UPPSC RO / ARO Syllabus 2026Prelims (GS 140 + Hindi 60) & Mains (400 Marks) Topic-Wise Breakdown
Exhaustive, topic-by-topic breakdown of the UPPSC Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) examination syllabus. Includes marks distribution, question weightage, and critical preparation tips for 2026 aspirants.
Preliminary Examination Pattern (200 Marks)
Both papers are conducted on the same day in pen-and-paper OMR mode.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Studies (सामान्य अध्ययन) | 140 | 140 | 2 Hours (9:30 AM – 11:30 AM) | 1/3rd (0.33) |
| Paper 2 | General Hindi (सामान्य हिन्दी) | 60 | 60 | 1 Hour (2:30 PM – 3:30 PM) | 1/3rd (0.33) |
| Total Preliminary Examination | 200 | 200 Marks | Combined Cutoff Decides Mains Qualification | ||
General Studies (सामान्य अध्ययन) Syllabus
Detailed topic-wise syllabus with estimated questions and preparation focus
1. General Science (सामान्य विज्ञान)
~12–15 QuestionsEmphasis on matters of everyday observation and experience. Covers human physiology, nutrition, vitamins & diseases, genetics, biotechnology, applied physics (optics, mechanics, electricity), and daily chemistry (acids, polymers, fertilizers).
2. History of India & Indian National Movement (भारत का इतिहास एवं भारतीय राष्ट्रीय आन्दोलन)
~20–22 QuestionsAncient India (Indus Valley, Vedic, Buddhism/Jainism, Mauryan, Gupta & temples), Medieval India (Delhi Sultanate architecture, Mughal administration, Bhakti & Sufi movements), Modern India (British expansion, Governor-Generals, 1857 Revolt, INC sessions, Gandhian movements 1915–1947, tribal/peasant uprisings, and revolutionary organizations).
3. Indian Polity, Economy & Culture (भारतीय राज्यतन्त्र, अर्थव्यवस्था एवं संस्कृति)
~16–18 QuestionsConstitutional framework, Fundamental Rights & DPSP, Executive (President, Governor), Parliament & State Legislature, Judiciary, Panchayati Raj (73rd/74th Amendments), Constitutional Bodies, Union Budget, Economic Survey, banking, inflation, poverty indices, and classical art/dance forms.
4. Indian Agriculture, Commerce and Trade (भारतीय कृषि, वाणिज्य एवं व्यापार)
~8–10 QuestionsMajor crops & cropping seasons (Kharif, Rabi, Zaid), crop diseases, soil nutrients, irrigation systems, Minimum Support Price (MSP), agricultural institutions (ICAR, IARI, NABARD), and India's export-import trends.
5. Population, Ecology & Urbanization (जनसंख्या, पर्यावरण एवं नगरीकरण - भारतीय परिप्रेक्ष्य)
~8–10 QuestionsCensus of India (Sex ratio, literacy, density, urbanization rates), national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, Ramsar sites, Project Tiger, climate protocols (UNFCCC, COP), and biodiversity hotspots.
6. World Geography, Indian Geography & Natural Resources (भूगोल एवं प्राकृतिक संसाधन)
~18–22 QuestionsPhysical features, Indian river drainage basins, monsoons, mineral belts (iron, coal, bauxite), world straits, mountain ranges, ocean currents, and global resource distributions.
7. Current Events of National & International Importance (अद्यतन समसामयिकी)
~22–26 QuestionsDecisive weightage! Government schemes, international summits (G20, BRICS, SCO), national awards (Padma, Bharat Ratna, Gallantry), sports events, appointments, rankings & indices, military exercises, and scientific missions (ISRO, DRDO).
8. Uttar Pradesh Special Knowledge (उत्तर प्रदेश विशेष ज्ञान - UP Special GK)
~15–18 QuestionsHigh-yield section: UP history, archaeological sites, festivals & fairs, ODOP (One District One Product), industrial corridors, UP Census demographics, UP State Budget, agriculture, river systems, dams & canals, and state administrative setup.
9. General Intelligentsia / Reasoning (सामान्य बौद्धिक क्षमता)
~12–14 QuestionsAnalogy, number series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, Venn diagrams, clocks & calendars, syllogisms, and basic quantitative aptitude. Easy 100% conversion with standard practice.
General Hindi (सामान्य हिन्दी) Complete Syllabus
Strictly 6 topics with exactly 10 questions each. Negative marking: 0.33 marks.
विलोम शब्द (Antonyms)
Opposite words in literary Hindi. Typical test areas include negative prefixes (अ, अन, अप, दुर्, निर्, वि), gender-shift antonyms, and subtle classical Sanskrit opposites.
