UPPCS Mains: General Studies VI

About this paper

General Studies VI 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. It is the second of the two papers on Uttar Pradesh: every topic is about UP, and this paper covers the state's economy, agriculture, geography, environment, science and technology and development.

• 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 VI, as printed in the advertisement:

• Overview of Economy of UP: Main features of economy and State Budgets, Infrastructure and importance of Physical Resources.
• Trade, Commerce and industries of UP.
• UP Government Schemes, Projects and Planned Development for welfare of People, Human Resources and Skill Development.
• Investment in UP: Issues and Impact.
• Public Finance and Fiscal Policy, Tax and Economic Reforms, One District One Product Policy of UP Government.
• Planning and management of renewable and non-renewable energy resources of UP.
• Demography, Population and Censuses of UP.
• Commercialization of agriculture and production of agricultural crops in UP.
• UP New Forest Policy.
• Agro and Social Forestry in U.P.
• Agricultural Diversity, Problems of agriculture and their solutions in UP.
• Developmental Indices of UP in various fields.
• Geography of UP: Geographical Location, Relief and Structure, Climate, Irrigation, Minerals, Drainage System and Vegetation.
• National Parks and Wild Life Sanctuaries in UP.
• Transport Network in UP.
• Power Resources, Infrastructure and Industrial Development of UP.
• Pollution and Environmental Issues in UP, Pollution Control Board and its functions.
• Natural Resources of UP: Soil, Water, Air, Forests, Grasslands, Wetlands.
• Climate Change and Weather Forecasting issues in UP.
• Habitat and Ecosystem, structure and function, adjustment, Flora and Fauna with reference to UP.
• Science and Technology: Its issues, advancements and efforts in UP.
• Aquaculture, Viticulture, Sericulture, Floriculture, Horticulture, Arboriculture in UP and its impact on development of UP.
• Evolvement of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for development of UP.

Subject-wise breakdown

Each official area has its own page with a point-by-point list of what to study. Two short lines (the forest policy, and agro and social forestry) share one page, and the long line on the geography of UP is split over two.

• Economy of UP: Main Features, State Budgets and Physical Resources: size and structure of the economy, regional disparities, the state budget, infrastructure and physical resources.
• Trade, Commerce and Industries of UP: agro-based, craft, mineral-based and modern industries by centre, and internal trade and exports.
• UP Government Schemes, Planned Development and Skill Development: planning in UP, state schemes by target group, human resources and skill development.
• Investment in UP: Issues and Impact: investment agencies and policies, what holds investment back and what it changes.
• Public Finance, Fiscal Policy, Tax Reforms and One District One Product: state finances and fiscal rules, GST and tax reforms, and the One District One Product policy with district examples.
• Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Resources: Planning and Management: coal, gas, nuclear, hydro, solar and bio-energy, and the bodies that plan and manage power.
• Demography, Population and Censuses of UP: Census 2011 figures, district extremes, population policy and how the census works.
• Commercialisation of Agriculture and Agricultural Crops: agro-climatic zones, crop production and the shift from subsistence to market farming.
• UP Forest Policy, Agro-forestry and Social Forestry: the state's new forest policy, agro-forestry and social forestry (two official lines).
• Agricultural Diversity, Problems of Agriculture and Their Solutions: regional diversity of farming, its problems and the remedies tried.
• Developmental Indices of UP in Various Fields: what each development index measures and who publishes it.
• Geography of UP: Location, Relief, Structure and Climate: location, physiographic divisions, structure and climate (first half of the geography line).
• Geography of UP: Drainage, Irrigation, Minerals and Vegetation: rivers, canals, minerals and forest types (second half of the geography line).
• National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in UP: Dudhwa, the tiger reserves, sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries and Ramsar sites by region.
• Transport Network in UP: expressways, railways and freight corridors, airports, waterways and logistics.
• Power Resources, Infrastructure and Industrial Development: power and industrial infrastructure as the base of industrial growth.
• Pollution, Environmental Issues and the Pollution Control Board: air, water, land and noise pollution in UP and the Pollution Control Board's functions.
• Natural Resources of UP: Soil, Water, Air, Forests, Grasslands and Wetlands: soil, water, air, forests, grasslands and wetlands: types, threats and conservation.
• Climate Change and Weather Forecasting Issues in UP: effects of climate change on UP, the state action plan, and forecasting and warnings.
• Habitat and Ecosystem, Flora and Fauna of UP: ecosystem concepts, adaptation, the ecosystems of UP and its plants and animals.
• Science and Technology in UP: Issues, Advancements and Efforts: research institutions, new industries, technology in governance and the gaps.
• Aquaculture, Viticulture, Sericulture, Floriculture, Horticulture and Arboriculture: fisheries, grapes, silk, flowers, fruits and vegetables, tree care, and their impact on development.
• Evolvement of Public-Private Partnership for Development of UP: PPP models, how PPP grew in UP's sectors, and its problems.

How this paper connects

General Studies VI is the Uttar Pradesh counterpart of General Studies III, which covers the economy, agriculture, infrastructure, science and technology, environment and disasters for India: read the national topic there first, then its UP side here. The other UP paper, General Studies V, covers the state's history, culture, polity, administration, security and welfare; land reforms, the Jal Shakti Mission and innovation in UP are there. World and Indian physical geography, population and settlements are in General Studies I. The Prelims General Studies Paper I asks for general awareness of its subjects with special reference to Uttar Pradesh, so much of this paper helps there too.

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.