UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question Papers PDF Download Link
Anil Solonki13 May, 2025
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UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question Papers are the tool that will help candidates preparing for the UPSC Prelims 2025 have an idea about the question paper, evaluate their preparation, and identify areas of improvement. These papers help pinpoint key topics in the UPSC Prelims syllabus, enabling you to focus your revision on areas that are frequently tested.
Make sure to keep the last 10 years' UPSC Prelims Previous Year question papers with answers readily available during your preparation. Explore subject-wise UPSC Prelims previous year questions to understand the exam's difficulty level, refine your approach, and strengthen your overall preparation for the upcoming 2025 exam here.
UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question Papers with Answer Key
Using UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question Papers with Answer Keys is one of the most effective strategies for preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam. By reviewing the last 10 years of UPSC Prelims question papers in PDF format, candidates can identify recurring patterns and important themes, making it easier to focus on critical areas during revision. Below are direct links to download the last 10 years of UPSC Prelims question papers and answer keys for both GS Paper 1 and CSAT:
UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions (PYQs) with Solutions - Subject Wise & Topic Wise PDFs
Solving the UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question allows the candidates to focus on each area in depth, ensuring comprehensive preparation for the exam. Access Topic-Wise PDFs of UPSC Prelims PYQs from the past 10 years, covering key subjects. Practising these questions with detailed solutions boosts both knowledge retention and problem-solving speed, improving accuracy for the actual exam. We have provided the subject-wise UPSC Prelims PYQs with solutions for a strategic approach to exam preparation. These PDFs provide in-depth explanations and insights into the exam pattern, helping aspirants tackle each subject effectively.
| Subject Name | UPSC Prelims PYQs Link |
| Ancient & Medieval History | 2013-2024 PYQs with Solution |
| Environment and Ecology | 2013-2024 PYQs with Solution |
| Modern History | 2013-2024 PYQs with Solution |
| Geography | 2013-2024 PYQs with Solution |
| Art and Culture | 2013-2024 PYQs with Solution |
| Indian Economy | 2013-2024 PYQs with Solution |
| Polity | 2013-2024 PYQs with Solution |
| Science & Technology | 2013-2024 PYQs With Solution |
UPSC Prelims Question Distribution by Subject: Trends and Insights
The number of questions in various subjects of the UPSC Civil Services Prelims has fluctuated over the years, reflecting changing patterns in the exam.
- History: The number of questions in History has varied significantly, ranging from as few as 8 in 2024 to as many as 22 in 2018.
- Geography: Geography has seen a range of questions from 7 in 2016 to 20 in 2024, highlighting fluctuating emphasis on this subject.
- Polity: Polity questions peaked at 22 in 2017 but have dipped as low as 7 in 2016, showcasing the variability in focus on constitutional topics.
- Art and Culture: This section has typically had fewer questions, ranging from 3 in 2015, 2016, and 2019, up to a maximum of 10 in 2014.
- Environment: The Environment section has demonstrated consistent interest in the exam, with questions ranging from 10 to 18 across multiple years, and peaking in certain years.
- Science and Technology: Science and Technology questions have fluctuated between 7 questions in 2019 and 16 in 2014, with more recent years showing around 10 to 14 questions.
- Economics: Questions in Economics have ranged from 10 to 19, with the highest number recorded in 2013, indicating its varying importance over the years.
| Year | History | Geography | Polity | Art & Culture | Environment | Science & Tech | Economics |
| 2013 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 14 | 19 |
| 2014 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 16 | 10 |
| 2015 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 13 |
| 2016 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 8 | 18 |
| 2017 | 14 | 9 | 22 | 5 | 15 | 9 | 16 |
| 2018 | 22 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 18 |
| 2019 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 3 | 11 | 7 | 14 |
| 2020 | 20 | 10 | 17 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 15 |
| 2021 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 17 | 14 | 16 |
| 2022 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 4 | 14 | 12 | 14 |
| 2023 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 5 | 14 | 12 | 14 |
| 2024 | 3 | 20 | 18 | 5 | 14 | 10 | 12 |
Candidate can download UPSC CSAT Previous Year Question Paper here!
Tips to Solve UPSC Prelims Question Papers
Here is how to solve UPSC Prelims question papers from past years:
- Read the Question Carefully: Take time to understand the question fully before attempting an answer. This will help avoid misinterpretation and errors.
- Attempt Easy and Known Questions First: Start with the questions you are most confident about. This will help build momentum and boost your confidence during the exam.
- Eliminate Wrong Options: In multiple-choice questions, first eliminate the obviously incorrect options. This narrows down your choices and increases your chances of selecting the correct answer.
- Take a Calculated Risk: If unsure, don’t hesitate to take a calculated risk with the remaining options. Trust your instincts based on your preparation, but avoid guessing randomly.
- Manage Your Time Wisely: Keep track of time to ensure you don’t spend too long on any single question. Allocate time to each section and stick to the plan to avoid rushing towards the end of the exam.
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