Download UPPSC PCS 2026 Exam Calendar PDF
Around 8.90 lakh candidates have applied for UPPSC PCS 2026. The recruitment was initially announced for 500 vacancies, while the number of reported vacancies has increased to 728. Additional vacancies may be added before UPPSC PCS Prelims result.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Applicants | Around 8.90 lakh |
| Initial Vacancies | 500 |
| Reported Vacancies | 728 |
| Applicants per Initial Vacancy | Around 1,780 |
| Applicants per Reported Vacancy | Around 1,223 |
| UPPSC PCS Prelims 2026 | December 6, 2026 |
| Year | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Around 8,90,000 |
| 2025 | 6,26,387 |
| 2024 | 5,76,154 |
| 2023 | 5,65,459 |
| 2022 | 6,02,974 |
| 2021 | 6,91,173 |
| 2020 | 5,95,696 |
| 2019 | 5,44,664 |
| 2018 | 6,35,844 |
With around 8.90 lakh applications and 728 reported vacancies, the current competition is approximately 1,223 applicants per vacancy. The vacancy count may increase further before UPPSC PCS Prelims 2026 result.
UPPSC PCS 2025 and UPPSC PCS 2026 are separate recruitment cycles. The 2025 cycle has already progressed through the Prelims and Main exams, while the 2026 cycle is currently at the Prelims stage.
| UPPSC PCS Cycle | Current Status |
|---|---|
| UPPSC PCS 2025 | Mains result released; Interview/Personality Test is underway |
| UPPSC PCS 2026 | Applications closed; Prelims scheduled for December 6, 2026 |
For UPPCS 2025, UPPSC released the list of candidates provisionally qualified for the Interview on September 17, 2026. The Commission has also issued the interview schedule for the 2025 Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services exam.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Advertisement No. | A-1/E-1/2026 |
| Exam Level | State Level |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains and Interview |
| Initial Vacancies | 500 |
| Current Reported Vacancies | 728; may increase further |
| Total Applicants | Around 8.90 lakh |
| Prelims Date | December 6, 2026 |
| Prelims Mode | Offline |
| Prelims Language | Hindi and English |
| Official Website | uppsc.up.nic.in |
Note: UPPSC is the commission, while UPPCS, UP PCS and UPPSC PCS are commonly used names for the Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services exam.
| UPPSC PCS Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification | June 25, 2026 |
| Application Starts | June 25, 2026 |
| Original Last Date to Apply | July 27, 2026 |
| Extended Last Date to Apply | August 3, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | August 3, 2026 |
| Application Correction/Modification | August 10, 2026 |
| Prelims Admit Card | To Be Announced |
| UPPSC PCS Prelims Exam | December 6, 2026 |
| Prelims Answer Key | To Be Announced |
| Prelims Result | To Be Announced |
| Mains Admit Card | To Be Announced |
| Mains Exam | To Be Announced |
| Interview | To Be Announced |
UPPSC PCS Prelims exam 2026 is scheduled for December 6, 2026. The Commission will announce the Mains and Interview schedule separately.
| UPPSC Exam Events | UPPSC Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| UPPSC Prelims 2026 Exam | Dec 6, 2026 |
UPPSC PCS 2026 notification was issued under Advertisement No. A-1/E-1/2026. Candidates should refer to the official notification for post-wise eligibility, age relaxation, reservation, application requirements and other recruitment conditions.
| Notification | |
|---|---|
| UPPSC PCS 2026 Notification – English | Download PDF |
| UPPSC PCS 2026 Notification – Hindi | Download PDF |
UPPSC One Time Registration (OTR) is mandatory for candidates applying for UPPSC PCS. Candidates must complete OTR and obtain an OTR number before filling out the PCS application form. The OTR details are used to access the application form through the UPPSC Candidate Dashboard
UPPSC PCS application process is completed online. Candidates must first complete One-Time Registration (OTR) and then authenticate their details before submitting the application.
The 2026 application deadline was extended to August 3, 2026, while application modification and fee reconciliation were allowed up to August 10, 2026.
| Category | exam Fee | Processing Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR/OBC/EWS | ₹100 | ₹25 | ₹125 |
| SC/ST | ₹40 | ₹25 | ₹65 |
| Ex-Servicemen | ₹40 | ₹25 | ₹65 |
| PwD | Nil | ₹25 | ₹25 |
| Dependents of Freedom Fighters/Women/Skilled Players | As applicable to original category | As applicable | As applicable |
UPPSC PCS 2026 eligibility is based on age, educational qualification, post-specific requirements and other conditions prescribed by UPPSC. Candidates must fulfil the required eligibility by the last date of application.
