1. Introduction
The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) conducts the Additional Private Secretary (APS) Examination to recruit skilled stenographers/secretarial staff for various state government departments. The APS role is one of the most prestigious clerical-cum-secretarial positions in the UP government system.
Why APS is a Highly Preferred Job:
- Prestige & Stability: APS works directly with senior government officers, including ministers and secretaries.
- Good Salary Package: APS gets a pay scale as per the 7th CPC with additional allowances (HRA, DA, medical benefits).
- Growth Opportunities: Promotion avenues to Senior APS and higher administrative roles.
- Work Environment: Primarily office-based, with regular working hours.
The competition is intense, as thousands of candidates appear for a limited number of vacancies every year. Hence, having a disciplined preparation plan, typing practice, and mock test strategy is the key to success.
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Download Now2. UPPSC APS 2026 Selection Process
The selection process generally consists of three main stages:
- Written Examination (Objective + Descriptive)
- Shorthand & Typing Test
- Computer Practical Test
Stage 1: Written Examination (Objective + Descriptive)
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 150 | 150 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | General Hindi | 150 | 150 | 3 hours (Descriptive) |
Key Points:
- Objective Paper (GK) has a negative marking of 1/3 marks per wrong answer.
- General Hindi Paper tests essay writing, precise writing, letter drafting, comprehension, and grammar.
Stage 2: Shorthand & Typing Test
This is the most crucial part of APS selection.
| Test | Speed Requirement | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi Shorthand Dictation | 80 wpm | 5 minutes |
| Hindi Transcription (Typing on Computer) | 60 minutes | |
Candidates must achieve minimum accuracy to qualify.
Stage 3: Computer Practical Test
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint Practical
- Internet usage, email writing
- Typing speed & accuracy check
- Basic knowledge of computer hardware/software
3. Detailed Syllabus for UPPSC APS
(A) General Knowledge (150 Questions – 150 Marks)
- Indian History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern
- Indian National Movement: Leaders, events, congress sessions
- Indian Polity & Constitution: Fundamental Rights, DPSPs, Articles, Amendments
- Geography: Physical, Economic, Social geography of India & UP
- Indian Economy: Planning, Budget, Schemes, Economic Terms
- General Science & Technology: Physics, Chemistry, Biology basics
- Current Affairs: National & International events, awards, sports, government policies
- UP Specific GK: Governor, CM, Cabinet Ministers, Rivers, Power Projects, Festivals, Culture
(B) General Hindi (150 Marks – Descriptive)
- Essay Writing: Social, political, economic issues
- Letter/Report Writing: Official, semi-official formats
- Precise Writing: Summarizing passages concisely
- Grammar: Sandhi, Samas, Alankar, Muhavare, Vakya Shuddhi
- Reading Comprehension: Unseen passage-based questions
(C) Shorthand & Typing Skills
- Dictation at 80 wpm, transcription on computer within 1 hour.
- Practice of stenography symbols regularly.
- Typing practice daily on Unicode fonts (Krutidev/Remington to Unicode conversion familiarity).
(D) Computer Knowledge
- Basics of Computer (History, Types)
- Operating System (Windows)
- MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Internet, Email, Cloud Basics
- Cyber Security, Virus, Firewalls
- Shortcuts and basic troubleshooting
4. Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy
General Knowledge
- Study Lucent GK for static subjects.
- Make notes of UP-specific news, schemes, appointments.
- Read The Hindu or Dainik Jagran National Edition for current affairs.
- Focus on Indian Constitution, as many direct questions are asked.
General Hindi
- Practice essay writing daily (word limit: 300–400 words).
- Revise grammar topics thoroughly from Lucent Samanya Hindi.
- Practice precis writing – condense paragraphs to 1/3rd length.
- Write 1–2 official letters weekly to gain confidence.
Shorthand & Typing
- Daily dictation practice at 80 wpm for at least 30 minutes.
- Use shorthand books by Pitman or Stenographer’s Guide.
