UKPSC Prelims Syllabus and Exam Pattern

Last Updated: May 14, 2026 | Source: Official UKPSC Notification | psc.uk.gov.in

The Uttarakhand Combined State Civil / Upper Subordinate Services Examination is conducted in three stages — Prelims, Mains, and Interview. This page covers the complete syllabus and exam pattern for the UKPSC Prelims — the first screening stage consisting of two objective-type papers held on the same day. Clearing this stage is mandatory to appear in Mains, but your Prelims marks do not carry forward to the final merit. Only your Mains performance decides your rank.

“Official syllabus published by the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission“

UKPSC Prelims Exam Pattern

Paper	Subject	Question	Marks per pattern	Total marks	Duration
Paper I	General studies	150	1 marks	150	2 hours
Paper II	General Aptitude Test (CSAT)	100	1.5 marks	150	2 hours

Paper I is the only paper that builds your rank for Mains shortlisting. Paper II is qualifying — you need a minimum of 33% (50 marks) to clear it regardless of category. Negative marking of 0.25 applies on both papers for each wrong attempt.

One important rule from the official notification: at least 50 out of 150 questions in Paper I will be from an Uttarakhand context. This makes Uttarakhand-specific preparation the single highest-return area in the entire prelims.

Paper I: General Studies Syllabus (150 Questions)

Paper I tests your knowledge across 6 units. Each unit carries Uttarakhand-specific topics within it — not as a separate section but integrated into the unit itself, exactly as the official syllabus defines.

Unit 1: Indian History, Culture & National Movement

This unit covers Indian history from prehistoric times to independence, along with Uttarakhand’s own historical timeline running parallel.

Indian History:

• Prehistoric period: Harappa Civilisation, Vedic Civilisation, Sangam Age.
• Mahajanapadas and rise of Magadh; religious movements — Jainism, Buddhism, Bhagavatism, Shaivism; Persian and Greek contacts.
• Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka and his Dhamma; Mauryan administration, economy, society and art; Kushanas.
• Gupta Empire: foundation, consolidation and decline; Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Skandagupta; Gupta administration, society, economy, literature and art.
• Post-Gupta period: Harshavardhana, Pal, Pratihara, Rashtrakuta, Chola, Pallava, Chandel, Parmar, Chauhan; social, economic and cultural development 650–1200 AD.
• Islam in India: Iltutmish, Balban, Alauddin Khilji, Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq, Firoz Tughlaq, Sikandar Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi; Delhi Sultanate administration; Indo-Islamic architecture; Vijayanagar empire; Sufism and Bhakti movement.
• Mughal Empire: Babur, Sher Shah Suri, Akbar, Shahjahan, Aurangzeb; Mughal administration, Jagirdari and Mansabdari system; Mughal society, economy, literature, art and architecture; Maratha, Sikh and Jat.
• European arrival: Portuguese, Dutch, French; British East India Company and British rule 1758–1857; economic impact of British rule.
• 19th century social and religious reform movements.
• Viceroys of India 1858–1947; First War of Independence 1857; tribal, caste and peasant movements; India Government Act 1858; administrative, social and judicial reforms; rise of nationalism.
• Indian National Congress: origin, liberal and extremist factions; Bengal partition; Swadeshi movement; Muslim League; Surat split 1907; Morley-Minto reforms 1909.
• WWI and national movement: Home Rule movement; Lucknow Pact 1916; Gandhi era; Rowlatt Act 1919; Jallianwala Bagh massacre; Khilafat movement; Non-cooperation movement; Chauri Chaura; Simon Commission; Nehru Report; Jinnah’s 14 points; Lahore session 1929; Civil Disobedience movement; Round Table Conferences; Gandhi-Irwin Pact; Communal Award and Poona Pact.
• India Government Act 1935; Quit India Movement; Cabinet Mission Plan; Azad Hind Fauj; Indian Independence Act 1947; partition and post-independence India.

