UKPSC Civil Services 2026 –
Complete Preparation Guide
The Uttarakhand PCS (UKPSC) recruits Group A & B officers — Deputy Collector, DSP, BDO and more — for the Uttarakhand Government. 🆕 2026 cycle: 67 posts (Advt. A-1/E-1/2026-27, 9 Sep 2026); Prelims on 29 November 2026. 3-stage selection: Prelims → Mains → Personality Test. Graduate degree required. Age 21–42 years (as on 1 July 2026). Pay scales ₹35,400 – ₹1,77,500/month (Levels 6–10, 7th Pay Commission).
1What is UKPSC Civil Services Exam?
The UKPSC Combined State Civil / Upper Subordinate Services Examination is the premier state-level civil services exam of Uttarakhand, conducted by the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC), headquartered in Haridwar. It recruits officers for the Uttarakhand Administrative Service (UAS), Uttarakhand Police Service (UPS), and allied Group A & B cadres.
The exam is modelled on UPSC Civil Services — three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview — but with a dedicated 200-mark Uttarakhand GK paper in Mains and a minimum 1/3 Uttarakhand weightage in Prelims Paper I. There are no optional subjects; all candidates face the same papers.
💡 UPSC Aspirants Take Note
UKPSC PCS preparation overlaps ~70% with UPSC CSE. If you are already preparing for UPSC, adding UKPSC requires only incremental effort — mainly the Uttarakhand-specific GK paper.
2Current Status — 6 October 2026
🆕 UKPSC PCS 2026 — Applications Closed, Correction Window 7–16 Oct
Advertisement No. A-1/E-1/2026-27 (9 September 2026) notified 67 posts under the Combined State Civil/Upper Subordinate Services Examination 2026. Online applications closed on 29 September 2026. Candidates can edit their submitted form from 7 to 16 October 2026 (till 11:59 PM). The Prelims is scheduled for 29 November 2026 (Sunday) as per the UKPSC exam calendar updated on 1 September 2026. Admit card date: TBN ⚠️.
UKPSC PCS 2025 — Mains Result Awaited
The Mains for the 2025 cycle (123 vacancies) was held in April 2026. As on 6 October 2026, UKPSC has not declared the Mains result, so the interview schedule and final result are TBN ⚠️. Monitor psc.uk.gov.in.
Lower PCS 2024 Final Result Declared (25 September 2026)
UKPSC declared the post-wise final selection result of the Combined State Civil/Lower Subordinate Services Exam 2024 (113 vacancies) after interviews, physical tests and medicals held 27 July – 3 September 2026. It selected 36 Naib Tehsildars, Deputy Jailors, Supply Inspectors and other Group C officers. The Lower PCS 2026 Prelims is listed for 27 December 2026 in the UKPSC exam calendar. See the Naib Tehsildar salary breakdown.
3Important Dates — 2025 & 2026 Cycle
| Event | Date / Status | Flag |
|---|---|---|
| UKPSC PCS 2025 Notification Released | 📅 7 May 2025 | ✅ Done |
| UKPSC PCS 2025 Prelims Examination | 📅 June 2025 (held) | ✅ Done |
| UKPSC PCS 2025 Mains Examination | 📅 27–30 April 2026 (held) | ✅ Done |
| PCS 2025 Mains Result | 📅 Not declared as on 6 October 2026 | ⚠️ TBN |
| PCS 2025 Interview / Final Result | 📅 To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
| UKPSC PCS 2026 Short Notice (63 posts) | 📅 29 June 2026 | ✅ Done |
| 🆕 PCS 2026 Advertisement (A-1/E-1/2026-27, 67 posts) | 📅 9 September 2026 | ✅ Done |
| 🆕 PCS 2026 Online Application | 📅 9 – 29 September 2026 (closed) | ✅ Done |
| 🆕 PCS 2026 Application Correction Window | 📅 7 – 16 October 2026 (till 11:59 PM) | 🔜 Upcoming |
| 🆕 UKPSC PCS 2026 Prelims | 📅 29 November 2026 (Sunday) | 🔜 Upcoming |
| PCS 2026 Prelims Admit Card | 📅 To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
4Eligibility Criteria
💡 Physical Standards for DSP Post: Candidates applying for Deputy Superintendent of Police must meet prescribed height and chest measurements as per Uttarakhand Police norms. Check the official notification for post-wise physical criteria.
