UPPSC PCS 2026 Exam Date Out; Check Exam Timings, Center & Pattern

UPPSC PCS 2026 Important Dates

UPPSC PCS 2026 notification was released on June 25, 2026. Candidates can check the application schedule and upcoming examination dates below.

Note: UPPSC Commission will announce the Mains exam schedule and subsequent selection-stage dates separately. 

UPPSC PCS 2026 Number of Applicants

For UPPSC PCS 2026 around 8.90 lakh candidates have applied for approximately 500 vacancies. This makes UPPSC PCS 2026 the highest-applied PCS recruitment so far. The number of applications has increased by around 2 lakh compared to 2021, when 6,91,173 applications were received.

UPPSC PCS 2026 Applicants vs Vacancies

UPPSC 2026 Eligibility Criteria

UPPSC 2026 Application Process

UPPSC PCS 2026 applications were accepted online through the official UPPSC website. The application process started on June 25, 2026, and the last date to apply was August 3, 2026. The application correction window closed on August 10, 2026. The steps below explain the application process followed by candidates.

1. Stage One - Authentication via O.T.R.:

   • Click Apply, then Authenticate with O.T.R.
   • If already registered, select 'Yes', enter the O.T.R. number, and complete authentication using the OTP sent to the registered mobile number or email.
   • If not registered, visit the O.T.R. portal, complete registration, and return to the application page.

2. Stage Two - Fill in Personal Details:

   • Check the details displayed after authentication and enter the required qualification details.
   • Select the relevant PCS Examination-2026 or ACF/RFO Examination-2026 option based on eligibility.

3. Stage Three - Fee Payment:

   • Select an available payment method, such as net banking or card payment.
   • Save or print the Payment Transaction Slip after successful payment.

4. Stage Four - Final Submission and Print:

   • After payment is confirmed, save or print the completed application form for future reference.

5. Application Modification:

   • The application correction window closed on August 10, 2026. Candidates should check the official UPPSC website for any further notice about corrections.

UPPSC Application Fee

UPPSC Admit Card 2026

Steps To download UPPSC 2026 Admit Card

1. Visit the official UPPSC website at uppsc.up.nic.in.
2. Click on the UPPSC PCS Admit Card link when it is available.
3. Enter the registration number, date of birth, and captcha code.
4. Check the details on the UPPSC PCS Admit Card 2026.
5. Download and print the admit card.

Candidates can contact the helpline if they find a discrepancy in the details.

UPPSC Helpdesk

Email: online.uppsc@nic.in

Phone: 0532-2407547 and 91-8765973668 (Prayagraj), and 91-8765973766 (Lucknow)

UPPSC 2026 Exam Pattern

UPPSC PCS 2026 Exam Pattern is different for Prelims and Mains. Prelims has objective multiple-choice questions, while Mains has descriptive questions. The details of both stages are given below.

UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern

• The Preliminary exam consists of two question papers.
• Paper I is considered for merit, while Paper II is qualifying with a required score of 33%.
• There is negative marking of one-third of the assigned marks for every wrong answer.
• The duration of each paper is 2 hours.

UPPSC Mains Exam Pattern

UPPSC Mains Exam Pattern has eight papers. Optional papers have been removed, and the Mains exam includes additional General Studies papers.

UPPSC 2026 Prelims and Mains Syllabus (Revised)

UPPSC PCS 2026 tests candidates on their knowledge and skills in Prelims, while Mains checks their in-depth understanding of different subjects. Prelims has two papers, and Mains has eight papers. The syllabus includes the following topics.

UPPSC Prelims Syllabus for Paper I: General Studies I

• Current events of national and international importance
• Indian History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern
• Indian and World Geography
• Social and Economic Development
• General Science
• Environmental Ecology, Climate Change, and Biodiversity

UPPSC Prelims Syllabus for Paper II: General Studies II

• Interpersonal skills, including communication skills
• Comprehension
• Analytical ability and logical reasoning
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• General mental ability
• General English at Class X level
• General Hindi at Class X level
• Elementary Mathematics at Class X level, including Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, and Statistics

Hindi Syllabus for UPPSC Mains 2026

सामान्य हिन्दी

• दिये हुए गद्य खण्ड का अवबोध एवं प्रश्नोत्तर।
• संक्षेपण।
• सरकारी एवं अर्धसरकारी पत्र लेखन, तार लेखन, कार्यालय आदेश, अधिसूचना, परिपत्र।
• शब्द ज्ञान एवं प्रयोग, उपसर्ग एवं प्रत्यय प्रयोग, विलोम शब्द, वाक्यांश के लिए एक शब्द, वर्तनी एवं वाक्य शुद्धि।
• लोकोक्ति एवं मुहावरे।

Essay Syllabus for UPPSC Mains 2026

UPPSC Mains Essay Paper has three sections. Candidates need to select one topic from each section. Each essay should follow the word limit given in the exam instructions.