Uttarakhand History and Culture:

• Prehistoric and proto-historic period.
• Ancient tribes of Uttarakhand; Kuninda and Yaudheya.
• Kartikeyapur dynasty; Katyuri dynasty.
• Garhwal’s Parmar dynasty; Kumaon’s Chand dynasty.
• Gorkha invasion and rule in Uttarakhand.
• British rule; Tehri Riyasat.
• Freedom struggle in Uttarakhand: First War of Independence 1857 and Uttarakhand’s role; contribution to Indian National Movement; Jan Andolan of Uttarakhand.

Unit 2 — Geography of India and the World

World Geography:

• Earth and solar system; lithosphere; latitudes, longitudes, time, rotation, revolution, eclipses.
• Continents, mountains, plateaus, plains, hydrosphere, lakes, rocks.
• Atmospheric layers, composition, solar radiation, humidity.
• Oceanic relief, currents, tides, temperature and salinity.
• Agriculture, plants, livestock, energy and mineral resources, industries, population, races and tribes, migration, transport, communication, international boundaries, environment and world trade; geographical terminology.

Indian Geography:

• Geographical introduction, relief and structure, climate, drainage system.
• Vegetation, plants, livestock, soil, water resources, irrigation, electricity, agriculture, minerals, industries.
• Population and urbanisation, transport, communication, foreign trade.
• Scheduled castes and tribes, social conditions, migration and pollution.

Uttarakhand Geography:

• Geographical location, shape and structure, climate, water flow system.
• Vegetation, wildlife, minerals, agriculture, animal husbandry, irrigation.
• Major cities, tourism places, population, scheduled castes and tribes.
• Transport system, energy resources and industrial development, natural disasters.

Unit 3 — Indian Polity and Governance

National:

• Parliamentary system; coalition politics.
• Regionalism, casteism, communalism, terrorism and Naxalism.
• Welfare provisions for SC, ST, OBC and minorities.
• Gender politics: equality, reservation, rights and welfare.
• Electoral reforms; governance institutions and processes; national unity.
• India’s nuclear policy; environmental issues.
• Economic and financial reforms: LPG and their impact; planning system; banking sector — RBI, NABARD, IDBI.
• Institutional reforms: MNREGA, NRHM, JNNURM; Public-Private Partnership.
• Citizen participation in political and administrative processes; civil society; Lokpal and Lokayukta.

International:

• United Nations; international organisations.
• Global environmental issues.
• SAARC, ASEAN, SAPTA and other regional groups.
• India’s stand on disarmament, human rights and universalism.
• BRICS and its importance for India.

Indian Constitution:

• Constitutional development in India; Constituent Assembly; Preamble.
• Key features, important articles and principles.
• Fundamental rights and duties; DPSP.
• Constitutional amendment process and important amendments.
• Federal and parliamentary governance; Parliamentary committees — PAC, Estimates Committee, Joint Parliamentary Committee.
• Constitutional bodies: Election Commission and CAG.
• Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts.

Indian Polity:

• Federal executive: President, PM and Council of Ministers, Cabinet Secretariat.
• State executive: Governor, CM and Council of Ministers.
• Parliament and State Legislatures; electoral system and process.
• Political parties and pressure groups.
• Administrative reforms; district administration; reorganisation of states.
• Union territories administration.

Panchayati Raj:

• 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts.
• State Finance Commission; empowerment of local bodies.
• Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, Nagar Panchayat, Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad.

Public Policy:

• Good governance: Citizen Charter and e-Governance.
• Prevention of corruption; Lokpal and Lokayukta; RTI; Right to Education; Right to Service.

Rights-related Issues:

• Fundamental rights; Civil Rights Protection Act 1955.
• Protection of SC, ST, minorities, women and children.

Uttarakhand Governance:

• Governance system, Governor, Legislature, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers.
• Centre-state relations, public services, public service commission.
• High Court and its jurisdiction; minorities; SC and ST provisions.
• State language; consolidated fund and contingency fund.
• Political parties and elections; local governance and Panchayati Raj.
• Community development; good governance — Lokayukta, Citizen Charter, e-Governance, RTI, Samadhan Yojana.

