About UPPSC: 

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) is the state organization approved to direct the Civil Services Examination for entry- level arrangements to the different Civil Services of Uttar Pradesh. The organization's charter is allowed by the Constitution of India. Articles 315 to 323 of Part XIV of the constitution, titled Services under the Union and the States, accommodate a Public Service Commission for the Union and for each state. 

UPPSC Notification: 

1. UPPSC PCS test date 2020 announced with the release of UPPSC PCS Calendar 2020. It will issue the notice soon.
2. UPPSC PCS Prelims (ACF and RFO) test to be held on 21st of June 2020.
3. UPPSC PCS Mains (ACF and RFO) assessment will be conducted from 16th August 2020.
   

The exam will be conducted for the post of: 

• Upper Subordinate Services (P.C.S.), 
• ACF, and 
• RFO opportunities.
  

The test comprises of 3 significant stages:

• Preliminary Exam (Objective Type and Multiple Choice), 
• Mains Exam (Conventional Type, descriptive) and 
• Personality Test( Interview)

Exam Calendar:

Link to the official Calendar: http://uppsc.up.nic.in/View_Notices.aspx?ID=news&N=1380

Exam Details

The UPPSC PCS test eligibility criteria, capabilities, and conditions are given underneath: 

UPPSC Age Limit 

The PCS exam (Combined State/Upper Sub-ordinate Services Exam) age limit is: 

• Minimum age – 21 years 
• Maximum age – 40 years 

The UPPSC notice additionally records the age relaxation for various categories/posts in the PCS exam: 

Category Age Relaxation 

• SC: 5 years age 
• ST: 5 years age 
• OBC: 5 years age 
• Skilled players of U.P. of Classified Games: 5 years 
• State Govt. Workers of U.P. (covering Teachers/Staff of Basic ShikshaParishad and Govt. helped MadhyamikVidyalayas): 5 years
• Physically Handicapped: 15 years 

Significant Information: 

1. For asserting the advantage of reservation or age relaxation, candidates must: 

• Have a domicile of UP 
• A certificate endorsement from the authorised person 
• In the instance of female applicants, the caste/residence endorsement given from father’s side shall be viewed valid.
• The recommended format will be given in the UPPSC notification.

1. Male applicants with more than one spouse (living) are not qualified 
2. Female applicants who have married an individual already having a spouse (living) are not qualified. 
3. Female applicants who are pregnant (12 weeks or more) will be pronounced incidentally unfit. 
4. Candidates asserting Age relaxation/reservation in more than one category for the UPPCS Exam will be qualified for only one concession, whichever is more beneficial.

UPPSC PRELIMS 

Nature of Exam:

• Mostly factual questions asked. See previous year papers for better understanding.
• 2 papers-General Studies and CSAT (200 nos. each)
• Merit Cut-off is prepared on General Studies paper only of 200 nos., CSAT of qualifying nature with 33% to be scored.
• There will be negative marking for every incorrect answer which will be equivalent to 0.33% of the awarded marks. 
• 126 marks was last year cut-off.

Strategy for Clearing Prelims:

• First thing first: Go through the syllabus and past year papers thoroughly. This will help you build an understanding about the nature of the question asked, important portions of the subject to be covered and the trend of the paper. Link of previous papers is provided below. (File provided in the mail separately, need to upload it on panel for link creation. Mail has been sent for it).

• Knowing what “NOT TO STUDY” is more important.
• Essential point is to keep limitedresources and keep revising them.
• Try covering standard books and for basic start with the NCERT. 
• List of important books has been given below.
• For U.P. Specific- cover this portion through “Know your State” by Arihant publication and notes section of 10 Pointer as much U.P Specific questions is not asked (5-10 questions) generally. So, time-cost benefit ratio is to be considered well.
• Try to solve as many questions as you can. This will help you analyze your performance with the help of explanations given in the answer key. Read the explanation carefully, memorise it. You can frame another question from it or the information provided can help you with any other question also.
• Revision is extremely important. The more you will revise, the more you have chances to clear the exam.
• Note down factual or any other important information for last minute revision.
• Draw maps for important rivers, passes, peaks and other geographical features. Revise the maps every day for 30 minutes at least. This will increase the recall value and will help you crack the question.
• Write important Articles, Schedules and amendments on a separate sheet. Revise 5-10 Articles on daily basis. Over a period of time all the important articles and schedules will be on your tips and you will not lose on any static question.
• Follow MCQ based approach for better understanding of the topic and keep revising the questions. Circle the questions that you feel you are getting stuck or confused with for final revision.
• This MCQ based approach to prepare prelims examination is way better then preparing from books as it will provide you the skills to solve MCQs in real time, covering all important topics relevant for this examination.
• Most important REVISE, REVISE and RE-REVISE.

