The UKPSC prelims exam will have 250 questions in total.
Overview
Prev. Papers
The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission has released the official notification for 2025 on 7th May which contains complete details of the UKPSC Upper PCS syllabus & exam pattern. The aspiring candidate must be well versed with the syllabus so that they can clear the examination with ease. The UKPSC Combined Upper Subordinate Service selection process involves three stages: prelims, Mains & an interview. Candidates need to qualify all the three stages to be able to get selected. And knowing the exam pattern & syllabus will certainly help the candidates to boost their score and clear the exam.
Continue reading to know all the essential information regarding the Syllabus and Exam Pattern, marking scheme, books for preparation, and preparation strategy is given in detail in this article, along with some FAQs.
The selection of the candidates is based on the performance in prelims exam, mains written exam, and interview. Hence, it is suggested to study and prepare only those topics that are helpful in scoring marks equal to the UKPSC Combined Upper Subordinate Service cut off marks. The details of the prelims syllabus are as follows:
The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) conducts the Upper PCS Examination in two main stages, Preliminary and Main Examination, followed by an Interview round. The detailed structure of each stage is given below:
The Preliminary Examination is objective in nature and comprises two papers. The details related to time duration, no. of questions, marks are listed down below in the table:
S. No. |
Question Paper |
Subject |
No. of Questions |
Marks |
Time Duration |
1. |
First Paper |
General Studies |
150 |
150 |
2 hours |
2. |
Second Paper |
General Aptitude Test |
100 |
150 |
2 hours |
The Main Examination is descriptive and consists of the following papers. The total marks for the Mains Examination are 1500. The time duration is also mentioned down below in the following table:
Paper No. |
Subject |
Duration |
Marks |
1 |
General Hindi |
3 hours |
150 |
2 |
Essay |
3 hours |
150 |
3 |
General Studies I (Indian Heritage, Culture, History, Geography, Society) |
3 hours |
200 |
4 |
General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, IR) |
3 hours |
200 |
5 |
General Studies III (Tech, Economy, Biodiversity, Environment, Disaster Mgmt.) |
3 hours |
200 |
6 |
General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude) |
3 hours |
200 |
7 |
General Studies V (Knowledge of Uttarakhand) |
3 hours |
200 |
8 |
General Studies VI (Knowledge of Uttarakhand) |
3 hours |
200 |
The UKPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025 serves as the first screening stage of the Combined State Civil/Upper Subordinate Services Exam. It includes two objective-type papers—General Studies Paper 1 and General Studies Paper 2 (Aptitude Test). This stage is designed to evaluate a candidate’s general awareness, analytical ability, and basic understanding of governance, geography, economy, and current affairs.
Topic |
Subtopics |
Unit- I |
|
Indian History, Culture and National Movement |
Pre-Historic Period |
Mauryan Empire |
|
Gupta Empire |
|
Post-Gupta Period |
|
Advent of Islam in India |
|
Mughal Empire |
|
Advent of Europeans |
|
Economic impact of British rule and other related aspects |
|
Indian National Congress |
|
First World War and Indian National Movement |
|
Government of India Act 1935 |
|
History and Culture Of Uttarakhand |
Pre-historic Period |
Proto-historic period |
|
Ancient tribes of Uttarakhand |
|
Kuninda and Yaudheya |
|
Kartikpur dynasty |
|
Katyuri dynasty |
|
Parmar dynasty of Garhwal |
|
Chand dynasty of Kumaon |
|
Gorkha Invasion and their rule in Uttarakhand |
|
British Rule |
|
Tehri Estate |
|
Freedom Movement in Uttarakhand- First war of Independence (1857) and Uttarakhand |
|
Role of Uttarakhand in India’s national movement |
|
People’s movements of Uttarakhand |
|
Other related aspects |
|
Unit-II |
|
Indian and World Geography |
Geography of the world |
Geography of India |
|
Geography of Uttarakhand |
|
Unit-III |
|
Indian Polity |
National |
International |
|
Indian Polity |
|
Panchayati Raj |
|
Public Policy |
|
Issues Concerning Rights |
|
Political System of Uttarakhand |
|
Unit-IV |
|
Economic and Social Development |
National |
International |
|
Uttarakhand |
|
Unit-V |
|
General Science and Technology |
Science and Technology in India: History and contribution |
Current affairs |
|
State, National and International Scientific and Research Related other organizations- IUCN, WWF, IPCC, WHO, UNESCO, etc |
|
Information technology and application of computers m daily life, e-governance, etc |
|
Ecology and environment |
|
Natural resources |
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Biodiversity – Threats and conservation. Ethics and usage |
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Environmental Crisis: Air, water, soil and space pollution. Laws and Acts, Global warming |
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Global climate change – causes and effects |
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Concept of remote sensing and GIS Applications |
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Weather Forecasting |