5Posts & Vacancies (2026 Cycle — 67 Total)
| Post (Department) | Vacancies | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deputy Collector (Personnel & Vigilance Dept.) | 10 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Deputy Superintendent of Police (Home Dept.) | 14 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| District Commandant, Home Guards (Home Dept.) | 2 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Finance Officer / Treasury Officer (Finance Dept.) | 4 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Assistant Director / Audit Officer (Finance Dept.) | 8 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Assistant Commissioner, State Tax (Finance Dept.) | 1 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Assistant Municipal Commissioner / Executive Officer Gr-1 | 1 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Block Development Officer (Rural Development Dept.) | 5 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Deputy Education Officer / Staff Officer / Law Officer | 1 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Assistant Labour Commissioner (Labour Dept.) | 1 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Assistant Director / Deputy Secretary (Sanskrit Education) | 4 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Assistant Director, Factories / Boilers (Labour Dept.) | 2 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Assistant Regional Transport Officer (Transport Dept.) | 5 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Nursery Development Officer Grade-2 (Agriculture Dept.) | 1 | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| State Tax Officer (Finance Dept.) | 5 | Level 7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Case Worker (Women Welfare Dept.) | 3 | Level 6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Total | 67 | General 37 · SC 13 · ST 0 · OBC 11 · EWS 6 | |
Source: UKPSC Advertisement No. A-1/E-1/2026-27 dated 9 September 2026. Vacancies may be increased or reduced by the Commission. Horizontal reservation (Uttarakhand women, state agitationists, etc.) applies within these numbers — see the advertisement on psc.uk.gov.in. Naib Tehsildar and Tehsildar are not Upper PCS posts — see the Naib Tehsildar section below.
6Exam Pattern — 3 Stages
The selection process has three stages: Prelims (objective, qualifying filter), Mains (descriptive, merit-deciding), and Interview (personality assessment). Final merit is based on Mains + Interview marks only.
Stage 1 — Preliminary Examination
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Time | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies (min. 1/3 Uttarakhand-specific questions) | 150 | 150 | 2 hrs | Merit-deciding (MCQ) |
| Paper II | General Aptitude Test (CSAT) | 100 | 150 | 2 hrs | Qualifying — 33% required |
⚠️ Negative Marking: Each wrong answer deducts ¼ mark (0.25). Avoid random guessing.
Stage 2 — Main Examination + Interview
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Hindi | 150 | Qualifying (33% min.) |
| Paper II | Essay Writing (Hindi / English) | 150 | Descriptive — Merit |
| Paper III | General Studies I – History, Geography, Indian Culture | 200 | Descriptive — Merit |
| Paper IV | General Studies II – Polity, Economy, Governance | 200 | Descriptive — Merit |
| Paper V | General Studies III – Science, Technology, Environment | 200 | Descriptive — Merit |
| Paper VI | General Studies IV – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude | 200 | Descriptive — Merit |
| Paper VII | Uttarakhand-specific GK (History, Culture, Geo, Economy) | 200 | Descriptive — Merit |
| Interview | Personality Test / Viva Voce | 150 | Verbal — Merit |
| Grand Total (Merit) | 1650 | Mains 1500 + Interview 150 | |
7Detailed Syllabus
📋 General Studies – Prelims Paper I (150 Marks)
- ▸History of India – Ancient, Medieval, Modern; Freedom Struggle
- ▸Indian Culture – Art, Architecture, Literature, Classical Forms, UNESCO heritage
- ▸Indian Geography – Physical, Climatic, Economic, Demographic features
- ▸Indian Polity – Constitution, Parliament, Judiciary, Panchayati Raj
- ▸Economy & Social Development – Poverty, Inclusion, Agriculture, Trade
- ▸Environment & Ecology – Biodiversity, Climate Change, Disaster Management
- ▸Science & Technology – General Science, Space, Defence, IT
- ▸Current Events – National & International (last 12–18 months)
- ▸Uttarakhand-specific GK – Geography, Culture, History, Economy, Current Events (minimum 1/3 weightage)
🧠 CSAT – Prelims Paper II (Qualifying — 33% Required)
- ▸Reading Comprehension (Hindi and English passages)
- ▸Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability
- ▸Decision Making & Problem Solving
- ▸General Mental Ability
- ▸Basic Numeracy – Number System, Ratios, Percentages (Class X level)
- ▸Data Interpretation – Tables, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts
- ▸Communication & Interpersonal Skills
✍️ Mains – Essay Paper II (150 Marks)
- ▸Three sub-sections A, B, C — one essay from each (700–800 words)
- ▸Medium: Hindi or English
- ▸Social sphere topics – Gender equity, tribal welfare, migration, urbanisation
- ▸Political sphere topics – Governance, federalism, electoral reforms
