UKPSC 2026 Exam Pattern & Complete Syllabus: Hindi & English Medium

This is the complete, official exam scheme and syllabus for the Uttarakhand Combined State Civil/Upper Subordinate Services Examination 2024-2026 — presented clearly for both Hindi and English medium aspirants.

Understanding the structure before you start preparing is non-negotiable. Most candidates waste their first 2-3 months studying the wrong things in the wrong proportions simply because they never sat down with the actual syllabus document.

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Exam Structure: Three Stages

The UKPSC Upper PCS exam has three sequential levels:

1. Preliminary Examination (Objective type) — Screening only
2. Main Examination (Written/Descriptive type) — Determines merit
3. Interview/Personality Test — Final selection

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Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (प्रारंभिक परीक्षा)

Key Rules:

• Negative marking: 1/4th deduction for wrong answers
• Merit list is based on Paper 1 (General Studies) only
• Paper 2 (CSAT) is qualifying — minimum 33% required for all categories
• Minimum 1/3rd questions in Paper 1 will be from Uttarakhand state context

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Stage 2: Main Examination (मुख्य परीक्षा)

Stage 3: Interview/Personality Test — 150 marks

Grand Total (Written + Interview) = 1650 marks

Critical Notes:

• All papers are compulsory
• Hindi paper: Minimum 35% marks mandatory (otherwise disqualified)
• GS-V and GS-VI together carry 400 marks — entirely Uttarakhand-specific
• Essay Section C is also Uttarakhand-specific (50 marks) — total state-specific weightage: 450+ marks

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Prelims Paper 1: Complete Syllabus

Unit 1: Indian History, Culture & National Movement (भारत का इतिहास, संस्कृति एवं राष्ट्रीय आन्दोलन)

प्राचीन भारत / Ancient India:

• Pre-Historic Period — Harappan Civilization, Vedic Civilization, Sangam Age
• Mahajanapadas and rise of Magadh
• Religious Movements — Jainism, Buddhism, Bhagavatism and Shaivism
• Persian and Greek contacts

मौर्य साम्राज्य / Mauryan Empire:

• Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka and his Dhamma
• Mauryan Administration, Economy, Society and Art; Kushanas

गुप्त साम्राज्य / Gupta Empire:

• Foundation, Consolidation and Decline
• Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Skandagupta
• Gupta Administration, Society, Economy, Literature and Art

उत्तर-गुप्त काल / Post-Gupta Period:

• Harshavardhan, Pal, Pratihara, Rashtrakuta, Chola, Pallava, Chandel, Paramar, Chauhan
• Social, Economic and Cultural Development (650-1200 AD)

भारत में इस्लाम का आगमन / Advent of Islam:

• Delhi Sultanate: Iltutmish, Balban, Alauddin Khalji, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Feroze Tughlaq
• Administration, decline causes, Indo-Islamic Architecture, Vijayanagar Empire, Sufism, Bhakti Movement

मुगल साम्राज्य / Mughal Empire:

• Babar, Shershah Suri, Akbar, Shahjahan, Aurangzeb and decline
• Mughal administration, Jagirdari & Mansabdari systems
• Society, Economy, Literature, Art & Architecture; Maratha, Sikh and Jat

ब्रिटिश काल / British Period:

• Advent of Europeans — Portuguese, Dutch, French
• British East India Company and rule (1758-1857)
• Economic impact of British rule
• Socio-religious Reform Movements (19th century)
• Viceroys of India (1858-1947)
• First War of Independence (1857)
• Administrative, Social and Judicial systems after 1858

राष्ट्रीय आन्दोलन / National Movement:

• Indian National Congress — Foundation, Moderates and Extremists
• Bengal Partition, Swadeshi Movement, Muslim League, Surat Session (1907)
• Home Rule Movement, Lucknow Pact (1916), Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh
• Khilafat, Non-Cooperation, Swaraj Party, Simon Commission
• Civil Disobedience, Round Table Conferences, Quit India Movement
• Cabinet Mission, INA, Indian Independence Act (1947), Partition

उत्तराखण्ड का इतिहास एवं संस्कृति / History & Culture of Uttarakhand:

