Introduction to UPPSC RO/ARO Exam
The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) conducts the RO/ARO Exam to recruit Review Officers (RO) and Assistant Review Officers (ARO) for various departments such as the Secretariat, UPPSC, Board of Revenue, and other state government offices.
This is one of the most prestigious Group-B Gazetted/Non-Gazetted Administrative Posts in Uttar Pradesh. The job primarily involves file work, drafting, proofreading, clerical supervision, correspondence, and assisting higher officials in smooth functioning of government offices.
Why RO/ARO Is a Dream Job:
- High respect and stable government position
- Fixed working hours (mostly office-based)
- Opportunity to work closely with senior administrative officers
- Clear promotion hierarchy and pension benefits
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Download NowSelection Process
The UPPSC RO/ARO recruitment process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Mains Examination (Objective + Descriptive)
- Typing Test / Computer Skill Test (only for ARO post)
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
Total Marks: 200 | Nature: Screening Test (qualifying for Mains, marks not counted in final merit)
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Studies | 140 | 140 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | General Hindi | 60 | 60 | 1 hour |
Stage 2: Mains Examination
Total Marks: 400 (for RO) / 400 + Typing Test (for ARO)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Studies | 120 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | General Hindi & Drafting – Part 1 (Conventional) | 100 | 2.5 hours |
| Paper 3 | General Hindi & Drafting – Part 2 (General Vocabulary – Objective) | 60 | 30 mins |
| Paper 4 | Essay Writing | 120 | 3 hours |
Stage 3: Typing Test / Skill Test (for ARO)
- Typing speed of 25 words per minute in Hindi (Krutidev/DevLys font) required.
- Computer knowledge (MS Word, Excel basics) may be tested.
✅ Official Updates: For the latest notifications, syllabus changes, and exam dates, always visit the official UPPSC website https://uppsc.up.nic.in/.
Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Age Limit:
- Minimum: 21 years
- Maximum: 40 years
- (Age relaxation as per UP Govt. norms for SC/ST/OBC/Ex-Servicemen.)
Detailed Syllabus
(A) Preliminary Exam Syllabus
Paper 1 – General Studies:
- History of India & UP (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
- Indian National Movement & Freedom Struggle
- Indian Polity & Constitution
- Geography (India + World, focus on UP)
- Indian Economy, Planning & Budget
- Current Affairs (National & State level)
- General Science & Environment
- Computer Knowledge & Basic Terminology
- Important Commissions, Committees, and Acts
Paper 2 – General Hindi:
- वाक्य शुद्धि
- पर्यायवाची, विलोम
- तत्सम-तद्भव शब्द
- मुहावरे एवं लोकोक्तियाँ
- गद्यांश आधारित प्रश्न
- वाक्य-विन्यास एवं शब्द संशोधन
(B) Mains Exam Syllabus
- Paper 1 – General Studies: Same as Prelims but deeper coverage.
- Paper 2 – General Hindi & Drafting (Part 1 - Conventional): Precis writing, Noting & drafting, Translation (Hindi-English & vice versa).
- Paper 3 – General Vocabulary (Part 2 - Objective): Grammar, Vocabulary, Synonyms/Antonyms, One-word substitution, Sentence correction.
- Paper 4 – Essay Writing: Three sections – choose one topic from each (Literature/Culture/Social, Political/Economy/Agriculture, Science/Tech/Environment).
Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy
- General Studies: Read NCERT Books (Class 6–12) for History, Polity, Geography. Refer Lucent’s General Knowledge for quick revision. Make notes of UP-specific facts. Follow monthly Current Affairs Magazines.
- General Hindi: Practice vocabulary & grammar daily. Solve previous year UPPSC RO/ARO Hindi papers. Work on writing speed for Mains descriptive paper.
- Drafting & Essay: Practice precis writing, official letter drafting, and translation daily. Read newspaper editorials for essay ideas. Write one essay weekly to improve structure and flow.
- Typing & Computer Skills (For ARO): Practice typing in Krutidev/DevLys font. Learn basic MS Word formatting and Excel functions.
Recommended Books
| Section | Book/Source |
|---|---|
| General Studies | Lucent GK, NCERTs, Spectrum Modern History, Laxmikant (Polity), Majid Husain (Geography) |
| Current Affairs | Pratiyogita Darpan, Vision IAS Monthly, Drishti Current Affairs |
| General Hindi | Lucent Samanya Hindi, Previous Year UPPSC Papers |
| Drafting | Arihant RO/ARO Hindi Drafting & Precis Writing |
| Essay | Arihant Essay Book, IAS/PCS Essay Collections |
| Typing Practice | Indic Input Tools (for Hindi typing), TypeHindi.com |
Six-Month Study Plan
- Month 1–2: GS basics (History, Polity, Geography), Hindi grammar foundation.
- Month 3: Economy, Current Affairs, Translation & Drafting practice.
- Month 4: Essay writing & Vocabulary improvement, mock tests.
- Month 5: Solve previous year papers, work on speed & accuracy.
- Month 6: Daily revision, full-length mock tests, final polishing.
Sample Daily Study Schedule
- 6:30–7:00 AM: Current Affairs & Editorial Reading
- 7:00–8:30 AM: GS Theory (History/Polity/Geography)
- 10:00–11:00 AM: Hindi Grammar Practice
- 1:00–2:00 PM: Drafting/Precis Writing Practice
- 4:00–5:00 PM: Economy + UP Specific GK
- 8:00–9:00 PM: Mock Test + Essay Practice
Mock Tests & PYQ Practice
Solve at least 5 years’ previous UPPSC RO/ARO papers. Take 2–3 mock tests per week, increasing to daily in the last month. Focus on speed and accuracy. Practice descriptive writing for Mains under timed conditions.
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Revision Strategy & Exam Day Tips
Maintain short notes of facts, current affairs, and important Hindi grammar rules. Revise every weekend. Dedicate the last 20 days only to revision and mock tests. On exam day, attempt easy questions first, manage your time well, and structure your essay properly.
Career Growth & Benefits
RO is a gazetted officer and ARO is a non-gazetted administrative position. The salary is based on Level 7/8 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) plus allowances. Promotions are excellent, leading up to Joint Secretary level. It offers job security, fixed work hours, and pension benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is there negative marking in RO/ARO Prelims?
A: Yes, 0.33 marks are deducted per wrong answer.
Q2: Can candidates from other states apply?
A: Yes, but they will be treated under unreserved category for reservation benefits.
Q3: How much time is required to crack RO/ARO exam?
A: 6–8 months of focused preparation with regular revision is sufficient.
Q4: Is typing skill mandatory?
A: Yes, for ARO post — you must clear typing test for final selection.
📌 Make sure to keep visiting https://uppsc.up.nic.in/ for official notifications and syllabus updates.
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