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.
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 |
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UP APO Selection Process 2026
The selection process includes 3 stages under the latest UP APO exam pattern:
- Preliminary Test: Objective-type exam for 150 marks. It is qualifying in nature.
- Mains Written Test: Descriptive exam for 500 marks. This stage decides the main merit under the UP APO paper pattern.
- 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 |
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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 |
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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
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.