• Prehistoric & Proto-historic periods
• Ancient tribes of Uttarakhand
• Kuninda and Yaudheya
• Kartikepur dynasty, Katyuri dynasty
• Parmar dynasty of Garhwal; Chand dynasty of Kumaon
• Gorkha invasion and rule
• British Rule; Tehri Estate
• Freedom Movement — 1857 and Uttarakhand's role
• People's Movements of Uttarakhand

Unit 2: Indian & World Geography (भारत एवं विश्व का भूगोल)

विश्व का भूगोल / World Geography:

• Earth & Solar System, Latitudes, Longitudes, Time zones
• Lithosphere: Mountains, Plateaus, Plains, Rocks
• Hydrosphere: Lakes, Ocean relief, Currents, Tides
• Atmosphere: Layers, Temperature, Humidity
• Agriculture, Industries, Population, Migration, Transport
• International boundary lines, Environment, World Trade

भारत का भूगोल / Geography of India:

• Physical features, Relief and Structure, Climate
• Drainage system, Vegetation, Soils, Water Resources
• Agriculture, Minerals, Industries
• Population & Urbanization, Transport, Foreign Trade
• Scheduled Castes/Tribes, Pollution

उत्तराखण्ड का भूगोल / Geography of Uttarakhand:

• Geographical location, Relief & Structure, Climate
• Drainage system, Vegetation, Wildlife, Minerals
• Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Irrigation
• Major Cities, Tourist Places, Population
• SC/ST, Transport Network, Power Resources
• Industrial development, Natural hazards

Unit 3: Indian Polity (भारतीय राजव्यवस्था)

राष्ट्रीय / National:

• Parliamentary system, Coalition Politics
• Regionalism, Casteism, Communalism, Terrorism, Naxalism
• Welfare: SC/ST/OBC & Minorities
• Gender Politics, Electoral reforms
• Governance: Institutions and Process
• National Integration, Nuclear Policy
• Economic & Financial reforms (LPG)
• Institutional reforms (MNREGA, NRHM, JNNURM, PPP)
• Citizen Participation, Civil Society
• Lokpal and Lokayukt

अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय / International:

• United Nations, International Organizations
• Environmental concerns at global level
• SAARC, ASEAN, SAFTA, BRICS

भारत का संविधान / Constitution of India:

• Constitutional Development, Constituent Assembly, Preamble
• Basic Features, Fundamental Rights & Duties, DPSPs
• Constitutional Amendments, Federal & Parliamentary system
• Parliamentary Committees, Constitutional Bodies
• Election Commission, CAG, Supreme Court, High Courts

भारतीय राजनीति / Indian Polity:

• Union Executive: President, PM, Council of Ministers
• State Executive: Governor, CM, Council of Ministers
• Parliament and State Legislatures
• Election Machinery, Political Parties, Pressure Groups
• Administrative reforms, District Administration

पंचायती राज / Panchayati Raj:

• 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments
• State Finance Commission
• Local bodies: Municipal Corporations, Gram Panchayat, Zila Parishad

उत्तराखण्ड की राज व्यवस्था / Political System of Uttarakhand:

• Governance, Governor, Legislature, CM
• Central-State Relations, Public Services, PSC
• High Court jurisdiction, Minorities, SC/ST provisions
• Local Government, Panchayati Raj, Community Development
• Public Policy, Good Governance, E-Governance, RTI

Unit 4: Economic & Social Development (आर्थिक एवं सामाजिक विकास)

राष्ट्रीय / National:

• Economic reforms: LPG, FDI, Inflation
• Poverty & Unemployment programmes, HDI
• Census, Population, Urbanization
• Union Budget, Economy features
• Natural & Energy resources, Trade, Industries
• Tax reform, Banking, Planned Development
• Indian Agriculture, Financial Markets
• Insurance, Tax structure, Public Finance

अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय / International:

• WTO, IBRD, IMF, World Bank
• SAARC, ASEAN, SAPTA, BRICS, OPEC
• FERA, FEMA, PMLA
• World Human Development Index