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Application of spreadsheet and Database Applications |
|
Physical Science/ Awareness |
|
Life Science |
|
Unit-VI |
|
Current events of State, National and International Importance |
Continents and Nations, Important events of Space, Wonders of the World, Religions of the World, Indian States, Famous books and writers of the World/India, Famous Scientists, Important Awards, Indian defence system, Health and Family welfare, Scientific and technical development, Education, National symbols, Protocol in India, Important Human rights and welfare organizations of World/India, Important Religious places, Important Passes, Dances of India, Cultural Institutes, Music, Drawing, Indian Languages, World Heritage, Important newspapers, Important Dates, Sports Landscape, Important Sports and related terms, Conventions/Exhibitions/Festival/Conferences, Important Reports and other related aspects. |
Topic |
Subtopics |
Unit-I |
|
Aptitude |
Statement/propositions true and false statement (syllogism) Analogies, Similarities and differences, Observation |
Logical and Analytical ability |
Logic: Statements – Arguments, Statement- Assumptions, Statement – Courses of Action, Statement – Conclusions, Deriving Conclusions from passages, Theme Detection, Question – Statements, Venn Diagram, Arithmetic number serves, Arithmetical reasoning and Figural Classification, Relationship concepts. |
Decision-making and problem-solving |
Decision-making, Visual memory, Discrimination, Coding and Decoding, assertion and Reason |
General mental Ability |
Direction sense Test, Social Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, Critical thinking, Puzzle Test, Coding-Decoding, Alphabet test, Data sufficiency, inserting the missing Character |
Numerical Identification |
Number & their classification, the test of divisibility of number, general properties of divisibility, the test of prime number, division and remainder, remainder rules, two-line number series, some rules on natural numbers |
Statistics Analysis |
Presentation of Data through chart, graph, Tables, sufficiency of data |
Unit-II |
|
Comprehension Skills in English Language |
There shall be a long passage in English for comprehension, followed by three objective-type questions, with multiple choices, of 1.5 marks each. These questions will test the candidate’s ability to comprehend the ideas contained in the passage, as well as his/her knowledge of the English language/grammar. |
- |
The four questions (1.5 marks each) based on language/grammar may cover the following areas:
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हिन्दी भाषा में बोधगम्यता कौशल |
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The mains exam will be descriptive in nature. To obtain the most current and accurate information regarding the syllabus for the post, it is recommended to visit the official website of Uttarakhand Public Service Commission or consult the official job notification to be provided by the authority. However, the detailed and official syllabus for the examination has been shared below:
Topic |
Subtopics |
Section-A |
Literature and Culture |
Social sphere |
|
Political sphere |
|
Economic sphere: Agriculture, Industry and Trade |
|
Section-B |
Science, Environment and Technology |
National and International Events |
|
Natural Calamities: Landslide, Earthquake, Deluge, Drought, etc. |
|
National Development Programmes and projects |
|
Section-C |
Social structure of Uttarakhand |
History and Culture, Art and Literature in Uttarakhand |
|
Economic and Geographic Scenario of Uttarakhand, Tourism and Migration in Uttarakhand |
|
Environment & Disaster and Disaster Management in Uttarakhand |
|
Women Empowerment in Uttarakhand |
Topic |
Subtopics |
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society |
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. |
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present – significant events, personalities, issues. |
|
The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country. |
|
Post – independence consolidation and reorganization within the country. |
|
History of the world will include events from the 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on society. |
|
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. |
|
Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their remedies. |
|
Effects of globalization on Indian society. |
|
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism. |
|
Salient features of the world's physical geography. |
|
Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India). |
|
Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location – changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. |
Topic |
Subtopics |
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations |
Indian Constitution |
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges significant provisions to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. |
|
Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. |
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Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. |
|
Parliament and State legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these. |
|
Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the judiciary |
|