Candidates must generally hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university by the last date of application. Some posts require additional or specific qualifications.
| Post | Essential Qualification |
|---|---|
| Principal, Government Intermediate College | PG degree + B.Ed. + 3 years' continuous teaching experience |
| ADIOS/Deputy Secretary & equivalent | Post Graduate Degree + B.Ed. degree from a recognized University |
| Senior Lecturer, DIET | PG degree + B.Ed. |
| Labour Enforcement Officer | Graduation in Economics/Sociology/Commerce + relevant PG diploma/degree |
| Assistant Labour Commissioner | PG degree in Economics/Sociology/Commerce/Law/Labour-related or specified management/social work fields |
| District Probation Officer | Post Graduate Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Women Studies, or Gender Studies (or PG Diploma in Social Work) |
| Assistant Controller, Legal Metrology Grade-2 | Science degree with Physics or Mechanical Engineering + Hindi knowledge |
| Officer on Special Duty (Computer) | Computer Engineering degree or First Class PG Mathematics + 1-year PG Diploma in Computer Science + 1 year computer experience |
| Assistant Prosecuting Officer (Transport) | LL.B. + Hindi knowledge in Devanagari |
| Food Safety Officer | Specified degree in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology, Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology, etc., or PG Chemistry/Medicine |
| Marketing Officer, Mandi Parishad | Graduation in Agriculture/Agriculture Marketing/Science/Commerce/Economics/Agriculture Economics |
| Secretary Class-2, Mandi Parishad | Same as Marketing Officer |
| Finance & Accounts Officer | Commerce degree with Accountancy + 5 years' Accounts experience |
| Account & Audit Officer, Mandi Parishad | Graduation in Economics/Commerce/Finance, CA or CFA |
| Manager | Degree in Hotel Management and Catering Technology with House Keeping |
| Law Officer | LL.B. + Hindi knowledge in Devanagari |
Preferential qualifications: Territorial Army service and/or NCC 'B' Certificate are prescribed as preferential qualifications for several posts. Additional preferences such as M.Ed./Ph.D./M.Phil. in Education, relevant welfare experience and postgraduate qualifications apply to specific posts.
The general age limit is 21 to 40 years as on July 1, 2026. Candidates must be born between July 2, 1986 and July 1, 2005.
| Category/Post | Age Limit/Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General | 21–40 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (UP) | Maximum 55 years |
| Principal, Government Intermediate College | 30–40 years |
| SC/ST/OBC of UP | 5 years relaxation |
| Skilled players of UP | 5 years relaxation |
| Eligible UP Government employees | 5 years relaxation |
| PwD of UP | 15 years relaxation |
| Eligible Ex-Servicemen/Emergency or Short Service Commissioned Officers | 3 years + military service |
| CM Fellowship Research Scholars | Up to 3 years |
UPPSC PCS Reservations are for eligible SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates from Uttar Pradesh. Horizontal reservations apply to:
Candidates from other states' reserved categories are not eligible for UP reservations or age relaxation. To claim reservation or relaxation, specify your category in OTR and provide the necessary certificate.
Physical standards apply to posts including DSP, District Commandant Home Guards, Superintendent Jail, Excise Inspector, Deputy Jailor and District Youth Welfare & Pradeshik Vikas Dal Officer. Requirements vary by post, gender and category;
For example, DSP requires 165 cm height and 84–89 cm chest expansion for General/OBC/SC male candidates (160 cm for ST male candidates), while 168 cm height applies to posts such as Superintendent of Jail and Deputy Jailor
UPPSC PCS 2026 selection process consists of Prelims Exam, Main Written Exam and Personality Test/Interview. The Prelims Exam has two compulsory objective papers, while the Main Exam consists of eight compulsory descriptive papers. The Personality Test carries 100 marks.
UPPSC PCS Prelims consists of two compulsory papers that are held in separate shifts.
| Paper | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies-I | 150 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| General Studies-II (CSAT) | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Note: Paper II is qualifying with a minimum of 33% marks. Candidates must appear in both papers, but the Prelims merit for shortlisting to Mains is based on General Studies-I.
