UPPCS syllabus, line by line

Current events of national and international importance.

In plain words: News that matters for the country or the world: government decisions, reports, indices, summits, science and environment in the news. UPSC usually tests the concept behind the headline, not the headline itself.

Government Schemes International Institutions Economic Surveys & Indices

History of India and Indian National Movement.

In plain words: Ancient, medieval and modern India, plus the freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947. Art and culture questions also sit here.

Ancient & Medieval History Modern Indian History Art & Culture

Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.

In plain words: How the earth works (landforms, climate, oceans), where resources and people are, and map-based places in the news.

Geography

Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

In plain words: The Constitution and how it works in practice: rights, Parliament, executive, courts, federalism, local bodies, constitutional and statutory bodies.

Indian Polity

Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

In plain words: The Indian economy (growth, money, banking, budget, trade, agriculture) and the social side: poverty, inclusion, population and welfare schemes.

Indian Economy Social Justice

General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization.

In plain words: Ecology basics, species and protected areas, pollution, environmental laws and climate treaties, at the level of an informed citizen.

Environment & Ecology

General Science.

In plain words: Everyday biology, physics and chemistry, health, and new technology such as space, biotech and IT.

Science & Technology

Note:- Candidates are expected to have general awareness about the above subjects with special reference to Uttar Pradesh.

In plain words: Every Prelims subject has a UP angle: UP history, geography, economy, schemes and current affairs.

Uttar Pradesh Special

Comprehension;

In plain words: Read short passages and pick the inference, assumption or central idea. This is the largest block of CSAT.

Reading Comprehension

Interpersonal skills including communication skills;

In plain words: Rarely tested on its own; it appears inside passages and situation-based questions.

Reading Comprehension

Logical reasoning and analytical ability;

In plain words: Syllogisms, statements and conclusions, arrangements and puzzles.

Logical Reasoning Analytical Ability

Decision making and problem solving;

In plain words: Situation questions asked in early papers; today mostly folded into reasoning puzzles.

Decision Making

General mental ability;

In plain words: Coding-decoding, series, directions, blood relations, cubes and dice.

Analytical Ability

Elementary Mathematics upto Class X level-Arithmatic, Algebra, Geometry and Statistics.

In plain words: School maths: number systems, averages, percentages, interest, algebra, sets, geometry and basic statistics.

Basic Numeracy Data Interpretation

General English upto Class X level.

In plain words: Grammar and usage: voice, narration, parts of speech, idioms, vocabulary and comprehension.

Reading Comprehension

General Hindi upto Class X level.

In plain words: Class X Hindi: grammar, vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms, idioms and comprehension.

There will be three sections in the question paper of Essay. Candidates will have to select one topic from each section and they are required to write essay in 700 words on each topic. 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, Land slide, Earthquake, Deluge, Drought etc. (3) National Development programmes and projects.

In plain words: Three essays of 700 words, one from each section. Use UP examples wherever they fit.

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

In plain words: Temples, stupas, paintings, dance, music and literature, and what makes each style distinct.

Art & Culture

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

In plain words: From Plassey (1757) to Independence (1947).

Modern Indian History

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

In plain words: The national movement phase by phase, including regional leaders and movements.

Modern Indian History Gandhian Era

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

In plain words: Nation-building from 1947 to 1965: princely states, states reorganisation, early plans.

Post-Independence Consolidation

History of the world will include events from 18th century to middle of the 20th century such as French revolution of 1789, Industrial revolution, World Wars, redraw of national boundaries, Socialism, Nazism, Fascism etc-their forms and effect on the society.

In plain words: World history from the French Revolution to the mid-20th century.

World History

Salient features of Indian Society and culture.

In plain words: What holds Indian society together and what divides it: caste, religion, language, region, family.

Indian Society Diversity of India

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

In plain words: Gender, population trends, poverty and cities: causes, problems and solutions.

Role of Women & Women's Organisations Population & Associated Issues Urbanisation Poverty & Developmental Issues

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

In plain words: What LPG reforms mean and how they changed the economy, politics and society.

Effects of Globalisation Industry & Infrastructure

Social empowernment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

In plain words: Empowering weaker groups, and the tensions of religion and region in a secular state.

Social Empowerment Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism

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).

In plain words: Water, soil and forest resources in South and South-East Asia, and why industries locate where they do in India.

Resources Industrial Location Factors

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

In plain words: Earthquakes, volcanoes, cyclones, ocean currents, winds and glaciers.

Geomorphology Climatology Oceanography

Oceanic resources of India and their potential.

In plain words: Fisheries, minerals and energy from India’s seas; the blue economy.

Oceanography Resources

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

In plain words: Why people migrate, and refugee issues around India.

