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UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus: Paper 1 & CSAT Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme

The UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus 2026 consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). Paper I includes History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Current Affairs, Environment, Science, and Uttar Pradesh topics, while CSAT covers Comprehension, Reasoning, Mathematics, English, and Hindi. Paper II is qualifying with a minimum requirement of 33%, and the Prelims merit is prepared based only on General Studies Paper I marks.
authorImageMuskan Verma27 Jun, 2026
UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus

The UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus 2026 outlines the subjects and topics candidates need to prepare for the Preliminary Examination conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC). The exam consists of two objective-type papers, General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). While Paper I determines the Prelims merit, Paper II is qualifying in nature.

Understanding the syllabus and exam pattern before starting your preparation helps you plan your studies effectively and focus on the topics that carry the highest importance in the examination. 

UPPSC PCS Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers conducted on the same day.

UPPSC PCS Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
Paper Subject Marks Questions Duration Nature
Paper I General Studies I 200 150 2 Hours Merit Based
Paper II General Studies II (CSAT) 200 100 2 Hours Qualifying (Minimum 33%)

Important Points

  • The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers.

  • Each paper carries 200 marks.

  • General Studies Paper I is used for preparing the merit list.

  • General Studies Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature.

  • Candidates must score at least 33% marks in CSAT.

  • There is a negative marking of one-third (0.33) mark for every incorrect answer.

  • No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.

UPPSC PCS Prelims General Studies Paper I Syllabus

General Studies Paper I assesses your understanding of national and international current affairs, Indian history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science, and Uttar Pradesh-related topics. The marks obtained in this paper are used to prepare the Preliminary Examination merit list. 

UPPSC PCS Prelims General Studies Paper I Syllabus
Section Topics
Current Affairs Current events of national and international importance
History History of India and the Indian National Movement
Geography Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World
Indian Polity & Governance Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, Public Administration and Governance
Economy Economic and Social Development, Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives
Environment Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
General Science General Science and everyday scientific developments
Uttar Pradesh Special General awareness with special reference to Uttar Pradesh

UPPSC PCS Prelims General Studies Paper II (CSAT) Syllabus

General Studies Paper II (CSAT) is designed to assess candidates' aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, language skills, and basic mathematical aptitude. Candidates must secure at least 33% marks in this paper to qualify for the Preliminary Examination. 

UPPSC PCS Prelims CSAT Syllabus
Section Topics
Comprehension Reading comprehension passages
Interpersonal Skills Communication skills and interpersonal abilities
Logical Reasoning Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Decision Making Decision-making and problem-solving
Mental Ability General mental ability
Elementary Mathematics Number System, Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Profit and Loss, Average, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics
English English language up to Class X level
Hindi Hindi language up to Class X level, including grammar, vocabulary, idioms, sentence correction, and comprehension

Detailed Topics in CSAT Mathematics

The mathematics section includes questions based on Class X level concepts.

Elementary Mathematics Topics

  • Number System

  • Natural Numbers

  • Integers

  • Rational and Irrational Numbers

  • Real Numbers

  • Divisibility

  • Average

  • Ratio and Proportion

  • Percentage

  • Profit and Loss

  • Simple and Compound Interest

  • HCF and LCM

  • Time and Work

  • Time and Distance

  • Simple and Compound Interest

  • Algebra

  • Geometry

  • Mensuration

  • Statistics

English Language Topics

The English section is based on the Class X level.

Topics include:

  • Comprehension

  • Active and Passive Voice

  • Parts of Speech

  • Transformation of Sentences

  • Direct and Indirect Speech

  • Punctuation and Spellings

  • Vocabulary

  • Idioms and Phrases

  • Fill in the Blanks

Hindi Language Topics

The Hindi section tests your understanding of grammar and language usage.

Topics include:

  • हिंदी वर्णमाला, विराम चिन्ह 

  • शब्द रचना, वाक्य रचना, अर्थ 

  • शब्द रूप 

  • संधि, समास 

  • क्रियाएँ 

  • अनेकार्थी शब्द 

  • विलोम शब्द 

  • पर्यायवाची शब्द 

  • मुहावरे एवं लोकोक्तियाँ 

  • तत्सम एवं तद्भव, देशज, विदेशी शब्द मंडार 

  • सर्वनाम 

  • वाक्यांश के लिए एक शब्द 

  • हिंदी भाषा के प्रयोग में होने वाली अशुद्धियाँ 

  • उ.प्र. की मुख्य बोलियाँ

UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus PDF

Candidates preparing for the Preliminary Examination should download the UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus PDF to understand the complete subject-wise syllabus and exam pattern. Keeping the syllabus PDF handy helps you plan your preparation, track important topics, and revise systematically. You can refer to the official syllabus PDF released by UPPSC for the latest paper-wise topics and examination guidelines.  

UPPSC PCS Prelims Official Syllabus PDF

How to Prepare for UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus

Preparing according to the UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus helps you complete all important topics before the examination.

Understand the Syllabus

Read the complete syllabus carefully. Divide the topics into smaller sections for easy preparation.

Follow Standard Books

Study from NCERT books and standard reference books for History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, and Science.

Practice Current Affairs

Read newspapers and monthly current affairs regularly. Give special attention to Uttar Pradesh-related developments.

Solve Previous Year Papers

Practice previous year question papers to understand the question pattern and important topics.

Attempt Mock Tests

Take regular mock tests to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.

Revise Regularly

Prepare short notes for important facts, government schemes, constitutional articles, and current affairs for quick revision.

UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus FAQs

Is the UPPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus the same every year?

The core syllabus generally remains the same, but candidates should always refer to the latest UPPSC notification.

How many papers are there in the UPPSC PCS Preliminary Examination?

There are two papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT).

Is CSAT qualifying in UPPSC PCS?

Yes. General Studies Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, and candidates must obtain at least 33% marks.

Which paper is considered for the Prelims merit list?

Only the marks obtained in General Studies Paper I are considered for preparing the Preliminary Examination merit list.
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