UKPSC PCS Free Mock Test 2026 — Uttarakhand Civil Services Pattern, Himalayan GK & Practice

UKPSC PCS Exam Pattern 2026

Uttarakhand GK — Key Topics

Uttarakhand History & Environment

Garhwal Kingdom (Srinagar as capital), Kumaon Kingdom, British period (Kumaon annexed 1815 after Anglo-Nepalese War). Uttarakhand statehood movement — decades of demand for separate state from UP, Muzaffarnagar massacre (1994) during agitation. Chipko Movement (1973) — Gaura Devi led women hugging trees in Reni village, Chamoli — India's first eco-protest. Jim Corbett (established India's first national park, Corbett National Park 1936).

Uttarakhand Geography

Greater Himalayas (Nanda Devi — highest peak in India, 7,816m), Middle Himalayas, Shivalik. Rivers: Ganga originates from Gangotri glacier, Yamuna from Yamunotri, Alaknanda-Bhagirathi confluence at Devprayag forms Ganga. Char Dham: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath. Valley of Flowers (UNESCO), Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO). Corbett National Park (tigers), Rajaji National Park.

Eligibility

• Education: Graduate from a recognised university
• Age: 21–42 (General); SC/ST: 21–47 — among highest in India
• Domicile: Uttarakhand domicile required

3-Month Preparation Strategy

Month 1 — UK GK Foundation

• Complete UK History: Garhwal-Kumaon kingdoms, statehood movement, Chipko
• Study UK Geography: Himalayas, rivers (Ganga origins), Char Dham, national parks
• Cover UK Economy: tourism, hydel power, horticulture, Haridwar industry

Month 2 — National GS & Hindi

• Indian History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Science, Environment
• Practice Hindi essay writing for Mains
• Solve UKPSC previous papers

Month 3 — Mock Tests & Revision

• 2–3 full mock tests per week
• Daily UK current affairs (tourism policy, disaster management — Kedarnath floods)
• Revise UK GK notes intensively

Frequently Asked Questions — UKPSC 2026

What is the UKPSC PCS age limit?

21–42 years for General category — among the highest upper age limits for state civil services in India. SC/ST: up to 47 years. This gives candidates in their 30s and early 40s a genuine opportunity to attempt UKPSC PCS.

Where does the Ganga originate?

The Ganga originates from Gangotri Glacier (Gomukh, Uttarakhand) as Bhagirathi river. At Devprayag, Bhagirathi meets Alaknanda to form the Ganga. The Alaknanda itself receives the Mandakini (at Rudraprayag) and Pindar (at Karnaprayag). The Panchprayag (five confluences) concept — Vishnuprayag, Nandprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, Devprayag — is a frequently tested UKPSC topic.

What was the Chipko Movement?

The Chipko Movement (1973, Reni village, Chamoli) was led by Gaura Devi when women embraced trees to stop contractors from felling them. "Chipko" means "to hug." Environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt also played a key role. It inspired India's forest conservation policy and is the world's first modern environmental movement led by women. It influenced the formation of ENVIS (Environmental Information System) and led to a logging ban in Himalayan forests.

What is Char Dham Yatra's economic significance?

Char Dham — Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath — attracts 30–50 lakh pilgrims annually, making tourism Uttarakhand's largest industry. The Char Dham All Weather Road project (₹12,000 crore) and the Kedarnath Reconstruction project post the 2013 floods are tested as infrastructure development topics in UKPSC.

When was Uttarakhand formed?

Uttarakhand was formed on November 9, 2000 (same year as Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand) as India's 27th state, carved out of Uttar Pradesh. The state was first named "Uttaranchal" and renamed "Uttarakhand" in 2007. Dehradun is the interim capital; the permanent capital has been debated with Gairsain (Bhararisain) proposed.