UKPSC Upper PCS Mains: Complete Syllabus, Exam Pattern and Marks Weightage

Last Updated: Aug 15, 2026 | Source: Official UKPSC Upper PCS Notification | psc.uk.gov.in

Candidates who cleared the UKPSC Upper PCS Preliminary examination need both the complete paper-wise syllabus and a clear picture of the exam pattern before starting Mains preparation — the two cannot be planned separately. This page brings together the full syllabus for all 8 papers along with the official marks distribution, duration, and paper-wise weightage in one place, based entirely on the official UKPSC notification (psc.uk.gov.in).

The Mains stage carries 1500 marks in written examination alone, spread across 8 descriptive papers, with an additional 150 marks reserved for the Interview/Personality Test — a combined 1650 marks deciding your final merit. General Hindi (Paper 1) is qualifying in nature with a minimum of 35 percent required; the remaining seven papers count directly toward merit. A dedicated Mains Syllabus and Pattern PDF, covering every topic and the complete marks breakdown, is available below.

Quick Overview

Official Note: All question papers are compulsory. It is mandatory to obtain a minimum of 35% marks in the General Hindi paper (Paper 1), based on high school level syllabus. All remaining 7 papers are merit-based.

Official Mains Exam Pattern Table

The table below is taken directly from the official UKPSC Upper PCS notification.

Important: The merit list for final selection is prepared on the basis of marks obtained in the Mains Written Examination combined with the Interview. General Hindi (Paper 1) is qualifying in nature and its marks are not counted in the merit list.

Paper-wise Marks Weightage Analysis

Understanding the marks weightage of each paper helps you allocate preparation time strategically. Here is the complete breakdown of what each paper contributes to the total 1500 written marks:

Three key insights from this data:

1. Uttarakhand-specific papers carry 26.6% of total written marks – GS V and GS VI together carry 400 marks out of 1500. That is more than one-fourth of the entire Mains written examination. Candidates from outside Uttarakhand or those who underestimate these two papers are at a significant disadvantage

2. All six GS papers together carry 1200 marks — 80% of total written marks – Your GS preparation directly decides your rank. Essay adds another 10%. The combined 90% of your merit is determined by these 7 papers.

3. General Hindi does not count in merit but can eliminate you – Despite carrying 150 marks, Paper 1 does not appear in your merit list. However, failing to score 35% means disqualification regardless of how well you perform in all other papers. This paper must not be ignored during preparation.

Subject-wise Time Management Guide

Each Mains paper is 3 hours (180 minutes) long. The marks per paper differ — 150 marks for Hindi and Essay, 200 marks for all GS papers. This changes the time available per mark in each paper.

Three practical time management insights:

1. Essay paper is your most structured paper – With 700-800 words required per essay and 3 essays to write, you have exactly 60 minutes per essay. Spending more than 65 minutes on any one essay will put you under severe pressure in the third section. Practice timed essay writing as a separate skill.

2. GS papers require 0.9 minutes per mark on average – For a 10-mark question this means approximately 9 minutes. For a 15-mark question approximately 13-14 minutes. Structured answers with introduction, body, and conclusion work best. Write answer outlines for first 10 minutes of the paper before starting full answers.

3. General Hindi must be prepared separately despite being qualifying – At 35% minimum requirement and 1.2 minutes per mark, candidates often fail this paper by treating it casually. The paper tests grammar, translation, essay, and comprehension — all skills that need consistent practice, not last-minute revision.

UKPSC Mains Syllabus Paper-wise

The UKPSC Mains examination consists of 8 descriptive papers. Below is the complete paper-wise syllabus as per the official UKPSC notification.

Paper 1 — General Hindi (150 marks, 3 hours)

This paper tests the command of candidates over the Hindi language at High School level. The minimum qualifying marks required in this paper is 35 percent for all category candidates.

Topics and Mark Distribution:

नोट: सामान्यतः हाईस्कूल स्तर के पाठ्यक्रम पर आधारित सामान्य हिन्दी के प्रश्नपत्र में न्यूनतम 35 प्रतिशत अंक प्राप्त करना अनिवार्य होगा।

Essay (150 marks, 3 hours)

This paper consists of three sections — A, B and C. Candidates must write one essay from each section of 700 to 800 words in their opted language. Maximum marks for each essay is 50.

Essays are evaluated on five parameters: accuracy of language and grammar, rendering of original thoughts, multi-dimensional understanding of the subject, systematic and logical presentation, and clarity of expression.

