Introduction

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) conducts the ARO/RO (Assistant Review Officer/Review Officer) Examination every year for recruitment into the Uttar Pradesh Secretariat and allied offices. Thousands of aspirants apply for these posts due to job stability, social respect, and career growth.

Before starting preparation, it is crucial to understand the exam pattern and marking scheme in detail. Many aspirants study hard but fail to strategize according to the structure of the exam. Therefore, a clear understanding of the Prelims, Mains, and Typing Test will help you plan your preparation smartly.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on the UP ARO/RO Exam Pattern, subject-wise marks distribution, and tips to maximize your score.

Overview of UP ARO/RO Examination

Stage 1: UP ARO/RO Preliminary Examination

The Prelims is the screening test and its marks are not counted in the final merit but are necessary to qualify for the Mains.

Structure of Prelims:

Total Marks in Prelims: 200

Syllabus Focus:

Marking Scheme in Prelims:

Stage 2: UP ARO/RO Mains Examination

The Mains Exam is the most crucial stage as its marks are considered for final merit. It consists of four papers.

Structure of Mains:

Total Marks in Mains:

Stage 3: Typing Test / Computer Test

The Typing Test is qualifying in nature but very important for the final selection.

Detailed Marking Scheme – At a Glance

StagePaperMarksDurationType

Prelims

General Studies

140

2 hours

Objective

General Hindi

60

1 hour

Objective

Mains

General Studies

120

2 hours

Objective

General Hindi & Drafting

160

3 hours

Mixed

Hindi Essay

120

3 hours

Descriptive

Optional Subject (Only for RO)

120

3 hours

Descriptive

Typing

Hindi Typing Test

Qual.

5 mins

Skill Test

Key Takeaways from the Exam Pattern

Balanced Approach Needed – Both GS and Hindi are equally important. Neglecting Hindi is the most common mistake.

Essay & Drafting are Game-Changers – Most candidates lose marks in Paper II and Paper III. Strong Hindi writing skills are essential.

Prelims = Screening, Mains = Merit – Focus should be on building strong concepts for the Mains stage.

Typing = Compulsory – Even if you top the written exams, without typing qualification, selection is not possible.

Preparation Strategy

Divide syllabus into static (Polity, History, Geography) and dynamic (Current Affairs).

Read the official UPPSC ARO/RO notification for exact topics.

Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly

Practice previous year papers (10 years minimum).

Daily newspaper reading (The Hindu / Indian Express / Local Hindi newspaper).

Lucent’s GK, Arihant, and Spectrum for General Studies.

NCERTs (Class 6–12) for basics.

Prelims Preparation

Optional Subject: Choose based on graduation background and interest.

Essay: Write 2 essays weekly and get them evaluated.

Drafting: Regular practice of official notes, reports, and office correspondence.

Hindi: Practice essays, precis, and letter writing.

Mains Preparation

Use online typing tools to build speed and accuracy.

Daily 20 minutes practice on Kruti Dev font.

Typing Preparation

Common Mistakes Aspirants Make

Ignoring Hindi language preparation.

Over-focusing on GS while neglecting drafting and essay.

Not practicing typing until the final stage.

Poor time management during the exam.

Lack of revision before Mains.

Smart Tips to Crack UP ARO/RO Exam

Prepare short notes for quick revision.

Focus on Uttar Pradesh-specific GK (rivers, culture, history, politics).

Attempt mock tests regularly.

Improve Hindi writing through newspapers like Dainik Jagran editorials.

Revise PYQs multiple times.

Candidates failing to qualify in typing will not be considered, even if they score high in Mains.

Duration: 5 minutes test + 10 minutes practice

Speed Requirement: Minimum 25 words per minute

Typing Language: Hindi (Kruti Dev 010 or 016 font)

For ARO: 400 marks

For RO: 520 marks

Candidates choose from subjects like Political Science, Sociology, Public Administration, etc.

Duration: 3 hours

Marks: 120

Optional Subject – Paper IV (Only for RO posts, not ARO)

Topics include current issues, literature, society, politics, and administration.

Duration: 3 hours

Marks: 120

Hindi Essay – Paper III

Total: 160 marks

Part B (General Vocabulary & Grammar): 60 marks, 30 minutes, objective questions

Part A (Conventional Hindi): 100 marks, 2.5 hours, descriptive questions

General Hindi & Drafting – Paper II (Part A and Part B)

Objective type questions

Duration: 2 hours

Marks: 120

General Studies – Paper I

Candidates must score well in both papers to qualify.

No negative marking (as per recent patterns).

Each question carries 1 mark.

Comprehension

One-word Substitution

Sentence Correction

Idioms and Phrases

Vocabulary, Grammar, Synonyms/Antonyms

General Hindi:

Uttar Pradesh Special GK

Computer Knowledge

General Science

Environment & Ecology

Indian Polity, Economy, and Geography

History of India & UP

Current Affairs (National + International)

General Studies:

Question Type: Objective (MCQs)

Number of Questions: 60

Marks: 60

Duration: 1 hour

Paper II – General Hindi

Question Type: Objective (MCQs)

Number of Questions: 140

Marks: 140

Duration: 2 hours

Paper I – General Studies

Nature of Exam: Objective + Descriptive + Skill Test

Typing Test (Qualifying)

Mains Exam

Preliminary Exam

Selection Process:

Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen and Paper)

Posts: Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO)

Conducting Body: Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC)