UPPSC Syllabus 2025 — Prelims, Mains & Interview (UPPCS Explained)

The UPPSC Syllabus 2025 (also called the UPPCS Exam Syllabus) provides the complete structure of the Uttar Pradesh PCS exam, including Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages. Aspirants should carefully understand the UPPSC Exam Pattern 2025 and the UPPCS Exam Pattern, as both terms are often used interchangeably. While UPPSC (Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission) is the state exam conducting body, UPPCS (Provincial Civil Services) refers to the actual competitive exam. Below, you will find the detailed and updated UPPSC syllabus with exam pattern, marks distribution, and paper-wise topics to help you plan your preparation effectively.

UPPSC Syllabus 2025 — Prelims, Mains & Interview | Civilspath

UPPCS Exam Pattern 2025

Quick exam-format summary
  • Prelims — Paper I (General Studies): 200 marks, 150 questions; Paper II (CSAT): 200 marks, qualifying.
  • Mains (Written) — General Hindi: 150 marks; Essay: 150 marks; GS Paper 1–6: 200 marks each (total written = 1500).
  • Interview — Personality Test: 100 marks.
  • Grand Total — 1600 marks (Written + Interview).
  • Notes — CSAT is qualifying; Mains has no optional papers (GS 1–6 are compulsory).

UPPSC Syllabus 2025 — Exam Pattern, Prelims & Mains

Complete UPPSC Syllabus 2025: Prelims, Mains and Interview. Subjects, marks distribution, and paper-wise details for effective study planning.

Prelims — Snapshot

Prelims — Paper I
General Studies (Paper I)
Paper I: General Studies
200 marks · 150 questions · Covers current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, environment & general science.
200 marks · 150 Qs
Open Syllabus
Prelims — Paper II
General Studies II (CSAT)
Paper II: CSAT (Qualifying)
200 marks · Qualifying in nature · Comprehension, reasoning, aptitude, decision making, basic numeracy and language (Class X level).
200 marks · Qualifying
Open Syllabus

UPPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025

Prelims Papers & Topics
  • Paper 1: General Studies
    • Current events of national and international importance.
    • History of India and the Indian National Movement.
    • India 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.
    • Economic and Social Development — Sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics.
    • General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change — that do not require subject specialization.
    • General Science — everyday science and fundamentals relevant for prelims.
  • Paper 2: General Studies II (CSAT)
    • Comprehension — passage-based questions to test understanding.
    • Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
    • Analytical ability and logical reasoning.
    • Problem solving and decision-making.
    • General mental ability.
    • Elementary Mathematics — Class X level (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics basics).
    • General English — Class X level comprehension and grammar.
    • General Hindi — Class X level comprehension and language.

Note: CSAT (Paper II) is qualifying in nature — candidates must obtain minimum qualifying marks (commonly around 33%, but check official notification for exact percentage).

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025

Below are the Mains components in the required order: General Hindi → Essay → GS Papers 1–6. Each GS paper is 200 marks (except Hindi & Essay which are 150 each).

Mains — Snapshot

General Hindi
सामान्य हिंदी — Mains Paper
General Hindi
150 marks · Comprehension, precis, official correspondence, grammar and vocabulary.
150 marks
Open Syllabus
Essay
Essay Paper — Mains
Essay
150 marks · Three sections; choose one topic from each; ~700 words each.
150 marks
Open Syllabus
GS Paper 1
Culture, History, Society, Geography — Mains
General Studies 1
200 marks · Art & Culture, Modern Indian history, Society, Geography.
200 marks
Open Syllabus
GS Paper 2
Polity, Governance & IR — Mains
General Studies 2
200 marks · Constitution, governance, public policy, international relations.
200 marks
Open Syllabus
GS Paper 3
Economy, Agriculture, S&T, Security — Mains
General Studies 3
200 marks · Economy, infrastructure, agriculture, science & technology, security and environment.
200 marks
Open Syllabus
GS Paper 4
Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude — Mains
General Studies 4
200 marks · Ethics, human values, integrity, aptitude and case studies.
200 marks
Open Syllabus
GS Paper 5
State-specific — UP
General Studies 5
200 marks · UP history, society, governance and development topics.
200 marks
Open Syllabus
GS Paper 6
UP Economy & Environment
General Studies 6
200 marks · UP economy, resources, environment and state development topics.
200 marks
Open Syllabus

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 — General Hindi (सामान्य हिंदी)

  • दिये हुए गद्य खंड का अवबोध एवं प्रश्नोत्तर, संक्षेपण, सरकारी एवं अर्द्धसरकारी पत्र लेखन, तार लेखन, कार्यालय आदेश, अधिसूचना।
  • शब्द ज्ञान एवं प्रयोग।
  • उपसर्ग एवं प्रत्यय
  • विलोम शब्द
  • वाक्यांश के लिये एक शब्द
  • वर्तनी एवं वाक्य शुद्धि
  • लोकोक्तियाँ एवं मुहावरे।

