The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) was established on 15 May 2001, under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution. It is a state government body headquartered in Haridwar, responsible for conducting competitive examinations and interviews for recruiting candidates into various administrative positions in Uttarakhand. Its sanctioned strength includes a Chairperson and six members . The incumbent chairperson, Dr. Ravi Datt Godiyal, has been in office since 1 November 2023.
Core Functions of UKPSC
| Function | Details |
|---|---|
| Conduct Exams | Holds exams for Group A (upper subordinate) and Group B (lower subordinate) posts in state services |
| Assist Other States | Offers framing and operational guidance when requested by other state commissions . |
| Interview & Recruitment | Conducts interviews and selection procedures for various service positions. |
UKPSC also handles combined civil services (PCS), judicial services (Civil Judge), forensic science assistants, and other roles such as Review Officers and District Sports Officers .
Examinations Conducted by UKPSC
UKPSC primarily conducts three tiers of exams:
a) Combined State (Upper Subordinate) Examination
- Preliminary: Objective-type with two papers — General Studies (150 questions, 150 marks) and General Aptitude (100 questions, 150 marks). The aptitude paper is qualifying, requiring 33% to pass .
- Main: Written examination with eight papers (General Hindi, Essay, and six General Studies papers including Uttarakhand-specific subjects), totaling 1,500 marks.
- Interview/Personality Test: 200 marks. Final merit is based on Mains + Interview.
b) Combined State (Lower Subordinate) Examination
For junior government posts, following a similar structure (Prelims, Mains, Interview) but tailored to Group B roles.
c) Specific Role Exams
Separate exams for Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer, Civil Judge (Junior Division), etc.
Eligibility Criteria
| Eligibility | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizens, Nepal/Bhutan nationals or Tibetan refugees settled before 1962. |
| Age Limit | 21–42 years (General); relaxations available for SC/ST (+5 years), OBC (+3), ex-servicemen, PWD (+10) . |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Some posts require PG, B.Ed., Diploma, or specialized qualifications . |
| Physical Standards | Required for roles like Police Sub Inspector and District Commandant (height and chest measurements specified) . |
Application & Notification Process
- Annually, UKPSC releases notifications detailing vacancies, eligibility, exam dates, and application procedures .
- Example: PCS 2025 notification (A‑1/E‑1/PCS‑2025/2025‑26) issued on 7 May 2025, for 123 vacancies. Last date to apply: 27 May 2025; correction window: 3–12 June 2025 .
- Fees vary by category (e.g., ₹166.36 for unreserved, ₹16.36 for physically handicapped).
- Applications are submitted online through the official UKPSC portal.
Exam Schedule & Pattern Overview
| Stage | Paper(s) | Marks | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | General Studies (150 Q, 150 marks)<br>General Aptitude (100 Q, 150 marks, qualifying) | 300 | 4 hours | Negative marking: ¼ mark per wrong answer |
| Main | General Hindi, Essay, GS I–VI | 1,500 | 3 hours each | Language paper requires ≥35% |
| Interview | Personality Test | 200 | — | Contributes to final ranking |
Important Dates (Example: PCS 2024 & 2025)
| Event | PCS 2024 | PCS 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Issue | 14 Mar 2024 | 7 May 2025 |
| Application Period | 14 Mar–3 Apr 2024 | 7 May–27 May 2025 |
| Prelims Exam | 14 Jul 2024 | 29 Jun 2025 (planned) |
| Mains Exam | 16–19 Nov 2024 | — |
| Interview | — | — |
Cut-Off Trends & Salary Structure
- Cut-off marks vary annually by category and difficulty. Typically, 55–60% in Main is needed to proceed.
- Salaries (for PCS-level roles) fall under Pay Level 10: ₹56,100–1,77,500 .
- Different posts may have different pay scales accordingly.
Recent Issues & Transparency Measures
- In January 2023, UKPSC experienced a major paper leak in the Patwari exam due to insider collusion. The paper was rescheduled, and action was initiated against the involved officials.
- UKPSC emphasizes transparency through re-evaluation processes, objection facilities after prelims, and publishing answer keys .
Preparation Tips for Aspirants
| Focus Area | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Syllabus Awareness | Thoroughly study topics across GS, Hindi, essays, and Uttarakhand-specific content. Official syllabus and past notifications are essential. |
| Current Affairs | Daily updates with emphasis on Uttarakhand state policies, schemes, and developments. |
| Mock Tests & Time Management | Regular practice for prelims and mains improves speed, accuracy, and structuring skills. |
| Language Proficiency | Hindi writing and vocabulary are crucial; essay writing skills matter. |
| Physical Preparation | For roles with physical requirements, meet height and chest criteria well ahead of application. |
Frequently Asked Questions
A. The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) is a state-level constitutional body set up in May 2001. It recruits candidates for various civil, judicial, policing, and administrative roles in Uttarakhand through competitive exams .
A. Candidates must be Indian citizens (or Nepal/Bhutan/Tibetan refugees), aged 21–42 (with category-based relaxation), and hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
A. The pattern includes a Preliminary exam (objective), Main exam (written; eight papers including language and GS), and Interview. Prelims has 300 marks, Mains 1,500, and Interview 200 .
A. The UKPSC PCS‑2025 notification (A‑1/E‑1/PCS‑2025/2025‑26) was released on 7 May 2025, with online applications accepted until 27 May 2025 .
A. PCS-level officers are assigned to Pay Level 10, with salaries ranging from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month .