State PSC & State Govt · Uttar Pradesh · Updated October 2026
UPPSC RO/ARO ExamEligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Salary, Cut-Off, PYQs and Free Mock Test
UPPSC RO/ARO is conducted by Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) to recruit Review Officers (RO) and Assistant Review Officers (ARO) for the Uttar Pradesh Civil Secretariat, Public Service Commission office and Board of Revenue. It is one of the most sought-after graduate-level officer exams in Uttar Pradesh, offering a prestigious secretariat career without an interview stage.
- Type
- Recruitment
- Level
- State · Uttar Pradesh
- Conducting body
- UPPSC
Start for free with UPPSC RO/ARO syllabus study notes, solved previous year papers, real-pattern mock tests and AI Tutor support.
UPPSC RO/ARO exam overview and highlights
About UPPSC RO/ARO
UPPSC RO/ARO is conducted by Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) to recruit Review Officers (RO) and Assistant Review Officers (ARO) for the Uttar Pradesh Civil Secretariat, Public Service Commission office and Board of Revenue. It is one of the most sought-after graduate-level officer exams in Uttar Pradesh, offering a prestigious secretariat career without an interview stage. Selection is determined through an objective Preliminary exam followed by a descriptive-cum-objective Mains examination and a computer typing test for ARO posts.
The examination process for UPPSC RO/ARO comprises 3 stages: Preliminary Examination, followed by Main Examination, followed by Typing Test (for ARO posts only). The official syllabus tests candidates across 4 core areas — General Studies and Current Affairs, Uttar Pradesh General Knowledge, History, Geography and Economy, General Hindi Vocabulary (Prelims & Mains), Conventional Drafting and Hindi Essay (Mains) — focusing on conceptual clarity, speed, and accuracy. Prelims (200 marks) is a screening test. Final merit is prepared strictly from the Mains examination (400 marks across General Studies, General Hindi & Drafting, and Hindi Essay), alongside qualifying the typing/computer test for ARO.
Key subjects
- General Studies and Current Affairs
- Uttar Pradesh General Knowledge, History, Geography and Economy
- General Hindi Vocabulary (Prelims & Mains)
- Conventional Drafting and Hindi Essay (Mains)
What clearing UPPSC RO/ARO leads to
- Review Officer (Samiksha Adhikari) in UP Civil Secretariat
- Review Officer in UPPSC and Board of Revenue
- Assistant Review Officer (Sahayak Samiksha Adhikari)
- Compensation & Pay Scale: Pay Level 7 for ARO (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) and Pay Level 8 for RO (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) plus secretariat allowances
- Direct appointment under Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) across Uttar Pradesh state government departments and field cadres
- Gazetted / Non-Gazetted cadre progression, time-bound departmental promotions, and Uttar Pradesh state service allowances (DA, HRA, Medical & NPS/Pension)
Quick facts
- Conducting body
- Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC)
- Frequency
- Conducted according to secretariat cadre requisitions (typically every 1 to 2 years)
- Exam mode
- Offline (OMR sheet for Prelims; OMR and conventional pen-and-paper for Mains)
- Languages
- Hindi and English
- Stages & papers
- 3 stages (5 papers total)
- Negative marking
- One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question deducted for each wrong objective answer
- Official website
- uppsc.up.nic.in
UPPSC RO/ARO — Key Highlights & Official Particulars
Complete snapshot of UPPSC RO/ARO conducting authority, frequency, mode, stages, negative marking and official portal.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPPSC RO/ARO |
| Conducting Body | Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) |
| Exam Category | State PSC & State Govt |
| Exam Level | State level (Uttar Pradesh) |
| Exam Type & Purpose | Recruitment (Direct Recruitment & Cadre Selection) |
| Exam Frequency | Conducted according to secretariat cadre requisitions (typically every 1 to 2 years) |
| Usual Notification & Exam Window | Notification in Q3/Q4; Prelims within 3 to 4 months; Mains 3 to 4 months after Prelims result |
| Mode of Application | Online on uppsc.up.nic.in through One Time Registration (OTR) |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (OMR sheet for Prelims; OMR and conventional pen-and-paper for Mains) |
| Medium / Exam Languages | Hindi and English |
| Selection Stages | 3 Stages (5 Papers Total): Preliminary Examination → Main Examination → Typing Test (for ARO posts only) |
| Negative Marking | One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question deducted for each wrong objective answer |
| Selection / Merit Process | Prelims (200 marks) is a screening test. Final merit is prepared strictly from the Mains examination (400 marks across General Studies, General Hindi & Drafting, and Hindi Essay), alongside qualifying the typing/computer test for ARO. |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university for Review Officer; Bachelor's degree plus O-Level certificate (or equivalent computer diploma) and minimum 25 wpm Hindi typing speed for Assistant Review Officer. |
| Age Limit | 21 to 40 years as on 1 July of the notification year, with upper-age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC domicile candidates of the state. |
| Pay Scale / Salary Structure | Pay Level 7 for ARO (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) and Pay Level 8 for RO (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) plus secretariat allowances |
| Merit Panel Validity | Valid for the notified recruitment cycle and reserve list period |
| Competition Scale | Around 8 to 10 lakh applicants competing for 300 to 450 Secretariat and Commission vacancies |
| Official Website | uppsc.up.nic.in |
Summary for orientation only, last reviewed October 2026. Check eligibility, dates and pattern in the official notification.
