UPPSC has released the latest UP APO syllabus, covering law subjects, general knowledge, and Hindi, along with the interview stage. The stages of the exam are Prelims, Mains and Interview. National and International Current Affairs from the General Knowledge section are a high-weightage topic from the UP APO syllabus for the Part 1 Prelims exam. From the law section of the UP APO prelims exam Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is the topic having the highest weightage.
According to UP APO Mains Syllabus 2026, there are six papers in the examination accounting for a total of 500 marks. The questions in the UP APO Mains exam will be subjective in nature. In this post, you’ll find the complete subject-wise syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation tips to plan your studies effectively.
UPPSC APO Syllabus 2026: Overview
As per the UP APO vacancy 2026 notification, find the overview of the syllabus:
| Stage | Papers / Subjects | Topics Covered | Marks |
| Prelims | General Knowledge | General Science, Current Events, History of India, Indian National Movement, Indian Polity & Economy, World Geography & Population | 50 |
| Law | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (30 Qs), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (20 Qs), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (25 Qs), U.P. Police Act & Regulations (15 Qs), Constitution of India (10 Qs) | 100 | |
| Mains | General Hindi | Essay, Comprehension, Grammar, Precis, Vocabulary | 100 |
| General English | Essay, Grammar, Vocabulary, Translation, Precis Writing | 50 | |
| General Knowledge | Science, Current Affairs, Indian History, Polity, Economy, Geography, Culture | 50 | |
| Criminal Law & Procedure | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, U.P. Police Act & Regulations | 100 | |
| Evidence Law | Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 | 100 | |
| Other Laws | Probation of Offenders Act, POCSO Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, SC/ST Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, IT Act, Explosives Act, Public Property Damage Act, Essential Commodities Act, U.P. Gangsters Act, NDPS Act, U.P. Excise Act, U.P. Religious Conversion Act, Immoral Traffic Act, U.P. Public Examination Act, Foreigners Act | 100 | |
| Interview | Personality Test | Legal knowledge, current affairs, communication, suitability for APO role | 50 |
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- Prelims: 150 marks (Objective, 2 hours, with –0.33 negative marking).
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- Mains: 500 marks (Descriptive, 6 papers, 3 hours each).
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- Interview: 50 marks.
UP APO Syllabus for Prelims – Topics and Marks Distribution
| Part | Subject | Topics | No. of Questions | Marks |
| Part I | General Knowledge | General Science, Current Events (National & International), History of India, Indian National Movement, Indian Polity & Economy, World Geography & Population | 50 | 50 |
| Part II | Law | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (30 Qs)Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (20 Qs)Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (25 Qs)U.P. Police Act & Regulations (15 Qs)Constitution of India (10 Qs) | 100 | 100 |
| Total | — | — | 150 | 150 |
Note: Prelims will be an Objective Type Exam of 2 hours, with negative marking (-0.33 per wrong answer).
UP APO Mains Syllabus 2026 – Topics and Marks Distribution
| Paper | Subject | Topics | Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1 | General Hindi | Essay, Comprehension, Grammar, Precis Writing, Vocabulary | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 2 | General English | Essay, Grammar, Vocabulary, Translation, Precis Writing | 50 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 3 | General Knowledge | General Science, Current Affairs, Indian History, Polity, Economy, Geography, Culture | 50 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 4 | Criminal Law & Procedure | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023U.P. Police Act & Regulations | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 5 | Evidence Law | Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 6 | Other Laws | Probation of Offenders Act, POCSO Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, SC/ST Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, IT Act, Explosives Act, Public Property Damage Act, Essential Commodities Act, U.P. Gangsters Act, NDPS Act, U.P. Excise Act, U.P. Religious Conversion Act, Immoral Traffic Act, U.P. Public Examination Act, Foreigners Act | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Total | — | — | 500 | — |
Note: Mains is descriptive. GK & Hindi are of High School standard, while Law papers are of Law Degree level.
UP APO Main Syllabus 2026
Understanding the UP APO syllabus 2026 is important for creating an effective preparation strategy and prioritising topics based on exam requirements. In this phase of UP APO 2026, the questions will be asked from topics like Current Affairs, Science, Sports, and even History. Additionally, the exam will have questions from General Hindi, major criminal laws and different acts.
UPPSC APO Syllabus 2026 for Interview
| Component | Details |
| Marks | 50 |
| Type | Personality Test / Viva-Voce |
| Focus Areas | Legal knowledge, awareness of current legal issues, communication skills, analytical ability, presence of mind |
| Personality Traits | Confidence, integrity, moral character, suitability for prosecution services |
| Other Aspects | Knowledge of recent case laws, state & national issues, general awareness |
UP APO Exam Pattern 2026
The UP APO Exam is conducted in three stages – Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. Candidates must qualify each stage to move to the next.
| Stage | Papers / Subjects | Marks | Duration | Type |
| Prelims | General Knowledge (50 Qs) | 50 | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQs) |
| Law (100 Qs) | 100 | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQs) | |
| Mains | General Hindi | 100 | 3 Hours | Descriptive |
| General English | 50 | 3 Hours | Descriptive | |
| General Knowledge | 50 | 3 Hours | Descriptive | |
| Criminal Law & Procedure | 100 | 3 Hours | Descriptive | |
| Evidence Law | 100 | 3 Hours | Descriptive | |
| Other Laws | 100 | 3 Hours | Descriptive | |
| Interview | Personality Test | 50 | — | Face-to-Face |
Download UP APO Syllabus PDF!