Population & Associated Issues

Frontiers and boundaries with reference to Indian sub-continent.

In plain words: India’s land and sea borders and border disputes.

Border Management India & Neighbourhood

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

In plain words: Rural and urban settlement patterns, and smart city and village missions.

Urbanisation Human & Economic Geography

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

In plain words: Where the Constitution came from, its key features, how it has been amended and what the courts treat as unamendable. Also: how Supreme Court judgments shaped its key provisions.

Constitution: Historical Background & Making Amendment & Basic Structure

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.

In plain words: Who does what between Centre, States and local bodies, and the fights over money and power.

Parliamentary & Federal System Local Government

Role of Finance Commission in Centre-State financial relations.

In plain words: How the Finance Commission divides tax money between the Centre and the States.

Parliamentary & Federal System Fiscal Policy & Budget

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

In plain words: How legislature, executive and judiciary check each other, and tribunals and other dispute bodies. Also: Lok Adalats, arbitration and mediation.

Judiciary Governance

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

In plain words: What India borrowed from or does differently from the UK, US and others.

Constitution: Historical Background & Making

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

In plain words: How laws are made, sessions, committees, privileges and debates about falling sittings.

Parliament State Executive & Legislature

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).

In plain words: President, PM, ministries, courts, and how lobbies and associations influence policy. Also: PILs.

Union Executive Judiciary

Salient features of the Reperesentation of People's Act. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, Powers, functions and their responsibilities.

In plain words: Election law: who can contest, disqualification, election disputes and electoral reforms. Also: appointments to constitutional posts.

Elections & Representation Constitutional Bodies

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

In plain words: Bodies created by law, such as NHRC, CIC, SEBI and tribunals. Includes NITI Aayog.

Non-Constitutional & Statutory Bodies Planning & NITI

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

In plain words: Flagship schemes and why some work and others fall short.

Government Schemes Governance

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

In plain words: The role of NGOs, self-help groups, donors and charities in development.

Governance

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.

In plain words: Schemes and laws for SC/ST, women, children, elderly, disabled and minorities, and how well they work.

Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections SC/ST/Minorities Women & Child

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

In plain words: Public health, schools and higher education, and skills.

Health Education Human Resources

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

In plain words: Measuring poverty, malnutrition, food security and nutrition schemes. Also: their political effects.

Hunger & Nutrition Poverty & Inequality

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

In plain words: RTI, citizen charters, digital governance and other tools that make government answerable.

Governance

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

In plain words: What civil servants do, neutrality, reforms and accountability.

Governance

India and its relationship with neighbouring Countries.

In plain words: Ties with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar, Maldives and Afghanistan.

India & Neighbourhood

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

In plain words: BRICS, SCO, Quad, G20, ASEAN and the deals India signs.

Regional Groupings India & Major Powers

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

In plain words: How other countries’ choices affect India, and the role of Indians abroad.

India & Major Powers Indian Diaspora

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

In plain words: UN bodies, IMF, World Bank, WTO and others: who they are and what they do.

International Institutions

Current affairs and events of Regional, National and International importance.

In plain words: News from UP, India and the world, linked to the syllabus.

UP Current Affairs Government Schemes

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

In plain words: Five-year plans, NITI Aayog and India’s SDG progress.

Planning & NITI

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

In plain words: Poverty, jobs and growth that includes everyone.

Poverty & Inequality Employment & Inclusive Growth

Components of Government Budgets and Financial System.

In plain words: Parts of the budget, and banks, markets and regulators.

Fiscal Policy & Budget Money & Banking

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

In plain words: Which crops grow where, irrigation, storage and selling produce, and digital tools for farmers.

Agriculture Agriculture Geography

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

In plain words: MSP, subsidies, ration shops, food stocks and livestock economics.

Agriculture

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

In plain words: Turning farm produce into food products and the supply chain around it.

Agriculture Industry & Infrastructure

Land reforms in India since independence.

In plain words: Abolition of zamindari, tenancy reform, land ceilings and land records.

Agriculture

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

In plain words: What the 1991 reforms changed and how industrial policy evolved.

Industry & Infrastructure

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

In plain words: Power, transport and logistics: progress and bottlenecks.

Industry & Infrastructure Renewable Energy

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

In plain words: New technology and how it touches daily life. Also: defence uses and India’s S&T policy.

Science & Technology Defence Technology

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

In plain words: Indian scientists, missions and home-grown technology.

Space Defence Technology

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

In plain words: AI, space, biotech, nanotech and patents.

IT & Emerging Tech Space Biotechnology Nanotechnology & Materials IPR

Environmental security and Ecosystems, Conservation of Wild life, Biodiversity, Environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

In plain words: Ecosystems, wildlife, biodiversity, pollution and the EIA process.