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 — Essay Paper

There will be three sections in the question paper. Candidates will have to select one topic from each section and write an essay of 700 words on each topic. In the three sections, topics of essay will be based on the following spheres:
  • 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 — Landslide, Earthquake, Deluge, Drought etc.
    • National Development programmes and projects

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 — GS Paper 1

  • Art and Culture
    • History of Indian Culture — salient aspects of art forms, literature and architecture from ancient to modern times.
  • History
    • Modern Indian History — Modern Indian history (from A.D.1757 to A.D.1947): significant events, personalities and issues.
    • The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
    • Post Independence Indian History — Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country (till 1965 A.D.).
  • World History
    • History of the world — events from 18th century to mid-20th century such as French Revolution (1789), Industrial Revolution, World Wars, redraw of national boundaries, Socialism, Nazism, Fascism, etc., and their effects on society.
  • Indian 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, problems and remedies.
    • Meaning of liberalization, privatization and globalization and their effects on economy, polity and social structure.
    • Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
  • Geography
    • Distribution of major natural resources of the world — water, soils, forests — with reference to South and South-East Asia, with special reference to India; factors responsible for location of industries (special reference to India).
    • Salient features of physical geography — earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones, ocean currents, winds and glaciers.
    • Oceanic resources of India and their potential.
    • Human migration — refugee problems of the world with focus on India; frontiers and boundaries with reference to the Indian sub-continent.
    • Population and settlements — types and patterns, urbanization, Smart Cities and Smart Villages.

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 — GS Paper 2

  • Polity
    • Indian Constitution — historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure; role of the Supreme Court in evolution of basic provisions of the Constitution.
    • Functions and responsibilities of the Union and States — issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
    • Role of the 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 democracies.
    • Parliament and State Legislatures — structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges and related issues.
    • Structure, organisation and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary — ministries and departments of the government, pressure groups, formal/informal associations and their role; Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
    • Salient features of the Representation of People Act; appointment to various constitutional posts — powers, functions and responsibilities.
    • Statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies including NITI Aayog — features and functioning.
  • Governance
    • Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising from their design, implementation and ICT interventions.
    • Development processes — role of NGOs, Self Help Groups (SHGs), donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
    • Important aspects of governance — transparency and accountability; e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations and potential; citizen charters and institutional measures.
    • Role of civil services in a democracy in the context of emerging trends.
  • Social Justice
    • Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections by Centre and States — performance, mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies for protection and betterment.
    • Issues relating to development and management of social sectors/services — health, education, human resources.
    • Issues relating to poverty and hunger and their implications on the body politic.
  • International Relations
    • India and its relationships with neighbouring countries.
    • Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interest.
    • Effects of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests; Indian diaspora.
    • Important international institutions and agencies — structure, mandate and functioning.
    • Current affairs and events of regional, national and international importance relevant to polity and governance.

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 — GS Paper 3

  • Economic Development
    • 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 the financial system.
    • 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.; planning and management.
  • Agriculture
    • Major crops; different types of irrigation and irrigation systems; storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce; e-technology in aid of farmers.
    • Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System — objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; 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; issues in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry.
  • Science and Technology
    • Science and Technology — developments and applications in everyday life and national security; India’s S&T policy.
    • Achievements of Indians in S&T; indigenization of technology; developments of new technologies, transfer of technology, dual and critical use of technologies.
    • Awareness in ICT and space technology, computers, energy resources, nanotechnology, microbiology, biotechnology; issues relating to intellectual property rights (IPR) and digital rights.
  • Disaster Management
    • Disaster as a non-traditional security and safety challenge; disaster mitigation and management.
  • Environment
    • Environmental security and ecosystems; conservation of wildlife; biodiversity; environmental pollution and degradation; environmental impact assessment.
  • Internal & International Security
    • Challenges of international security — nuclear proliferation; causes and spread of extremism; communication networks and role of media and social networking; basics of cyber security; money laundering and human trafficking.
    • India’s internal security challenges — terrorism, corruption, insurgency and organized crimes.
    • Role, kinds and mandate of security forces and higher defence organisations in India.

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 — GS Paper 4

  • Ethics
    • 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; 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.
    • Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
  • Integrity
    • 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; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
    • Probity in Governance – concept of public service; 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.
  • Aptitude
    • Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service – integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
    • Emotional Intelligence – concept and dimensions; its utility and application in administration and governance.
  • Case studies on above issues

