UPPSC APO Mains 2026: 182 Vacancies, Exam Schedule, Syllabus and Preparation Strategy

Introduction

The UPPSC APO Mains 2026 is now the next big target for thousands of law graduates across Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has announced 182 vacancies for the post of Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO). The Preliminary Examination was held on March 22, 2026. Candidates who cleared the prelims must now focus entirely on the Mains, scheduled for June 28, 2026.

The APO post is a government legal role. As an Assistant Prosecution Officer, you represent the state in criminal courts. The job requires a solid grip on criminal law, procedure, and evidence. This blog covers the exam pattern, the full syllabus for all six papers, and a practical preparation strategy to help you clear the Mains.

Key Exam Details

Mains Exam Pattern

The UP APO Mains has six papers with a total of 500 marks. The exam is descriptive. There are no objective questions in the Mains. Papers 1, 2, and 3 test language and general knowledge. Papers 4, 5, and 6 test your legal knowledge.

Note: The General Knowledge syllabus for Paper 3 in the Mains is the same as the one used in the Preliminary Examination.

Detailed Syllabus for Each Paper

Paper 1: General Hindi (100 Marks)

This paper tests Hindi language skills at the High School level. It covers essay writing (nibandh), grammar (vyakaran), and sentence construction. Paper 1 carries 100 marks. That is the same as each of the core law papers. Do not ignore it.

Paper 2: General English (50 Marks)

This paper tests English language skills at the High School standard. It covers comprehension passages, grammar rules, and writing ability.

Paper 3: General Knowledge (50 Marks)

The GK syllabus is the same as the Prelims. It covers Indian History, Geography, Polity, Current Affairs, Currencies and Capitals, and Elementary General Science.

Paper 4: Criminal Law and Procedure (100 Marks)

This is the most important paper. The UP APO post is a prosecution role, so criminal law is at the heart of the exam. The syllabus covers:

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023

• U.P. Police Act and Regulations

• Allied Procedural Laws

You must know both the new codes (BNS and BNSS) and the older IPC and CrPC. Questions on transitional provisions and key changes between the old and new laws are commonly tested.

*[Link: Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam Study Material for Judiciary Aspirants]*

Paper 5: Shakshya Adhiniyam, Evidence Law (100 Marks)

Paper 5 is entirely focused on the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023. The BSA replaced the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. You need to understand the structure of the BSA, its key provisions, and the differences between the BSA and the old Evidence Act.

Paper 6: Anya Adhiniyam, Other Laws (100 Marks)

Paper 6 tests your knowledge of 16 special and local laws. Several of these are UP-specific. Here is the complete list:

Among these 16 acts, the POCSO Act, UAPA, SC/ST Act, and IT Act tend to carry more weight. These laws are directly connected to prosecution work and come up regularly in this exam.

How Nitesh Sir Recommends You Should Prepare

At Aashayein Judiciary, Nitesh Sir has consistently advised APO aspirants to approach the Mains with both urgency and structure. With the exam on June 28, 2026, here is how you should plan your preparation:

• Start with BNS, BNSS, and BSA. Papers 4 and 5 together carry 200 marks. These two papers alone can decide your result. Read the bare acts in full. Make comparison charts between BNS and IPC, BNSS and CrPC, and BSA and the Indian Evidence Act. Focus on new provisions, changed section numbers, and what has been retained. This is your top priority.

• Cover Paper 6 act by act. With 16 laws to study, you cannot rush through this paper. Divide the acts into groups: central laws, UP-specific laws, and social welfare legislation. For each act, note down the key definitions, offences, penalties, and any special procedural rules. POCSO, UAPA, SC/ST Act, and IT Act deserve extra time.

• Take Hindi and English seriously. Paper 1 carries 100 marks. That is too many marks to treat lightly. Practise writing nibandhs regularly. Work on grammar. Your written Hindi should be clean and well-structured. For Paper 2, work on comprehension and precise expression.

• Revise GK from your Prelims notes. The syllabus is identical to what you already studied. Spend 30 to 45 minutes daily on GK. Focus on current legal developments, recent legislation, and constitutional matters.

• Write answers every day. The Mains is fully descriptive. You cannot prepare for this exam without writing practice. Every answer should have a short introduction, a structured body with statutory references and section numbers, and a clear conclusion. Start writing from day one, not from the last two weeks.

• Attempt mock tests under timed conditions. At least one full-length mock test every week is necessary. This trains your time management and helps you identify weak areas. Study previous year UP APO Mains papers to understand how questions are framed.

• Plan two full revision rounds before the exam. Short notes and section-wise summaries are useful here. In the last two weeks, shift to revision mode entirely. Do not start new topics at this stage.

Nitesh Sir also recommends keeping your study material limited and focused. Reading 10 sources for one subject will not help. Pick your bare acts, one standard reference for each paper, and your own notes. That is enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the UP APO Mains exam date for 2026?

The UP APO Mains 2026 is scheduled for June 28, 2026.

Q2. How many vacancies are there in UPPSC APO 2026?

There are 182 vacancies for the post of Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO) in UPPSC 2026.

Q3. How many papers are there in the UP APO Mains?

There are six papers in the UP APO Mains. Total marks are 500.

Q4. What is covered in Paper 4 of the UP APO Mains?

Paper 4 covers Criminal Law and Procedure. The syllabus includes the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, U.P. Police Act and Regulations, and Allied Procedural Laws.

Q5. What is Paper 5 of the UP APO Mains?

Paper 5 is on Shakshya Adhiniyam, or Evidence Law. It covers the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023, which replaced the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

Q6. How many acts are covered in Paper 6 of UP APO Mains?

Paper 6 (Anya Adhiniyam) covers 16 special and local laws, including several UP-specific acts like the U.P. Gangsters Act, U.P. Control of Goondas Act, and U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.

Q7. Is the GK syllabus for Prelims and Mains the same?

Yes. The General Knowledge syllabus for Paper 3 in the Mains is identical to the GK syllabus used in the Preliminary Examination.

Q8. What should I focus on most for the UP APO Mains?

Papers 4 and 5, covering BNS, BNSS, and BSA, carry 200 marks and should be the top priority. Paper 6 with 16 acts should be covered act by act. Paper 1 in Hindi carries 100 marks and must not be ignored.

Conclusion

The UPPSC APO Mains 2026 offers 182 seats for law graduates who want to build a career in public prosecution in Uttar Pradesh. The exam is on June 28, 2026, and time is limited.

Papers 4 and 5 on BNS, BNSS, and BSA are the backbone of this exam. Paper 6 tests your knowledge of 16 relevant acts. Paper 1 in Hindi carries 100 marks on its own. Every paper matters.

At Aashayein Judiciary, Nitesh Sir has always maintained that consistent daily practice, bare act reading, and structured answer writing are what separate those who clear the Mains from those who do not. Build your schedule around those three habits, and you will be in the best position to clear this exam.

If you want guidance tailored specifically to the UP APO Mains, Aashayein Judiciary's Target Judiciary Course covers all core subjects with bilingual instruction, one-on-one doubt sessions, and complete Judiciary study material. Reach out to the team in Bhopal to know more.