UPPSC RO/ARO exam schedule, vacancy, fee and online application process
Standard annual cycle and application workflow for UPPSC RO/ARO. Confirm exact notification and closing dates on the official UPPSC website.
| Examination Event | Typical Calendar Window | Cycle / Mode |
|---|---|---|
| UPPSC RO/ARO Official Notification & Information Bulletin | Notification in Q3/Q4; Prelims within 3 to 4 months; Mains 3 to 4 months after Prelims result | Conducted according to secretariat cadre requisitions (typically every 1 to 2 years) |
| Online Registration & Application Fee Window | Typically remains open for 21 to 30 days from the date of notification release | Online Portal |
| Application Form Correction / Edit Window | 2 to 5 days immediately following the close of the online registration window | As Notified |
| Exam City Intimation & Admit Card Release | City slip 10–15 days prior; Hall Ticket / E-Admit Card 4 to 10 days before the exam date | Via Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) |
| UPPSC RO/ARO — Preliminary Examination | Notification in Q3/Q4; Prelims within 3 to 4 months; Mains 3 to 4 months after Prelims result | Offline (OMR sheet for Prelims; OMR and conventional pen-and-paper for Mains) |
| UPPSC RO/ARO — Main Examination | Typically 6 to 12 weeks after declaration of Stage 1 results | Shortlisted Candidates |
| Provisional Answer Key & Objection Representation Window | Within 3 to 10 days after completion of the objective examination shifts | Online Challenge |
| Final Answer Key, Normalized Result & Merit List / Scorecard | Typically 3 to 6 weeks after conclusion of the examination stage | Merit List PDF / Login |
- Vacancies & Competition
- Around 8 to 10 lakh applicants competing for 300 to 450 Secretariat and Commission vacancies. Exact post-wise, department-wise, and category-wise (UR, EWS, OBC, SC, ST, ESM, PwBD) vacancies are notified in the official UPPSC RO/ARO recruitment advertisement published by Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC).
- Application Fee & Payment Norms
- Standard Banking & Insurance application fee slabs apply: typically ₹750 to ₹850 (inclusive of GST) for General/OBC/EWS candidates, and ₹125 to ₹175 (intimation charges only) for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen candidates via online payment.
How to apply online for UPPSC RO/ARO
One-Time Registration (OTR) & Portal Login
Visit uppsc.up.nic.in and complete your candidate registration using a valid email ID, active mobile number, and Aadhaar / government photo ID details. Online on uppsc.up.nic.in through One Time Registration (OTR).
Fill Academic, Personal & Exam Centre Preferences
Log in to open the UPPSC RO/ARO application form. Enter your qualifying degree/board details, category/reservation status, medium of examination (Hindi and English), and choose 3 to 4 preferred test cities.
Upload Photograph, Signature & Category Certificates
Upload a recent passport-size photograph (in prescribed KB dimensions and light background), scanned running-hand signature, and valid SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwBD/Domicile certificates where applicable.
Online Application Fee Payment & Confirmation Page
Pay the category-wise examination fee via UPI, Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or e-Challan before the closing deadline, then download and preserve the final UPPSC RO/ARO Confirmation Page / Application PDF for admit card and verification stages.
UPPSC RO/ARO eligibility criteria and age relaxation
Candidates applying for UPPSC RO/ARO must fulfil the academic qualification, age limit, nationality and category reservation rules notified by UPPSC.
Educational qualification
Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university for Review Officer; Bachelor's degree plus O-Level certificate (or equivalent computer diploma) and minimum 25 wpm Hindi typing speed for Assistant Review Officer.