उत्तराखण्ड / Uttarakhand:

• Economy & Budget features, Natural resources
• Trade, Commerce, Industries, Schemes
• Tax/Economic reforms, Agriculture, Livestock
• Food security, Public Finance, Census, HDI
• Tourism, Role of herbs & culture in economic development

Unit 5: General Science & Technology (सामान्य विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी)

• Science & Technology in India: History and contributions
• Current affairs: Awards, Discoveries, Inventions, Science Congresses
• Solar technology, New technology for human welfare
• Organizations: IUCN, WWF, IPCC, WHO, UNESCO
• IT and computers in daily life, E-Governance
• Ecology & Environment: Habitat, Ecosystem, Biodiversity
• Natural Resources: Soil, Water, Air, Forests
• Environmental Crisis: Pollution, Global Warming, Climate Change
• Remote Sensing and GIS Applications
• Computer Science: Boolean Algebra, Logic Gates, Networks, Cyber Law
• Physics: Mechanics, Waves, Heat, Light, Magnetism, Electricity
• Chemistry: Matter, Acids/Bases, Polymers, Food Chemistry
• Life Science: Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Vaccines, GMOs
• Uttarakhand's natural resources and climate change contribution

Unit 6: Current Events (समसामयिक घटनायें)

• State, National and International important events
• Famous books/writers, Scientists, Awards
• Indian Defence system, Health & Family Welfare
• Education, National symbols, Sports
• World Heritage, Cultural Institutes
• Important Reports, Conferences, Festivals

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Prelims Paper 2 (CSAT): Syllabus

Unit 1 (80 questions, 120 marks):

1. Aptitude: Statements, Syllogism, Analogies, Similarities
2. Communication: Word building, Coding-Decoding, Numerical Operations
3. Logical & Analytical ability: Arguments, Assumptions, Venn Diagrams, Number Series
4. Decision-making: Problem solving, Visual memory, Assertion & Reason
5. General Mental Ability: Direction sense, Social/Emotional Intelligence, Critical thinking
6. Numerical Identification: Divisibility, Prime numbers, Remainder rules
7. Statistical Analysis: Charts, Graphs, Tables, Data sufficiency

Unit 2 (20 questions, 30 marks):

1. English Comprehension: Long passage + 3 questions; Grammar (Vocabulary, Antonyms, Synonyms, Phrases, Transformation)
2. Hindi Comprehension (हिन्दी बोधगम्यता): Unseen passage + 6 questions on content, language & grammar; 7 questions on idioms, figures of speech, word types (तत्सम, तद्भव, देशज, विदेशी), prefixes, suffixes, sandhi, samas

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Mains: Complete Syllabus (Paper-wise)

Paper 1: General Hindi (सामान्य हिन्दी) — 150 marks

Note: Based on High School level syllabus. Minimum 35% mandatory.

Paper 2: Essay (निबन्ध) — 150 marks

Three essays of 700-800 words each (50 marks per essay):

Section A:

1. Literature and Culture
2. Social sphere
3. Political sphere
4. Economic sphere: Agriculture, Industry and Trade

Section B:

1. Science, Environment and Technology
2. National and International Events
3. Natural Calamities: Landslide, Earthquake, Flood, Drought
4. National Development Programmes and Projects

Section C (Uttarakhand-specific):

1. Social structure of Uttarakhand
2. History & Culture, Art and Literature of Uttarakhand
3. Economic & Geographic scenario, Tourism and Migration
4. Environment & Disaster Management in Uttarakhand
5. Women Empowerment in Uttarakhand

Paper 3: GS-I (Indian Heritage & Culture, World History & Geography, Society) — 200 marks

• Indian culture: Art forms, Literature, Architecture (ancient to modern)
• Modern Indian History (mid-18th century to present)
• Freedom Struggle — various stages and contributors
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization
• World History: Industrial Revolution, World Wars, Colonization, Political philosophies
• Indian Society: Features, Diversity, Women's role, Population issues
• Urbanization, Poverty, Developmental issues
• Effects of Globalization on Indian society
• Social empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism, Secularism
• World Physical Geography features
• Distribution of natural resources (South Asia & India)
• Geophysical phenomena: Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Volcanic activity, Cyclones