• Section A: Literature and Culture, Political Sphere, and Social Sphere
• Section B: Science, Environment and Technology, Economic Sphere, Agriculture, Industry, and Trade
• Section C: National and International Events, Natural Calamities, and National Development Programmes and Projects

General Studies I Syllabus for UPPSC Mains 2026

• History of Indian culture, art forms, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern times.
• The Freedom Struggle and its important contributors.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganisation within the country.
• Modern Indian history from 1757 to 1947.
• World history from the 18th to the middle of the 20th century.
• Salient features of Indian society and culture.
• Role of women, population, poverty, urbanisation, and development issues.
• Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation and their effects.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, and secularism.
• Natural resources and factors responsible for the location of industries.
• Physical geography, including earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, ocean currents, winds, and glaciers.
• Oceanic resources of India and their potential.
• Human migration and refugee problems.
• Frontiers and boundaries of the Indian subcontinent.
• Population, settlements, urbanisation, smart cities, and smart villages.

General Studies II Syllabus for UPPSC Mains 2026

• Indian Constitution, its evolution, features, amendments, and basic structure.
• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and State governments.
• Role of the Finance Commission in Centre-State financial relations.
• Separation of powers and dispute redressal mechanisms.
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional system with other major democracies.
• Parliament and State Legislatures.
• Structure and functioning of the Executive and Judiciary.
• Representation of the People Act and appointments to constitutional posts.
• Statutory, regulatory, and quasi-judicial bodies, including NITI Aayog.
• Government policies and development programmes.
• Role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities, and other stakeholders.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population.
• Health, education, human resources, poverty, and hunger.
• Transparency, accountability, e-governance, and citizens' charters.
• Role of civil services in a democracy.
• India's relations with neighbouring countries.
• Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements.
• Effects of international policies on India's interests.
• Important international institutions and agencies.
• Regional, state, national, and international current affairs.

General Studies III Syllabus for UPPSC Mains 2026

• Economic planning in India, its objectives, and achievements.
• Poverty, unemployment, social justice, and inclusive growth.
• Government budgets and the financial system.
• Agriculture, irrigation, storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce.
• Farm subsidies, minimum support prices, and the Public Distribution System.
• Food processing and related industries.
• Land reforms in India.
• Effects of liberalisation and globalisation on the economy.
• Infrastructure, including energy, ports, roads, airports, and railways.
• Science and technology and India's achievements in these fields.
• Information technology, space technology, nanotechnology, and biotechnology.
• Environmental security, biodiversity, pollution, and environmental impact assessment.
• Disaster mitigation and management.
• International security, cyber security, money laundering, and human trafficking.
• Internal security challenges, terrorism, corruption, and organised crime.
• Role of security forces and defence organisations.
• Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and animal husbandry.

General Studies IV Syllabus for UPPSC Mains 2026

• Ethics and human interface.
• Attitude.
• Aptitude and foundational values for civil services.
• Emotional intelligence.
• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
• Public service values and ethics in public administration.
• Probity in governance.
• Case studies on the above issues.

General Studies V Syllabus for UPPSC Mains 2026

• History, civilisation, culture, and ancient cities of Uttar Pradesh.
• Architecture, museums, archives, and archaeology of Uttar Pradesh.
• Contribution of Uttar Pradesh to the freedom struggle.
• Important freedom fighters and personalities of Uttar Pradesh.
• Social structure, festivals, fairs, music, folk dances, and languages of Uttar Pradesh.
• Political system and governance of Uttar Pradesh.
• Public services, the Public Service Commission, the High Court, and related institutions.
• Local self-government, public policy, and right-related issues.
• Good governance, anti-corruption measures, e-governance, and the Right to Information.
• Land reforms and security issues in Uttar Pradesh.
• Law and order, health, and education in Uttar Pradesh.
• Contribution of Uttar Pradesh to India's development.
• Current affairs and government welfare schemes in Uttar Pradesh.
• Tourism, innovation, employment, and socio-economic development.

General Studies VI Syllabus for UPPSC Mains 2026

• Overview of the economy of Uttar Pradesh and state budgets.
• Trade, commerce, and industries of Uttar Pradesh.
• Government schemes, projects, and planned development.
• Investment in Uttar Pradesh and its impact.
• Public finance, fiscal policy, taxation, and economic reforms.
• Renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
• Demography, population, and census-related topics.
• Agricultural production and commercialisation.
• Forest policy and social forestry.
• Agricultural diversity and related problems.
• Development indicators of Uttar Pradesh.
• Geography, climate, irrigation, minerals, drainage, and vegetation.
• National parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
• Transport, power resources, and industrial development.
• Pollution, environmental issues, and natural resources.
• Climate change, weather forecasting, and ecosystems.
• Science and technology developments in Uttar Pradesh.
• Aquaculture, viticulture, sericulture, floriculture, horticulture, and arboriculture.
• Public-private partnerships for the development of Uttar Pradesh.

UPPSC Interview

UPPSC interview carries 100 marks. Candidates are assessed on their general and academic interests, awareness, intelligence, character, communication, personality, and suitability for the service.

Details entered in the Detailed Application Form before Mains are important because interview questions may be based on the information provided. The interview or Personality Test is conducted by UPPSC.

UPPSC 2026 Vacancy

UPPSC PCS 2026 has announced approximately 500 vacancies for Group A and Group B posts. The detailed post-wise and category-wise vacancy breakdown may change if the Commission receives additional requisitions from departments. Candidates should check official UPPSC updates for any changes to the total vacancy count.