🏛️ UPPSC Combined State / Upper Subordinate Services (PCS) Examination 2026 – Apply Online for 500+ Vacancies

📅 Important Dates (UPPSC PCS 2026)

💰 Application Fee (Non-refundable)

• Fee can be paid through SBI MOPS (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or SBI E‑Challan).
• Fee once paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances.
• Ex‑Servicemen are required to pay fee as per their original category (i.e., General/OBC pay ₹125, SC/ST pay ₹65).

👤 Age Limit (as on 01 July 2026)

📋 Vacancy Details – Total ~500 Posts (May increase)

The Commission has notified about 500 vacancies for various posts under the Combined State / Upper Subordinate Services. The actual number may increase or decrease based on departmental requisitions. The posts are in the pay scale of ₹9300–34800 (Grade Pay ₹4200–₹5400) and ₹15600–39100 (Grade Pay ₹5400) as per 6th Pay Commission. Some of the posts included are:

Note: Detailed post-wise vacancy distribution and reservation will be provided in the official notification. The commission may include additional posts of graduate level if requisitions are received before the preliminary result.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree from a recognized university or equivalent. For certain posts (e.g., Food Safety Officer, Assistant Prosecuting Officer, etc.) specific subject qualifications are required (refer to notification for post‑specific eligibility).
• Nationality: Must be a citizen of India.
• Domicile: Candidates must be domiciled in Uttar Pradesh to claim reservation benefits; others will be considered under UR category.
• Language: Working knowledge of Hindi in Devanagari script is essential.
• Age: Must be between 21 and 40 years as on 01 July 2026 (relaxation as per rules).
• Ex‑Servicemen: Must have been discharged from service on or before the last date of application.

📖 Examination Scheme – Three Stages

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective – Multiple Choice)

• Negative marking: 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer in both papers.
• Minimum efficiency standard: SC/ST candidates must secure at least 35% marks in both papers; others must secure 40% to be eligible for merit consideration.
• Merit for Preliminary is based on marks obtained in Paper I only, provided the candidate qualifies Paper II (≥33%).
• Number of candidates called for Main Examination will be about 15–20 times the number of vacancies (subject to qualifying standards).

Stage 2: Main (Written) Examination – Conventional (Descriptive)

• All Main papers are compulsory. Minimum qualifying marks in General Hindi may be prescribed.
• Final merit is based on total marks in Main Written Examination + Interview.
• For some posts (as per service rules), selection may be based only on written marks (without interview).

Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview) – 100 Marks

• Viva‑voce test to assess candidate’s general awareness, intelligence, character, expression, and suitability for the service.
• Only those who qualify the Main Written Examination (i.e., secure minimum marks in each paper and overall cut‑off) will be called for interview.

📚 Syllabus Highlights (Preliminary & Main)

• Prelims Paper I: Current events (national & international), History of India & Indian National Movement, India & World Geography (Physical, Social, Economic), Indian Polity & Governance (Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues), Economic & Social Development (Sustainable Development, Poverty, Demographics), Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, Climate Change, General Science.
• Prelims Paper II: Comprehension, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability, Decision Making & Problem Solving, General Mental Ability, Elementary Mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics up to Class X), General English & Hindi up to Class X.
• Main General Studies I to VI: Cover Indian Culture, Modern Indian History, Freedom Struggle, Post-independence consolidation, World History, Indian Society, Women’s issues, Liberalization, Globalization, Resource distribution, Geography, Indian Constitution, Federal structure, Judiciary, Parliament, Executive, Governance, Social welfare, Poverty, Hunger, India’s foreign relations, International institutions, Economic planning, Agriculture, Land reforms, Infrastructure, Science & Technology, Environment, Disaster management, Internal security, Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude, UP specific geography, history, culture, economy, development, public services, law & order, health, education, tourism, etc.

Detailed syllabi are provided in Appendices 3 & 4 of the official notification. Candidates are advised to refer to the PDF for exhaustive topics.

📝 How to Apply Online – UPPSC OTR Based

• Step 1 (One Time Registration – OTR): Visit https://otr.uppsc.nic.in and complete your OTR registration. Obtain your OTR number. This must be done at least 72 hours before applying online.
• Step 2: Log in to UPPSC website https://uppsc.up.nic.in and click on “All Notifications/Advertisements”. Select “Apply” for this examination.
• Step 3: Authenticate with your OTR number and OTP (sent to registered mobile/email) or OTR password. Your personal details from OTR will auto‑populate.
• Step 4: Fill in additional details: select the post preferences (if applicable), fill educational qualifications, and answer Yes/No for preferential qualifications (e.g., NCC certificate, Territorial Army service).
• Step 5: Proceed to fee payment through SBI MOPS (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or SBI E‑Challan).
• Step 6: After successful payment, the application form will be generated. Download and print a copy for future reference. Do not send it to the commission unless asked.
• Correction: Candidates can modify their application (qualification, address, preference, etc.) through the “Candidate Dashboard” until 03 August 2026 (only once).

⚠️ Crucial Instructions

• Admit Card: Will be issued online only. Candidates must download and carry two printed copies to the exam centre along with a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, etc.).
• Biometric Verification: May be done at the examination centres. Candidates must reach well in advance.
• Prohibited Items: Mobile phones, smart watches, calculators, electronic gadgets, textual material, bits of paper, etc., are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall. Possession leads to cancellation.
• Negative Marking: In Preliminary Examination, 0.33 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer. No penalty for unattempted questions.
• Minimum Qualifying Marks: Paper II of Prelims is qualifying (33% minimum). Paper I determines merit. Main exam has minimum efficiency standards (40% for UR, 35% for SC/ST).
• Reservation: SC/ST/OBC/EWS/DFF/ESM/PwD as per UP Government rules. Candidates must produce valid certificates in the prescribed format at the time of document verification.
• EWS: Certificate must be issued between 01 April 2026 and 27 July 2026 (based on income of FY 2025-26, valid for FY 2026-27).
• Ex‑Servicemen: Must have been discharged by the last date of application. They will get age relaxation and other benefits as per rules.
• Women candidates: Caste certificate from father’s side is valid for claiming reservation.
• False Information: Furnishing wrong information will lead to cancellation of candidature and debarment from future examinations (up to 5 years).
• Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must produce original certificates in support of their claims when called. Failure will result in cancellation.