UKPSC PCS 2026: Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus Before Starting Preparation
The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) has released the notification for the Combined State Civil/Upper Subordinate Services Examination 2026. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for 29 November 2026, as per the Commission's examination calendar.
With the examination approaching, understanding the official syllabus is essential for effective preparation.
The UKPSC PCS syllabus covers a wide range of subjects. Without understanding the prescribed topics, candidates may spend valuable time studying material that is not directly relevant to the examination.
A clear understanding of the syllabus helps aspirants identify important subjects, organise their study schedules, manage revision effectively and prepare according to the examination requirements.
This article provides the UKPSC PCS 2026 Prelims and Mains examination patterns, along with the detailed syllabus of both Preliminary Examination papers in English and Hindi.
UKPSC PCS 2026 Prelims Exam Pattern
The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 150 | 150 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | General Aptitude Test | 100 | 150 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 250 | 300 | 4 Hours |
Important Points
- Paper I carries 1 mark per question, while Paper II carries 1.5 marks per question.
- Negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question applies to incorrect answers and multiple marked answers.
- The Preliminary Examination merit list is prepared using General Studies Paper I marks.
- General Aptitude Test Paper II is qualifying in nature.
- A minimum of 33% marks in Paper II is compulsory for every category.
- At least one-third of the questions in General Studies Paper I will relate to Uttarakhand.
UKPSC PCS Prelims Syllabus 2026 in English
Paper I: General Studies
Total Questions: 150 | Maximum Marks: 150 | Duration: 2 Hours
Unit 1: Indian History, Culture and National Movement
Important Topics: Prehistoric period, Harappan Civilisation, Vedic Civilisation, Sangam Age, Mahajanapadas, rise of Magadha, Jainism, Buddhism, Bhagavatism, Shaivism, Persian and Greek contacts, Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka and Dhamma, Kushanas, Gupta Empire, post-Gupta period, Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire, Sufism, Bhakti Movement, Mughal Empire, Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, advent of European powers, British administration, economic impact of British rule, socio-religious reform movements, Viceroys of India, Revolt of 1857, tribal and peasant movements, Indian National Congress, Swadeshi Movement, Home Rule Movement, Gandhian movements, constitutional developments, Indian National Army, Quit India Movement, Cabinet Mission, Mountbatten Plan, Indian Independence Act 1947, Partition of India.
History and Culture of Uttarakhand: Prehistoric and protohistoric periods, ancient tribes of Uttarakhand, Kuninda and Yaudheya, Kartikeyapura dynasty, Katyuri dynasty, Parmar dynasty of Garhwal, Chand dynasty of Kumaon, Gorkha invasion and rule, British rule, Tehri Estate, Freedom Movement in Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand's role in the Indian National Movement, people's movements of Uttarakhand.
Unit 2: Indian and World Geography
World Geography: Branches of geography, Earth and Solar System, lithosphere, latitude, longitude, time, rotation, revolution, eclipses, continents, mountains, plateaus, plains, hydrosphere, lakes, rocks, atmospheric layers, solar insolation, humidity, oceanic relief, currents, tides, temperature, salinity, agriculture, plants, insects, livestock breeding, power and mineral resources, industries, population, migration, transport, communication, international boundaries, environment, world trade.
Geography of India: Geographical introduction, relief and structure, climate, drainage system, vegetation, plants, insects, livestock breeding, irrigation, power, soils, water resources, agriculture, minerals, industries, population, urbanisation, transport, communication, foreign trade, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, social ecology, domicile, pollution.
Geography of Uttarakhand: Geographical location, relief and structure, climate, drainage system, vegetation, wildlife, minerals, agriculture, animal husbandry, irrigation, major cities, tourist places, population, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, transport network, power resources, industrial development, natural hazards.
Unit 3: Indian Polity
Important Topics: Parliamentary system, coalition politics, regionalism, casteism, communalism, terrorism, Naxalism, welfare of SC/ST/OBC and minorities, gender politics, electoral reforms, governance, national integration, nuclear policy, environmental concerns, economic and financial reforms, public-private partnership, citizen participation, civil society, Lokpal, Lokayukta, United Nations, international organisations, SAARC, ASEAN, SAFTA, BRICS, Indian Constitution, Constituent Assembly, Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy, constitutional amendments, federal and parliamentary systems, Parliamentary Committees, Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, Judiciary, Union and State Executives, Parliament, State Legislatures, political parties, administrative reforms, district administration, Panchayati Raj, local governance, Right to Information, Right to Education, Right to Services, public policy.