Paper 4: GS-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations) — 200 marks

• Indian Constitution: Historical basis, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Basic Structure
• Union & State functions, Federal structure challenges
• Separation of powers, Dispute redressal mechanisms
• Parliament & State Legislatures: Structure, Functions, Powers, Privileges
• Executive & Judiciary: Structure, Organization, Functioning
• Representation of People's Act
• Constitutional Bodies, Statutory & Quasi-judicial bodies
• Government policies for development
• NGOs, SHGs, Donors, Charities roles
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections
• Health, Education, Human Resources
• Poverty and Hunger issues
• Governance, Transparency, Accountability, E-Governance
• Role of civil services in democracy
• India's neighborhood relations
• Bilateral, Regional, Global groupings
• Important International institutions

Paper 5: GS-III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security & Disaster Management) — 200 marks

• Indian Economy: Planning, Resources, Growth, Employment
• Inclusive growth, Government Budgeting
• Agriculture: Cropping patterns, Irrigation, Storage, Marketing, E-technology
• Farm subsidies, MSP, PDS, Buffer stocks, Food security
• Food processing industries, Land reforms
• Liberalization effects, Industrial policy changes
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Airports, Railways
• Science & Technology developments and applications
• Indian achievements in S&T, Indigenous technology
• IT, Space, Computers, Nano-technology, Bio-technology, IPR
• Conservation, Environmental pollution, EIA
• Disaster and Disaster Management
• Development & Extremism linkages
• Internal security challenges: Communication networks, Media, Cyber security
• Border area security, Organized crime & Terrorism
• Security forces and their mandates

Paper 6: GS-IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude) — 200 marks

• Ethics & Human Interface: Essence, Determinants, Consequences
• Human values from great leaders and reformers
• Role of family, society, educational institutions
• Attitude: Content, Structure, Function; Moral & Political attitudes
• Civil service values: Integrity, Impartiality, Objectivity, Empathy
• Emotional Intelligence in administration
• Contributions of Indian & World moral thinkers
• Public/Civil service values and Ethics
• Probity in Governance: RTI, Codes of Ethics, Citizen's Charters
• Case Studies

Paper 7: GS-V (Uttarakhand — Part 1) — 200 marks

उत्तराखण्ड का इतिहास / History:

• Prehistoric & Proto-historic periods
• Major archaeological sites
• Ancient tribes, Kunindas & Yaudheyas
• Katyuri dynasty, Parmar dynasty (Garhwal), Chand dynasty (Kumaon)
• Gorkha invasion and administration

ब्रिटिश शासन / British Rule:

• Administrative system, Land Revenue, Forest Management
• Economy, Education & Health
• Growth of Vernacular journalism
• Tehri Estate: Rule, Society, Economy, Religion & Culture
• National Movement, Freedom Fighters, Merger of Tehri

जन आन्दोलन / People's Movements:

• Coolie Begar, Dola-Palki, Chipko, Anti-Liquor movements
• Social reformers, Anti-princely Tehri movements
• Separate Uttarakhand State movement

समाज एवं संस्कृति / Society & Culture:

• Family, Marriage, Kinship, Caste system
• SC/ST/OBC, Rural power structure
• Urbanization, Industrialization
• Folk songs, Dance, Craft, Musical instruments
• Paintings, Costumes, Food habits
• Religious places, Temples, Fairs, Festivals, Dialects

राजनीतिक एवं स्थानीय स्वशासन / Political & Local Self-Governance:

• Political system, Party politics, Regional parties
• State government structure, Cabinet, Departments
• District & Tehsil administration, PSC, Lokayukt
• Local bodies, Panchayati Raj, State Finance/Election Commissions
• Public Policy, Good Governance, RTI, Women Empowerment, MNREGA

समसामयिक घटनायें / Current Events in Uttarakhand context

Paper 8: GS-VI (Uttarakhand — Part 2) — 200 marks

भूगोल / Geography:

