Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) FAQs

Answer: In the first paper of this preliminary examination of UKPSC, about 35-40 questions are asked in the context of ‘Uttarakhand State Special’. In this question paper, out of total 150 questions, 35-40 questions are asked only in the context of the particular state of Uttarakhand, the importance of this subject itself makes it clear.

In the context of ‘Uttarakhand State Special’, these questions can be related to the history, geography, political, social and administrative context of Uttarakhand, various aspects of economic and social development and contemporary developments. It is clear that it is beneficial to study the entire syllabus of the preliminary examination in the context of Uttarakhand state. Therefore, to solve the questions related to ‘state specific’ in this examination, it will be beneficial to study the book ‘Uttarakhand State Special’ or any standard state level book available in the market.

Question 2: In what sequence should the questions be answered during the preliminary examination of UKPSC? Does a particular sequence benefit?

Answer: During the preliminary examination, there is often confusion among the candidates regarding the order of solving the questions. The answer cannot be one for everyone. If you are comfortable in all the subjects of General Studies and General Intelligence Test (CSAT) and your speed is also satisfactory then you can be successful by solving questions in any order. In such a situation, it is better to increase the order in which the questions come up, doing them in the same order. But if your position is not so secure then you should consider the sequence of questions. In such a situation, first of all, solve those questions which take the least time.

If you have a good grip on the context of a particular Uttarakhand state, then you should solve about 35-40 questions related to it first because they will take less time and the chances of getting the answers right will be more. Similarly in ‘General Intelligence Test’ or CSAT paper if your English is good then about 7-8 questions on English Comprehension and Grammar should be attempted first as they will take less time.After solving these questions, your position will be very strong. Thereafter, you go on solving the questions that you are comfortable with and skip those which are beyond your comprehension. Leave a mark for the questions in respect of which you feel that they can be done if you get enough time. In the end, if there is time left, then solve those questions, otherwise leave it. This process of moving from easy to difficult questions can be followed while solving both the papers.

Due to equal marks of all questions and provision of negative marking for each wrong answer (one-fourth (1/4) mark is deducted as penalty for each wrong answer), candidates are expected to avoid ‘Tukka Method’. Solve the questions carefully.

Take note of the suggestions given in the answers to the previous question. Apart from that, go through a mock-test series before the exam and test in each paper how much time questions from which section are covered. If you identify the more time consuming questions in advance, then the time will not be wasted in the exam. With repeated practice, the speed can be increased.

Question 3: What is the meaning of the provision of negative marking in this preliminary examination of UKPSC? How is this implemented?

Answer: The provision of negative marking means that some marks will be reduced as penalty for wrong answers to the questions. In this examination, a provision of negative marking has been made for wrong answers, in which one-fourth (1/4) mark is deducted as penalty for each wrong answer. The formula of 4R-W is applied for the marks obtained in both the papers (where R is the number of correct answers and W is the number of wrong answers).

Question 4: What is the ‘cut-off’? How is it determined?

Answer: ‘Cut-off’ means- the minimum marks by which a candidate is successful in the examination. UKPSC In this examination, every year the ‘cut-off’ is decided in the result of preliminary examination, main examination and interview. The candidates who obtain the ‘cut-off’ or above are declared successful and the remaining unsuccessful. Under the reservation system, this cut-off is different for different categories of candidates.

The ‘cut-off’ in the preliminary examination is determined on the basis of the sum of the marks obtained in the first paper General Studies and the second paper ‘General Intelligence Test’ or CSAT.

The nature of the cut-off is not fixed, it fluctuates every year. Its determination depends on factors such as the number of seats, the difficulty level of the question papers and the number and quality of candidates. If the question papers will be easy or the number and quality of candidates will be high then the cut-off will increase and will automatically decrease in adverse situations.