  • History, Political Science, Geography, Economics, Public Administration, Sociology, Philosophy, Agriculture, Mathematics, etc.


Preparation Tips for UKPSC Upper PCS 2025

✔ Understand the Syllabus: Focus on high-weightage topics in both Prelims and Mains.
✔ Daily Current Affairs: Follow newspapers, magazines, and government reports.
✔ Practice MCQs: Solve previous years’ papers and take mock tests.
✔ Answer Writing Practice: For Mains, practice structured and time-bound answers.
✔ Revise Regularly: Make short notes for quick revision.


FAQs on UKPSC Upper PCS Syllabus 2025

1. What is the selection process for UKPSC Upper PCS 2025?

The selection involves Prelims (Objective), Mains (Descriptive), and Interview.

2. How many papers are there in the UKPSC Upper PCS Mains exam?

There are 8 papers (6 compulsory + 2 optional).

3. Is there negative marking in the UKPSC Upper PCS Prelims?

Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.

4. What are the optional subjects available for the Mains exam?

Candidates can choose from History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Public Administration, etc.

5. How should I prepare for the Essay paper in Mains?

Practice writing essays on social, economic, and political issues with a structured approach.

6. Where can I download the official UKPSC Upper PCS syllabus?

Visit the official UKPSC website (https://psc.uk.gov.in) for the latest updates.