- ▸Economic sphere topics – Agriculture, industry, trade, digital economy
- ▸Uttarakhand-specific themes – Char Dham Yatra policy, natural disasters, hill economy
🏔️ Uttarakhand-Specific GK – Paper VII (200 Marks)
- ▸History of Uttarakhand – Garhwal & Kumaon kingdoms, Chipko Movement, Statehood 2000
- ▸Geography – Himalayan ranges, rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Alaknanda), glaciers, wildlife sanctuaries
- ▸Culture & Folk Traditions – Pandava Leela, Jaunsari community, Aipan art, local festivals
- ▸Economy – Horticulture, Floriculture, Tourism (Char Dham Yatra), Hydropower projects
- ▸Polity & Administration – Uttarakhand Panchayat Raj, district administration, Vidhansabha
- ▸Natural Disasters – Kedarnath 2013, earthquake zones, SDRF, disaster preparedness
- ▸Current Affairs of Uttarakhand – Recent schemes, projects, government appointments
⚖️ Mains – General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (200 Marks)
- ▸Ethics and Human Interface – Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics
- ▸Attitude – Content, structure, social influence, persuasion
- ▸Aptitude for Civil Services – Integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship
- ▸Emotional Intelligence – concepts and application in administration
- ▸Ethics in Public Administration – Probity, RTI, accountability
- ▸Contributions of moral thinkers – Gandhian ethics, Indian philosophical traditions
- ▸Case Studies – Ethical dilemmas in government service (Uttarakhand administrative context)
8Salary & Career Growth
Salaries are as per the 7th Pay Commission and include Dearness Allowance (DA — 60% for Uttarakhand state employees from 1 January 2026), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), and hill/special allowances that vary by posting within Uttarakhand. A newly appointed Level 10 officer (Deputy Collector, DSP, BDO and most 2026 posts) draws ₹56,100 basic + ₹33,660 DA = ₹89,760; after the 10% NPS contribution that is about ₹80,784, before HRA and other allowances.
8th Pay Commission — Not Yet Implemented
The 8th Central Pay Commission was constituted in November 2025 (chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai) and its report is expected around mid-2027. Until then, all salaries — central and Uttarakhand state — continue under the 7th Pay Commission matrix shown on this page. State adoption of any future revision will follow separately.
Deputy Collector career path: SDM → Additional Collector → District Magistrate (DM) / Collector → Divisional Commissioner → State Secretariat positions. Distinguished officers can be conferred IAS after meritorious service.
DSP career path: DSP → ASP → Superintendent of Police (SP) → DIG → IG → ADGP / DGP. Exceptional officers may be conferred IPS cadre.
Naib Tehsildar (Nayab Tehsildar) Salary in Uttarakhand
The Naib Tehsildar (नायब तहसीलदार) post in Uttarakhand is at Pay Level 7 of the 7th Pay Commission — pay scale ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400, which corresponds to the old Grade Pay ₹4,600. With Uttarakhand DA at 60% (effective 1 January 2026), here is the entry-level monthly calculation:
| Component | Naib Tehsildar (Level 7) | Deputy Collector (Level 10) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay (entry) | ₹44,900 | ₹56,100 |
| Dearness Allowance @ 60% | ₹26,940 | ₹33,660 |
| Basic + DA | ₹71,840 | ₹89,760 |
| NPS contribution (10% of Basic + DA) | – ₹7,184 | – ₹8,976 |
| Basic + DA after NPS | ≈ ₹64,656 | ≈ ₹80,784 |
| Plus | HRA, Transport Allowance and hill/special allowances — these depend on the place of posting, so the final in-hand varies by district. | |
Revenue Department Pay Ladder
| Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay Scale | Recruitment Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tehsildar | Level 8 (Grade Pay ₹4,800) | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 | Mainly by promotion from Naib Tehsildar |
| Naib Tehsildar | Level 7 (Grade Pay ₹4,600) | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 | Direct recruitment via UKPSC Lower PCS (Combined Lower Subordinate Services) |
| Patwari / Lekhpal | Level 5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 | Direct recruitment via UKSSSC |
How to become a Naib Tehsildar in Uttarakhand: the post is filled through the UKPSC Lower PCS (Combined State Civil/Lower Subordinate Services) exam — not the Upper PCS covered on this page. The Lower PCS 2024 cycle (113 vacancies, Advt. A-3/E-2/DR/LSS/2024-25) ended with the final result on 25 September 2026, selecting 36 Naib Tehsildars. The UKPSC exam calendar lists the Lower PCS 2026 Prelims for 27 December 2026; its advertisement is TBN ⚠️. Graduates aged 21–42 are generally eligible — confirm the exact rules in the Lower PCS advertisement on psc.uk.gov.in.
Calculation basis: 7th CPC pay matrix entry pay; Uttarakhand DA 60% w.e.f. 1 January 2026; NPS 10% of (Basic + DA). HRA rates and hill allowances differ by Uttarakhand posting location and are not included. The 8th Pay Commission is not implemented.
912-Month Study Plan
NCERT History (6–12), Geography (6–12), Polity (9–12), Economics (9–12). Build conceptual clarity. Start daily newspaper reading (Dainik Jagran / The Hindu).
