UP APO Syllabus 2026: Detailed Break Down & Subject-wise Topics

Overview: UP APO mains exam is scheduled for 28th June to 30th June 2026. It’s high time you understand the UP APO syllabus 2026 better and start preparing.  

• UPPSC has significantly revised the syllabus with the new criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, and BSA).  
• It’s important that you prepare according to the updated syllabus and cover the high-weightage topics.  

In this blog, we give you a detailed syllabus for UP APO Prelims and Mains.  

Let's begin!  

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UP APO Syllabus 2026: PDF Download Link   

Before we explain the UP APO syllabus in detail, make sur you have the official syllabus released by the UPPSC.  

Download UP APO Syllabus 2026 PDF

UP APO Syllabus 2026 Syllabus for the Prelims & Mains  

The UP APO selection process will be conducted in 3 stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The UPPSC has prescribed a specific syllabus for these stages.  

Let's understand the syllabus for UP APO Prelims and Mains separately.  

UP APO Prelims Syllabus 2026  

UP APO Prelims exam is conducted in two parts:  

Part	Subject	Marks	Questions
Part I	General Knowledge	50	50
Part II	Law	100	100

Get the Detailed UP APO Exam Pattern 2026>> 

Part I: General Knowledge  

The General Knowledge section of the Prelims tests candidates on general awareness at approximately the intermediate level. Here are the most important topics that you need to focus on:  

• General Science: Basic concepts in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and their everyday applications. 
• Current Affairs: National and international events of significance, especially those with a legal or policy dimension. 
• Indian History: Ancient, medieval, and modern history with special emphasis on the freedom movement. 
• Indian Geography: Physical, economic, and social geography of India and Uttar Pradesh. 
• Indian Polity & Economy: Constitutional provisions, governance, Five-Year Plans, economic reforms, and budgetary matters. 
• Special Knowledge of UP: History, culture, geography, economy, and current affairs specific to Uttar Pradesh.  

Part II: Law  

The law section carries the highest weightage in Prelims. It focuses entirely on the new criminal laws and foundational legal framework:  

Law/Act	What it Covers
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023	Replaces IPC; offences, punishments, definitions
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023	Replaces CrPC; trial procedure, investigation
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023	Replaces Indian Evidence Act; admissibility of evidence
U.P. Police Act & Regulations	Powers, duties, and structure of UP Police
Constitution of India	Fundamental Rights, DPSPs, criminal justice provisions

What to Learn from These Laws?  

• BNS 2023: New definitions, offences against the body/property/state, punishments, and how they differ from the IPC. 
• BNSS 2023: Arrest, bail, trial types, sentencing procedures, and key changes from CrPC. 
• BSA 2023: Facts that can be proved, confessions, documentary vs oral evidence, and burden of proof. 
• UP Police Act: Structure of the police force, their powers under the Act, and the relevant regulations. 
• Constitution: Articles related to criminal procedure (Articles 20, 21, 22), Part III Fundamental Rights, and related provisions.  

UP APO Mains Syllabus 2026  

The UP APO exam (mains) is descriptive and consists of 6 papers carrying 500 marks in total. Each paper is 3 hours long. The questions in these exams demand analytical thinking, structured legal writing, and deep knowledge of the Acts.  

Paper	Subject	Marks
Paper 1	General Hindi	100
Paper 2	General English	50
Paper 3	General Knowledge	50
Paper 4	Criminal Law & Procedure	100
Paper 5	Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (Law of Evidence)	100
Paper 6	Anya Adhiniyam (Other Laws)	100
	Total	500

Let's look at the important topics for each subject.  

Paper 1: General Hindi   

This paper tests Hindi language proficiency at the High School (Class 10) standard. It is a full-marks paper and should not be neglected.  

Here are the important topics included in the syllabus:  

• Nibandh (Essay Writing): Essays on social, legal, current, or literary themes — typically 400-600 words. 
• Vakya Vinyas (Sentence Construction): Correct sentence formation and restructuring. 
• Vyakaran (Grammar): Sandhi, Samas, Upsarg-Pratyay, Muhavare, Lokoktiyan, Paryayvachi, Vilom Shabd, and correct usage. 
• Anuched Lekhan: Writing structured paragraphs. 
• Anuvad (Translation): English passage translated into Hindi. 
• Patra Lekhan: Formal and semi-formal letter writing  

Paper 3: General Knowledge   

The GK syllabus for Mains mirrors the Prelims GK syllabus but requires descriptive, essay-type answers instead of MCQs.  

