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UP APO Exam Pattern 2026, Check for Prelims, Mains and Interview

Explore UP APO Exam Pattern 2026 including prelims, mains and interview pattern, syllabus, marks distribution and selection process.

Last Updated on 16 Jul 2026

up apo exam pattern

UP APO exam assesses candidates through 3 stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. As per the latest UP APO exam pattern, Prelims is objective in nature and consists of 150 questions from General Knowledge and Law subjects. Candidates must prepare for important topics such as Current Affairs, Indian Polity, History, Geography, and newly introduced criminal laws, including BNS 2023, BNSS 2023, and BSA 2023.

As per the UP APO Mains exam pattern, the question paper is descriptive and comprises 6 compulsory papers, totalling 500 marks. It covers General Hindi, General English, General Knowledge, Criminal Law & Procedure, Sakshya Adhiniyam, and Other Laws (Anya Adhiniyam). Candidates must also study important acts like the POCSO Act, Arms Act, SC/ST Act, UAPA, and Prevention of Corruption Act. 

The final stage is a 50-mark Interview that evaluates communication skills, legal understanding, personality, and overall suitability for the Assistant Prosecution Officer post.

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UP APO Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights

The following table highlights the important details of the UP APO exam pattern:

Particulars Details
Selection Process Prelims, Mains, and Interview
Prelims Exam Objective Type
Total Prelims Questions 150 Questions
Prelims Subjects General Knowledge and Law
Mains Exam Descriptive Type
Total Mains Papers 6 Papers
Total Mains Marks 500 Marks
Interview Marks 50 Marks

Join our Online UP APO Coaching to boost your preparation significantly!

UP APO Selection Process 2026

The selection process includes 3 stages under the latest UP APO exam pattern:

  1. Preliminary Test: Objective-type exam for 150 marks. It is qualifying in nature.
  2. Mains Written Test: Descriptive exam for 500 marks. This stage decides the main merit under the UP APO paper pattern.
  3. Interview / Personality Test: Conducted for 50 marks to assess personality, communication skills, and legal knowledge.

UP APO Paper Pattern for Prelims

The preliminary consists of General Knowledge and Law subjects, carrying a total of 150 questions. The UP APO exam pattern for prelims places greater emphasis on the new criminal laws and current affairs. 

Subject Topics Total Questions
Part I: General Knowledge General Science, National and International Current Affairs, Indian History, Indian National Movement, Indian Politics and Economy, World Geography and Population 50
Part II: Law Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023, Indian Constitution, U.P. Police Act and Regulations 100

Check out important resources for UP APO Exam here:

UP APO: All Details UP APO Exam Date
UP APO Vacancy UP APO Admit Card
UP APO Cut Off UP APO Results

UP APO Paper Pattern and Marks Distribution for Mains

The UP APO paper pattern for the mains includes 6 compulsory papers totalling 500 marks. Candidates will be tested on language subjects, general studies, and core law papers. 

Paper No. Subject Marks Duration
I General Hindi 100 3 Hours
II General English 50
III General Knowledge 50
IV Criminal Law & Procedure (BNS & BNSS) 100
V Sakshya Adhinyam  100
VI Other Laws (Anya Adhiniyam)   100

UP APO Paper Pattern for Interview

The viva-voce round in the UP APO paper pattern carries 50 marks. It assesses a candidate’s personality, legal understanding, and communication skills. 

Stage Marks
Interview (Personality Test) 50 Marks

Check out top preparation resources for UP APO Exam:

UP APO Mock Tests Judiciary Current Affairs
Judiciary Study Material Judiciary Mock Tests

UP APO Syllabus 2026 (Prelims, Mains & Interview)

As per the paper pattern, candidates must prepare for General Knowledge, Law subjects, language papers, and personality assessment covered under the UP APO Syllabus.

Stage / Paper Subjects / Topics
Prelims – Part I General Science, Current Affairs, Indian History, Indian National Movement, Indian Polity & Economy, World Geography and Population
Prelims – Part II Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, U.P. Police Act and Regulations, Indian Constitution
Mains – General Hindi Substitution, Passage Completion, Spotting Errors, Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, Active & Passive Voice, Synonyms, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Completion
Mains – General English Essay Writing, Comprehension, Grammar, Sentence Construction
Mains – General Knowledge Indian Culture, Environment & Ecology, Botany & Zoology, Indian Economy, Indian Politics, Computer Awareness, Sports, Parliament, Geography, History, Physics, Chemistry
Mains – Criminal Law & Procedure Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; U.P. Police Act and Regulations; Indian Constitution
Mains – Anya Adhiniyam Arms Act 1959, POCSO Act 2012, Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, SC/ST Act 1989, Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, IT Act 2000, Explosive Act 1884, Essential Commodities Act 1955, U.P. Gangsters Act 1986, U.P. Goondas Act 1970, UAPA 1967, U.P. Public Examinations Act 2024 and other important Acts
Interview / Personality Test Legal Knowledge, Problem-Solving Ability, Communication Skills, Personality & Character, Overall Suitability

Find more about the UP APO Salary Structure here!

Preparation Tips According to UP APO Exam Pattern

Candidates should prepare according to the latest UP APO exam pattern to effectively balance both objective and descriptive papers.

  • Focus on Current Affairs, History, Polity, Geography, and General Science for Prelims.
  • Prepare BNS 2023, BNSS 2023, and BSA 2023 thoroughly as they carry major weightage in the UP APO paper pattern.
  • Practice answer writing for General Hindi, English, and law papers.
  • Revise important minor acts like the POCSO Act, Arms Act, UAPA, and SC/ST Act regularly.
  • Solve UP APO previous year papers and mock tests to understand the latest exam pattern.
  • Improve communication skills and legal awareness for the Interview stage.

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FAQs on UP APO Exam Pattern 2026

The UP APO exam pattern consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The Prelims exam is objective, while the Mains exam is descriptive in nature.

According to the revised UP APO paper pattern, the Preliminary exam contains 150 questions divided between General Knowledge and Law subjects.

The Mains exam includes General Hindi, General English, General Knowledge, Criminal Law & Procedure, Sakshya Adhiniyam, and Other Laws (Anya Adhiniyam) under the updated UP APO exam pattern.

Candidates must prepare Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023 as they carry significant weightage in the UP APO paper pattern.

The Interview or Personality Test carries 50 marks and evaluates legal knowledge, communication skills, and overall personality.

Yes, the Mains stage in the UP APO exam pattern is descriptive and consists of 6 compulsory papers carrying a total of 500 marks.
Virendra Soni
Virendra Soni

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Virendra heads SEO & Content at LPT. A writer at heart, he focuses on building exam-focused content that informs, guides, and supports aspirants in their preparation journey.

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