Unit 4 — Economic and Social Development

National:

• Economic policy: liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation and their impact.
• FDI, inflation, inclusive growth, economic development vs environmental conservation.
• Poverty and unemployment eradication programmes; HDI.
• Census and key features of India’s population; urbanisation issues.
• Key features of Union Budget; key features of Indian economy.
• Natural and energy resources, trade, commerce, industry, plans and projects.
• Tax reforms and banking sector; planning development; National Development Council; national income.
• Indian agriculture: productivity, livestock, Green Revolution, food security, food prices, buffer stock, agricultural policy, seed insurance.
• Indian financial, currency, capital and securities market.
• Insurance sector, tax structure, public finance and fiscal policy.
• Concepts: Ponzi scheme, sweat equity, hawala, gilt-edged market, black money.
  

International:

• WTO, IBRD, IMF, World Bank, SAARC, ASEAN, SAPTA, BRICS, OPEC and other regional economic organisations.
• International flow of capital, human resources and technology.
• FERA, FEMA, PMLA; World Human Development Index; basic economic terminology.

Uttarakhand Economy:

• Economy and budget key features; natural and energy resources.
• Trade, commerce, industry, plans and projects; tax and financial reforms.
• Agriculture, livestock, food security; fiscal policy; population; HDI.
• Tourism; herbs and their contribution to economic development — Jadi-Buti sector.

Unit 5 — General Science, Technology and Environment

General Science and Technology:

• Questions in this unit are based on everyday observation and general scientific awareness — not advanced subject knowledge.
• Science and technology in India: history and contribution.
• Current affairs in science: national and international awards, discoveries, inventions, science congress, solar technology, health and medicine, environmental awareness, natural bio-resources.
• Scientific and research organisations: IUCN, WWF, IPCC, WHO, UNESCO.
• IT and daily life: computer applications, e-Governance.
• Physical science: computer organisation, Boolean algebra, logic gates, problem-solving techniques, computer languages, data communication, computer networks and security, internet and multimedia, cloud computing, cyber law basics.
• Matter and its states; acids, bases and salts; elements; hard and soft water; batteries; fuel cells; polymers, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, hormones, vitamins, medicines, cosmetics, food chemistry.
• Mechanics, wave motion, sound and electromagnetic waves, heat, light.
• Magnetism, electricity, atomic and nuclear physics, astronomy and space physics, X-rays and semiconductor technology.
• Life science: branches, natural resource management.
• Biodiversity, biotechnology, microtechnology, vaccines, genetically modified organisms, global warming and climate change, livestock, plants and human welfare.
• Scientific terminology.
• Uttarakhand’s natural resources and their contribution to national and international climate change.
  

Environment and Ecology:

• Ecology, community ecological system, structural work and adaptation.
• Vegetation classification; traditional farming; commercial agriculture and its commercialisation.
• Agricultural crop production and regional distribution at state, national and international level.
• Natural resources: soil, water, air, forest, grassland, wetland, marine; renewable and non-renewable energy resources planning and management.
• Biodiversity: risk, conservation, ethics and use.
• Environmental crisis: air, water, soil and space pollution; regulations and legislation; global warming.
• Global climate change: causes and effects.
• Remote sensing and GIS applications; weather forecasting.

Unit 6 — Current Affairs

This unit covers state, national and international events of significance. Topics include:

• Continents and nations; important events in space; wonders of the world; religions of the world.
• Indian states; famous books and authors; famous scientists; important awards.
• Indian defence system; health and family welfare; scientific and technical development; education.
• National symbols; India’s ranking in world; major human rights and welfare organisations.
• Important religious places; major passes; dances of India; cultural institutions; music; painting; Indian languages.
• World Heritage Sites; important newspapers; important dates; sports venues.
• Important sports and related terminology; conferences, exhibitions, festivals; important reports.