Political System of Uttarakhand: Governance, Governor, Legislature, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, Centre-State relations, public services, Public Service Commission, auditing, Advocate General, High Court, provisions for minorities and Scheduled Castes and Tribes, official language, Consolidated Fund, Contingency Fund, political parties, elections, local government, Panchayati Raj, community development, public policy, education, employment, e-governance, Right to Information.
Unit 4: Economic and Social Development
Important Topics: Economic policy, economic reforms, liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation, Foreign Direct Investment, inflation, inclusive growth, economic development and environmental conservation, poverty, unemployment, Human Development Index, census, population, urbanisation, Union Budget, Indian economy, natural and energy resources, trade, commerce, industries, schemes and projects, tax reforms, banking, planned development, National Development Council, national income, Indian agriculture, agricultural productivity, livestock, Green Revolution, food security, foodgrain prices, buffer stocks, agricultural policy, crop insurance, financial markets, insurance sector, public finance, fiscal policy, WTO, IBRD, IMF, World Bank, SAARC, ASEAN, SAPTA, BRICS, OPEC, foreign exchange regulations, FEMA, PMLA.
Economy of Uttarakhand: State economy and budget, natural and energy resources, trade, commerce, industries, schemes and projects, tax and economic reforms, planned development, agriculture, livestock, food security, public finance, fiscal policy, census, Human Development Index, tourism, herbs and culture in economic development.
Unit 5: General Science and Technology
Important Topics: General Science, everyday scientific applications, science and technology in India, scientific awards and discoveries, inventions, solar technology, health and medicines, environmental awareness, IUCN, WWF, IPCC, WHO, UNESCO, information technology, computers, e-governance, ecology, ecosystems, plants and their classification, traditional and commercial agriculture, agricultural diversity, natural resources, renewable and non-renewable energy, biodiversity, environmental pollution, global warming, climate change, remote sensing, GIS, weather forecasting, spreadsheets, databases, computer organisation, Boolean algebra, logic gates, computer languages, data communication, computer networks, cybersecurity, cloud computing, cyber law, matter and its states, acids, bases, salts, elements, polymers, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, hormones, vitamins, mechanics, waves, heat, light, magnetism, electricity, atomic and nuclear physics, astronomy, life sciences, biotechnology, nanotechnology, vaccines, immunisation, genetically modified organisms, natural resources of Uttarakhand.
Unit 6: Current Events of State, National and International Importance
Important Topics: National and international events, Uttarakhand current affairs, continents and nations, space-related events, wonders of the world, religions, Indian states, famous books and writers, scientists, awards, defence system, health and family welfare, scientific and technological developments, education, national symbols, protocol in India, human rights and welfare organisations, religious places, important passes, dances, cultural institutions, music, drawing, Indian languages, World Heritage, newspapers, important dates, sports, conventions, exhibitions, festivals, conferences, reports.
Paper II: General Aptitude Test
Total Questions: 100 | Maximum Marks: 150 | Duration: 2 Hours
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Aptitude, Reasoning, Mental Ability and Numerical Skills | 80 | 120 |
| Unit 2: English Language | 7 | 10.5 |
| Unit 2: Hindi Language | 13 | 19.5 |
| Total | 100 | 150 |
Unit 1: Aptitude and Mental Ability
1. Aptitude: Syllogism, analogies, similarities and differences, observation, mirror images.
2. Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Word building, coding-decoding, numerical operations.
3. Logical and Analytical Ability: Statements and arguments, statements and assumptions, statements and courses of action, statements and conclusions, conclusions from passages, theme detection, Venn diagrams, arithmetic number series, arithmetical reasoning, figural classification, relationship concepts.
4. Decision-Making and Problem-Solving: Problem-solving, decision-making, visual memory, discrimination, assertion and reason.
5. General Mental Ability: Direction sense, social intelligence, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, puzzles, alphabet tests, data sufficiency, inserting the missing character.
6. Numerical Identification: Numbers and their classification, divisibility tests, prime numbers, division and remainders, remainder rules, two-line number series, sum rules on natural numbers.
7. Statistical Analysis: Data presentation through charts, graphs and tables, data sufficiency.
Unit 2: English and Hindi Language
8. English Language (7 Questions): Reading comprehension, vocabulary, antonyms, synonyms, one-word substitution, phrases and phrasal verbs, transformation of sentences.
9. Hindi Language (13 Questions): अपठित गद्यांश, गद्यांश का कथ्य, शीर्षक, उद्देश्य, भाषा एवं व्याकरण, लोकोक्तियाँ, मुहावरे, अलंकार, तत्सम, तद्भव, देशज एवं विदेशी शब्द, पर्यायवाची, विलोम, शब्दार्थ, उपसर्ग, प्रत्यय, संधि, समास,
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