UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Syllabus Overview
The UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO) examination is a prestigious recruitment process by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission aimed at selecting candidates for the role of Assistant Prosecution Officers. This examination assesses the knowledge of aspirants in important legal concepts, general awareness, and language skills. It consists of three main stages: Prelims (objective type), Mains (descriptive type), and an Interview stage.
UP APO Exam Highlights 2026
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO) |
| Conducting Body | Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) |
| Stages | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Mode | Offline |
| Question Type | Prelims: Objective (MCQs); Mains: Descriptive |
Exam Pattern for UP APO 2026
The Prelims examination serves as a qualifying test; its marks are not included in the final merit list.
| Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 50 | 50 | Combined 2 Hours |
| Law | 100 | 100 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
In the Prelims, candidates face negative marking, with 0.33 marks deducted for each incorrect answer, while unanswered questions receive no penalties.
Mains Exam Structure
The Mains examination plays a crucial role in determining the candidate's merit along with the Interview stage.
| Papers | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 100 | 3 Hours |
| General Hindi | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Criminal Law & Procedure | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Law of Evidence | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Other Laws / Acts | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Total | 500 | - |
While some variations regarding additional subjects have been noted, the primary focus remains on law-related topics, each with a weightage of 100 marks.
Subject-wise Syllabus for UP APO 2026
Prelims Syllabus
General Knowledge
- General Science
- Current Affairs (National and International)
- History of India
- Indian National Movement
- Indian Polity and Economy
- World Geography and Population
Law
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (replacing IPC)
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (replacing CrPC)
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (replacing Indian Evidence Act)
- Uttar Pradesh Police Act and Regulations
- Basic elements of Indian Constitution (relevant to law)
Mains Syllabus
General Knowledge
- Static GK and Current Affairs (Indian Culture, Economy, Polity, Environment, Science, Sports, etc.)
General Hindi
- Essay writing
- Precis writing
- Translation (Hindi to English/English to Hindi)
- Grammar: Alankar, Samas, Paryayvachi, Vilom, Sandhi, Muhavare, Idioms, Sentence correction, etc.
Criminal Law & Procedure
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
- Uttar Pradesh Police Act and Regulations
- Relevant criminal procedures and acts
Law of Evidence
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (comprehensive coverage with direct and applied questions)
Constitution of India / Other Laws
- Key aspects: Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Judiciary, Amendments
- Notable acts include: Arms Act of 1959, POCSO Act from 2012, Dowry Prohibition Law of 1961, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989, Corruption Prevention Act of 1988, IT Act from 2000, Explosives Act established in 1884, Essential Commodities Act passed in 1955, UP Gangsters Act of 1986, UP Cow Slaughter Prevention Act of 1955, UP Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act introduced in 2021, UAPA, Foreigners Act enacted in 1946, along with recent
Interview Process for UP APO
The final stage includes a Personality Test/Interview worth 50 marks, where candidates are evaluated on their:
- Legal knowledge and its application
- Communication skills
- Analytical abilities
- Overall personality and suitability for the position
Ultimately, the selection is based on the combined scores from the Mains examination and the Interview.
Preparation Strategies for UP APO
- Thoroughly study Bare Acts (IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act & Constitution) and revisit them frequently.
- Practice structured and precise answer writing for Mains, focusing on legal language.
- Regularly revise current affairs from the previous 1-2 years.
- Attempt previous year question papers and mock tests to prepare for Prelims.
- Stay informed about changes in criminal laws through official announcements.
UP APO 2026 - Frequently Asked Questions
What does the UP APO syllabus encompass for Prelims and Mains?
The UP APO syllabus includes General Knowledge and Law for Prelims, along with five descriptive subjects (General Knowledge, Hindi, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, and Constitution) for Mains.
Which subjects are part of the UPPSC APO examination?
The examination covers General Knowledge, General Hindi, Criminal Law & Procedure, Law of Evidence, Constitution of India, and significant legal topics such as IPC, CrPC, along with the Evidence Act.
Is the UP APO curriculum primarily focused on legal matters?
Indeed, it is primarily a law-centric examination with heavy emphasis on IPC, CrPC, the Evidence Act, and the Constitution.
What is the exam format for UP APO 2026?
The Prelims consists of 150 multiple-choice questions (150 marks, 2 hours), while the Mains features five descriptive papers totaling 500 marks, succeeded by an Interview worth 50 marks.
How many papers are included in the Mains examination for UP APO?
The Mains examination comprises five distinct papers.