Of course you can do preparation of the UPPCS examination simultaneously with the preparation of the UPSC examination. It is normal for the students to do so because of the similar pattern of the two examinations. Both examinations consist of three stages: Preliminary, Mains and Interview. Minimum educational qualification for the two examinations is also the same, which is graduation. In fact more recently some changes that have been made in the UPPCS examination pattern have brought the syllabus of this examination closer to that of the UPSC syllabus.
Despite such similarities, there are still some differences in the two examinations. Therefore, if you are simultaneously preparing for these two examinations, you must also be aware of them. One such difference is in the qualifying papers in the Mains examination. Another important difference between the two examinations is that of orientation. If you compare the previous years’ question papers of the two examinations, you will find that despite the great degree of similarities in the syllabus of the two examinations there are differences in approach which has to be adopted while studying the same topics.
As compared to the UPPCS, the UPSC examination requires you to be more analytical. The depth of analysis that is required for attempting the answers of the UPSC is more as compared to the UPPCS examination. Therefore, the students attempting the two examinations simultaneously must attempt to acquire more in-depth knowledge for the UPSC examination as against the UPPCS examination.
Also, the UPPCS examination being related to services offered in a particular state of India, i.e., Uttar Pradesh, there is a relatively greater focus on the geography, economy and polity of this state. As against this, in the UPSC examination, the entire country is uniformly focussed. Nevertheless, in the Interview of the UPSC too, those students hailing from Uttar Pradesh would be required to know more about their state as that awareness is generally tested while questions are being asked for the Personality Test. In this regard too, preparation for the UPPCS also helps, to some extent, in the UPSC examination.
Having said that, Before starting for the preparation of any competitive examination it is important for you to be clear about your goal in life. It is only then that it becomes easy to pursue that goal and attend to the deliverables that are so essential to reach your goal. Despite the similar nature of the two examinations, UPSC and UPPCS, the jobs that are offered to the successful students are different in nature. Therefore, you must also focus on this factor and first determine what you want in your life. While technically the two examinations are similar and they can be approached simultaneously, you would be advised to first develop clarity in your goal and determine where you wish to be.
In any case, both are competitive examinations requiring the hard work that is essential for clearing such examinations. So, first determine your goal and then start pursuing it; and you will surely realise your dream.