UPPSC Syllabus 2025: Complete Prelims & Mains Guide PDF
Download the official UPPSC PCS Syllabus 2025 PDF. Explore detailed Prelims and Mains exam patterns, including General Studies, CSAT, and Uttar Pradesh-specific papers.
Introduction
The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) is a constitutional body that conducts civil services examinations for various administrative positions in the Uttar Pradesh state government. Established in 1937 and headquartered in Prayagraj, UPPSC recruits candidates for Group A and Group B posts such as Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Block Development Officer, and others through competitive exams like the Provincial Civil Services (PCS).
UPPSC follows a rigorous three-stage selection process—Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview—to ensure fair and merit-based recruitment. With lakhs of aspirants applying each year, the exam demands a strong understanding of the syllabus, current affairs, and state-specific topics. UPPSC plays a vital role in strengthening the administrative structure of Uttar Pradesh by selecting capable and dedicated officers.
UPPSC PCS Exam Pattern 2025
| STAGE | PAPER | SUBJECT | QUESTIONS | MARKS | DURATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | Paper I | General Studies I | 150 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Prelims | Paper II | CSAT (General Studies II) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Mains | Paper I | General Hindi | – | 150 | 3 hours |
| Paper II | Essay | – | 150 | 3 hours | |
| Paper III | General Studies I | – | 200 | 3 hours | |
| Paper IV | General Studies II | – | 200 | 3 hours | |
| Paper V | General Studies III | – | 200 | 3 hours | |
| Paper VI | General Studies IV | – | 200 | 3 hours | |
| Mains | Papers VII & VIII | Optional Paper I & II | – | 400 (200 each) | 3 hours each |
| Interview | – | Personality Test | – | 100 | – |
UPPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025
Paper I – General Studies
| TOPICS | DESCRIPTION | NO. OF QUESTIONS | MARKS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Events | National and international events | ~20 | 25–30 |
| Indian History | Ancient to Modern History | ~20 | 25–30 |
| Indian National Movement | Freedom struggle & leaders | ~10 | 15 |
| Geography | Indian and world geography | ~20 | 25–30 |
| Polity & Governance | Constitution, Rights, Governance | ~20 | 25–30 |
| Economy & Development | Planning, poverty, inclusion | ~20 | 25–30 |
| Environment | Climate, biodiversity, pollution | ~10 | 15 |
| Science & Technology | Basic science, recent tech | ~10 | 15 |
Paper II – CSAT (Qualifying Only)
| TOPICS | DESCRIPTION | QUESTIONS | MARKS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehension | Reading & analysis | ~30 | 60 |
| Mental Ability | Reasoning, arithmetic | ~20 | 40 |
| Decision Making | Situational judgement | ~10 | 20 |
| Basic Math | Class 10 level arithmetic | ~20 | 40 |
| English Grammar | Error spotting, vocabulary | ~20 | 40 |
Note: CSAT is qualifying; candidates must score at least 33% (66 marks).
UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025
Paper I – General Hindi
| TOPIC | DESCRIPTION | MARKS |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | General topic essay in Hindi | 50 |
| Grammar | Sandhi, Samas, sentence structure | 50 |
| Letter/Precis | Formal letter and precis writing | 50 |
Paper II – Essay
| SECTION | TOPICS | MARKS |
|---|---|---|
| Section A | Social & economic issues | 50 |
| Section B | Political & cultural topics | 50 |
| Section C | Science, environment | 50 |
Paper III – General Studies I
- Indian History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern
- Indian Culture: Art, Literature, Architecture
- World History: Revolutions, World Wars
- Indian Society: Issues, Diversity, Women
- Geography: Physical, Economic, Social
Total Marks: 200
Paper IV – General Studies II
- Polity: Constitution, Amendments
- Governance: RTI, NGOs, Transparency
- Social Justice: Schemes, Vulnerable Groups
- International Relations: India’s Foreign Policy
Total Marks: 200
Paper V – General Studies III
- Economy: Growth, Budget, Banking
- Agriculture: Cropping Patterns, Reforms
- Science & Technology: AI, IT, Space, Robotics
- Environment: Biodiversity, Climate Change
- Disaster Management: Types, Response
Total Marks: 200
Paper VI – General Studies IV (Ethics)
- Ethics & Human Interface: Ethics, Human Values
- Attitude & Emotional Intelligence
- Public Service Values: Integrity, Probity
- Case Studies: Decision-making Cases
Total Marks: 200
Papers VII & VIII – Optional Subject
Optional Subject: Choose one subject from UPPSC list (400 marks total)
Popular Options: History, Geography, PSIR, Sociology, Anthropology
UPPSC Syllabus PDF Download
Best Books for UPPSC 2025
| SUBJECT | BOOK | AUTHOR/PUBLISHER |
|---|---|---|
| Polity | Indian Polity | M. Laxmikanth |
| History | India’s Struggle for Independence | Bipin Chandra |
| Geography | Certificate Physical Geography | G.C. Leong |
| Economy | Indian Economy | Ramesh Singh |
| Environment | Environment | Shankar IAS Academy |
| CSAT | CSAT Manual | Arihant/TMH |
| Ethics | Lexicon for Ethics | Chronicle Publications |
Preparation Tips for UPPSC
- Start with NCERTs (Class 6–12) for basic clarity
- Focus on UP-specific schemes, culture, and geography
- Practice previous year questions regularly
- Take mock tests and analyze weak areas
- Do daily revision and follow current affairs
- Use mind maps and make short notes for revision
- Improve answer writing for Mains
- Read The Hindu or Indian Express daily
Conclusion
The UPPSC Syllabus 2025 is broad but manageable with the right approach. Breaking down topics subject-wise and using quality books will make your preparation more effective. Regular practice with mock tests and previous papers helps improve accuracy and speed, essential for clearing each exam stage.
Consistency and dedication are crucial to cracking this prestigious exam. A well-structured study plan, combined with commitment, will guide you toward success. Use this syllabus guide as your roadmap, stay focused on your goals, and with perseverance, you can achieve a rewarding career in Uttar Pradesh’s civil services.
