UKPSC Upper PCS — Uttarakhand Combined State Civil/Upper Subordinate Services Examination
Last Updated: 30 April, 2026 | Source: Official UKPSC Notification | psc.uk.gov.in
What is the UKPSC Upper PCS Exam
The Uttarakhand Combined State Civil and Upper Subordinate Services Examination, commonly known as UKPSC Upper PCS, is one of the most prestigious state government examinations in Uttarakhand. It is conducted by the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC), the constitutional body responsible for recruiting candidates to Group A and Group B gazetted posts across various state government departments.
Clearing this examination places candidates in positions of genuine administrative authority — posts like Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Finance Officer, and State Tax Officer, all of which involve direct governance responsibilities at the district and state level. For candidates from Uttarakhand who aspire to a career in civil services without sitting for the national-level UPSC examination, Upper PCS is the primary gateway.
The examination is not conducted every year on a fixed schedule. UKPSC announces a new cycle based on vacancies arising in government departments, which means the gap between two successive cycles can range from one to three years. Candidates who are serious about this exam must prepare for a longer runway compared to examinations with annual notification cycles.
Table of Contents
Quick Overview
| Details | Inforamtion |
| Conducting Body | Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) |
| Exam Name | Uttarakhand Combined State Civil/Upper Subordinate Services Examination 2025 |
| Post Category | Group A and Group B (Gazetted) |
| Selection Stages | Preliminary Examination → Main Examination → Interview |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Total Marks | 1650 (Mains 1500 + Interview 150) |
| Official Website | psc.uk.gov.in |
Latest Updates
- 09 April 2026 — Mains Admit Card Is released on 11 April 2026
- 2025 Mains Exam scheduled — 27 to 30 April 2026 at Haridwar and Haldwani
- 2024 Mains Result declared — 01 December 2025, 608 candidates qualified
- 2024 cycle Interview scheduled — 16 March to 21 April 2026, 604 candidates called
2024 and 2025 Exam Cycle — Current Status
Two exam cycles are currently in progress. Candidates should identify which cycle they belong to and follow the updates for that cycle specifically.
UKPSC Upper PCS 2025 Cycle The 2025 cycle notification was released in May 2025 for 123 vacancies. The Preliminary Examination was conducted on 29 June 2025. The Main Examination is scheduled from 27 to 30 April 2026 at centres in Haldwani and Haridwar. The Mains Admit Card was released on 11 April 2026. The interview stage is yet to be announced. For all 2025 cycle mains updates, visit the UKPSC Mains Exam Date page.
UKPSC Upper PCS 2024 Cycle he 2024 cycle was notified in March 2024 for 189 vacancies across 13 posts. The Preliminary Examination was held on 14 July 2024 and the Prelims Result was declared on 28 August 2024. The Main Examination was conducted from 2 to 5 February 2025 and the Mains Result was officially declared on 01 December 2025, with 608 candidates qualifying. Following document verification conducted between 5 and 12 January 2026, a total of 604 candidates have been called for the Interview, which is scheduled from 16 March 2026 to 21 April 2026 at UKPSC Haridwar. The final merit list for this cycle is expected after the interview process concludes. For all 2024 cycle updates, check the UKPSC Upper PCS Result page.
Important Dates
This table reflects both currently active exam cycles. All dates are updated as soon as UKPSC releases a new notice. For the complete mains schedule including paper-wise timing and exam centre details, For the prelims schedule and related information, visit the UKPSC Prelims Exam Date page.
| Event | 2025 Cycle | 2024 Cycle |
| Notification Release | 07 May 2025 | March 2024 |
| Prelims Exam Date | 29 June 2025 | 14 July 2024 |
| Prelims Result | 08 October 2025 | 28 August 2024 |
| Mains Exam Date | 27–30 April 2026 | 02–05 Feb 2025 |
| Mains Admit Card | 11 April 2026 | October 31, 2024 |
| Mains Result | To Be Announced | 01 December 2025 |
| Interview | To Be Announced | 16 March 2026 to 21 April 2026 |
Total Vacancies — 2024 and 2025 Cycle
UKPSC Upper PCS covers approximately 20 to 25 different posts under Group A and Group B categories across various Uttarakhand government departments. The total number of vacancies per cycle varies considerably based on departmental requirements at the time of notification. The 2024 cycle was announced for 189 vacancies while the 2025 cycle was announced for 123 vacancies, which gives a realistic picture of the variation candidates can expect between cycles.
| Category | 2025 Vacancies | 2024 Vacancies |
| General | 80 | 105 |
| SC | 16 | 35 |
| OBC | 15 | 06 |
| EWS | 09 | 28 |
| ST | 03 | 15 |
| Total | 123 | 189 |
The official vacancy notification including post-wise distribution is published on the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission’s official website at psc.uk.gov.in. For complete post-wise job responsibilities and career progression details, visit the UKPSC Upper PCS Job Profile page.
Who Can Apply — Age, Qualification and Domicile
Age Limit
Candidates must be between 21 and 42 years of age. Age relaxation is provided to reserved category candidates as per Uttarakhand Government norms. The cut-off date for age calculation is announced in each cycle’s official notification.
| Criteria | Details |
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 42 Years |
| Age Relaxation | As per Uttarakhand Government reservation norms |
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a university recognised by law in India. Certain posts carry additional or specific qualification requirements. Candidates are advised to read the official notification carefully to verify post-wise eligibility before applying.
Nationality
The candidate must be an Indian citizen. Reservation benefits under state quota categories are applicable only for candidates with valid Uttarakhand domicile.