UPPSC PCS Mains consists of eight compulsory papers under UPPSC PCS exam pattern. All papers are conventional/descriptive type and each paper is conducted for 3 hours.
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Hindi | 150 |
| Paper 2 | Essay | 150 |
| Paper 3 | General Studies-I | 200 |
| Paper 4 | General Studies-II | 200 |
| Paper 5 | General Studies-III | 200 |
| Paper 6 | General Studies-IV | 200 |
| Paper 7 | General Studies-V | 200 |
| Paper 8 | General Studies-VI | 200 |
| Total | 1,500 |
General Hindi is subject to the minimum qualifying standard prescribed by the Commission/Government.
UPPSC PCS Personality Test carries 100 marks. It assesses candidates on areas including general interest, academic interests, general awareness, intelligence, character, expression, personality and suitability for public service.
UPPSC PCS 2026 syllabus covers General Studies, aptitude, Hindi, Essay and Uttar Pradesh-specific topics Prelims has two papers, while Mains includes General Hindi, Essay and six General Studies papers.
| Paper | Major Topics |
|---|---|
| General Studies-I | Current national and international affairs, Indian history and freedom movement, India and World Geography, Indian Polity and Governance, Constitution, Panchayati Raj, Economic and Social Development, Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity, Climate Change and General Science, with special reference to Uttar Pradesh |
| General Studies-II (CSAT) | Comprehension, interpersonal and communication skills, logical and analytical reasoning, decision-making, problem-solving, general mental ability, Class 10 Mathematics, General English and General Hindi |
| Paper | Major Topics |
|---|---|
| General Hindi | Comprehension, précis writing, official letters and notices, grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, idioms and proverbs |
| Essay | Literature and Culture, Social and Political issues, Science and Environment, Economy, Agriculture, Industry, National and International events, natural calamities and development programmes |
| GS-I | Indian culture, art and architecture, modern Indian history, freedom struggle, post-independence India, world history, Indian society, women, population, poverty, urbanisation, globalisation and geography |
| GS-II | Constitution, Parliament, Judiciary, Union-State relations, federalism, governance, constitutional bodies, welfare schemes, social sector, transparency, e-governance, civil services and international relations |
| GS-III | Indian economy, planning, budget, agriculture, irrigation, food security, infrastructure, science and technology, ICT, biotechnology, environment, disaster management, cyber security and internal security |
| GS-IV | Ethics and human values, attitude, emotional intelligence, civil service values, accountability, probity, RTI, codes of conduct, corruption and case studies |
| GS-V | Uttar Pradesh history, culture, architecture, freedom movement, society, festivals, languages, polity, governance, local self-government, land reforms, law and order, education, health, tourism, schemes and current affairs |
| GS-VI | Uttar Pradesh economy, budget, agriculture, industries, infrastructure, trade, investment, taxation, ODOP, energy, demography, geography, natural resources, forests, environment, climate, transport, science and technology and development programmes |
UPPSC PCS 2026 Interview carries 100 marks and is the final stage of the selection process. The Personality Test evaluates candidates' overall personality, knowledge and suitability for public service. The assessment covers the following areas:
Note: UPPSC PCS 2026 does not prescribe a separate subject-wise interview syllabus.
UPPSC PCS 2026 has announced around 500 vacancies for Group A and B posts in the Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services, covering various administrative roles in Uttar Pradesh. The final count may vary based on departmental requisitions.
The notification does not provide a separate post-wise or category-wise vacancy breakdown. Candidates should refer to subsequent UPPSC notices for any changes in the vacancy count.
UPPSC PCS 2026 salary depends on the post and its prescribed pay scale.
| Pay Scale | Grade Pay |
|---|---|
| Rs. 9,300–34,800 | Rs. 4,600 |
| Rs. 15,600–39,100 | Rs. 5,400 |
| Naib Tehsildar | Rs. 4,200 |
The applicable pay scale varies according to the post and its service rules.
