UP Police SI Exam Pattern 2026: Subjects, Marks and Stages

The UP Police SI exam is conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) to recruit Sub Inspectors in Civil Police and equivalent posts such as Platoon Commander PAC, Sub Inspector Armed Police, Special Security Force and the Female Battalion. The latest cycle, notified on 12 August 2025 for 4,543 posts, held its written exam on 14 and 15 March 2026 and declared the final result on 14 July 2026.

This guide explains the complete UP Police SI exam pattern as followed in that cycle: the written test, marking scheme, qualifying marks, physical tests, medical examination and how the final merit list is prepared. It also flags the outdated pattern details that many pages still show, so you prepare for the right paper when the next notification arrives.

Table of Contents

UP Police SI Exam Pattern at a Glance

The table below sums up the pattern used in the 2025 recruitment cycle (written exam held in March 2026).

Stages of the UP SI Selection Process

The UPPRPB SI selection process has four stages. Only the written exam decides your rank; the other stages are pass or fail. Knowing this early helps you divide your preparation time sensibly.

In the 2025 cycle, the written result on 7 May 2026 shortlisted about 12,333 candidates for DV and PST, roughly 2.7 candidates per post. PET was held from 29 June 2026, and the final result followed on 14 July 2026.

UP Police SI Written Exam Pattern

The written test has four subjects with equal weight. Each subject carries 40 questions and 100 marks.

Exam Mode, Duration and Shifts

The March 2026 exam was a pen-and-paper test with answers marked on an OMR sheet using a black or blue ballpoint pen. It ran across 75 districts in two shifts a day on both days: 10 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 5 pm. With four shifts in total, marks were normalised before the result (explained below).

Subject-wise Focus Areas

The notification lists topics for each subject.

Marking Scheme, Qualifying Marks and Normalisation

Each correct answer earns 2.5 marks. There is no deduction for a wrong answer, so an unanswered question and a wrong answer both score zero.

Qualifying Marks

To pass the written exam, you must clear two conditions at the same time:

Clearing these minimums only makes you eligible to be considered. Shortlisting for DV and PST depends on the category-wise cut-off, which in the 2025 cycle was far above 200.

Normalisation of Marks

Because the exam ran in four shifts with different question papers, UPPRPB converted raw marks into normalised marks to adjust for differences in difficulty between shifts. The cut-off and final merit both use normalised marks, which is why published cut-offs carry decimals such as 369.87854. Your raw score from the answer key can therefore differ slightly from your final score.

What the Written Exam Pattern Means for You

• Attempt every question: With no negative marking, leaving a question blank has no benefit. Mark your best guess on every question before time runs out.

• One question is worth 2.5 marks: Cut-offs in the 2025 cycle were separated by fractions of a mark, so even two or three extra correct answers can change your result.

• Watch the 35% rule in every subject: A strong score in reasoning cannot rescue a weak General Hindi score. Many candidates from non-Hindi-medium backgrounds lose out here, so give Hindi regular practice.

• All four subjects carry equal weight: General Hindi and GK can be scored quickly if your basics are strong, which frees time for longer arithmetic questions.

• Speed matters: 160 questions in 120 minutes leaves 45 seconds per question, including OMR filling.

Document Verification and Physical Standard Test

Shortlisted candidates appear for document verification and the Physical Standard Test on the same visit. PST is qualifying; failing any measurement ends your candidature in that cycle.

Male candidates must also show a chest expansion of at least 5 cm. Carry original certificates for age, qualification, category and domicile, as listed in the call letter.

Physical Efficiency Test

Candidates who clear DV and PST take the Physical Efficiency Test, a timed run that is also pass or fail.

PET usually comes about six to eight weeks after the written result, which is too short to build running stamina from zero. Start running two to three times a week alongside your written preparation.

Medical Examination

Candidates who clear PET are sent for a medical examination by a board constituted under the recruitment rules. It typically covers eyesight and colour vision, hearing, teeth, blood pressure, knock knees and flat feet, along with other checks listed in the notification. The medical test is qualifying and adds no marks.

How the Final Merit List Is Prepared

The final selection list for UP Police SI is prepared from three inputs:

1. Normalised written exam marks: Only candidates who cleared DV, PST, PET and the medical test are placed in merit, ranked by their written score.

2. Post preference: Each candidate fills an order of preference for the posts in the application form. A post is allotted according to merit and that preference.

3. Reservation: Vertical reservation (EWS, OBC, SC, ST) and horizontal reservation (women, dependants of freedom fighters, ex-servicemen) are applied as per Uttar Pradesh government rules.

Worked example: Suppose two OBC candidates clear every physical and medical stage. Candidate A has a normalised score of 372.4 and Candidate B has 365.1. A ranks higher and gets their first preference if a seat is available in that category. B is then considered for their own preference list. The PET timing makes no difference to either rank.

The notification also lists preferential qualifications: a computer "O" Level certificate from NIELIT (formerly DOEACC), at least two years of service in the Territorial Army, or an NCC "B" certificate. A candidate gets the benefit of only one, even if they hold more than one.

Old vs Current Pattern: What Has Changed

Many pages still show older details. Compare them with the 2025 cycle before you plan your preparation.

The board can revise the pattern in any notification, so always confirm it in the latest advertisement on the official UPPRPB website.

Time Management Plan for the Written Exam

A fixed order helps you avoid running out of time on the arithmetic section. The split below is a starting point; adjust it after a few full-length mocks.

• Fill the OMR as you go: Transfer answers after every 10 to 15 questions rather than all at the end.

• Use two rounds: In round one, answer what you can within 30 seconds. In round two, return to the marked questions.

• Practise under real conditions: Take full-length tests in a single sitting of 2 hours, with a printed OMR sheet if possible.

Once you know the UP Police SI exam pattern well, your preparation becomes a matter of balancing four equal subjects, building speed for 160 questions in two hours, and keeping your running practice on track for PET.