UKPSC Upper PCS Syllabus 2026: Prelims and Mains Subject-wise Topics

The UKPSC Upper PCS syllabus covers three stages: a Preliminary Examination, a Main Examination and an Interview. The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) follows a pattern close to the UPSC Civil Services Examination, but it gives Uttarakhand a clear place of its own, including two dedicated Mains papers. If you understand which topics belong to which paper, you can plan your reading around marks instead of around a long list of books.

This page breaks the UKPSC Upper PCS syllabus 2026 down paper by paper, adds the weightage of each stage, and shows how to prepare each part. The cycle was notified on 9 September 2026 under Advertisement No. A-1/E-1/2026-27 for 67 vacancies. The topic lists below follow the stage-wise scope of the syllabus as reported by reliable sources and are indicative. The advertisement and the commission's syllabus document are the final word, so check them on the official UKPSC website before you finalise your plan.

UKPSC Upper PCS Syllabus 2026 at a Glance

Final merit is prepared on Mains and Interview marks together, out of 1,650. The Prelims only decides who gets to write the Mains.

UKPSC Upper PCS Prelims Syllabus

The Prelims has two objective papers of two hours each. Both are taken on the same day, and one quarter of the marks is deducted for each wrong answer. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.

Paper I: General Studies

Paper I tests breadth. Questions are factual and conceptual, and the Uttarakhand component is woven into almost every subject block instead of sitting in one corner.

A common pattern in state PCS papers is that candidates revise national topics well and lose marks on state facts. Keep a separate Uttarakhand notebook from day one, and tag every fact with the subject it belongs to.

Paper II: General Aptitude Test (CSAT)

Paper II is qualifying, so it will not add to your merit, but a score below 33% ends your attempt regardless of how well you do in Paper I. Its scope is:

• Comprehension and English: Passages in English and Hindi, and English language comprehension.

• Reasoning: Logical reasoning, analytical ability and problem solving.

• Decision making: Situation-based questions that check judgement and interpersonal skills.

• Numeracy: Basic numeracy, number sense and data interpretation.

Comprehension usually gives the safest marks for most graduates. Numeracy is where students from non-quantitative backgrounds need steady timed practice.

UKPSC Upper PCS Mains Syllabus

The Mains is a descriptive examination of eight papers carrying 1,500 marks. Each paper is of three hours. The papers test depth, structure and written expression, so reading alone will not be enough.

General Hindi

This paper checks language skill at a working level. Expect grammar and usage, precis writing, comprehension of a passage, vocabulary, translation and short composition. It is easy to neglect and easy to score in with regular writing practice.

Essay

Candidates write essays on social, economic, political, cultural and environmental issues, often with a link to Uttarakhand or to current debates. Marks go to a clear argument, balanced treatment and a clean structure, not to length. Practise an introduction, three or four themed paragraphs and a forward-looking conclusion.

General Studies I: Heritage, History, Geography and Society

• Indian heritage and culture: Art forms, architecture, literature, religion and philosophy.

• History: Modern Indian history, the freedom struggle, post-independence consolidation and important world events.

• Geography: Physical geography, resource distribution, and the geographical features of India and the world.

• Society: Diversity, women and social empowerment, population, urbanisation and globalisation.

General Studies II: Governance, Constitution and International Relations

• Constitution and polity: Features, amendments, basic structure, Union and state functions, and constitutional bodies.

• Governance: Transparency, accountability, e-governance, citizen charters and the role of civil services.

• Social justice: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, health, education and human resources.

• International relations: India and its neighbours, major groupings and agreements, and the Indian diaspora.

General Studies III: Economy, Technology, Environment and Security

• Economy: Growth and development, budgeting, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, investment and inclusive growth.

• Science and technology: Developments in the field, space, defence, biotechnology, IT and intellectual property.

• Environment: Conservation, pollution, environmental impact assessment and climate change.

• Security and disaster management: Internal security challenges, border management and disaster preparedness.

General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

• Theory: Ethics in public administration, values, attitude, emotional intelligence and thinkers.

• Public service values: Integrity, probity, accountability, impartiality and conflict of interest.

• Case studies: Situations where you must decide, justify and show how you would act as an officer.

General Studies V and VI: Uttarakhand

These two papers carry 400 of the 1,500 Mains marks, which is over a quarter of the written total. They cover the state in depth:

• History and culture: Ancient and medieval history of Garhwal and Kumaon, the British period, the statehood movement, folk art, fairs, festivals, languages and literature.

• Geography: Physiography, rivers and glaciers, climate, forests, wildlife, natural resources and disaster-prone areas.

• Economy: Agriculture, horticulture, hydropower, tourism, industry, migration and state budget themes.

• Society and governance: Demography, administrative structure, Panchayati Raj, welfare schemes, development programmes and current issues.

Sources describe the exact split of topics between GS V and GS VI slightly differently, so follow the headings in the commission's notification when you build notes. The topic coverage above stays the same either way.

UKPSC Upper PCS Interview

The personality test carries 150 marks. The board looks at awareness, clarity of thought, communication and suitability for public service. There is no separate syllabus, but your preparation should include your academic background, your optional-style interests, current national and Uttarakhand issues, and the duties of the post you are aiming for. Detailed application forms are often the base for questions, so be ready to speak about every entry you made.

How to Prepare According to the Syllabus

Map each topic to a stage

Many topics repeat across stages, but the way they are asked changes. Polity is a set of facts in Prelims and an argument in Mains. Study each topic once, then revise it in two forms: short factual notes for Prelims and structured answer points for Mains.

Use a weightage view

A practical order of study

1. Weeks 1 to 4: Finish standard reading for history, geography, polity and economy, and start your Uttarakhand notebook.

2. Weeks 5 to 8: Add environment, science and current affairs, and take one CSAT set every week.

3. Before the Prelims: Move to full-length papers on exam timing, and study your errors in detail.

4. After the Prelims: Shift to answer writing, essays and Hindi, with one GS paper revised each week.

The Prelims is proposed for 29 November 2026. This date is tentative, so check the official website for the final schedule.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Uttarakhand until the end: It runs through Prelims, two Mains papers and the Interview, so it needs steady attention.

• Treating CSAT as optional: It is qualifying, but failing it removes your Prelims result.

• Reading without writing: The Mains rewards answer structure, and this skill develops only through practice.

• Relying on outdated pages: Some pages still show the June 2026 short notice with 63 posts. The detailed advertisement lists 67 vacancies.