1. UPPSC PCS Examination Architecture (Prelims & Mains)
The UPPSC Combined State Services Examination consists of a preliminary screening exam, eight descriptive written mains papers, and a 100-mark personality interview:
Paper 1 (150 Qs, 200 Marks) • Paper 2 CSAT (100 Qs, 33% Qualifying)
- General Studies (History, Geography, Polity, Science, Current Affairs)
- Uttar Pradesh Special Knowledge: 15 to 25 Direct Questions
- CSAT: Interpersonal skills, communication, Hindi & English comprehension
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd penalty for each wrong attempt.
8 Descriptive Papers (No Optional Papers)
- General Hindi: 150 Marks
- Essay Paper: 150 Marks (3 sections, 700 words each)
- GS Papers 1, 2, 3, 4: 200 Marks each (Traditional UPSC style)
- GS Paper 5 & 6: 200 Marks each (Exclusively Dedicated to UP Special GS)
2. Core UP Special GS Syllabus (Papers 5 & 6)
With the removal of optional subjects, UP Special GS represents 400 marks in Mains. Master these core dimensions curated on SF Prep:
1. History, Culture & Heritage of Uttar Pradesh
Ancient sites of Hastinapur, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Sarnath, and Kaushambi. Sultanate and Mughal monuments in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. Awadh Nawab architecture (Bara Imambara, Rumi Darwaza). 1857 Revolt centers: Meerut spark, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Begum Hazrat Mahal in Lucknow, Nana Sahib in Kanpur, and Maulvi Liaquat Ali in Allahabad.
2. Geography, Rivers & Drainage in UP
Northern Bhabhar and Terai marshy belts, Central fertile Gangetic plain, Southern Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand rocky plateaus. Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gomti, Betwa, Ken, Chambal, and Son river basins. Canal irrigation networks: Sharda Canal, Upper Ganga Canal, and Eastern Yamuna Canal.
3. Economic Development, Expressways & ODOP
One District One Product (ODOP) flagship initiative promoting local artisans (Moradabad brassware, Bhadohi carpets, Firozabad glass, Kannauj perfume). Defense Industrial Corridor (Nodal nodes: Aligarh, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Chitrakoot). Expressways: Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, and Ganga Expressways.
3. Daily UP Current Affairs & Quizzes on SF Prep
Stay updated with the latest cabinet decisions of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, budget allocations, state sports policies, and judicial pronouncements through SF Prep's automated daily feed.