Punjab State Civil Services Combined Competitive Examination (PCS) is one of the most reputed state-level civil services exams conducted by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC). The PCS 2025 prelims exam is scheduled for 26th October 2025 with 322 posts available, offering a golden opportunity for aspirants wanting to serve Punjab in various officer-level positions.
Maan IAS Academy brings the complete, updated Punjab PCS syllabus and exam pattern to help aspirants prepare effectively and crack this highly competitive examination.
Punjab State Civil Services Combined Competitive Examination (PCS) is one of the most reputed state-level civil services exams conducted by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC). The PCS 2025 prelims exam is scheduled for 26th October 2025 with 322 posts available, offering a golden opportunity for aspirants wanting to serve Punjab in various officer-level positions.
Maan IAS Academy brings the complete, updated Punjab PCS syllabus and exam pattern to help aspirants prepare effectively and crack this highly competitive examination.
The Punjab PCS exam has three stages:
Preliminary Examination (Prelims):
Screening test with objective-type multiple-choice questions.
Two papers, each of 200 marks.
Paper I (General Studies) determines shortlisting; Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying with a minimum cutoff of 40%.
No negative marking.
Exams conducted in English and Punjabi (Gurmukhi script).
Main Examination (Mains):
Descriptive-type written exam.
Seven papers including compulsory Punjabi and English language papers, Essay, and four General Studies papers.
Marks scored here are counted towards the final merit list.
Interview/Personality Test:
Conducted for candidates shortlisted after Mains.
Evaluates candidate’s personality, communication skills, and suitability for civil service.
150 marks.
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Studies | 100 | 2 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) | 80 | 2.5 | 200 | 2 hours |
CSAT is qualifying in nature (40% cut-off).
No negative marking for any paper.
Extra 40 minutes for differently-abled candidates.
General Studies Paper I includes:
Everyday Science: States of matter, atoms, acids, human body, diseases, public health, laws of motion, light, sound, electricity, computers.
Environmental Studies: Atmosphere, weather systems, climate change, pollution, biodiversity, water bodies, soil, conservation.
Political Theory & International Order: Freedom, equality, UN, IMF, WTO, G20, BRICS.
Indian Polity: Constitution, Panchayati Raj, elections, regionalism, coalition politics, armed challenges.
History of India and Punjab: Indus Valley, Vedic age, Mughals, British rule, freedom movement, Punjab history.
World History: Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, world wars, revolutions.
Indian Economy: Economic reforms, agriculture, poverty alleviation, public finance, trade.
Geography: Population, migration, human settlements, natural resources, transport.
Punjab Specific: Geography, society, culture, personalities, economy.
Current Affairs: Important national and international events.
CSAT Paper II includes:
Reading comprehension (English and Punjabi).
Interpersonal skills, logical reasoning.
Analytical and mental ability.
Basic numeracy and data interpretation.
| Paper No. | Name | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punjabi Language (Gurmukhi script) | 100 | 3 hours |
| 2 | English Language | 100 | 3 hours |
| 3 | Essay | 150 | 3 hours |
| 4 | General Studies Paper I | 250 | 3 hours |
| 5 | General Studies Paper II | 250 | 3 hours |
| 6 | General Studies Paper III | 250 | 3 hours |
| 7 | General Studies Paper IV | 250 | 3 hours |
| Interview | Personality Test | 150 | – |
English Language Paper:
Comprehension, precis writing, letter & essay writing, translation, grammar.
Punjabi Language Paper:
Comprehension, summary writing, application/letter, essay, translation, grammar.
Essay Paper:
Candidates write essays on topics covering social, economic, political, and environmental issues.
General Studies Paper I:
Indian and Punjab history, culture, world history, geography, society, women’s issues, ethics, vulnerable sections, and social development.
General Studies Paper II:
Indian constitution, polity, governance, international relations, district administration, development policies, transparency, ethics in governance.
General Studies Paper III:
Indian economy, agriculture, food security, industrial growth, infrastructure, employment, demographic dividend, security challenges, cyber security.
General Studies Paper IV:
Science & technology advancements, environmental issues, disaster management, public service ethics, decision-making skills.
The interview section for the Punjab PCS exam was included in the content under:
Interview round is the last stage after the Mains exam.
It evaluates the candidate’s personality, communication skills, mental alertness, and suitability for civil services.
The interview carries 150 marks.
The final merit list is prepared based on the combined scores of Mains and Interview.
The interview is a purposive conversation that explores the candidate’s overall qualities beyond academic knowledge.
NCERTs, GS, optional subject, essay, test series.
Focused Prelims/Mains training with revision
Public Administration, Sociology, Geography & more.
Full syllabus coverage, timed practice, and evaluation.
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The Punjab PCS exam selection involves three stages: Preliminary Exam (objective type), Mains Exam (descriptive type), and the Personality Test (Interview). Candidates must clear all three stages to qualify for officer-level posts in Punjab.
The Punjab PCS Preliminary Exam 2025 is tentatively scheduled for 7th December 2025. It consists of two papers, General Studies and CSAT, each of 200 marks with no negative marking.
Prelims cover General Studies and CSAT. General Studies includes subjects like Indian history, polity, economy, geography, Punjab-specific topics, and current affairs. Mains consist of compulsory Punjabi and English languages, Essay, and four General Studies papers including history, polity, economy, society, and science & technology.
No, there is no negative marking in either the Preliminary or Main exams for Punjab PCS 2025. However, CSAT paper in Prelims is qualifying in nature with a minimum cutoff of 40%.
The Personality Test or Interview carries 150 marks and is the final stage of the selection process. It assesses candidates’ mental agility, communication skills, and suitability for civil services. The marks obtained in the Mains and Interview stages together determine the final merit list.