
UP APO Preliminary Examination 2026 is scheduled for 22 March 2026, leaving aspirants with limited yet crucial time for preparation. At this stage, success depends not on studying new sources, but on structured revision, smart prioritisation, and intensive MCQ practice. A focused 40-day strategy can help candidates systematically cover high-weightage Law subjects, revise Bare Acts effectively, and strengthen General Knowledge for maximum accuracy in the Prelims.
Here is a practical and time-bound UP APO 2026 strategy designed to improve retention, enhance speed, and boost confidence before the examination.
The UP APO Preliminary Examination is the first and most crucial stage of the recruitment process for the post of Assistant Prosecution Officer in Uttar Pradesh. It serves as a screening test that evaluates a candidateβs foundational knowledge of Law and General Knowledge through objective-type questions.
The Preliminary examination consists of two papers, totaling 150 marks.
1. Paper 1: General Knowledge (50 Marks)
This paper mainly assesses current affairs and static GK, thus, including:
Current Affairs( last 10-12 months)
History
Geography
Economics
Science
Art & Culture
Students need to be careful in understanding the UP APO syllabus; they must not confuse General Knowledge with General Studies, hence, the difference between both is given here:
|
Feature |
General Knowledge |
General Studies |
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Superficial information, awareness, current affairs. |
Deep, in-depth study of subjects. |
|
Key Element |
Often includes specific facts like appointments. |
Requires conceptual understanding and analysis. |
2. Paper 2: Law (100 Marks)
The UP APO Paper 2 (Law) focuses on Criminal Law and Procedure. The criminal laws include the laws given below. The marks distribution is also given so that students can prioritise their studies accordingly.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): 30 Marks (plays the biggest role)
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS): 25 Marks
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA): 20 Marks
UP Police Act: 15 Marks
Constitution of India: 10 Marks
UP APO Exam Date 2026 - Check Schedule
As a few days are left for the preliminary examination, aspirants are advised to utilize their time fruitfully with the help of this 40-day strategy. This intensive plan focuses on Bare Acts, MCQs, and consistent revision, rather than new reading, helping students to improve time management, enhance focus and consistency, and thus, boosts revision efficiency and helps track progress
Total Daily Study Time: Approximately 8 hours.
Law Subjects: 4-5 hours.
MCQ Practice: 3 hours.
Intensive MCQ practice is a must for getting success in the preliminary exam.
With the UP APO Preliminary Examination 2026 approaching, a focused and time-bound preparation strategy is essential for success. This 40-day plan is designed to help aspirants systematically cover the entire syllabus, prioritize high-weightage Law subjects, and strengthen General Knowledge through continuous revision and MCQ practice.
1. Constitution of India (10 Marks)
Allocate 3-4 days. While carrying 10 marks, every mark is valuable.
Key Topics:
Preamble: Often, one question is asked from this section.
Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35): This is the most important section, as 5-6 questions are asked out of 10 questions of constitution.
Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
President and Governor.
Supreme Court and High Courts.
Latest Constitutional Amendments: Focus specifically on the 105th and 106th Amendments, as they are the latest.
2. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) (20 Marks)
Allocate 6-7 days due to its higher weightage.
Key Topics:
Relevancy (Chapter II, Sections 3-50): This is the most important chapter, expected to account for 10-12 questions.
Burden of Proof.
Witnesses.
Mastering these three topics can help you get 18 out of 20 questions correct.
1. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (30 Marks)
Dedicate 7-8 days as it carries the maximum marks.
Key Topics:
General Exceptions (Sections 14-44): A most important topic,4-5 questions are likely to be asked from this section.
Offences Against the Human Body.
Offences Against Property.
These three topics are expected to cover 90-95% of the questions from BNS.
Special Focus on Illustrations: Dedicate one full day to studying all illustrations within the BNS, as it is commonly known for illustration-based questions.
2. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) (25 Marks)
Allocate at least 5 days.
Key Topics:
Definitions and Powers: Focus on Powers of Courts and Police Officers.
Arrest of Persons (starting from Section 35): Understand provisions and key judgments (e.g., D.K. Basu, Arnesh Kumar).
Processes to Compel Appearance (Chapters VI & VII): Covers Summons, Warrant, Proclamation, and Attachment; a very important chapter.
Trials: Cover all four types: Sessions Trial, Warrant Trial, Summons Trial, and Summary Trial.
Bail and Appeal: Also study these provisions alongside trials.
Mandatory: Consistently solve MCQs for these topics while reading.
1. UP Police Act (15 Marks)
This is a concise but important act. Dedicate a couple of days to complete the Act and its Rules, along with solving all related MCQs.
2. General Knowledge (50 Marks)
Use the remaining 6 days for GK. Focus on current events from the last 8-10 months.
This 10-day period is for intensive MCQ practice.
Daily Target: Solve 200 to 350 MCQs.
Method:
Mark important questions for review.
Analyze your mistakes.
If a question raises a doubt, immediately refer back to the Bare Act, revise that section, and then continue.
In this manner, you will be able to solve 3500+ questions in 10 days only.
In the final days, before a few days of exam:
Revise Bare Act Keywords: Focus on key terms and frequently asked sections identified during study.
Solve UP APO Previous Year Questions Papers (PYQs): Analyze at least the last 4-5 years of question papers.
Take Mock Tests: Use this time to simulate exam conditions and manage time effectively.
Areas for Current Affairs Revision:
UP-specific news and major events.
National Appointments(most important).
Recent landmark Supreme Court judgments.
The latest Constitutional Amendments.
Study techniques help in making learning more organized and focused by
improving understanding of concepts, helping in better memory retention, and quicker revision before exams.
So students can save time and reduce last-minute stress through these techniques:
Active Recall Method (Active Visualization): After studying a topic, students are advised to revise through active recall and use this for topics to stay in long-term memory.
The 90/10 Rule: Study for 90 minutes continuously, then take a 10-minute break for deep breathing or relaxation. Repeat this cycle. This technique is useful for maintaining focus and building memory over long study hours.
As the Preliminary examination approaches, preparation must become more focused and disciplined. This phase is not about experimenting with new strategies but about strengthening what has already been studied. Aspirants must avoid these common mistakes at this stage which can significantly improve their accuracy, confidence, and overall performance in the exam.
This is not the appropriate time to begin Mains preparation: At this stage, complete focus must remain on the Preliminary examination.
Ignoring revision can negatively impact performance: Consistent revision is essential to retain concepts and improve recall.
Studying without adequate MCQ practice is ineffective: Since the Prelims is an objective examination, regular MCQ practice is necessary.
Changing study resources at this stage is inadvisable: Continuity with the same Bare Acts and MCQ books ensures clarity and stability in preparation.
Explore the Judiciary Coaching 2026 to access essential resources for Judiciary exam preparation, including detailed insights and strategies. Dive into the Judiciary 2026 for structured courses and focused study plans designed to help aspirants excel in their exams.