Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission · SDM, DSP, BDO and other Group A & B posts in Uttar Pradesh
UPPSC PCS: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Age Limit & Mock Tests
The Combined State / Upper Subordinate Services exam of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission fills posts such as SDM, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Block Development Officer. Everything about the exam on one page, from the official 2026 notice.
UPPSC PCS latest updates
New UPPSC PCS notifications, admit cards, answer keys and results appear here as soon as they are posted. Browse Govt Jobs →
Important dates
Dates for the next UPPSC PCS cycle (notification, last date, admit card, exam and result) appear here when they are announced. See the exam calendar →
Check your eligibility
- ✓All posts (general age limit)Age 21–40 +5
- ✕Principal, Government Intermediate CollegeAge 30–40 +5
UPPSC PCS vacancies
Total, category-wise and post-wise vacancies appear here when the UPPSC PCS notification is released.
Eligibility and age limit
| Posts | Qualification | Age |
|---|---|---|
| All posts (general age limit) | Graduate from a recognised university; some posts need a specific degree | 21–40 |
| Principal, Government Intermediate College | As in the notice (post-graduate with teaching experience) | 30–40 |
| Category | Age relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / OBC of U.P. | 5 years |
| Persons with disabilities of U.P. | 15 years |
| Ex-army personnel of U.P. | 3 years + army service |
| Candidates of other states | None (treated as General) |
Age is counted as on 1 July of the exam year.
Upper age limit is 5 years higher for SC, ST and OBC candidates of U.P., and 15 years higher for persons with disabilities of U.P. (maximum 55).
Reserved-category candidates from other states are treated as General and get no reservation or age relaxation.
Posts such as DSP, Jail Superintendent and Excise Inspector have physical standards listed in the notice.
Application fee
Selection process
- 1PrelimsTwo objective papers · screening only · 15× vacancies go to Mains
- 2MainsEight written papers · 1,500 marks · 3× vacancies called for interview
- 3Interview100 marks · merit on Mains + Interview
UPPSC PCS exam pattern
Prelims Two papers · 2 hours each · −1/3 mark per wrong answer
| Paper | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I: General Studies I (counts for merit) | 150 | 200 |
| Paper II: General Studies II / CSAT (qualifying, 33%) | 100 | 200 |
Mains Conventional (written) · 3 hours each
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| General Hindi | 150 |
| Essay | 150 |
| General Studies I | 200 |
| General Studies II | 200 |
| General Studies III | 200 |
| General Studies IV | 200 |
| General Studies V (Uttar Pradesh) | 200 |
| General Studies VI (Uttar Pradesh) | 200 |
| Total | 1,500 |
Interview: 100 marks. Prelims merit is on Paper I only; Paper II must be passed with 33%. General Hindi has a minimum qualifying mark set by the Government or the Commission.
UPPSC PCS syllabus
Subject by subject. The number on a topic is how many practice questions we have for it.
General Studies
Prelims Paper I · Mains GS I–IVUttar Pradesh
Mains GS V and VI · also in PrelimsCSAT / Aptitude
Prelims Paper II · qualifying 33%General Hindi & Essay
Mains · 150 marks eachUPPSC PCS cut-offs
Year-wise official cut-offs for every category appear here once they are published.
UPPSC PCS salary by post
| Level / group | Posts | Pay scale |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Subordinate / State Services | SDM (Deputy Collector), Deputy SP and other senior posts | ₹15,600–39,100, Grade Pay ₹5,400 |
| Subordinate services | Posts at the lower end of the notice | ₹9,300–34,800, Grade Pay ₹4,600 |
| Naib Tehsildar | Naib Tehsildar | ₹9,300–34,800, Grade Pay ₹4,200 |
Pay scales as printed in the UPPSC notice (pay band and grade pay). The matching level of the current pay matrix and allowances are set by the U.P. government.
UPPSC PCS mock tests and previous year papers
Exams with a similar syllabus
Your UPPSC preparation already covers most of these exams.
UPPSC PCS articles
Preparation strategy, syllabus breakdowns and cut-off analysis for UPPSC PCS are on the way. Read the blog →
UPPSC PCS frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for UPPSC PCS 2026?
21 to 40 years as on 1 July 2026, so you must be born between 2 July 1986 and 1 July 2005. SC, ST and OBC candidates of U.P. get 5 more years, and persons with disabilities of U.P. 15 more years.
Can candidates from other states apply for UPPSC PCS?
Yes. Candidates from other states can apply, but they are treated as General: they get no reservation and no age relaxation, and pay the General fee.
Is there negative marking in UPPSC PCS Prelims?
Yes. One third of the marks of a question is deducted for each wrong answer. A question left blank has no penalty.
Is CSAT counted in UPPSC PCS merit?
No. Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying with 33%. Prelims merit is made on Paper I only.
How many vacancies are there in UPPSC PCS 2026?
About 500, as stated in the notice. The number can increase or decrease before the result.
How many papers are there in UPPSC PCS Mains?
Eight conventional papers: General Hindi (150), Essay (150) and six General Studies papers of 200 marks each, of which GS V and VI are about Uttar Pradesh. The interview carries 100 marks.
Sources: UPPSC Advt. A-1/E-1/2026 (25-06-2026) · UPPSC Examination Calendar 2026 (30-01-2026) (checked 14 Sept 2026). Always confirm in the official notice before applying.