UPPSC Exam Guide: All you need to know

If you are wanting to join the state services of Uttar Pradesh, UPPSC exam is a major gateway to the same. UPPSC posts include that of the Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Block Development Officer, Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Tax), District Commandant Homeguards, Treasury Officer/Accounts Officer (Treasury), Cane Inspector and Assistant Sugar Commissioner etc. Following are some important details for the exam.

UPPSC 2020 Exam Date:

As per the UPPSC PCS 2020 notification, some of the important dates for UPPSC exam 2020 are:

UPPSC Eligibility 2020 Criteria:

The eligibility criteria for the UPPSC PCS exam are based on education and age. Following are more details regarding the same:

Educational Qualification:

Candidates applying for all posts, except the ones given in the list below, need to have a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent qualification.

Following are some specific post-wise educational qualification requirements.

Age:

To be eligible for UPPSC PCS 2020, candidates need to be at least 21 years old and not more than 40 years old as on July 1, 2020

However, age relaxation for the maximum age limit is available for certain category of applicants, as shown below:

UPPSC exam 2020 Vacancy:

As per UPPSC notification, the total vacancies this year are 200 in number.

Application Process for UPPSC Exam 2020:

Following are the steps to fill the form:

1. Visit official UPPSC website uppsc.up.nic.in
2. Go to the ‘Latest Advertisement’ tab in the left corner of the home page
3. Click on the ‘Apply’ tab in the UPPSC 2020 Advertisement table
4. Fill the required personal and educational details for registration
5. Pay the exam fees as per categories shown in the table below

6) Upload scanned copies of your photo and signature

7) Submit your application and take a printout for future reference

UPPSC 2020 Admit Card:

Following are the steps to download your UPPSC exam admit card:

1. Visit the official UPPSC website uppsc.up.nic.in
2. Click on the UPPSC Admit Card Link
3. Enter your registration number and date of birth
4. Check your details given on the UPPSC PCS Admit Card
5. Download the UPPSC admit card and print it out

UPPSC Salary Structure:

The salary of UPPSC PCS Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services is: 

1. For junior category: The pay scale is Rs. 9300-34800 with Rs. 4600 as grade pay
2. For senior category: The pay scale is Rs.15600-39100 with Rs. 5400 as grade pay.

UPPSC 2020 Selection Process:

The UPPSC exam’s selection process includes three stages. Candidates are required to pass all the three stages to qualify the exam. The three stages are:

1. Prelims Exam which consists of objective type MCQs. This is only a screening exam and does not count towards the final merit list.

2. Main Exam which consists of subjective-type written questions

3. Interview or personality test

As per recent rules, the number of candidates passing the prelims exam will be restricted to thirteen times the number of vacancies. And the number of candidates passing the UPPSC PCS main exam will be two times the number of vacancies.

UPPSC Exam Pattern:

UPPSC PCS Prelims exam pattern

The UPPSC prelims has two papers in the prelims exam, both of objective type questions. The time allotted for each paper is two hours. Paper II is strictly qualifying in nature and only requires a score of 33% marks or more. More details are provided in the table below:

UPPSC PCS Mains exam pattern:

The UPPSC main exam consists of 8 written exams, all totalling 1500 marks. The structure of the main exam is as follows

UPPSC PCS Interview

100 marks are allotted for the UPPSC interview. It is conducted by the UPPSC board chaired by a member of the commission, on the office premises of the UPPSC in Prayagraj. All academic and professional experience records are also verified on this day.

UPPSC 2020 Exam Syllabus:

Complete exam syllabus is available in the annexure below.

UPPSC Cut Off

Cut off for UPPSC prelims 2018 was as follows:

Annexure I

Prelims General Studies Syllabus: 

1. Current events of national and international importance
2. History of India & Indian National Movement
3. India and World Geography (only general understanding of world geography) - Physical, Social, Economic geography of India and the World.
4. Indian Polity and Governance : Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, Community Development, broad features of Economic policy in India and Indian Culture, etc.
5. Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
6. General Science
7. General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

Prelims General Aptitude Syllabus

1. Comprehension.
2. Interpersonal skills, including communication skills
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability
4. Decision making and problem-solving.
5. General mental ability
6. Elementary Mathematics up to Class X level- Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Statistics.
7. General English up to Class X level.
8. General Hindi up to Class X level.

UPPSC Main Exam Syllabus

Essay Paper Syllabus

Section A: (1) Literature and Culture. (2) Social sphere. (3) Political sphere.

Section B: (1) Science, Environment and Technology. (2) Economic Sphere (3) Agriculture, Industry and Trade.

Section C: (1) National and International Events. (2) Natural Calamities, Landslide, Earthquake, Deluge, Drought etc. (3) National Development programmes and projects.

General Studies Paper I Syllabus

 1- History of Indian Culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

2- Modern Indian history (from A.D.1757 to A.D. 1947): Significant events, personalities and issues, etc.

3- The Freedom Struggle- its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country. 

4- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country (till 1965A.D.). 