Section A:

• Literature and Culture
• Social Sphere
• Political Sphere
• Economic Sphere: Agriculture, Industry and Trade

Section B:

• Science, Environment and Technology
• Science, Environment and Technology
• Natural Calamities: Landslide, Earthquake, Deluge, Drought etc.
• National Development Programmes and Projects

Section C (Uttarakhand Focused):

• Social Structure of Uttarakhand
• History, Culture, Art and Literature of Uttarakhand
• Economic and Geographic Scenario of Uttarakhand, Tourism and Migration
• Environment, Disaster and Disaster Management in Uttarakhand
• Women Empowerment in Uttarakhand

Paper 3 — General Studies I – Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society (200 marks, 3 hours)

• Indian culture covering salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian History from the middle of the eighteenth century to the present — significant events, personalities and issues.
• The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• History of the World — events from the 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism and their effects on society
• Salient features of Indian Society and Diversity of India.
• Role of women and women’s organizations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization and their remedies
• Effects of globalization on Indian society.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism.
• Salient features of 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 their effects on flora and fauna

Paper 4 — General Studies II – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations (200 marks, 3 hours)

• Indian Constitution — historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States; issues and challenges pertaining 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.
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
• Parliament and State Legislatures — structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges and issues arising out of these.
• Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary; Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the polity
• 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 — the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection of these vulnerable sections.
• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/services relating to Health, Education and Human Resources.
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability; e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations and potential; citizens charters; transparency and accountability and institutional measures.
• Role of civil services in a democracy.
• India and its neighbourhood — relations.
• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests; Indian diaspora.
• Important International institutions, agencies and fora — their structure and mandate.

Paper 5 — General Studies III – Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management (200 marks, 3 hours)

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
• Government Budgeting
• Major crops and cropping patterns in various parts of the country; different types of irrigation and irrigation systems; storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
• Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System — objectives, functioning, limitations and revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology Missions; economics of animal rearing.
• Food processing and related industries in India — scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
• Land reforms in India
• Effects of liberalization on the economy; changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
• Investment models
• Science and Technology — developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
• Achievements of Indians in Science and Technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.
• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; environmental impact assessment.
• Disaster and Disaster Management
• Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
• Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
• Challenges to internal security through communication networks; role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges; basics of cyber security; money laundering and its prevention.
• Security challenges and their management in border areas — linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
• Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Paper 6 — General Studies IV – Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude (200 marks, 3 hours)

This paper tests the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity and probity in public life. Questions may use the case study approach to assess problem-solving ability. The following broad areas are covered:

• Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships; Human values — lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
• Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
• Aptitude and foundational values for civil service — integrity, impartiality and non-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.
• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
• Public/Civil service values and Ethics in public administration: status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
• Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government; Right to Information; Codes of Ethics; Codes of Conduct; Citizen’s Charters; Work culture; Quality of service delivery; Utilization of public funds; challenges of corruption.
• Case Studies on above issues

Paper 7 — General Studies V – Knowledge of State of Uttarakhand (200 marks, 3 hours)

History of Uttarakhand: Prehistoric period, Proto-historic period, Major archaeological sites, Ancient tribes of Uttarakhand, Kunindas and Yaudheyas, Katyuri dynasty, Parmar dynasty in Garhwal (Rule, Administration, Society, Economy), Chand dynasty of Kumaon (Rule, Administration, Society, Economy), Gorkha invasion and administration.

British Rule in Uttarakhand: Administrative System, Land Revenue, Forest Management, Economy, Education and Health System, Growth of Vernacular journalism, Tehri State — Rule, Administration, Society, Economy, Religion and Culture, National Movement, Prominent Freedom Fighters, Merger of the Tehri State.

Popular Movements in Uttarakhand: Coolie Begar Movement, Dola Palki Movement, Chipko Movement, Anti-Liquor Movement, Social Reformers of Uttarakhand, Anti-princely Tehri State Movement, Movement of separate Uttarakhand state and its immediate and long-term consequences.

Society and Culture of Uttarakhand: Family, Marriage and kinship system, Caste system and caste mobility, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in Uttarakhand, Rural Power Structure, Urbanization and Industrialization, Folk Songs, Folk Dance and Craft, Prominent Folk singers and artists, Musical instruments, Paintings, Costumes, Food habits, Religious places and Temples, Fairs and Festivals, Dialects and craft of Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand State — Political, Local Administration and Public Policy: Political System in Uttarakhand, Party Politics, Regional Parties, Pressure groups.

Administrative System: Structure of the state government, Cabinet and Departments, Administrative Agencies, District and Tehsil level Administration, State Public Service Commission, Lok Ayukta, State Vigilance Agency, Local Self Government in Uttarakhand, Nature of urban local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions, State Finance Commission, State Election Commission.

Public Policy in Uttarakhand: Good governance, Citizen’s Charter and e-governance, Prevention of corruption, Lok Pal and Lokayukta, Right to Information, Right to Education, Right to Service, Women Empowerment, MNREGA, Soldier’s Welfare and Rehabilitation, Important Ayog in Uttarakhand.