Age limit & relaxations
21 to 40 years as on 1 July of the notification year, with upper-age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC domicile candidates of the state.
Number of attempts
No cap on the number of attempts within the prescribed age limit.
Nationality & domicile
Citizen of India.
Other conditions & standards
High proficiency in official Hindi vocabulary and administrative drafting is essential because General Hindi carries 60 marks in Prelims and 160 marks (plus 120 marks Essay) in Mains.
UPPSC RO/ARO — Category-Wise Upper Age Relaxation & Reservation Norms
| Category | Age Relaxation / Rule | Key Conditions & Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) (Uttar Pradesh Domicile) | +5 Years above prescribed upper age limit | Requires valid Uttar Pradesh permanent domicile and caste certificate issued by the competent revenue authority. |
| Other Backward Classes — Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) (Uttar Pradesh Domicile) | +3 Years above prescribed upper age limit | Candidate must fall outside the Creamy Layer as on the crucial closing date of the online application. |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD — UR / OBC / SC-ST) | +10 Years (UR) / +13 Years (OBC) / +15 Years (SC/ST) | Subject to post suitability and 40%+ benchmark disability certificate under the RPwD Act, 2016. |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) & Commissioned Officers (ECO / SSCO) | +3 to 5 Years after deducting military service rendered from actual age | Must produce discharge book / NOC from the competent defence authority at document verification. |
| State Government Employees / Women / Departmental Candidates (Uttar Pradesh) | Up to +5 Years as per state service recruitment rules | Applicable to regular Uttar Pradesh state government servants and horizontal reservation categories notified in the advertisement. |
UPPSC RO/ARO selection process and exam pattern
Negative Marking & Evaluation Rule: One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question deducted for each wrong objective answer. Selection & Merit Weightage: Prelims (200 marks) is a screening test. Final merit is prepared strictly from the Mains examination (400 marks across General Studies, General Hindi & Drafting, and Hindi Essay), alongside qualifying the typing/computer test for ARO.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
Offline (OMR-based objective MCQ) • 2 Papers (Paper I: General Studies, Paper II: General Hindi (Vocabulary)) • 200 Questions • 200 Total Marks • Duration: 2 hours • Objective screening test held in two shifts on a single day.
Objective screening test held in two shifts on a single day. Combined score out of 200 marks determines qualification for the Mains exam.
Paper / Section Questions Marks Duration Paper I: General StudiesNational & UP GS, reasoning, current affairs 140 140 2 hours Paper II: General Hindi (Vocabulary)6 vocabulary topics, 10 questions each 60 60 1 hour Stage 2: Main Examination
Offline (OMR + Descriptive pen and paper) • 3 Papers (Paper I: General Studies (Objective), Paper II: General Hindi and Drafting (Conventional + Objective Vocabulary), Paper III: Hindi Essay) • Questions: 120 • Marks: 120 • Duration: 2 hours • Merit-deciding stage combining objective GS, conventional administrative drafting, objective Hindi vocabulary and three analytical essays.
Merit-deciding stage combining objective GS, conventional administrative drafting, objective Hindi vocabulary and three analytical essays.
Paper / Section Questions Marks Duration Paper I: General Studies (Objective) 120 120 2 hours Paper II: General Hindi and Drafting (Conventional + Objective Vocabulary)Official letters, tabular form, précis, idioms, vocabulary Descriptive + 30 MCQs 160 (100 + 60) 3 hours Paper III: Hindi EssayThree 600-word essays of 40 marks each 3 essays 120 3 hours Stage 3: Typing Test (for ARO posts only)
Computer-based skill test • Qualifying computer typing test at 25 words per minute in Hindi (Kruti Dev / Mangal font) for candidates opting for Assistant Review Officer posts.
Qualifying computer typing test at 25 words per minute in Hindi (Kruti Dev / Mangal font) for candidates opting for Assistant Review Officer posts.
Stage 4: Document Verification, Medical Fitness & Final Cadre/Post Allotment
In-person verification by Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) • Original academic, age, category & domicile certificates • Medical fitness examination & final merit allocation
Candidates shortlisted in the final merit list undergo thorough verification of original educational, age, category and domicile certificates followed by a prescribed medical fitness examination before appointment letters and cadre/department allotments are issued.
UPPSC RO/ARO subject-wise syllabus and study material
SmartRank organizes chapter-wise study notes for every subject below in 12 languages, with an AI Tutor on hand for doubts. Start exploring for free, and unlock the complete syllabus with Learn or SmartRank Pass.