Spectrum Modern History, Laxmikanth Polity, Ramesh Singh Economy. Complete at least one standard book per subject. Begin Uttarakhand GK basics (Prayag Pustak Bhavan).
Shankar IAS Environment. General Science (NCERT). CSAT: R.S. Aggarwal. Begin weekly Prelims mock tests.
UK-specific books. Study Char Dham policy, statehood history, UK geography, culture. Practice 50 Uttarakhand-specific MCQs daily — this is your score differentiator.
Daily 2–3 answer writing practice (250 words). Essay practice fortnightly. Ethics case studies (UK context). Revise GS I–IV systematically.
Full-length mains mock tests. Current affairs consolidation. Personality development, group discussions. Review post-wise job profiles for the interview.
10Best Books for UKPSC Civil Services
| Book | Author | Subject | Find Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Polity | M. Laxmikanth | Polity | Find on Amazon |
| History of Modern India | Bipan Chandra | Modern History | Find on Amazon |
| India's Struggle for Independence | Bipan Chandra | Freedom Struggle | Find on Amazon |
| Certificate Physical & Human Geography | G.C. Leong | Geography | Find on Amazon |
| Indian Economy | Ramesh Singh | Economy | Find on Amazon |
| Environment & Ecology | Shankar IAS Academy | Environment | Find on Amazon |
| Quantitative Aptitude | R.S. Aggarwal | CSAT | Find on Amazon |
| Uttarakhand: Ek Parichay (उत्तराखंड एक परिचय) | Prayag Pustak Bhavan | UK-specific GK | — |
| Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | G. Subba Rao & P.N. Roy Chowdhury | Ethics (GS IV) | — |
| UKPSC PCS Previous Year Papers | Various Publishers | Practice Papers | — |
Links marked (paid link) are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This costs you nothing extra, and books are chosen on merit only — no publisher pays us to recommend a title.
💡 For Uttarakhand-specific GK, Prayag Pustak Bhavan publications (available in Dehradun / Haridwar) are the most exam-relevant resources. Prioritise these for Paper VII.
11Free Resources
UKPSC Official Website
Notifications, admit cards, results, answer keys — everything official.
psc.uk.gov.in ↗
UKPSC GS – StudyIQ YouTube
Free Hindi lectures covering UKPSC-specific General Studies topics.
YouTube Channel ↗
Uttarakhand GK – GK Classes
Dedicated UK Geography, History & Current Affairs in Hindi (YouTube).
YouTube Channel ↗
Drishti IAS – UKPSC Section
Free Hindi articles, UKPSC notes, current affairs summaries.
drishtiias.com ↗
Uttarakhand Govt Portal
State government schemes, policies, and data for Mains preparation.
uk.gov.in ↗
Sanskriti IAS – UKPSC Syllabus
Detailed syllabus and exam pattern breakdown for UKPSC PCS.
sanskritiias.com ↗
12Expert Preparation Tips
Master Uttarakhand GK — It's Your Score Differentiator
At least 1/3 of Prelims Paper I and all 200 marks of Mains Paper VII are Uttarakhand-specific. Most candidates neglect UK GK, creating a significant advantage for those who don't. Study the state's geography, history, culture, and current affairs every single day.
CSAT is Qualifying — But Don't Be Overconfident
You only need 33%, but failing CSAT eliminates you regardless of Paper I performance. Practice 20–30 questions daily from Month 5. Most failures happen because candidates assume they'll pass without regular practice.
Answer Writing is the Mains Battlefield
UKPSC Mains is 1500 marks of descriptive writing. Aspirants who read extensively but never write consistently underperform. Start writing 2–3 answers daily from Month 9. Quality matters more than length.
Ethics Paper Rewards Administrative Judgment, Not Definitions
Paper VI rewards candidates who demonstrate practical wisdom in Uttarakhand-specific scenarios — disaster response, land rights, tribal welfare, hill migration. Study real-life cases from Uttarakhand news alongside the ethics theory.
Use the Official Website as Your Single Source of Truth
Cross-check all dates, vacancies, and syllabus changes directly on psc.uk.gov.in. Coaching notes frequently lag official updates by weeks. Bookmark the site and check it every Monday morning.
13Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are there in UKPSC Civil Services 2026?
When is the UKPSC PCS 2026 Prelims exam?
What is the age limit for UKPSC Civil Services 2026?
What is the Naib Tehsildar (Nayab Tehsildar) salary in Uttarakhand?
What is the grade pay of Naib Tehsildar in Uttarakhand?
What is the Tehsildar salary in Uttarakhand?
Is CSAT Paper II counted for the Prelims merit list?
Are there optional subjects in UKPSC PCS Mains?
What is the in-hand salary of a Deputy Collector recruited through UKPSC?
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