The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) is conducting the PCS 2025 Prelims exam today, October 12, 2025, across designated examination centers. Following the conclusion of the first shift, an immediate analysis of the question paper will be available. This analysis will cover the overall difficulty level of the examination and provide insights into section-wise difficulty. It will also serve as the basis for the preliminary expected cutoff scores for various categories.
UPPSC 2025 Answer Key
The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission will release the tentative answer key for the 2025 Prelims exam within approximately one week after the examination date. Candidates will have the opportunity to review this tentative key and submit representations against any answers they deem incorrect. After considering these challenges, the Commission will publish the final, official answer key.
UPPSC 2025 Prelims Expected Cutoff
The official cutoff for the UPPSC PCS Prelims will be released by the Commission only after the declaration of the final results for the entire selection process. However, an expected cutoff will be derived soon after the exam, based on the comprehensive analysis of the question paper’s difficulty level and candidate feedback. The number of vacancies significantly influences the cutoff: an increase in vacancies can lead to a reduction in the cutoff scores. Conversely, fewer vacancies typically result in higher cutoffs. Candidates can access previous years’ cutoff scores on the official UPPSC website for reference, as these are released post-final result for each post and category.
UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
The UPPSC Prelims exam pattern is detailed in the official notification. The examination consists of two objective-type papers:
| Paper Name | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies – I | 150 | 200 |
| General Studies – II (Aptitude) | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 400 |
General Studies Paper II (Aptitude) is a qualifying paper only. Its marks are not included when preparing the UPPSC Prelims merit list. The merit list is based solely on the scores obtained in General Studies Paper I.
UPPSC PCS Syllabus
The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission specifies the Prelims syllabus in its official notification. The exam covers questions from fundamental subjects and current affairs. These core subjects include:
- History of India & Indian National Movement
- India and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic geography of India and the World
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Economic and Social Development
- General Science
Understanding these five subjects and staying updated on current events is essential for candidates.
Key Examination Rules
The UPPSC Prelims exam acts as a screening test to select candidates for the Main exam. Marks from the Prelims exam do not contribute to the final merit list. A negative marking scheme is implemented in the Prelims exam. This provision reduces speculative answers. The Commission selects candidates for the Main exam at a ratio of 15 times the total number of advertised vacancies. Following the Main exam, candidates are shortlisted for the interview stage at a ratio of 3 times the vacancies.