General Studies and Current Affairs — Part I (Indian History and the National Movement)
- Indian History and the National Movement
- Indian Polity, Constitution and Governance
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Economy, Planning and Fiscal Policy
General Studies and Current Affairs — Part II (General Science and Everyday Technology)
- General Science and Everyday Technology
- Environment, Ecology and Biodiversity
- National and State Current Affairs (last 12 months)
Uttar Pradesh General Knowledge, History, Geography and Economy — Part I (Harappan sites, 8 of 16 Mahajanapadas)
- Harappan sites (Alamgirpur, Sanauli, Hulas), 8 of 16 Mahajanapadas (Kashi, Kosala, Vatsa, Surasena, Panchala, Malla, Chedi, Kuru); Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Kaushambi
- 1857 First War of Independence across Meerut (Mangal Pandey), Kanpur (Nana Sahib, Tatya Tope), Lucknow (Begum Hazrat Mahal), Jhansi (Rani Lakshmibai), Prayagraj (Liyaqat Ali) and Faizabad (Ahmadullah Shah)
- Three physiographic divisions: Bhabar and Terai belt in the north, Gangetic Plain (Bangar and Khadar) in the centre, and Vindhyan-Bundelkhand Plateau in the south
- Ganga, Yamuna, Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara (Saryu), Rapti, Gandak, Chambal, Betwa, Ken, Son and Rihand rivers
Uttar Pradesh General Knowledge, History, Geography and Economy — Part II (Largest producer of wheat, sugarcane)
- Largest producer of wheat, sugarcane, potato, milk, foodgrains and mangoes; One District One Product (ODOP) flagship programme across all 75 districts
- Uttar Pradesh State Budget, trillion-dollar economy roadmap, Kanya Sumangala, CM Yuva Udyami and Abhyudaya schemes
- Largest Bicameral Legislature in India (Vidhan Sabha 403 seats, Vidhan Parishad 100 seats; 80 Lok Sabha & 31 Rajya Sabha seats), Allahabad High Court (Prayagraj & Lucknow Bench), 18 divisions and 75 districts
- Classical Kathak dance (Lucknow & Banaras Gharanas), Hindustani music gharanas (Agra, Kirana, Banaras, Rampur-Sahaswan), Charkula, Raslila, Ramlila, Nautanki, Kajri, Birha and Alha
General Hindi Vocabulary (Prelims & Mains) — Part I (Vilom)
- Vilom (Antonyms)
- Vakya evam Vartani Shuddhi (Sentence and Spelling Correction)
- Anek Shabdon ke liye Ek Shabd (One-word Substitution)
General Hindi Vocabulary (Prelims & Mains) — Part II (Tatsam evam Tadbhav words)
- Tatsam evam Tadbhav words
- Visheshan aur Visheshya (Adjectives and Nouns)
- Paryayvachi Shabd (Synonyms)
Conventional Drafting and Hindi Essay (Mains) — Part I (Unseen passage title, précis and)
- Unseen passage title, précis and explanation of underlined parts
- Tabular extraction of government correspondence
- Official/Demi-official letter, Office Memo, Circular, Communiqué, Reminder and Endorsement
Conventional Drafting and Hindi Essay (Mains) — Part II (Administrative and commercial terminology and)
- Administrative and commercial terminology (English to Hindi and vice versa) and computer fundamentals
- Essays on literature/culture, science/ecology/technology, agriculture/economy and national/international events
UPPSC RO/ARO salary, pay scale, job profile & career growth
Pay Level 7 for ARO (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) and Pay Level 8 for RO (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) plus secretariat allowances. Appointments under Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) carry structured pay progression, statutory allowances, and time-bound departmental promotions.
Pay Scale & Grade Structure
Pay Level 7 for ARO (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) and Pay Level 8 for RO (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) plus secretariat allowances.
Appointing / Cadre Authority
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) (Uttar Pradesh State Government Service)
Allowances & Perks
Dearness Allowance (DA), HRA (by city classification), Medical Allowance, TA, and Uttar Pradesh NPS / Pension benefits.
Probation & Training
Initial probation period (typically 1 to 2 years) with induction/foundation training before cadre confirmation.
