UPPCS Mains: General Studies I

About this paper

General Studies I is one of the eight compulsory papers of the UPPCS Main (Written) Examination, the second stage of the Combined State / Upper Subordinate Services Examination of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC). There are no optional papers. The paper covers Indian culture, modern Indian and world history, Indian society, and world and Indian geography.

• The question paper is set in English (Roman script) and Hindi (Devanagari script). Candidates may answer in English (Roman script), Hindi (Devanagari script) or Urdu (Persian script).
• The standard is what a holder of a university Bachelor's degree is expected to know.
• Marks may be deducted for handwriting that is not easily legible.
• The Main Examination carries 1,500 marks (General Hindi 150, Essay 150, six General Studies papers of 200 each). Selection is made on the total marks of the Main (Written) Examination and the Interview (100 marks).
• Candidates who score less than 40% in the Preliminary or Main Examination (35% for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates) are not placed in the merit or select list.

Official syllabus

General Studies I, as printed in the advertisement:

• History of Indian Culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian history (from A.D. 1757 to A.D. 1947): Significant events, personalities and issues, etc.
• The Freedom Struggle: its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country (till 1965 A.D.).
• History of the world will include events from 18th century to middle of the 20th century such as French revolution of 1789, Industrial revolution, World Wars, redraw of national boundaries, Socialism, Nazism, Fascism etc.: their forms and effect on the society.
• Salient features of Indian Society and culture.
• Role of Women in society and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
• Meaning of liberalization, privatization and globalization and their effects on economy, polity and social structure.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
• Distribution of major natural resources of World: Water, Soils, Forests in reference to South and South-East Asia with special reference to India. Factors responsible for the location of industries (with special reference to India).
• Salient features of Physical Geography: Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone, Ocean Currents, winds and glaciers.
• Oceanic resources of India and their potential.
• Human migration-refugee problem of the World with focus on India.
• Frontiers and boundaries with reference to Indian sub-continent.
• Population and Settlements: Types and Patterns, Urbanization, Smart Cities and Smart Villages.

Subject-wise breakdown

Each official area has its own page with a point-by-point list of what to study. Urbanisation, named in the line on women, population and poverty, is covered with settlements on the last page.

• History of Indian Culture: art forms, sculpture, painting, performing arts, literature and architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian History (1757 to 1947): British expansion, administration, economy, reform movements and the Revolt of 1857.
• The Freedom Struggle: the stages of the national movement and contributors from every region.
• Post-independence Consolidation (till 1965): integration of states, the Constitution, reorganisation of states, planning and foreign policy.
• World History: the revolutions of the 18th century to the Second World War, and socialism, fascism and Nazism.
• Indian Society and Culture: diversity, caste, family, village and tribe, religion and social change.
• Role of Women and Women's Organisations: status, movements, laws, problems and remedies.
• Population and Associated Issues: demographic concepts, India's population, policy.
• Poverty and Developmental Issues: measurement, causes, programmes, human development.
• Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation: the 1991 reforms and their effects on economy, polity and society.
• Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism: constitutional safeguards and the forces that shape national unity.
• Natural Resources and Location of Industries: water, soils and forests from the world to India, and why industries are where they are.
• Physical Geography: earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, cyclones, ocean currents, winds and glaciers.
• Oceanic Resources of India: maritime zones, living, mineral and energy resources, and their potential.
• Human Migration and Refugees: concepts, world refugee crises and India's experience.
• Frontiers and Boundaries: boundary concepts and India's land and maritime borders.
• Population and Settlements: settlement types and patterns, urbanisation, Smart Cities and Smart Villages.

How this paper connects

The history and geography here are national and global; Uttar Pradesh's own history, culture, freedom fighters and society are in General Studies V, and its geography, demography and resources in General Studies VI. Indian history, the national movement and geography are also in the Prelims General Studies Paper I. Society, women, poverty and globalisation give material for the Essay paper, and the Constitution and economy that follow from this paper's history are in General Studies II and General Studies III.

Source: UPPSC Advertisement No. A-1/E-1/2026 (Combined State / Upper Subordinate Services Examination, 2026), 25 June 2026, Appendices 2 and 4, uppsc.up.nic.in. Last checked 11 November 2026.