UPPSC Exam Pattern 2023: UP PCS Prelims, Mains Exam Pattern [Updated]

The UPPSC exam pattern witnessed some changes in the latest UPPSC 2023 notification. To perform well in the examination, it is essential for the candidates to take a deep look at the updated exam pattern. The UPPSC Prelims pattern remains the same whereas there is an addition of two compulsory General Studies papers instead of two optional subjects in the Mains exam.

Therefore, there are 6 GS papers now in the UPPSC exam pattern for the Mains exam. Out of these papers, 2 of them focus entirely on the knowledge of Uttar Pradesh state according to the new exam pattern for Mains. Besides these, there will be the usual two papers testing candidates' Hindi and Essay writing.

• As per the UP PCS exam pattern, there will be two General Studies papers in the Prelims carrying 200 marks each.
• Candidates will be given 2 hours each for each of the two papers in the Prelims exam. 
• The second paper in the UPPSC Prelims pattern will be GS-2 which will be qualifying in nature.
• Only 33% of marks will be required in GS-2 to make a candidate qualify for the next stage.

For students preparing for the Uttar Pradesh PCS exam, it is crucial to comprehend the recent UPPSC exam pattern to score well.

The new and updated UPPSC Exam Pattern has been notified by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) which is the exam conducting body. The knowledge of the exam pattern aids the candidates in planning their strategy to qualify for the exam. Recent changes have been made to the UPPSC Mains exam pattern. In the new exam pattern, the previous optional subjects have been replaced with two compulsory General Studies papers. This makes the total count of GS Papers as 6 along with two other papers on Hindi and Essay writing. The UPPSC exam pattern is divided into the following parts:

• Prelims- 2 papers (objective type)
• Mains - 8 papers (essay/ descriptive type)
• Interview

The Prelims stage will entirely be an objective type exam having multiple choice questions and the Mains exam will be based on a descriptive pattern. 

The first stage of the UP PCS exam is the Prelims. This exam is conducted to screen the best candidates to appear for the Mains exam. UPPSC Prelims pattern comprises two papers: General Studies 1 and General Studies 2. Candidates are to appear in both papers for the purpose of evaluation. Paper 2 or the UPPSC CSAT is a qualifying exam.

• All the questions as per the UPPSC exam pattern for Prelims will be objective in nature.
• The Prelims stage carries a total of 400 marks.
• General Studies-2 is qualifying in nature.
• 33% of marks will only be required in GS-2 to qualify for the exam.
• General Studies-1 is considered for screening for the Mains. 
• The UPPSC Prelims pattern also mentions a negative marking which will be applied to GS Papers 1 and 2.
• For every wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks allotted to the question shall be deducted. However, there is no negative marking for unattempted questions.

The Mains exam is the 2nd stage of the UPPSC PCS selection process. Candidates who clear the Prelims exam shall be called to appear for the Mains, which will form a strong base for their final selection. There shall be 8 papers as per the updated UPPSC exam pattern for Mains.

• The nature of the UPPSC Mains exam is the Subjective/Descriptive type.
• There shall be a General Hindi paper and an essay writing paper.
• After the changes made to the UPPSC exam pattern for Mains, there will now be 6 GS papers.
• Out of the six GS papers, two will be based on testing the General Knowledge of the candidates of their state of Uttar Pradesh.

After completing the UPPSC PCS Prelims and Mains exam, the Commission shall call the selected candidates to appear for the UPPSC Interview/ Personality Test. Candidates who do not appear for the UPPSC Interview shall be rejected from the merit list. As per the UPPSC exam pattern, the scores obtained by the candidates in the Mains exam along with the Interview score will decide the final result of the candidates.

• The UPPSC Interview will carry a weightage of 100 Marks.
• The candidates' analytical abilities will be tested in this phase.
• General Awareness, character, expression of power/personality, intelligence, and general suitability will also be tested in this last phase. 

After completion of all phases, the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission will release the final merit list based on the marks scored by the candidates in UPPSC PCS Mains and Interviews.

UPPSC is a PCS exam that tests the candidate's knowledge and skills required to perform the duties at a higher level and authority. Hence, it is equally important to have a good preparation strategy to crack the exam with good marks. Being a high-level exam, it is extremely important for the aspirants to stay on their toes and keep their knowledge updated. Here are a few simple tips that candidates should keep in mind while preparing for the UPPSC exam. 

• Start off with acquiring complete knowledge of the UPPSC exam pattern and the UPPSC syllabus.
• Gather and practice UPPSC previous year papers and analyze your performance.  
• Take frequent mock tests so that your practice is consistent. 
• Identify your weaknesses and strengthen them.
• Don't forget to check the UPPSC cutoff of previous years.
• Cutoff gives a clear idea about the exam trend and important topics.
• Read newspapers and make notes of the important current affairs from the exam point of view.
• Be consistent with your studies, and do not miss making notes.
• Don't forget to revise. Revision plays an extremely important part in any kind of exam preparation.