Environment & Ecology

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

In plain words: Floods, droughts, cyclones, heatwaves and how India prepares and responds.

Disaster Management Disasters

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

In plain words: Nuclear proliferation, extremism, cyber threats, money-laundering and trafficking.

Cyber Security Terrorism Money Laundering & Organised Crime Nuclear Technology

India's internal security challenges: Terrorism, corruption, insurgency and organized crimes.

In plain words: Terror, insurgency, corruption and organised crime inside India.

Terrorism Left Wing Extremism North-East Insurgency

Role, kind and mandate of security forces, Higher defence organizations in India

In plain words: Armed forces, central armed police forces and intelligence agencies. Also: higher defence set-up such as the CDS.

Security Forces & Agencies

Issues in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry.

In plain words: Problems and reforms in farming, fruit and vegetables, forests and livestock.

Agriculture

Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

In plain words: What ethics means, where values come from, and lessons from great lives.

Ethics & Human Interface

Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

In plain words: How attitudes form and change, and how persuasion works.

Attitude

Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.

In plain words: The core values a civil servant needs, with examples.

Aptitude & Foundational Values

Emotional Intelligence- concept and dimensions, its utility and application in administration and governance.

In plain words: Managing your own and others’ emotions at work.

Emotional Intelligence

Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

In plain words: Ideas of thinkers such as Gandhi, Buddha, Kant and Aristotle, applied to public life.

Moral Thinkers

Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: 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 ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

In plain words: Ethical dilemmas in government and business, and how rules and conscience guide decisions.

Public Service Values

Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

In plain words: Honesty in government: RTI, codes of conduct, service delivery and fighting corruption.

Probity in Governance

Case Studies on above issues.

In plain words: Real-life dilemmas where you decide and justify a course of action.

Case Studies

History, Civilization, Culture and Ancient Cities of UP.

In plain words: UP’s past from prehistory onward, and ancient cities such as Kashi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Kaushambi and Shravasti.

UP History & Culture

Architecture, their significance and maintainability, museum, archive and archaeology of UP.

In plain words: Monuments of UP, how they are conserved, and its museums, archives and excavation sites.

UP History & Culture Architecture

Contributions of UP in Pre and post 1857 freedom struggles of India.

In plain words: UP’s role in the 1857 revolt and the national movement that followed.

UP History & Culture Revolt of 1857

Eminent freedom fighters and personalities of UP.

In plain words: Leaders, reformers and writers from UP.

UP History & Culture Personalities

Rural, Urban and Tribal issues: social structure, festivals, fairs, music, folk dances, literature and languages/dialects, social customs of UP.

In plain words: UP society and culture: fairs such as the Kumbh, folk forms, dialects and customs.

UP Society & Demography Festivals, Fairs & GI Crafts

Political System of UP: Governance, Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, State Assembly and State Council, Center-State Relation.

In plain words: How UP is governed: Governor, CM, ministers, the bicameral legislature and Centre-State ties.

UP Polity & Governance

Public Service, Public Service Commission, Auditing, Advocate General, High Court and its jurisdiction in UP.

In plain words: UPPSC, audit, the Advocate General and the Allahabad High Court.

UP Polity & Governance

Special State Selection Criteria, Official Language, Consolidated Fund and Contingency fund, Political Parties and State Election Commission of UP.

In plain words: UP’s official language, state funds, parties and the State Election Commission.

UP Polity & Governance

Local Self Government: Urban and Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Right related issues in UP.

In plain words: Panchayats and urban local bodies in UP, and rights issues.

UP Polity & Governance Local Government

Good Governance, Eradication of Corruption, Lokayukta, Citizen Charters, E-Governance, Right to Information, Redressal Policy.

In plain words: Lokayukta, RTI, citizen charters, e-governance and grievance redress in UP.

UP Polity & Governance Governance

Land Reforms and its impact in UP.

In plain words: Zamindari abolition (1950 Act), consolidation and land records in UP.

UP Economy Agriculture

Issues Related to Security in UP. (i) Linkage between development and spread of extremism. (ii) Role of External, State and Interstate actors in creating challenges to internal security through communication networks, media and social networking sites, (iii) Basic rules of cyber security, money-laundering and its prevention. (iv) Various security forces and agencies and their mandate. (v) Security challenges and their management in border areas, linkage of organized crimes with terrorism.

In plain words: Internal security as it applies to UP: the Nepal border, cyber crime, organised crime and police forces.

Internal Security UP Polity & Governance

Law and Order and Civil Defense in UP.

In plain words: Policing, law and order and civil defence in UP.

UP Polity & Governance

Medical and Health issues in UP

In plain words: Health indicators, hospitals and health schemes in UP.