Allowances, Perks & Service Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA) revised bi-annually in line with Consumer Price Index (AICPI)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) or official government quarters / leased accommodation
- Transport Allowance (TA), Leave Travel Concession (LTC), and Children Education Allowance
- Comprehensive medical care (CGHS / ECHS / State Health Scheme) for employee and dependents
- National Pension System (NPS) employer contribution, gratuity, and paid maternity/paternity/study leave
Promotion Hierarchy & Career Progression
- Entry-Level Cadre Appointment (Post allotment & induction training under Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC))
- Senior / Higher Grade Scale via Time-Bound Financial Upgradation (MACP / Dynamic ACP)
- Sectional / Supervisory / Inspector / Assistant Executive Cadre via Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) or LDCE
- Middle Management / Gazetted / Divisional Officer Scale
- Senior Administrative / Directorate / Executive Leadership Cadre
UPPSC RO/ARO cut-off trends, score normalization and safe target score
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) releases stage-wise and category-wise UPPSC RO/ARO cut-off marks at each stage (Prelims/Tier-I shortlisting, Mains/Tier-II evaluation, and Final Merit List). Candidates must clear both minimum qualifying standards and overall/sectional merit cut-offs to advance.
UPPSC RO/ARO — Qualifying Standards & Safe Target Benchmarks
| Category | Qualifying Floor / Standard | Recommended Safe Target |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved (UR) | 30% to 40% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 72% to 82% of Total Marks (95+ Percentile in Mock Tests) |
| General — Economically Weaker Section (GEN-EWS) | 25% to 35% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 68% to 78% of Total Marks |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 25% to 35% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 68% to 78% of Total Marks |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) / PwBD | 20% to 30% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 58% to 70% of Total Marks |
Score Normalization & Marking Impact
Because UPPSC RO/ARO is evaluated on a uniform single-session paper scale under one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question deducted for each wrong objective answer, raw score accuracy directly determines your rank on the official merit list.
Factors Determining UPPSC RO/ARO Cut-Off
- Total number of notified vacancies / available seats across Uttar Pradesh cadres and institutions
- Total number of registered vs actual appearing candidates in the UPPSC RO/ARO cycle
- Relative difficulty level of the question paper (and shift-wise variation in multi-shift CBT exams)
- Category-wise vertical (UR, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST) and horizontal (PwBD, ESM, Women) reservation ratios
- Previous year cut-off trajectory and candidate score distribution at the top percentiles
UPPSC RO/ARO admit card, answer key and result guide
City slip 10–15 days prior • Admit Card 4–10 days before exam
UPPSC RO/ARO Exam City Intimation & Admit Card
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) releases the advance Exam City Intimation Slip followed by the official UPPSC RO/ARO Hall Ticket / e-Admit Card on uppsc.up.nic.in. No hard copy is sent by post; candidates must log in with their Registration Number and Date of Birth / Password to download it.
- Clear A4 printout of the UPPSC RO/ARO e-Admit Card with visible barcode and photograph
- Original valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or PAN Card)
- 2 recent passport-size photographs matching the image uploaded in the online application
- PwBD / Scribe certificate and undertaking (if availing compensatory time or scribe facility)
Within 3–10 days after the examination
UPPSC RO/ARO Provisional Answer Key & Objection Window
After conclusion of the objective test, Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) uploads the candidate response sheet and Provisional Answer Key on uppsc.up.nic.in. Candidates can calculate their raw score and submit online representations against any ambiguous question or key discrepancy within the stipulated 48–72 hour window.
- Download your recorded Response Sheet PDF and match Question IDs with the Master Answer Key
- Calculate raw score using the official positive and negative marking formula
- Attach standard textbook / NCERT / official gazette proof if challenging any provisional key
- Review the Final Answer Key published after subject-expert scrutiny of all representations
3–6 weeks after stage completion
UPPSC RO/ARO Result, Scorecard & Merit List / Counselling
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) declares the UPPSC RO/ARO result as a stage-wise Merit List PDF (with roll numbers and category cut-offs) and individual Normalized Scorecards on uppsc.up.nic.in. Shortlisted candidates proceed to the next stage, Document Verification, or Centralised Counselling.
- Download and save your official UPPSC RO/ARO Scorecard / Rank Letter PDF immediately upon release
- Verify category-wise and sectional cut-off marks in the official result write-up notice
- Keep original matriculation, degree, caste/EWS, and domicile certificates ready for verification
- Track reserve list / multi-round seat allotment updates on the official website
UPPSC RO/ARO mock tests
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UPPSC RO/ARO Full Mock Test 1
Preliminary Examination · 140 questions · 2 hours
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Preliminary Examination · 140 questions · 2 hours
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Preliminary Examination · 140 questions · 2 hours
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Preliminary Examination · 140 questions · 2 hours
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UPPSC RO/ARO Full Mock Test 5
Preliminary Examination · 140 questions · 2 hours
UPPSC RO/ARO previous year papers
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Complete 10-year UPPSC RO/ARO paper archive
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Predicted questions for UPPSC RO/ARO
High-probability questions and topics for your next exam
How to prepare for UPPSC RO/ARO
- Aim for 55+ out of 60 in Prelims General Hindi, because the six vocabulary topics have a high return on daily revision and comfortably push your total above the Prelims cut-off.