UPPSC PCS recruitment includes various administrative and other posts. The vacancies for each post may vary each year.
| UPPSC Posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Collector | Manager Credit (Small Industries) | Commercial Tax Officer |
| Deputy Superintendent of Police | Manager - Marketing and Economic Survey (Small Industries) | District Minority Welfare Officer |
| Block Development Officer | Executive Officer Grade I/Assistant Nagar Ayukta | District Food Marketing Officer |
| Assistant Regional Transport Officer | District Basic Education Officer/Associate DIOS and other equivalent administrative posts | Executive Officer (Panchayati Raj) |
| Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Tax) | Assistant Director Industries (Marketing) | Deputy Secretary (Housing and Urban Planning) |
| District Commandant Home Guards | Assistant Labour Commissioner | Area Rationing Officer |
| Treasury Officer/Accounts Officer (Treasury) | Senior Lecturer DIET | District Backward Welfare Officer |
| Cane Inspector and Assistant Sugar Commissioner | Assistant Commissioner Industries | Naib Tehsildar |
| District Cane Officer, UP Agriculture Service Group B (Development Branch) | Statistical Officer | District Saving Officer |
| Superintendent Jail | Assistant Accounts Officer (Treasury) | District Panchayat Raj Officer |
| District Social Welfare Officer | Accounts Officer (Nagar Vikas) | District Supply Officer Grade 2 |
| Additional District Development Officer (Social Welfare) | Passenger/Goods Tax Officer | District Handicapped Welfare Officer |
| Assistant District Employment Assistance Officer | Accounts Officer (Local Bodies) | Regional Employment Officer |
| Assistant Registrar (Cooperative) | Sub Registrar | Assistant Prosecuting Officer (Transport) |
| District Probation Officer | District Administrative Officer | District Audit (Revenue Audit) |
| Assistant Controller Legal Measurement (Grade 1 and 2) | District Programme Officer | District Youth Welfare and Pradeshik Vikas Dal Officer |
| Labour Enforcement Officer | Excise Inspector | Child Development Project Officer |
| Food Safety Officer | Deputy Jailor | Technical Assistant (Geophysics) |
| Technical Assistant | - | - |
UPPSC PCS 2026 offers career opportunities in various Group A and Group B administrative posts. Career growth and promotion depend on the post, respective service rules and departmental requirements.
| Posts | Salary | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Level: Junior Time Scale | Rs. 56,100–1,32,000 | Pay Level 10 |
| After 5 years: Senior Time Scale | Rs. 67,700–1,60,000 | Pay Level 11 |
| After 8 years: Junior Administrative Grade | Rs. 78,800–1,91,500 | Pay Level 12 |
| After 12 years: Selection Grade | Rs. 1,18,500–2,14,100 | Pay Level 13 |
| After 16 years: Super Time Scale | Rs. 1,31,100–2,16,600 | Pay Level 13A |
| After 20 years: Senior Administrative Grade | Rs. 1,44,200–2,18,200 | Pay Level 14 |
| After 27 years: Higher Administrative Grade | Rs. 1,82,200–2,24,100 | Pay Level 15 |
UPPSC PCS 2026 cutoff marks will be announced post-exam, with separate cutoffs for Prelims and Mains. Details will be available on the official website alongside the results.
Candidates can check previous-year cutoffs for trends. Expected cutoff marks are estimates until the official figures are released.
| Category | Expected Cutoff |
|---|---|
| UR | 115 to 125 |
| SC of UP | 92 to 94 |
| ST of UP | 81 to 86 |
| OBC of UP | 112 to 115 |
| EWS | 114 to 117 |
| Dependants of Freedom Fighters of UP | 105 to 108 |
| Female | 100 to 110 |
| Ex-Serviceman of UP | 102 to 108 |
| Differently Abled Persons of Uttar Pradesh | 95 to 100 |
| PB | 92 to 99 |
| PD | 76 to 83 |
| BA/OA/OL | 95 to 100 |
Note: Cutoff ranges listed are estimates based on trend analysis. Official category-wise cutoff marks are published by the Commission after the final declaration of results
UPPSC PCS 2026 Preliminary Exam will be conducted at various centres across districts of Uttar Pradesh. The Commission will allot the exam centre to each candidate. Candidates must appear at the allotted centre, as requests for a change of centre or venue will not be accepted.
UPPSC PCS 2026 Admit Card will be released before the Preliminary Exam. The notification does not specify the release date. Candidates can download the e-Admit Card from the official UPPSC website by following these steps:
The e-Admit Card will contain the candidate's roll number, exam date, time and allotted centre. Candidates must appear at the allotted venue, as requests for a change of centre will not be accepted.
UPPSC PCS 2026 Selection Process
UPPSC PCS 2026 selection process includes three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test. Candidates must pass each stage to advance.
Candidates are shortlisted for Mains at about 15 times the vacancies, and for the Personality Test, up to three times the vacancies. Selection for some posts may depend on written exam marks as per service rules.