UP Schemes & Policies Health

State Education System of UP.

In plain words: Schools, boards and universities in UP, and education reforms.

UP Schemes & Policies Education

Contribution of UP in development of India,

In plain words: How UP adds to India’s economy, politics and culture.

Uttar Pradesh Special

Current Affairs of UP.

In plain words: News from UP linked to the syllabus.

UP Current Affairs

Implementation of Jal Shakti Mission and other central welfare scheme in UP.

In plain words: How central schemes such as the Jal Jeevan Mission are working in UP.

UP Schemes & Policies Government Schemes

NGOs in UP: Issues, Contribution and Impact.

In plain words: The role of NGOs in UP’s development.

Uttar Pradesh Special Governance

Tourism in UP: Issues and prospects.

In plain words: Religious, heritage and eco-tourism circuits in UP.

UP Economy UP History & Culture

Emphasis on Innovation in various fields in UP: Issues and it's impact on employement and socio-economic development of the society.

In plain words: Start-ups and innovation in UP, and how they create jobs.

UP Economy

Overview of Economy of UP: Main features of economy and State Budgets, Infrastructure and importance of Physical Resources.

In plain words: The size and structure of UP’s economy, its budget and infrastructure.

UP Economy

Trade, Commerce and industries of UP.

In plain words: Key industries and trade in UP.

UP Economy

UP Government Schemes, Projects and Planned Development for welfare of People, Human Resources and Skill Development.

In plain words: UP welfare and skill schemes.

UP Schemes & Policies

Investment in UP: Issues and Impact

In plain words: Investor summits, industrial corridors and their results.

UP Economy

Public Finance and Fiscal Policy, Tax and Economic Reforms, One District One Product Policy of UP Government.

In plain words: UP’s taxes and spending, reforms, and the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.

UP Economy UP Schemes & Policies

Planning and management of renewable and non-renewable energy resources of UP.

In plain words: Power generation and solar and other energy in UP.

UP Economy Renewable Energy

Demography, Population and Censuses of UP.

In plain words: Population, sex ratio, literacy and Census data for UP.

UP Society & Demography

Commercialization of agriculture and production of agricultural crops in UP.

In plain words: Main crops of UP and the shift to cash crops.

UP Economy Agriculture

UP New Forest Policy.

In plain words: UP’s forest policy and plantation drives.

UP Geography UP Schemes & Policies

Agro and Social Forestry in U.P

In plain words: Tree farming and community forestry in UP.

UP Geography

Agricultural Diversity, Problems of agriculture and their solutions in UP.

In plain words: Agro-climatic zones of UP and farm problems.

UP Economy Agriculture

Developmental Indices of UP in various fields.

In plain words: UP’s rank on health, education, SDG and other indices.

UP Economy Economic Surveys & Indices

Geography of UP: Geographical Location, Relief and Structure, Climate, Irrigation, Minerals, Drainage System and Vegetation.

In plain words: Physical geography of UP: regions, rivers, climate, minerals and vegetation.

UP Geography

National Parks and Wild Life Sanctuaries in UP.

In plain words: Dudhwa, the tiger reserves and bird sanctuaries of UP.

UP Geography Conservation Laws & Bodies

Transport Network in UP.

In plain words: Expressways, railways, airports and waterways in UP.

UP Economy Industry & Infrastructure

Power Resources, Infrastructure and Industrial Development of UP.

In plain words: Power plants, industrial areas and corridors in UP.

UP Economy

Pollution and Environmental Issues in UP, Pollution Control Board and its functions.

In plain words: Air and river pollution in UP and the UP Pollution Control Board.

UP Geography Pollution

Natural Resources of UP-Soil, Water, Air, Forests, Grasslands, Wetlands.

In plain words: UP’s soils, water, forests, grasslands and wetlands (including Ramsar sites).

UP Geography

Climate Change and Weather Forecasting issues in UP.

In plain words: Heatwaves, floods and drought in UP, and forecasting.

UP Geography Climate Change

Habitat and Ecosystem, structure and function, adjustment, Flora and Fauna with reference to UP.

In plain words: Ecosystems, plants and animals of UP.

UP Geography Biodiversity

Science and Technology: Its issues, advancements and efforts in UP.

In plain words: Science institutions and technology initiatives in UP.

Uttar Pradesh Special Science & Technology

Aquaculture, Viticulture, Sericulture, Floriculture, Horticulture, Arboric culture in up and its impact on development of UP.

In plain words: Fish farming, silk, flowers, fruit and tree crops in UP.

UP Economy Agriculture

Evolvement of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for development of UP.

In plain words: PPP projects in UP and how they are structured.

UP Economy