ukpsc

About UKPSC

The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) conducts the Combined State Civil/Upper Subordinate Services Examination, commonly known as the PCS exam, to recruit candidates for prestigious administrative posts in the state government, including Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Finance Officer, Block Development Officer (BDO), and State Tax Officer.

Headquartered in Haridwar, the UKPSC is responsible for selecting candidates through a rigorous three-stage process: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview. The UKPSC exam is highly competitive and serves as the primary gateway to the state's civil services, with a strong emphasis on Uttarakhand-specific history, geography, culture, and current affairs.

UKPSC Exam Pattern

Preliminary Examination (Objective):

Paper I: General Studies (150 questions, 150 marks).
Paper II: General Aptitude Test (CSAT) (100 questions, 150 marks).
Negative Marking: 1/4th (0.25) penalty for each wrong answer.
Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature (33% required). Only Paper I marks are considered for the Mains merit list.

Main Examination (Descriptive):

Papers: General Hindi, Essay, and four General Studies papers (GS Paper I-VI, with GS Paper VI dedicated to Uttarakhand).
Total Merit Marks: 1500 marks (Mains) + 200 marks (Interview).
Note: There is no optional subject in the UKPSC Mains examination.

UKPSC Syllabus Overview

Prelims: The General Studies paper covers Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, and a significant portion dedicated to Uttarakhand-specific topics. The syllabus explicitly states that at least 1/3 of the questions will be related to Uttarakhand.

Mains: The Mains examination includes a dedicated paper on Uttarakhand (GS Paper VI), covering the state's geography, economy, society, culture, political system, administrative system, public policy, and disaster management. Other GS papers cover national and international topics including History, Polity, Economy, Science, Environment, and Ethics.

Previous Year Papers

Solving previous year papers is essential for understanding the UKPSC exam trends, question patterns, and the specific focus on Uttarakhand-related topics.

How to access:

Visit the official UKPSC website (psc.uk.gov.in).
Navigate to the "Examination" or "Downloads" section.
Look for question papers from previous years' Prelims and Mains exams.

Solved papers from 2011 to 2024 are available in various preparation books and educational portals. For a curated collection of solved papers, please visit the Aadhar Foundation resource library.

UKPSC Exam Calendar 2026

Based on the official UKPSC notification released on 9 September 2026, here is the schedule for the 2026 recruitment cycle:

Notification Date: 9 September 2026
Application Window: 9 September to 29 September 2026
Correction Window: 7 October to 16 October 2026
Total Vacancies: 67 posts (including Deputy Collector, DSP, Finance Officer, BDO, and others)
Prelims Exam Date: To Be Notified

Note: The commission may revise dates. Always check the official UKPSC website for the latest updates.

About Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, formerly known as Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It was carved out of Uttar Pradesh and became the 27th state of India on 9 November 2000. Known as "Devbhoomi" (Land of the Gods), it is famous for its Himalayan landscapes and Hindu pilgrimage sites.