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 — GS Paper 5

  • Uttar Pradesh History
    • History, Civilization, Culture and Ancient Cities of UP.
    • Architecture, their significance and maintainability, museum, archive and archaeology of UP.
    • Contributions of UP in Pre and post 1857 freedom struggles of India.
    • Eminent freedom fighters and personalities of UP.
  • Uttar Pradesh Society
    • Rural, Urban and Tribal issues: social structure, festivals, fairs, music, folk dances, literature and languages/dialects, social customs of UP.
  • Uttar Pradesh Polity
    • Political System of UP: Governance, Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, State Assembly and State Council, Centre-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.
  • Uttar Pradesh Governance
    • Local Self Government: Urban and Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights related issues in UP.
    • Good Governance, Eradication of Corruption, Lokayukta, Citizen Charters, E-Governance, Right to Information, Redressal Policy.
    • Land Reforms and its impact in UP.
  • Uttar Pradesh Internal Security
    • Issues Related to Security in UP.
    • Linkage between development and spread of extremism.
    • Role of External, State and Interstate actors in creating challenges to internal security through communication networks, media and social networking sites.
    • Basic rules of cyber security, money-laundering and its prevention.
    • Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
    • Security challenges and their management in border areas, linkage of organized crimes with terrorism.
  • Uttar Pradesh Specific
    • Law and Order and Civil Defense in UP.
    • Medical and Health issues in UP.
    • State Education System of UP.
    • Contribution of UP in development of India.
    • Current Affairs of UP.
    • Implementation of Jal Shakti Mission and other central welfare schemes 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 socio-economic development of the society.

UPPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 — GS Paper 6

  • Uttar Pradesh Economy
    • Overview of Economy of UP: Main features of economy and State Budgets, Infrastructure and importance of Physical Resources.
    • Trade, Commerce, and industries of UP.
    • UP Government Schemes, Projects, and Planned Development for welfare of People, Human Resources and Skill Development.
    • Investment in UP: Issues and Impact.
    • Public Finance and Fiscal Policy, Tax and Economic Reforms, One District One Product Policy of UP Government.
    • Planning and management of renewable and non-renewable energy resources of UP.
    • Demography, Population and Censuses of UP.
    • Developmental Indices of UP in various fields.
    • Transport Network in UP.
    • Power Resources, Infrastructure, and Industrial Development of UP.
    • Evolvement of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for development of UP.
  • Uttar Pradesh Agriculture
    • Commercialization of agriculture and production of agricultural crops in UP.
    • UP New Forest Policy.
    • Agro and Social Forestry in U.P.
    • Agricultural Diversity, Problems of agriculture and their solutions in UP.
    • Aquaculture, Viticulture, Sericulture, Floriculture, Horticulture, Arboriculture in UP and its impact on development of UP.
  • Uttar Pradesh Geography
    • Geography of UP: Geographical Location, Relief and Structure, Climate, Irrigation, Minerals, Drainage System and Vegetation.
    • National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in UP.
  • Uttar Pradesh Environment
    • Pollution and Environmental Issues in UP; Pollution Control Board and its functions.
    • Natural Resources of UP — Soil, Water, Air, Forests, Grasslands, Wetlands.
    • Climate Change and Weather Forecasting issues in UP.
    • Habitat and Ecosystem — structure and function, adjustment; Flora and Fauna with reference to UP.
  • Uttar Pradesh Science and Technology
    • Science and Technology — its issues, advancements, and efforts in UP.
Total Marks (Mains Only): 1500

Interview — Snapshot

Interview
Personality Test
Personality Test / Interview
100 marks · Assesses candidate’s personality, suitability for the civil service, mental alertness, balance of judgement and leadership qualities.
100 marks
Open Details

UPPSC Interview — Personality Test

  • Evaluation of overall personality and leadership qualities.
  • Clarity of expression, logical thinking, temperament, and balance of judgement.
  • Questions based on candidate’s academic background, regional awareness and current affairs.
  • Motivation for joining civil service and understanding of public issues.
  • Communication skills and suitability to work in administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) is a national-level commission that conducts exams like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS for recruitment to All India Services and Central Services.
  • UPPSC (Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission) is a state-level commission that conducts the PCS (Provincial Civil Services) exam and other state recruitment exams for various administrative posts in Uttar Pradesh.
  • UPPSC
    • Full form: Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission
    • It is the exam conducting body of Uttar Pradesh.
    • Just like UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts IAS/IPS exams for India, UPPSC conducts exams for Uttar Pradesh state services.
    • It recruits officers for different state-level administrative, police, revenue, and other government departments.
  • UPPCS
    • Full form: Uttar Pradesh Provincial Civil Services
    • It is the actual exam conducted by UPPSC.
    • The exam is usually referred to as “UPPSC PCS Exam” or simply “UPPCS”.
    • Through this exam, posts like SDM, DSP, BDO, Assistant Commissioner, Treasury Officer, etc. are filled in the state.
The UPPSC Prelims syllabus 2025 includes General Studies Paper 1 (current events, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science) and CSAT Paper 2 (comprehension, logical reasoning, decision making, mathematics, English, and Hindi at Class X level).
UPPSC Mains 2025 has 8 written papers: General Hindi (150), Essay (150) and 6 General Studies papers (200 each). Additionally, there is a 100-mark Interview.
UPPSC Mains marks: General Hindi 150, Essay 150, GS Paper 1–6: 200 marks each (total written = 1500). Interview = 100 marks. Grand total = 1600 marks.
Yes. The CSAT (Paper 2) is compulsory but qualifying in nature; candidates must score minimum qualifying marks (typically around 33% — check the official notification for exact cutoff).
No. UPPSC has removed optional subjects from Mains. Mains now comprise General Hindi, Essay and GS Papers 1–6 only.