Current Events in the context of Uttarakhand state

Paper 8 — General Studies VI – Knowledge of State of Uttarakhand (200 marks, 3 hours)

Geography of Uttarakhand: Location, Extent and Strategic Importance, Structure and Relief, Climate, Drainage System, Natural Vegetation, Soil, Glacier, Lake and Climate Change, Resources — Forest, Water, Minerals and Land, Agriculture, Irrigation, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Industry, Transport — Road, Rail and Air, Hydro-electric Projects, Water Scarcity and Solution, Tourism — Problems and Prospects, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Population: Growth Rate, Density, Distribution, Sex Ratio, Literacy, Migration — Pattern, Problem and Solution, Rural Settlement — types and patterns, Urbanization and cities, Smart City, Tribal Habitat, Human Development Index.

Economy of Uttarakhand: Main features of the state’s economy, Natural Resources — Water, Forests, Minerals, Economic profile — State domestic products and its components, Per Capita Income, Major sources of income including Agriculture, Horticulture, Medicinal Plants, Forest products and Tourism.

Industrial Development: State MSME Policy, Large, Medium, Small, Cottage and Handicraft Industries, Investment scenario, Problems and Possibilities.

Infrastructure: Physical — Road, Rail and Air Transport, Banking and financial Institutions, Education, Health, Energy, Communication, Self Help Groups (SHGs).

Economic Planning and Policies: State annual plans, Development Programmes, Schemes and Policies, Decentralized Planning — Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.

Public Finance: Revenue receipts, State Taxes, Public Expenditure, Uttarakhand’s Budget.

Major Economic Problems: Poverty, Migration, Natural Disasters, Environmental Degradation.

Welfare Programs: Youth, Child and Women welfare programs, Poverty alleviation programs, MNREGA, Food and Civil supply, Soldiers welfare and rehabilitation.

Disaster Management: Nature, types and effect of Important Factors of natural disaster and efforts to reduce it, Denudation, Earthquake, Cloud-burst, Forest Fire, Drought and Avalanche, Difficulties in Disaster Management, Ecological-Sensitive areas, Role of NDRF and SDRF, Disaster Management Act 2005, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Disaster and impact due to anthropogenic activities, Efforts of Uttarakhand Government.

Human Resource and Community Development in Uttarakhand: Employment and Development, Human resource management and its indicators in Uttarakhand, Nature and types of unemployment problem, Uttarakhand Government schemes, Rural development and community development schemes.

Education: Role of education in human resource development and social change, System of education in Uttarakhand — problems and issues including universalization and professionalization, Education for women and socially/economically deprived sections and minorities, Right to Education, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and National Secondary Education Abhiyan in Uttarakhand, Status of higher, technical and professional education in Uttarakhand.

Health: Health care system in Uttarakhand, National Rural Health Mission and other related schemes, Health and Nutrition, Food Security Act.

UKPSC Mains Interview / Personality Test

Candidates who qualify the Mains written examination are called for the Interview/Personality Test.

The interview panel assesses candidates’ views on social issues, approach to problem solving and readiness to assume the responsibilities of civil service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How many papers are in UKPSC Mains?

The UKPSC Mains exam consists of 8 descriptive papers. These cover General Hindi, Essay, General Studies I through GS VI, with each paper carrying either 150 or 200 marks.

Q2. What is total marks of UKPSC Mains?

The total marks of UKPSC Mains written examination is 1500. Adding the Interview/Personality Test of 150 marks, the grand total comes to 1650 marks.

Q3. Is General Hindi a qualifying paper in UKPSC Mains?

Yes. General Hindi (Paper 1) is qualifying in nature. Candidates of all categories must score a minimum of 35 percent marks in this paper to qualify.

Q4. How long is each paper in UKPSC Mains exam?

Each paper in the UKPSC Mains examination is of 3 hours duration.

Q5. What is GS Paper V and GS Paper VI in UKPSC Mains about?

Both General Studies Paper V and Paper VI are focused on the Knowledge of State of Uttarakhand. GS V covers History, Society, Culture and Polity of Uttarakhand while GS VI covers Geography, Economy, Disaster Management and Human Resource Development of Uttarakhand.

Q6. What is the marks weightage of Interview in UKPSC?

The Interview/Personality Test carries 150 marks in UKPSC. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of combined marks of Mains Written Examination (1500) and Interview (150).

Q7. Is there negative marking in UKPSC Mains exam?

No. The UKPSC Mains examination is descriptive/subjective in nature. Negative marking applies only in the Prelims examination, not in Mains.

Q8. When is UKPSC Mains exam 2025 scheduled?

The UKPSC Mains exam 2025 is scheduled for April end 2026.