UPPCS MAINS     (Total- 1500 marks)

Nature of Exam:

The Written examinationconsists of six compulsory papers and an optional subject. The candidates have to choose any one subject from the list of 34 optional subjects provided for the main examination. 

1. Compulsory Subjects 

1. Optional Subjects (400 marks) - The optional subject will consist of two papers.

List of 34 optional subjects given below:

Strategy for Mains

• As said earlier, go through the syllabus well and past year papers for better understanding.With recent shift from objective to subjective type, questions need to be prepared in both factual and conceptual manner.
• Stick to the syllabus. Prepare at least 100 words on each topic of the syllabus. Acquaintance with the syllabus is a must. 
• Daily newspaper reading is must to quote examples. Also, one can find topics for case study from it.
• In a way opinion is developed which you can use as further suggestions in relevant question.
• Club relevant examples in your notes. Especially in GS-IV (Ethics) paper, use daily life examples to enrich the answer. 
• Answer writing is a must. Go for model test papers and solve them. We will be running mains test series dedicated for this exam. 
• This will help you develop speed and improve your answer each day. Also, you will gain more conceptual clarity. 
• Keep revising the notes on alternate day or keep a dedicated day just for revision in a week. 
• Keep adding pointers to your notes if you come across any from the newspaper or any other source relevant to the topic.
• For Optional Subject, it is given below separately.

UPPSC Interview (Total- 100 marks)

Those candidates who clear the Main stage of the PCS Exam will be called for Personality test/ Viva- voice/Interview. The interview tests the general awareness, character, expression power/personality, intelligence and general suitability for the service.

Strategy for Interview

• After you clear Mains, you will have to face an Interview. UPPSC interview is an half an hour to 45 minutes discussion with a panel of 5 members that will judge you according to your personality and that is why it is sometimes also called as the Personality Test. 

• A high score in Interview can sometimes create a difference of more than 100 marks which can be a make or break moment.
• Here are some of the golden tips that need to be followed while preparing and giving the interview:

During Preparation for Interview:

• Filling out the application form in detail is one of the most important aspects of the interview. Majority of the questions that are asked are from this form. So it is very important that you remember everything that you have filled in the form.
• Even if you are preparing for current affairs remember to focus on your State or details you have mentioned in the form. Chances are that the questions asked will be based on that.
• It is advised to regularly read the newspaper that keeps you updated about all that is happening around the world, whether it is about politics, domestic and international policies, or even small things in your town or city.
• Aspirants should stay away from studying a new topic/subject for the interview. The aspirants are advised to brush up on all that you have studied already and remember everything that you mentioned in the application form.
• Stays updated with everything that is happening in the country and ensure that you have an opinion about it.
• Revise Optional Subject: Brush up the recent activities and developments related to your optional subject. The UPPSC interview panel may ask questions from your optional subject in the interview.
• Practice as much as you can by speaking in front of people and even in front of the mirror. This will help you gain confidence and for better choice of words.
• Attend as many Mock Interviews as possible. They will help you Analyse where you are lagging and what are your strengths and weaknesses.

During the Interview:

1. Dress Neat: The first impression matters a lot. Wear clothes that comfort you but wear them with grace. Appear professional. Look confident and neat.
2. Be confident about each answer you give: One of the most important aspects to remember while attending the interview is to be confident. Believe in yourself and your preparation. Exude confidence in the answers you give, your body language as well as your mannerism.
3. Be clear about your thoughts: When you are asked a question, remember to give close-ended answers. Ensure that your thoughts are clear and the manner in which you convey them flow well. The interviewers should not get the chance to probe and ask more questions on the same subject. Take a few seconds to compose the answer in your mind before you state it.
4. Don’t be apologetic: Never attempt answering a question for which you have no answer or are uncertain. If you do not know an answer, politely say so and excuse yourself from answering it.
5. Be Logical: When asked an opinion-based question, you must give a clear opinion and provide a logical justification. Saying you do not know or do not have an opinion will not augur well.
6. Make mental Notes: Before you start answering, make a quick mental note of your points. This exercise will help you collate all your points and answer well.
7. Never brag about what you don’t know: Refrain from bragging and portraying themselves to be something they are not. The interviewers on the panel are experienced and learned people, and they will know when you stray from who you are.
8. Admit if you don’t know: In case there is a question to which you have no answer, do not get flustered or let that stump you. Be courteous while telling the interviewees that you do not know the answer to the question.
9. Keep the smile: The biggest asset that you will carry with yourself in the interview room is your smile. Not only does it put you at ease but also the panel. It also helps lighten the overall mood of the situation.

Conclusion:

Interview is like a test match, where you have to leave the difficult questions. While it takes about 20-30 minutes, it is important for the aspirant to stay alert and field well. There may be some questions that go above your head, so remain calm and field them well.