Salient features of the Representation of People's Act. |
|
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies |
|
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies |
|
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation |
|
Development processes and the development industry |
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Issues relating to poverty and hunger |
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Role of civil services in a democracy. |
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India and its neighborhood – relations. |
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Important International institutions, agencies and fora – their structure, mandate. |
Topic |
Subtopics |
Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management |
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment |
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. |
|
Government Budgeting. |
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Issue related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices |
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Food processing and related industries in India |
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Infrastructure: Energy, ports, Airports, Railways etc. |
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Investment models. |
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Science and Technology – developments and their applications and effects in everyday life |
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Disaster and disaster management |
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Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. |
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Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism |
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Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. |
Topic |
Subtopics |
Ethics, integrity and Aptitude |
This paper will include questions to the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. |
Ethics and Human Interface |
|
Aptitude and foundational values for civil service, integrity, impartiality and – partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker – sections |
|
Emotional intelligence – concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance. |
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Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world. |
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Probity in Governance |
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Case studies on above issues |
Topic |
Subtopics |
Knowledge of State of Uttarakhand |
History of Uttarakhand |
British Rule in Uttarakhand |
|
Popular Movements in Uttarakhand |
|
Society and Culture of Uttarakhand |
|
Uttarakhand State- Political, Local Administration and Public Policy |
|
Current events in the context of Uttarakhand state. |
Topic |
Subtopics |
Knowledge of State of Uttarakhand |
Geography of Uttarakhand |
Hydro-electric Projects, Water Scarcity and Solution |
|
Tourism – Problems and Prospects. |
|
National parks and Wild-life sanctuaries |
|
Population- Growth Rate, Density, Distribution, Sex Raito, Literacy, Migration- Pattern, Problem and solution. Rural Settlement- type and patterns, Urbanization and cities, Smart City. Tribal habitat, Human Development Index |
|
Economy of Uttarakhand |
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Natural Resources - Water, Forests, Minerals etc. |
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Economic profile of the State |
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Industrial development |
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Infrastructure |
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Economic Planning and Policies |
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Public Finance |
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Major economic problems of the State |
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Welfare programs- Youth, Child and Women welfare programs, Poverty alleviation programs, MNREGA, Food and Civil supply, soldiers welfare and rehabilitation etc |
|
Disaster Management |
|
Human Resource and Community Development in Uttarakhand |
|
Education |
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Health as a component of human resource development in Uttarakhand-
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Check the UKPSC Combined Upper Subordinate Service Eligibility here!
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Last updated: Jun 7, 2025
-> UKPSC Combined Upper Subordinate Services notification has been released for 123 posts on 7th May 2025.
-> Candidates can submit their online applications till 27th May 2025. Application correction window will accept the changes from 3rd June to 12th June 2025.
-> UKPSC Combined Upper Subordinate Service prelims exam date will soon be announced. The admit card link will be live too on the official website.
-> The selection process includes Prelims, Mains and Interview stages.
-> This is a great Uttarakhand Government Job opportunity. Prepare for the exam with UKPSC Combined Upper Subordinate Service Previous Year Papers.
The UKPSC prelims exam will have 250 questions in total.
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