5- History of the world will include events from 18th century to the middle of the 20th century such

as French revolution of 1789, the industrial revolution, World Wars, redraw of national boundaries, Socialism, Nazism, Fascism etc-their forms and effect on the society.

6- Salient features of Indian Society and culture.

7- Role of Women in society and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

8- Meaning of liberalization, privatization and globalization and their effects on the economy, polity and social structure.

9- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

10- Distribution of major natural resources of World- Water, Soils, Forests in reference to South and South-East Asia with special reference to India. Factors responsible for the location of industries (with special reference to India).

11- Salient features of Physical Geography- Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone, Ocean Currents, winds and glaciers.

12- Oceanic resources of India and their potential.

13- Human migration-refugee problem of the World with a focus on India.

14- Frontiers and boundaries with reference to Indian sub-continent.

15- Population and Settlements- Types and Patterns, Urbanization, Smart Cities and Smart Villages.

16- Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh – History, Culture, Art, Architecture, Festival, Folk-Dance, Literature, Regional Languages, Heritage, Social Customs and Tourism.

17- Specific knowledge of U.P.- Geography- Human and Natural Resources, Climate, Soils, Forest, Wild-Life, Mines and Minerals, Sources of Irrigation.

General Studies II Syllabus

1- Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure, Role of Supreme Court in the evolution of basic provisions of Constitution.

2- 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.

3- Role of Finance Commission in Centre-State financial relations. 

4- Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. Emergence and use of alternative dispute redressal mechanisms.

5- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other major democratic countries.

6- Parliament and State legislatures- structure, functioning, the conduct of business, powers and privileges and concerned issues.

7- 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. Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

8- Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.

9- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, Powers, functions and their responsibilities.

10- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies including NITI Aayog, their features and functioning.

11- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design, implementation and Information Communication Technology (ICT).

12- Development processes- the role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

13- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes, mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

14- Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

15- Issues relating to poverty and hunger, their implication on the body politic.

16- Important aspects of governance. Transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential, citizens, charters and institutional measures.

17- Role of Civil Services in a democracy in the context of emerging trends.

18- India and its relationship with neighbouring countries.

19- Bilateral, Regional and Global groupings and agreements involving India and/ or affecting India's interest.

20- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests- Indian diaspora.

21- Important International Institutions, Agencies their structure, mandate and functioning.

22- Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh regarding Political, Administrative, Revenue and Judicial System.

23- Current affairs and events of Regional, State, National and International importance.

General Studies III Syllabus

1- Economic planning in India, objectives and achievements. Role of NITI Aayog, Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's).

2- Issues of Poverty, Unemployment, Social justice and inclusive growth.

3- Components of Government Budgets and Financial System.

4- Major Crops, Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems, storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce, e-technology in the aid of farmers.

5- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices, Public Distribution System (PDS)- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping, issues of buffer stocks and food security, Technology missions in agriculture.

6- Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

7- Land reforms in India since independence.

8- Effects of liberalization and globalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

9- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

10- Science and Technology-developments and applications in everyday life and in National Security, India's Science and Technology Policy.

11- Achievements of Indians in science & technology, indigenization of technology. Developments of New technologies, transfer of technology, dual and critical use technologies.

12- Awareness in the fields of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Space Technology, Computers, Energy resources, nanotechnology, microbiology, biotechnology. Issues relating to intellectual property rights (IPR), and digital rights.

13- Environmental security and Ecosystems, Conservation of Wildlife, Biodiversity, Environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

14- Disaster as a Non-traditional security and safety challenge, disaster mitigation and management.

15- Challenges of International Security: Issues of Nuclear proliferation, Causes and spread of extremism, Communication networks, the role of media and social networking, Basics of cybersecurity, money laundering and human trafficking. 

16- India's internal security challenges: Terrorism, corruption, insurgency and organised crimes.

17- Role, kind and mandate of security forces, higher defence organizations in India 

18- Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh Economy:-

1. Overview of UP Economy: State Budgets. Importance of Agriculture, Industry,
2. Infrastructure and physical resources. Human Resources and Skill development.
3. Government Programmes and Welfare Schemes.

19- Issues in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry.

20- Law and Order and Civil Defence with special reference to U.P.

General Studies IV Syllabus:

1. Ethics and Human Interface
2. Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human action, dimensions of ethics, ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values-lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators, the role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
3. Content, structure, function, its influence and relation with thought and behaviour, moral and political attitudes, social influence and persuasion.
4. Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public services, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
5. Emotional Intelligence - concept and dimensions, its utility and application in administration and governance.
6. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
7. Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration
8. 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 moral values in governance, ethical issues in international relations and funding, corporate governance.
9. Probity in Governance
10. Concept of public service, the philosophical basis of governance and probity, information sharing and transparency in government. Right to Information, codes of ethics, codes of conduct, citizen's charter, work culture, quality of service delivery, utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
11. Case studies on the above issues.

Hope this UPPSC Exam Guide was helpful. Best of Luck!