UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus 2026: PDF, Paper-Wise GS I-VI, Essay, Hindi & Exam Pattern

The UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus consists of eight descriptive papers designed to assess your understanding of General Studies, General Hindi, Essay writing, Ethics, Governance, Economy, Science, and Uttar Pradesh-specific topics. Candidates who qualify for the Preliminary Examination can appear for the Mains examination.

Knowing the complete syllabus before starting your preparation helps you prioritise important topics, build a study plan, and improve answer writing for every paper. 

UPPSC PCS Mains Exam Pattern 2026

The Main Examination is descriptive in nature. All papers are conventional, and candidates must write detailed answers within the prescribed time.

Note: Each descriptive paper is conducted for three hours. Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for a Personality Test (Viva-Voce) carrying 100 marks.  

UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus General Hindi

The General Hindi paper carries 150 marks. It is a compulsory paper. Candidates must secure minimum marks in this paper as determined by the Government or the Commission. The General Hindi paper evaluates your language skills, grammar, comprehension, and official writing. The important topics are listed below:

• दिये हुए गद्य खण्ड का अवबोध एवं प्रश्नोत्तर

• संक्षेपण

• सरकारी एवं अर्धसरकारी पत्र लेखन, तार संदेश, कार्यालय आदेश, अधिसूचना, परिपत्र

• शब्द ज्ञान एवं प्रयोग – पर्यायवाची शब्द, विलोम शब्द, एकार्थी शब्द, अनेकार्थी शब्द

• वाक्य शुद्धि

• लोकोक्तियाँ एवं मुहावरे

UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus Essay

The essay carries 150 marks. Candidates must write one essay from each of the three sections. Each essay should be around 700 words and present ideas in a clear and structured manner. 

Section A covers Literature and Culture, the Social sphere, and the Political sphere.

Section B covers Science, Environment and Technology, Economic sphere, and Agriculture, Industry and Trade.

Section C covers National and International Events, Natural Calamities, and National Development programmes and projects.

UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus General Studies I

General Studies Paper I carries 200 marks. It covers the following topics:

• History of Indian Culture – Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times

• Modern Indian history from A.D. 1757 to A.D. 1947 – significant events, personalities, and issues

• The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors from different parts of the country

• Post-independence consolidation and reorganisation (till 1965 A.D.)

• History of the world from the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century

• Salient features of Indian Society and culture

• Role of Women in Society, women's organisations, population, and associated issues

• Meaning of liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation, and their effects on the economy, polity, and social structure

• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, and secularism

• Distribution of major natural resources of the world

• Frontiers and boundaries with reference to the Indian sub-continent

• Human migration – refugee problem of the world with focus on India

• Salient features of Physical Geography – Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone, Ocean Currents, winds, and glaciers

UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus General Studies II

General Studies Paper II carries 200 marks. It covers the following topics:

• Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure

• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States

• Role of the Finance Commission in Centre-State financial relations

• Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms, and institutions

• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with other major democratic countries

• Parliament and State legislatures – structure, functioning, and conduct of business

• Structure, organisation, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

• Salient features of the Representation of the People's Act

• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

• Development processes – role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations

• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population

• Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector services

• Important aspects of governance – Transparency and accountability, e-governance applications

• Role of Civil Services in a democracy

• India and its relationship with neighbouring countries

• Bilateral, regional, and Global groupings and agreements involving India

• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests

• Important International Institutions, Agencies – their structure, mandate, and functioning

• Current affairs and events of Regional, National and International importance

UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus General Studies III

General Studies Paper III carries 200 marks. It covers the following topics:

• Economic planning in India: objectives and achievements

• Role of NITI Aayog, Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Issues of Poverty, Unemployment, Social justice, and inclusive growth

• Components of Government Budgets and Financial System

• Major Crops, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems, storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce

• Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices

• Food processing and related industries in India

• Land reforms in India since independence

• Effects of liberalisation and globalisation on the economy

• Infrastructure – Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways

• Science and Technology developments and applications in everyday life

• Achievements of Indians in science and technology, indigenisation of technology

• Awareness in fields of ICT and Space Technology, Computers, Energy resources, nano-technology, microbiology, bio-technology

• Environmental security and Ecosystems, Conservation of wildlife, Biodiversity

• Disaster management

• Challenges of International Security – Issues of Nuclear proliferation, Causes and spread of extremism

• Basics of cyber security, money laundering, and human trafficking

• India's internal security challenges – Terrorism, corruption, insurgency, and organised crimes

• Issues in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, and Animal Husbandry

UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus General Studies IV

General Studies Paper IV carries 200 marks. It is an Ethics paper. It covers the following topics:

• Ethics and Human Interface – Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human action

• Dimensions of ethics

• Ethics in private and public relationships

• Attitude – Content, structure, function, its influence, and relation with thought and behavior

• Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service – integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public services

• Emotional Intelligence – concept and dimensions, its utility and application in administration and governance

• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world

• Public/Civil Service values and ethics in Public Administration

• Probity in Governance – concept of public service, philosophical basis of governance, and probity

• Right to Information, codes of ethics, codes of conduct, citizens' charter, work culture, quality of service delivery

• Challenges of corruption

• Case studies on the above issues

UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus General Studies V (Uttar Pradesh Specific)

General Studies Paper V carries 200 marks. It focuses on Uttar Pradesh. It covers the following topics:

• History, Civilisation, Culture, and Ancient Cities of UP

• Architecture, its significance and maintainability, museum, archive, and archaeology of UP

• Contributions of UP in the pre- and post 1857 freedom struggles of India

• Eminent freedom fighters and personalities of UP

• Rural, Urban, and Tribal issues – social structure, festivals, fairs, music, folk dances, literature and languages/dialects, social customs of UP

• Political System of UP – Governance, Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, State Assembly, and State Council, Centre-State Relations

• Public Service, Public Service Commission, Auditing, Advocate General, High Court, and its jurisdiction in UP

• Special State Selection Criteria, Official Language, Consolidated Fund and Contingency Fund, Political Parties, and State Election Commission of UP

• Local Self Government – Urban and Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Right-related issues in UP

• Good Governance – Eradication of Corruption, Lokayukta, Citizen Charters, E-Governance, Right to Information, Redressal Policy

• Land Reforms and their impact in UP

• Issues related to Security in UP

• Cybersecurity and money laundering

• Medical and Health issues in UP

• State Education System of UP

• Contribution of UP in the development of India

• Current Affairs of UP

• Implementation of Jal Shakti Mission and other central welfare schemes in UP

• NGOs in UP – Issues, Contribution, and Impact

• Tourism in UP – Issues and prospects

• Emphasis on Innovation in various fields in UP

UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus General Studies VI (Uttar Pradesh Economy)

General Studies Paper VI carries 200 marks. It covers the economy of Uttar Pradesh. Topics include:

• Overview of the Economy of UP – Main features of the economy and the State Budgets, Infrastructure, and the importance of Physical Resources

• Trade, Commerce, and Industries of UP

• UP Government Schemes, Projects, and Planned Development for the welfare of People, Human Resources, and Skill Development

• Investment in UP – Issues and Impact

• Public Finance and Fiscal Policy, Tax and Economic Reforms, One District One Product Policy of UP Government

• Planning and management of renewable and non-renewable energy resources of UP

• Demography, Population, and Censuses of UP

• Commercialisation of agriculture and production of agricultural crops in UP

• UP New Forest Policy

• Agro and Social Forestry in UP

• Agricultural Diversity, Problems of agriculture and their solutions in UP

• Developmental Indices of UP in various fields

• Geography of UP – Geographical Location, Relief and Structure, Climate, Irrigation, Minerals, Drainage System, and Vegetation

• National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in UP

• Transport Network in UP

• Power Resources, Infrastructure, and Industrial Development of UP

• Pollution and Environmental Issues in UP, Pollution Control Board and its functions

• Natural Resources of UP – Soil, Water, Air, Forests, Grasslands, Wetlands

• Climate Change and Weather Forecasting issues in UP

• Habitat and Ecosystem, structure and function, adjustment, Flora and Fauna with reference to UP

• Science and Technology – Its issues, advancements, and efforts in UP

• Aquaculture, Viticulture, Sericulture, Floriculture, Horticulture, Arboric culture in UP and its impact on the development of UP

• Evolvement of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the development of UP

UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus PDF

The official UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus PDF provides the complete paper-wise syllabus prescribed by the Commission. Candidates should download the PDF to understand every topic, track their preparation, and ensure no important subject is missed before the examination.  

UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus PDF

How to Prepare for UPPSC PCS Mains 2026

Preparing well for the UPPSC PCS Mains Syllabus requires a structured approach. Here are some important tips:

• Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly: Go through all papers carefully. Understand the topics in each General Studies paper. Give special attention to Uttar Pradesh-specific papers (GS V and GS VI). These papers carry 200 marks each and are important for the UP-based examination.

• Study Standard Reference Books: Use standard books for Indian History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Environment, and Ethics. For UP-specific topics, refer to UP Board books and state government publications.

• Focus on General Hindi: Candidates must secure a minimum qualifying mark in General Hindi. Practice letter writing, précis writing, and grammar-based questions regularly.

• Practice Essay Writing: The Essay paper requires writing well-structured essays of 700 words. Practice writing essays on current affairs, social issues, and economic topics. This helps improve your writing speed and expression.

• Revise Current Affairs: Many topics in General Studies II, GS V, and VI require knowledge of current events. Read newspapers and monthly magazines regularly. Focus on UP government schemes, policies, and developments.

• Solve Previous Year Question Papers: Solving PYQs helps you understand the question pattern and important topics. It also helps improve time management during the examination.

• Make Short Notes: Prepare short notes on important topics, government schemes, committees, and reports. These notes are useful for quick revision before the examination.