Candidates can use UPPSC Previous Year Question Papers to practise questions and understand the exam pattern.
| Exam | Subject | PDF Links |
|---|---|---|
| June 12, 2022 | Paper I | Download |
| Paper II | Download | |
| Prelims 2020 | Paper I | Download |
| Paper II | Download | |
| 2017 | General Studies - Paper I (Prelims) | Download |
| General Studies - Paper II (Prelims) | Download | |
| 2016 | General Studies - Paper I (Prelims) | Download |
| General Studies - Paper II (Prelims) | Download | |
| 2015 | General Studies - Paper I (Prelims) | Download |
| General Studies - Paper II (Prelims) | Download |
UPPSC PCS 2026 preparation requires a study plan, suitable study material, and regular practice.
UPPSC PCS 2026 preparation requires books that cover the Prelims and Mains syllabus, including General Studies and Uttar Pradesh-specific topics. The following subject-wise books can help candidates prepare for the exam.
| Subjects | Reference Books |
|---|---|
| Indian History and National Movement | NCERT books for Ancient History; Satish Chandra for Medieval History; Bipin Chandra for Modern History |
| Indian and World Geography | G.C. Leong and Majid Hussain |
| Atlas | Oxford Atlas or Orient Blackswan Atlas; Uttar Pradesh state map |
| Indian Governance and Polity | M. Laxmikanth |
| Economics | Ramesh Singh |
| Social Development | Refer to relevant study material and current affairs |
| General Science | Current affairs in scientific research and technology |
| Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity | P. D. Sharma |
| Current Affairs | Official documents and magazines |
| Analytical Reasoning | M. K. Pandey |
| Quantitative Aptitude | R. S. Aggarwal |
| General Knowledge about the State | Know Your State – Uttar Pradesh by Arihant |
UPPSC PCS Prelims Answer Key 2026 is expected to be released after the preliminary exam scheduled for December 6, 2026. Candidates will be able to check their answers against the provisional answer key and raise objections within the period specified by the Commission, if required. UPPSC will release the final answer key after reviewing the objections. The answer key and objection details will be available through the official UPPSC website.
UPPSC PCS Prelims Result 2026 is expected to be announced after the preliminary exam scheduled for December 6, 2026. The result is expected to be released in PDF format, containing the roll numbers of candidates shortlisted for the Mains examination. Candidates will be able to check their qualifying status through the official UPPSC website once the result is declared.
UPSC and UPPSC are civil services exams conducted by separate commissions for recruitment to central and Uttar Pradesh state government posts, respectively. The key differences include their eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, vacancies and job roles.
| Aspect | UPSC | UPPSC |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Union Public Service Commission | Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission |
| Level | Central-level commission under the Government of India | State-level commission under the Uttar Pradesh Government |
| Age Limit |
|
|
| Number of Attempts | General/EWS: 6; OBC/PwBD: 9; SC/ST: as per applicable rules | No fixed maximum number of attempts, subject to the applicable age limit |
| Selection Process |
|
|
| Interview | 275 Marks | 100 Marks |
.
UPPSC PCS is a suitable choice for candidates interested in administrative roles within Uttar Pradesh. Key reasons to choose the exam include:
UPPSC PCS 2026 provides an opportunity to enter Uttar Pradesh state services. Candidates should understand the exam pattern, eligibility and syllabus before starting preparation.
Ques: Can candidates from other states apply for UPPSC PCS 2026?
Ans: Yes, candidates from other states can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria. However, they are not eligible for Uttar Pradesh reservation benefits or age relaxation.
Ques. Is knowledge of Hindi compulsory for UPPSC PCS 2026?
Ans: Yes, Hindi is included in the UPPSC PCS Mains syllabus through the General Hindi paper.
Ques: Is UPPSC PCS a Group A or Group B service?
Ans: UPPSC PCS recruitment includes posts across different state services and designations. The service group and pay level depend on the specific post notified by the Commission.
Ques: Does UPPSC PCS recruit candidates for revenue administration?
Ans: Yes. Revenue-related posts, including Deputy Collector, are offered through UPPSC PCS recruitment. Officers handle responsibilities related to revenue administration and other assigned duties.
Ques: Can a UPPSC PCS officer be promoted to the IAS?
Ans: Yes. Eligible State Civil Service officers may be inducted into the IAS through promotion, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions, selection process and vacancies
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