Want the complete syllabus in one place? Download the official UP APO Syllabus PDF 2026 and keep it handy for your preparation. It covers the detailed topics for Prelims, Mains, and Interview, along with exam pattern and marking scheme.
Best Books for UPPSC APO Syllabus 2026
1. Law (IPC, CrPC, Evidence, U.P. Police Act, Contract & Torts)
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- Indian Penal Code – Ratanlal & Dhirajlal
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- Code of Criminal Procedure – R.V. Kelkar
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- Law of Evidence – Batuk Lal or Ratanlal & Dhirajlal
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- Law of Torts – R.K. Bangia
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- Law of Contract – Avtar Singh
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- U.P. Police Act & Regulations – Bare Act + State-specific notes
2. General Knowledge & Current Affairs
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- Lucent’s General Knowledge
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- Manorama Yearbook
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- India Yearbook (Publication Division, Govt. of India)
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- Daily reading of The Hindu or Indian Express
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- Monthly current affairs magazines (Pratiyogita Darpan, etc.)
3. General Hindi
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- Lucent’s Samanya Hindi
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- Arihant Samanya Hindi by Dr. Lal & Jain
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- Practice of essay and precis writing from High School-level Hindi guides
Preparation Strategy According to UP APO Syllabus 2026
1. Prioritize Core Law Subjects
Law carries the highest marks in both prelims and mains. Start with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Evidence Act. Study bare acts, landmark judgments, and practice questions regularly to strengthen your legal foundation.
2. Build Strong General Knowledge
Daily newspaper reading is essential for current affairs. Revise history, polity, economy, and geography as per the syllabus. Use Lucent GK and monthly magazines to cover static topics and stay updated with state and national news.
3. Practice Hindi and English Writing
Both Hindi and English papers test essays, grammar, and precis writing. Regular practice improves clarity and structure. Write short essays and translations daily to ensure you can manage time and present answers effectively in mains.
4. Solve Previous Year Papers
UP APO previous year papers highlight repeated topics and question trends. Attempt them in timed conditions to assess preparation level. Analyzing mistakes helps identify weak areas and provides insights into important portions of the syllabus.
5. Take Regular Mock Tests
Mock tests simulate the exam environment and help improve speed and accuracy. Attempt sectional and full-length tests for both prelims and mains. Regular analysis ensures balanced preparation and reduces exam anxiety.
6. Revise Consistently
Make short notes for law provisions, case laws, and current affairs. Revise them frequently to retain information. Regular revision ensures you don’t forget core topics during the final preparation stage, especially for law and GK sections.
7. Prepare for the Interview Early
Don’t wait until mains results for interview preparation. Focus on communication skills, confidence, and awareness of current legal issues. Mock interviews with mentors or peers can help improve personality and presentation for the final stage.
FAQs About UPPSC APO Syllabus
What is the UP APO syllabus 2026?
The UPPSC APO syllabus includes General Knowledge and Law for prelims, and six descriptive papers for mains: General Hindi, General English, General Knowledge, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence Law, and Other Laws. The interview tests legal awareness and personality.
How many papers are there in the UP APO exam?
There are 2 papers in prelims, 6 papers in mains, and 1 interview round.
What is the UP APO prelims syllabus?
The prelims covers General Knowledge (science, history, polity, economy, current events, geography) and Law (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, U.P. Police Act, Constitution of India).
What is the UP APO mains syllabus?
Mains includes six descriptive papers: General Hindi, General English, General Knowledge, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence Law, and Other Laws (like POCSO Act, SC/ST Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, NDPS Act, IT Act, etc.).
Is General Hindi compulsory in UP APO mains?
Yes, General Hindi is a compulsory descriptive paper of 100 marks in mains.
Is English also included in UP APO syllabus?
Yes, there is a General English paper in mains worth 50 marks, testing grammar, translation, essay, and precis writing.
What is the standard of questions in GK and Hindi?
Both General Knowledge and Hindi are of High School standard.
What is the standard of questions in law papers?
The law papers (Criminal Law, Evidence, and Other Laws) are set at the Law Degree level.
Is there negative marking in UPPSC APO exam?
Yes, in prelims there is a negative marking of –0.33 marks for each wrong answer.
How many total marks are there in UP APO exam?
Prelims carry 150 marks, mains carry 500 marks, and interview carries 50 marks, making a total of 700 marks.
What is covered in the Criminal Law & Procedure paper?
It includes Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (2023), and U.P. Police Act & Regulations.
What is covered in the Evidence Law paper?
It is based on the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, focusing on rules of evidence and their practical application.
Which acts are included in Other Laws paper?
Acts like POCSO, SC/ST Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, IT Act, NDPS Act, U.P. Excise Act, Religious Conversion Act, Immoral Traffic Act, and more.
How to prepare General Knowledge for UPPSC APO syllabus 2026?
Focus on NCERT basics, Lucent GK, newspapers, and current affairs magazines. Revise history, polity, economy, and geography regularly.
How important is English in UP APO exam?
English is an important paper of 50 marks in mains. Scoring well here can make a difference in the merit list.
Does the syllabus change every year?
No, the structure remains the same, though updated Acts (like Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023) are included in recent notifications.
Is interview part of the syllabus?
Yes, the interview (50 marks) assesses legal knowledge, personality, confidence, and suitability for the role of APO.
National and International Current Affairs