The selection is completed through three stages. Candidates must qualify each stage to proceed to the next. The final merit list is based only on the Mains and Interview marks combined — Prelims marks are not counted.
| Stage | Type | Marks |
| Preliminary Examination | Objective | Qualifying Only |
| Main Examination | Written Descriptive | 1500 |
| Interview / Personality Test | Personal Interview | 150 |
| Grand Total | 1650 |
How Candidates are Selected — Three Stage Process
The UKPSC Upper PCS selection is completed through three stages
Stage 1 — Preliminary Examination (Objective)
The Preliminary Examination is a screening test consisting of two objective papers. It is qualifying in nature — marks scored here do not contribute to the final merit. Only Paper 1 (General Studies) forms the basis for shortlisting candidates for the Mains stage. Paper 2 (CSAT/General Mental Ability) is qualifying with a minimum of 33 percent marks required.
For complete paper-wise pattern, marks distribution, negative marking rules and preparation approach, visit the UKPSC Prelims hub page.
Stage 2 — Main Examination (Written)
Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination appear for the Main Examination. It consists of 8 written descriptive papers carrying a combined total of 1500 marks. This is the most important stage of the selection process as it forms the primary basis of the final merit list.
For complete paper-wise syllabus, exam pattern, strategy and all mains-related updates, visit the UKPSC Mains hub page.
Stage 3 — Interview
Candidates who clear the Main Examination are called for the Interview which carries 150 marks. The panel assesses general awareness, communication, decision-making approach, and suitability for civil service roles. The final merit list is prepared on the combined marks of Mains and Interview.For the 2024 cycle, 604 candidates have been called for interview scheduled from 16 March to 21 April 2026 at UKPSC Haridwar
Pay Scale and What You Earn After Selection
Candidates selected through UKPSC Upper PCS are placed at Level 7 or Level 10 of the Uttarakhand Pay Matrix depending on the post, with basic pay ranging from ₹44,900 to ₹56,100 per month. In addition to basic pay, selected candidates receive standard government allowances including Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and other applicable perquisites as per state government rules.
For the complete post-wise salary structure, pay scale details, and career progression information, visit the UKPSC Upper PCS Job Profile and Salary page.
How to Prepare for UKPSC PCS — Time, Strategy and Approach
UKPSC Upper PCS is a multi-stage examination where each stage demands a genuinely different preparation approach. The single most common mistake aspirants make is treating it as one continuous preparation block rather than as two distinct phases with different goals.
The first phase should be entirely focused on building the breadth required for Prelims. The General Studies Paper I syllabus is wide, covering history, geography, polity, economy, science, environment, and current affairs, with a strong emphasis on Uttarakhand-specific content running through all topics. Because Prelims marks do not count toward the final merit, the only objective here is to cross the cutoff score efficiently — not to maximise marks. Candidates who over-prepare for Prelims at the cost of Mains preparation time consistently underperform in the final merit list.
Once Prelims is cleared, the entire preparation approach must shift. Mains is a written descriptive examination testing depth of understanding, analytical thinking, and clarity of expression across 8 papers. Answer writing practice becomes non-negotiable at this stage, not optional. Candidates who rely only on reading without regular answer writing practice consistently underperform in Mains regardless of how much they have studied.
One aspect of preparation that separates serious UKPSC Upper PCS aspirants from those who treat it as a secondary exam is the Uttarakhand-specific content. Two out of eight Mains papers — General Studies V and General Studies VI — are dedicated entirely to Uttarakhand’s history, society, culture, geography, and economy. These papers are frequently underestimated by candidates who focus only on the national-level GS content. Strong performance in these two papers can significantly improve the final rank.
Frequently Asked Questions — UKPSC Mains 2025
Q1: What is UKPSC Mains exam?
UKPSC Upper PCS is the Uttarakhand Combined State Civil and Upper Subordinate Services Examination conducted by the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission. It is used for recruitment to Group A and Group B gazetted posts in various Uttarakhand government departments.
Q2: Which posts are filled through UKPSC Upper PCS?
The examination fills posts including Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Finance Officer, Assistant Commissioner State Tax, Sub Registrar, State Tax Officer, and approximately 20 to 25 other Group A and B posts across state departments. Visit the Job Profile page for the complete post-wise list.
Q3: How many stages are there in UKPSC Upper PCS?
There are three stages — Preliminary Examination (objective, qualifying), Main Examination (written descriptive, 1500 marks), and Interview (150 marks). The final merit list is based on Mains and Interview combined.
Q4: What is the educational qualification required?
Bachelor’s Degree from a university recognised by law in India is the minimum qualification. Certain posts have additional specific requirements as detailed in the official notification.
Q5: What is the selection process for UKPSC Upper PCS?
The selection is done through three stages — Preliminary Examination (Objective), Main Examination (Written Descriptive) and Interview. The final merit is based on Mains and Interview marks combined — total 1650 marks.
Q6: What is the age limit for UKPSC Upper PCS?
The general age limit is 21 to 42 years. Age relaxation is applicable for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and other categories as per Uttarakhand Government norms. The exact cut-off date for age calculation is specified in each cycle’s notification.
Q7: Does UKPSC Upper PCS happen every year?
No. UKPSC Upper PCS is not conducted on a fixed annual schedule. The commission announces a new cycle based on vacancy requirements from various government departments. The gap between successive cycles has historically ranged from one to three years.
Q8:How is Uttarakhand-specific content important in UKPSC Upper PCS?
Two full papers in the Mains examination — GS Paper V and GS Paper VI — are dedicated to Uttarakhand’s history, geography, society, economy, and governance. These two papers together carry 400 marks out of the total 1500, making Uttarakhand-specific knowledge a significant factor in the final merit.