• Location, Extent, Strategic Importance, Structure & Relief
• Climate, Drainage System, Natural Vegetation, Soil
• Glaciers, Lakes, Climate Change
• Resources: Forest, Water, Minerals, Land
• Agriculture, Irrigation, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Industry
• Transport: Road, Rail, Air
• Hydro-electric Projects, Water Scarcity
• Tourism: Problems & Prospects
• National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries
• Population: Growth, Density, Sex Ratio, Literacy, Migration
• Rural Settlements, Urbanization, Smart Cities
• Tribal habitat, Human Development Index

अर्थव्यवस्था / Economy:

• State economy features, Natural Resources
• State Domestic Product, Per Capita Income
• Income sources: Agriculture, Horticulture, Medicinal Plants, Forest, Tourism
• Industrial development: MSME, Cottage & Handicraft industries
• Infrastructure: Roads, Rail, Banking, Education, Health, Energy, SHGs
• Economic Planning: Annual Plans, Development Programmes
• Public Finance: Revenue, State Taxes, Budget
• Economic problems: Unemployment, Migration, Natural Disasters

कल्याणकारी कार्यक्रम / Welfare Programs:

• Youth, Child & Women welfare
• Poverty alleviation, MNREGA
• Food & Civil supply, Soldier welfare & rehabilitation

आपदा प्रबन्धन / Disaster Management:

• Nature, Types, Effects of natural disasters
• Denudation, Earthquake, Cloudburst, Forest Fire, Drought, Avalanche
• Ecological sensitive areas, NDRF & SDRF role
• Disaster Management Act 2005, NDMA
• Human-caused disasters, Uttarakhand Government efforts

मानव संसाधन एवं सामुदायिक विकास / Human Resource & Community Development:

• Employment: HRM, HRD indicators in Uttarakhand
• Unemployment: Nature & Types
• Government employment schemes
• Rural & Community development schemes

शिक्षा / Education:

• Role of education in HR development & social change
• Education system: Problems (universalization, professionalization)
• Education for women, deprived sections, minorities
• RTE, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan
• Higher, Technical & Professional education status

स्वास्थ्य / Health:

• Healthcare system in Uttarakhand
• National Rural Health Mission
• Health & Nutrition
• Food Security Act

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Interview/Personality Test — 150 marks

Tests general awareness, intelligence, character, expression ability, personality and general suitability for service.

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Strategy Note for Hindi Medium Students (हिन्दी माध्यम के छात्रों के लिए)

1. हिन्दी पेपर को हल्के में न लें — यह qualifying नहीं, scoring है। 35% minimum + rank-deciding marks यहीं से आते हैं
2. उत्तराखण्ड विशिष्ट — GS-V और GS-VI के लिए S.K. Pandey, Khadakwal, Himanshu Kapatia पढ़ें
3. निबंध — Section C (उत्तराखण्ड) को सबसे पहले तैयार करें — 50 marks guaranteed scoring area
4. Current Affairs — Winsar Publication + Ghatnachakra (दोनों Hindi में उपलब्ध)
5. NCERT Hindi medium में उपलब्ध हैं — Class 6-12 History, Geography, Polity सबसे पहले पढ़ें

Strategy Note for English Medium Students

1. Don't skip the Hindi paper — it's compulsory and scoring (35% minimum mandatory)
2. Uttarakhand-specific papers: Use Ajay Rawat (History), Khadakwal (Geography), Arihant's UK GK
3. Essay Section C: Prepare Uttarakhand topics specifically — tourism, migration, disaster management, women empowerment
4. Current Affairs: Winsar Publication (available in English) + Economic Survey of Uttarakhand
5. NCERTs in English (6-12) for History, Geography; Laxmikanth for Polity; Tamil Nadu 11th History as alternative

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Key Takeaway: Where the Marks Actually Are

The bottom line: Uttarakhand-specific preparation alone controls 450+ marks (27%+ of selection). Combined with Hindi (another 150), state-level preparation influences nearly 600/1650 marks — more than one-third of your final score.

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Have questions about specific papers or syllabus topics? Drop them on the UKPSC Decoded YouTube channel — future content is built directly from aspirant queries.