- Transcribe dictations immediately after practice to build speed + accuracy.
- Practice computer typing on Unicode font (Inscript/Remington layout).
Computer Practical
- Learn MS Word (tables, formatting, shortcut keys).
- Practice Excel formulas (SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP basics).
- Prepare PowerPoint slides with images/charts.
- Learn how to send professional emails with attachments.
5. Recommended Books
| Section | Book/Source |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge | Lucent GK, Manorama Yearbook, Pratiyogita Darpan |
| UP GK | Arihant UP GK, Drishti UP Current Affairs |
| General Hindi | Lucent Samanya Hindi, AP Bharadwaj Hindi Essay Book |
| Shorthand | Pitman Shorthand Instructor & Key |
| Typing Practice | Hindi Typing Master Software, Remington/Inscript Layout Practice |
| Computer Knowledge | Arihant Objective Computer Awareness |
6. 6-Month Study Plan
| Month | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Build GK foundation (History, Polity), start shorthand practice daily |
| 3–4 | Focus on Hindi descriptive writing, precis practice, expand current affairs notes |
| 5 | Mock tests for GK, daily dictation at 90–100 wpm to exceed target speed |
| 6 | Full syllabus revision, Hindi essays, computer practical sessions + daily mock tests |
7. Sample Daily Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:30–7:00 AM | Newspaper Reading + Current Affairs Notes |
| 7:00–8:00 AM | GK (History/Polity/UP GK) |
| 10:00–11:00 AM | Shorthand Dictation Practice |
| 1:00–2:00 PM | Hindi Grammar + Essay Writing |
| 4:00–5:00 PM | Computer Practice (MS Word/Excel) |
| 8:00–9:00 PM | Mock Test + Error Analysis |
8. Mock Test & PYQ Practice
- Solve previous year UPPSC APS papers to understand pattern.
- Attempt 2 GK mock tests weekly, then increase frequency to daily in last month.
- Take dictation from YouTube APS dictation videos and time your transcription.
Recommended Practice Platform:
Invictaa – UPPSC APS Mock Tests
9. Revision Strategy
- Prepare a separate notebook for GK facts, important dates, UP-specific data.
- Weekly revision of shorthand symbols and phrases.
- Revise Hindi grammar rules every weekend.
- Last 15 days → Focus only on mock tests, shorthand practice, and quick revision.
10. Exam Day Tips
- Attempt GK questions you are 100% sure of first, avoid guesswork due to negative marking.
- In Hindi paper, maintain clean handwriting and proper format.
- Manage time well during shorthand transcription – accuracy > speed.
- For computer test, save work frequently to avoid technical issues.
11. Stress Management & Motivation
- Do light exercise or meditation for 15 minutes daily.
- Sleep at least 6–7 hours to stay focused.
- Avoid last-minute panic – rely on your mock test preparation.
- Track progress weekly to stay motivated and identify weak areas.
12. Career Growth & Salary
- Pay Scale: ₹9,300 – ₹34,800 (Grade Pay ₹4,800) + DA + HRA + Other Allowances.
- Promotions: APS → Senior APS → Section Officer → Under Secretary (through departmental exams).
- Perks: Government housing (if available), travel allowance, pension (NPS), medical facilities.
13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the minimum educational qualification for UPPSC APS?
Ans: A candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university + Hindi shorthand & typing proficiency certificate.
Q: Is shorthand knowledge mandatory?
Ans: Yes, shorthand and typing skill is compulsory for APS recruitment.
Q: Is there negative marking?
Ans: Yes, 1/3 marks are deducted for wrong answers in the GK paper.
Q: How much typing speed is required?
Ans: Minimum 80 wpm shorthand speed and accurate transcription within 1 hour.
Q: How many months are enough for APS preparation?
Ans: 6–8 months of focused preparation with daily dictation and mock tests.
📌 Make sure to keep visiting https://uppsc.up.nic.in/ for official notifications and syllabus updates.
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