वाक्य एवं वर्तनी शुद्धि
5 questions on finding grammatical errors in sentences (subject-verb agreement, gender modifiers, punctuation) and 5 questions on identifying correct/incorrect word spellings (e.g., उज्ज्वल, कवयित्री, शृंगार, आशीर्वाद).
अनेक शब्दों के लिए एक शब्द
One-word substitutions. High emphasis on mythological descriptions, directional rulers (ईशान, नैऋत्य, वायव्य, आग्नेय), psychological states, and life-stage terminology.
तत्सम एवं तद्भव शब्द
Distinguishing pure Sanskrit loanwords (Tatsam) from their colloquial Prakrit/Apabhramsha/Hindi descendants (Tadbhav). Focus on phonological change rules (क्ष → ख/छ, श → स, व → ब).
विशेष्य और विशेषण
Adjectives and qualifying nouns. Questions ask to count the number of Visheshya vs Visheshan in complex literary excerpts, or convert nouns into qualifying adjectives (e.g., समाज → सामाजिक, शिव → शैव).
पर्यायवाची शब्द (Synonyms)
Standard synonyms for deities (शिव, विष्णु, गणेश, सरस्वती), natural elements (अग्नि, जल, नदी, सूर्य, चन्द्रमा), birds & animals, and emotions. (Note: Present only in Prelims; omitted in Mains!)
Latest Mains Examination Pattern & Detailed Syllabus (800 Marks)
4 Descriptive Papers • 200 Marks Each • 12 Hours Total Duration • Zero Interview Marks
| Paper | Subject | Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies I (20 Descriptive Questions) | Descriptive Written | 200 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Paper II | General Studies II (Polity, Governance, Economy, Ethics) | Descriptive Written | 200 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Paper III | General Hindi and Drafting (सामान्य हिन्दी एवं आलेखन) | Descriptive Written | 200 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Paper IV | Hindi Essay (हिन्दी निबन्ध - 2 Essays) | Descriptive Written | 200 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Total Main Written Examination | 800 Marks (12 Hours) | |||
Paper I : General Studies I (200 Marks • 3 Hours)
20 QuestionsPaper II : General Studies II (200 Marks • 3 Hours)
20 QuestionsPaper III : General Hindi and Drafting (सामान्य हिन्दी एवं आलेखन - 200 Marks)
- Summary writing (सार-लेखन / सारणी रूप)
- Official Letter (शासकीय पत्र) & Demi-official Letter (अर्धशासकीय पत्र)
- Office Order (कार्यालय आदेश), Office Memorandum (ज्ञाप), Circular (परिपत्र)
- Notification (विज्ञप्ति), Note (टिप्पण), Report (प्रतिवेदन) & Reminder (अनुस्मारक)
Paper IV : Hindi Essay (हिन्दी निबन्ध - 200 Marks • 3 Hours)
Candidates must write 2 essays (one from Section I and one from Section II).
Section I
80 Marks • 800 Words- • Science, Environment and Technology (विज्ञान, पर्यावरण एवं प्रौद्योगिकी)
- • Economic Sector (आर्थिक क्षेत्र)
- • Agriculture, Industry and Trade (कृषि, उद्योग एवं व्यापार)
- • Natural Disasters – Landslides, Earthquakes, Floods, Droughts (प्राकृतिक आपदायें)
Section II
120 Marks • 1,200 Words- • Literature and Culture (साहित्य और संस्कृति)
- • Social and Political Sectors (सामाजिक एवं राजनीतिक क्षेत्र)
- • National and International Current Events (राष्ट्रीय एवं अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय घटनाक्रम)
- • National Development – Schemes and Projects (राष्ट्रीय विकास - योजनायें एवं परियोजनायें)
Assistant Review Officer (ARO) Mandatory Typing Test
For all 329 Assistant Review Officer vacancies, qualifying the computer typing test is mandatory:
Frequently Asked Questions on RO/ARO Syllabus
Is the General Studies syllabus of RO/ARO identical to UPPCS Prelims?
Yes, the core subjects (History, Geography, Polity, Science, Economy, Environment, UP Special GK, and Current Affairs) are identical. The only minor difference is that RO/ARO Paper 1 includes 12–14 basic reasoning questions in the GS paper itself, whereas UPPCS Prelims has a separate CSAT paper.
How many questions are asked from Uttar Pradesh Special in RO/ARO Prelims?
Traditionally, UPPSC asks between 15 to 20 questions from UP Special topics (culture, census, agriculture, rivers, geography, industry, and state schemes) in the RO/ARO Prelims GS paper, making it one of the highest ROI areas for preparation.
Can I prepare for both UPPCS and RO/ARO 2026 at the same time?
Absolutely! Over 80% of serious aspirants prepare for both simultaneously. Kartavya PCS's AAROHAN and PYQ Dangal test series, daily current affairs, and comprehensive study notes cover the entire common GS syllabus.