Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC)
The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) exam is a highly competitive examination conducted by the UPPSC to recruit candidates for various administrative positions in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The exam is held annually to fill Group A and Group B posts in the state bureaucracy, which includes prestigious services such as the Provincial Civil Services (PCS), Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), and Range Forest Officer (RFO).
Here is a detailed overview of the UPPSC exam:
1. Exam Overview:
- Exam Name: Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) PCS Exam
- Conducting Body: Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC)
- Posts Offered:
- Provincial Civil Services (PCS)
- Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF)
- Range Forest Officer (RFO)
- Exam Type: State-level administrative examination
- Frequency: Annually
2. UPPSC Exam Stages:
The UPPSC exam consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Mains Examination
- Interview
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Mode: Offline, Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Papers:
- Paper I: General Studies (GS) I
- Paper II: General Studies (GS) II (CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test)
Paper I: General Studies I
- Total Marks: 200
- Number of Questions: 150
- Duration: 2 hours
- Content: This paper tests the candidate’s knowledge of history, geography, polity, economy, current affairs, environmental issues, and general science.
Paper II: General Studies II (CSAT)
- Total Marks: 200
- Number of Questions: 100
- Duration: 2 hours
- Content: This paper tests the candidate’s comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making skills, general mental ability, and basic numeracy.
- Qualifying Paper: A candidate needs to score at least 33% to qualify. Marks in this paper are not added to the merit list.
Stage 2: Mains Examination
- Mode: Descriptive (Written)
- Papers: 8 papers (6 compulsory and 2 optional subjects)
- Duration: Each paper is for 3 hours
- Total Marks: 1500 marks
Compulsory Papers:
- General Hindi – 150 marks
- Essay – 150 marks
- General Studies (GS I) – 200 marks
- General Studies (GS II) – 200 marks
- General Studies (GS III) – 200 marks
- General Studies (GS IV) – 200 marks
Optional Subject (Two Papers of the Chosen Subject):
- Optional Paper I: 200 marks
- Optional Paper II: 200 marks
List of Optional Subjects: Candidates can choose from a variety of subjects such as Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Political Science, Sociology, Zoology, etc.
Stage 3: Interview
- Marks: 100 marks
- Content: The interview tests the personality, intellectual capabilities, leadership skills, and general awareness of the candidate. The interview panel assesses whether the candidate is suitable for a career in administration.
3. UPPSC Exam Syllabus:
Prelims Syllabus:
Paper I (General Studies I)
- History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History
- Geography: Indian and World Geography, Physical and Economic Geography of India
- Polity: Indian Constitution, Governance, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, and Rights Issues
- Economy: Indian Economy, Economic and Social Development, Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, and Demographics
- General Science: Basic science concepts and their applications, Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
- Current Events: National and International issues of importance
Paper II (General Studies II – CSAT)
- Comprehension
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
- Decision-making and Problem-solving
- General Mental Ability
- Basic Numeracy (up to Class X level)
- Data Interpretation
Mains Syllabus:
General Hindi
- Essay, Letter Writing, Grammar, Usage, and Translation from English to Hindi and vice versa
Essay
- Candidates have to write three essays on different topics from various fields like literature, science, technology, social issues, and politics.
General Studies Papers:
- GS Paper I: History, Geography, Culture, and Indian Society
- GS Paper II: Polity, Governance, Constitution, Social Justice, and International Relations
- GS Paper III: Economic Development, Agriculture, Environment, Science & Technology
- GS Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
4. Eligibility Criteria:
- Nationality: Candidate must be a citizen of India.
- Age Limit:
- Minimum: 21 years
- Maximum: 40 years (with age relaxations for reserved categories as per government norms)
- Educational Qualification: The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent qualification.
Special Note: Certain posts may require specific educational qualifications (like ACF/RFO, which requires a Science background).
5. Application Process:
- Mode: Online application through the official UPPSC website.
- Application Fee:
- General and OBC: ₹125
- SC/ST: ₹65
- Disabled: ₹25
- Steps: Candidates must register online, fill in the application form, upload necessary documents, and pay the exam fee.
6. Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme:
- Prelims:
- Paper I: 150 questions, 1.33 marks per question, negative marking of 0.33 marks for each incorrect answer.
- Paper II: 100 questions, 2 marks per question, negative marking of 0.66 marks for incorrect answers.
- Mains:
- Descriptive questions are based on detailed answers, and marks depend on the depth of understanding and analysis.
7. UPPSC Cut-offs:
The cut-off marks vary each year depending on factors like the number of candidates, vacancies, and the difficulty level of the papers. Generally, for General category, the cut-off for Prelims ranges between 120-130 out of 200 marks for Paper I.
8. Preparation Strategy:
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly go through the syllabus and exam pattern.
- Study Materials: Refer to NCERT books, standard reference books for history, polity, geography, and other subjects, and stay updated with current affairs.
- Practice Mock Tests: Regularly practice previous years’ papers and mock tests to build exam readiness.
- Time Management: Develop a balanced study plan with proper time management for each subject.