- Give dedicated time to Uttar Pradesh special GK, census, agriculture and state budget, which together account for 20 to 25 questions in the GS paper.
- Practice government letter formats (Shaskiya, Ardh-Shaskiya, Karyalaya Gyap, Paripatra, Adhisuchana) verbatim, as structural accuracy decides marks in Mains Paper II.
- Write at least one 600-word Hindi essay every week across literary, socio-economic and disaster/agriculture themes with factual quotes and data.
- Solve the last 10 years of UPPSC PCS and RO/ARO GS papers to master statement-and-assertion and chronological matching questions.
- Read the official UPPSC RO/ARO notification carefully for the exact pattern, eligibility and selection stages.
UPPSC RO/ARO FAQs
Is there an interview in UPPSC RO/ARO?
No. Selection in UPPSC RO/ARO is based entirely on the 400-mark Mains examination (plus a qualifying typing test for ARO posts). There is no interview.
Is O-Level mandatory for UPPSC RO/ARO?
O-Level (or an equivalent recognised computer qualification) is required for Assistant Review Officer (ARO) posts, whereas a plain Bachelor's degree is sufficient for Review Officer (RO) posts.
What is the negative marking in UPPSC RO/ARO?
One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer in the objective papers of both Prelims and Mains.
How many questions are asked in UPPSC RO/ARO Prelims?
Prelims has 200 questions for 200 marks across two papers: 140 questions in General Studies (2 hours) and 60 questions in General Hindi (1 hour).
Can candidates from other states apply for UPPSC RO/ARO?
Yes. Indian citizens from any state can apply in the unreserved category, while category reservation benefits apply to domicile candidates of Uttar Pradesh.
What is the selection process and exam pattern for UPPSC RO/ARO?
UPPSC RO/ARO is conducted by Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) across 3 stages: Preliminary Examination → Main Examination → Typing Test (for ARO posts only). Prelims (200 marks) is a screening test. Final merit is prepared strictly from the Mains examination (400 marks across General Studies, General Hindi & Drafting, and Hindi Essay), alongside qualifying the typing/computer test for ARO.
What is the age limit and educational qualification for UPPSC RO/ARO?
Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university for Review Officer; Bachelor's degree plus O-Level certificate (or equivalent computer diploma) and minimum 25 wpm Hindi typing speed for Assistant Review Officer. Age Limit: 21 to 40 years as on 1 July of the notification year, with upper-age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC domicile candidates of the state.
What is the salary and job profile after clearing UPPSC RO/ARO?
Pay Level 7 for ARO (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) and Pay Level 8 for RO (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) plus secretariat allowances.
When is the UPPSC RO/ARO notification released and how can I apply online?
UPPSC RO/ARO is held conducted according to secretariat cadre requisitions (typically every 1 to 2 years) (Notification in Q3/Q4; Prelims within 3 to 4 months; Mains 3 to 4 months after Prelims result). Online on uppsc.up.nic.in through One Time Registration (OTR).
Where can I practice free UPPSC RO/ARO mock tests and solved previous year papers?
Select UPPSC RO/ARO as your target exam on SmartRank to get chapter-by-chapter study material built around its syllabus covering General Studies and Current Affairs, Uttar Pradesh General Knowledge, History, Geography and Economy, General Hindi Vocabulary (Prelims & Mains), Conventional Drafting and Hindi Essay (Mains), solved previous year question papers, topic and full-length mock tests in the exact UPPSC RO/ARO pattern, a timed exam simulator, subject-wise analytics, an adaptive daily study plan and an AI Tutor.
How can I prepare for UPPSC RO/ARO on SmartRank?
Select UPPSC RO/ARO as your target exam on SmartRank to get chapter-by-chapter study material built around its syllabus covering General Studies and Current Affairs, Uttar Pradesh General Knowledge, History, Geography and Economy, General Hindi Vocabulary (Prelims & Mains), Conventional Drafting and Hindi Essay (Mains), solved previous year question papers, topic and full-length mock tests in the exact UPPSC RO/ARO pattern, a timed exam simulator, subject-wise analytics, an adaptive daily study plan and an AI Tutor.