Current affairs covers both static GK and dynamic events. For this unit, reading a reliable monthly current affairs source focused on Uttarakhand alongside national news gives you the best coverage.

Paper II: CSAT Syllabus — Qualifying Paper

CSAT has 100 questions worth 1.5 marks each — totalling 150 marks. You need only 33% to qualify, which is 50 marks. Unit 1 alone carries 120 marks, so focusing your preparation there is enough to clear the cutoff comfortably without depending on Unit 2.

Unit 1: Aptitude & Reasoning (80 Questions, 120 Marks)

1. Aptitude Test: statements and conclusions, true and false statements, analogy, similarity and dissimilarity, mirror images.

2. Communication and Interpersonal Skills: word formation, coding and decoding, numerical operations.

3. Logical and Analytical Ability: statement-argument, statement-assumption, statement-course of action, statement-conclusion, drawing inferences, Venn diagrams, arithmetic number series, arithmetical reasoning, figurative classification, relation concepts.

4. Decision Making and Problem Solving: problem solving, decision making, scene memory, distinction, statement and cause.

5. General Mental Ability: direction test, social and emotional intelligence, critical thinking, puzzle test, alphabet test, data sufficiency, missing figure analysis.

6. Numerical Aptitude: numbers and their classification, divisibility test, prime numbers, division and remainder, remainder theorem, two-line number series, rules on natural numbers.

7. Statistical Analysis: presentation of data through charts, graphs and tables; data sufficiency.

Language Comprehension (20 Questions, 30 Marks)

8. English Language Comprehension (7 questions):

• Long passage followed by 3 comprehension questions testing understanding and grammar knowledge.
• 4 grammar questions covering vocabulary, antonyms, synonyms, one-word substitution, phrasal verbs, transformation of sentences.

9. Hindi Language Comprehension (13 questions):

• 6 questions from an unseen Hindi passage based on subject matter, language and grammar.
• 7 questions covering idioms and proverbs, figures of speech, word discrimination — tatsam, tadbhav, deshaj and foreign words — synonyms, antonyms, prefixes, suffixes, sandhi, samas and verb forms.

UKPSC Mains Syllabus:-

Once you are clear on what to study for Prelims, the logical next move is understanding the UKPSC Mains Syllabus — 8 papers, descriptive format, 1500 marks, and where your actual rank gets decided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. The question paper mentions 1/3 questions from Uttarakhand — does this mean exactly 50 questions or at least 50?

The official notification says “at least 1/3” — meaning a minimum of 50 questions will be from Uttarakhand context. In practice the number can be higher. This makes Uttarakhand-specific preparation non-negotiable, not optional.

Q2. If I clear Paper I cutoff but score below 33% in Paper II, does my Paper I score still count?

No. Both conditions must be met independently. Even if you score 140 out of 150 in Paper I, failing to score 50 marks in Paper II disqualifies you from the Mains shortlist entirely. There is no grace or carry-forward.

Q3. Are the Uttarakhand topics in Paper I asked as separate questions or mixed within general questions?

They are mixed throughout the paper — not in a separate section. A question on Uttarakhand geography appears alongside general geography questions. There is no separate Uttarakhand block in the question paper. The only guarantee is that at least 50 questions will have an Uttarakhand context.

Q4. CSAT Paper II has Unit 1 and Unit 2 — can I completely skip Unit 2 and still qualify?

Mathematically yes. Unit 1 carries 120 marks and you need only 50 marks to qualify. If you attempt Unit 1 topics seriously and score even 42% there, you cross the cutoff without answering a single question from Unit 2. Unit 2 — English and Hindi comprehension — is a safety buffer, not a requirement.

Q5. Is the syllabus the same for all posts under UKPSC Combined Upper Subordinate Services or does it vary by post?

The Prelims syllabus is identical for all posts under the Combined Upper Subordinate Services Examination. Post-preference differentiation only happens at the interview stage. Prelims and Mains syllabus is common across all posts in this notification.