• General Science 
• National & International Current Affairs 
• Indian History (with focus on the modern period) 
• Indian Geography (physical, economic, social) 
• Indian Polity & Economy 
• General Mental Ability 
• Special knowledge about Uttar Pradesh  

Paper 4: Criminal Law & Procedure  

This is the most important and highest-priority paper of the Mains. It tests deep knowledge of substantive criminal law and criminal procedures, with a special focus on the new laws.  

Here are the important topics:  

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023  

• General principles: actus reus, mens rea, exceptions, and defences 
• Offences against the human body: culpable homicide, murder, hurt, wrongful restraint 
• Offences against property: theft, extortion, robbery, dacoity, criminal breach of trust, cheating 
• Offences against the State: sedition-equivalent provisions, terrorism-related offences 
• Sexual offences: rape, gang rape, sexual harassment 
• Offences against public tranquility, public servants, and religion 
• Key new provisions and how they differ from the IPC  

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 

• Powers of arrest, search, and seizure 
• FIR, investigation procedure, charge sheet 
• Trial types: summons case, warrant case, sessions trial 
• Bail provisions: regular bail, anticipatory bail 
• Sentencing, compensation, and victim rights 
• Appeals, revisions, and references 
• Changes from CrPC: new timelines, Zero FIR, e-filing provisions  

U.P. Police Act & Regulations 

• Structure and hierarchy of UP Police 
• Powers and duties of police officers 
• Provisions relating to investigation 
• Regulations relevant to prosecution  

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Paper 5: Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam / Law of Evidence  

This paper is entirely devoted to the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 - the new Evidence Act that replaced the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.  

Here are the important topics:  

• Relevancy of Facts: Facts in issue, relevant facts, res gestae, common intention 
• Admissions and Confessions: Distinction between the two, judicial and extra-judicial confessions, retracted confessions 
• Statements by persons who cannot be called as witnesses: Dying declaration, entries in books of account, public documents 
• Documentary Evidence: Primary and secondary evidence, proof of documents, electronic records 
• Electronic Evidence: Admissibility of electronic documents, electronic signatures under BSA 2023 
• Oral Evidence: What can and cannot be proved orally 
• Burden of Proof: General and special rules, presumptions of law and fact 
• Estoppel: Estoppel by conduct, record, and deed 
• Examination of Witnesses: Examination-in-chief, cross-examination, re-examination, hostile witnesses 
• Privileged Communications: Legal professional privilege, state privilege 
• Improper Admission and Rejection of Evidence  

Paper 6: Anya Adhiniyam / Other Laws  

This paper tests knowledge of 15 special and local laws: a mix of central laws and Uttar Pradesh-specific provisions directly relevant to the APO's day-to-day prosecution work.  

Here's the Complete list of Acts in the Syllabus:  

Arms Act, 1959

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012

Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988

Information Technology Act, 2000

Explosives Act, 1884

Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984

Essential Commodities Act, 1955

Uttar Pradesh Control of Goondas Act, 1970

Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986

Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955

Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)

Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024

What to study from these laws/acts?  

For each of these laws/acts, focus on:  

• Key definitions 
• Cognizable / non-cognizable classification 
• Bailable / non-bailable nature of offences 
• Offences and prescribed punishments 
• Special procedural provisions (special courts, investigating agency, etc.) 
• Landmark case law under the Act  

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What Will be Asked in UP APO Interview 2026?  

Candidates who clear the Mains are called for the Personality Test, which carries 50 marks. The panel assesses the candidates based on:  

• Legal knowledge and analytical ability 
• Communication skills and clarity of expression 
• Personality, confidence, and overall demeanor 
• Physical fitness and character 
• General awareness and suitability for the role of APO 

👉 Original documents, photographs, and NOC (if employed) are mandatory at this stage.

How to Cover UP APO Syllabus 2026: Student Preparation Strategy

Here’s a simple step-wise plan you can follow:

1. Start with Law Codes (BNS, BNSS, BSA) – they’re new and high-weightage.
2. Divide GK prep into daily & weekly tasks – news daily, monthly compilations weekly.
3. Practice Language papers – write Hindi & English essays regularly.
4. Use mock tests – sectional for Prelims, full-length descriptive for Mains.
5. Revise using short notes – keep tables, charts, and one-page summaries.

Conclusion

The UP APO Syllabus 2026 may look difficult, but with structured preparation, it’s manageable. If you’re aiming to crack the UP APO exam, focus on:

• Mastering law subjects

• Keeping GK updated
• Building strong writing practice

By thoroughly covering both the UP APO Prelims Syllabus and the UP APO Mains Syllabus, you’ll be well-prepared to clear every stage of the selection process.

Students preparing for the latest UP APO 2026 syllabus should regularly revise and stay updated on any official changes released by UPPSC.