UKPSC PCS Guide
UKPSC PCS Syllabus and Exam Pattern
See how the Upper PCS and Lower PCS exams differ in posts, stages, syllabus and preparation, so you can choose the right path.
- Upper PCS
- Lower PCS
- Uttarakhand GK
- Prelims + Mains + Interview
At a Glance
UKPSC Upper PCS vs Lower PCS
The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) conducts these two examinations to recruit officers for the state administration.
| Basis | UKPSC Upper PCS | UKPSC Lower PCS |
|---|---|---|
| Cadre | Group A and Group B (Gazetted) | Group B and Group C (Subordinate) |
| Typical posts | SDM, DSP, Finance Officer, ARTO | Naib Tehsildar, Supply Inspector, Tax Officer |
| Exam stages | Prelims + Mains (7-8 papers) + Interview | Prelims + Mains (2 papers) + Interview |
| Syllabus depth | Extensive, analytical, subjective | Specific, fact-based, objective and subjective mix |
| Qualification | Graduation | Graduation |
| Age limit | 21 to 42 years | 21 to 42 years |
Posts, age limits, relaxations and paper details can change. Always confirm them in the latest official UKPSC notification before applying.
Exam Pattern
How Each Exam Is Conducted
Upper PCS Prelims
Two papers: General Studies and CSAT. This stage is a screening test.
Upper PCS Mains
Multiple descriptive papers, so regular answer writing is essential.
Upper PCS Interview
A personality test of your administrative temperament.
Lower PCS Prelims
A single paper of 150 questions covering General Studies and Mental Ability.
Lower PCS Mains
Usually two papers: General Studies and Essay or Drafting.
Lower PCS Interview
A personality test, generally carrying fewer marks than in Upper PCS.
Syllabus
What You Need to Study
Upper PCS
- General Studies I to IV: History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Ethics and International Relations
- Language and Essay: articulating your thoughts in Hindi and English
- Uttarakhand Special: state history, including the Katyuri, Chand and Pawar dynasties, and geography
Lower PCS
- General Awareness: History, Geography and Polity
- General Intelligence and Mental Ability, with higher weightage than in Upper PCS
- Current affairs, especially state-centric
- Drafting and basic Hindi for the Mains stage
Uttarakhand GK
Your State-Specific Checklist
Use this as a status tracker for the state section of your preparation.
| Section | Topics to master |
|---|---|
| History | Katyuri, Chand and Pawar dynasties, Gorkha rule |
| Geography | Rivers, glaciers and peaks of Uttarakhand |
| Polity | Formation of Uttarakhand, PRIs |
| Culture | Fairs, festivals and folk arts |
| Environment | National parks, Tehri Dam issues |
| Economy | Tourism spots, MSMEs |
| Current | Recent Uttarakhand news, awards |
Read the full Uttarakhand GK checklist for UKPCS.
Preparation
How to Prepare for Each Exam
Upper PCS: start with Mains
Begin with NCERTs, keep previous papers as your guide, and practise answer writing regularly.
Lower PCS: build speed
Focus on facts, mental ability and mock tests, and solve the last 10 years of question papers.
Both: know your state
Revise Uttarakhand GK and follow newspapers along with state-level news.
Not Sure Whether to Choose Upper or Lower PCS?
Talk to our team in Dehradun about the right path for you.
- UKPSC focused mentoring
- Answer writing practice with feedback
- Mock interview guidance