Physics Wallah

UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis 2024 Out Now!

UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis 2024 is now available. Read on for the previous year’s UPSC Mains GS 2 paper analysis and trends to understand the notable shift in the GS Paper II.
authorImageDeeksha Dixit19 Sept, 2025
Share

Share

UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis 2024

UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis 2024: In the UPSC Civil Services Mains examination , the third paper is known as the UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper. It is one of the core General Studies papers and primarily deals with Indian Polity, Governance, Social Justice, and International Relations. UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis 2024 is available for the paper conducted on September 21, 2024.

The UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis is important to identify trends, understand the subject-wise weightage, and prepare strategically for the next exam. PW OnlyIAS experts have shared the UPSC Mains 2024 GS 2 Paper Analysis here along with three other GS papers.

Related Articles
UPSC Mains GS1 Paper Analysis UPSC Mains GS2 Paper Analysis
UPSC Mains GS3 Paper Analysis UPSC Mains GS4 Paper Analysis
UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 Question Paper UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Question Paper
UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 Question Paper UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 Question Paper

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis 2024 Live Now

The 2024 UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper conducted on September 21st, 2024, consists of 250 marks and covers a broad range of topics. This paper is named ‘Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations’. This year also, the IAS Mains GS II paper had many current-affairs-based questions and was slightly difficult, with fewer questions from social justice and a significant portion focusing on governance and polity The UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis 2024 is available now. Don't miss it! https://www.youtube.com/live/BpTSRd6e3h8?si=oY_s79QawEm-7BzO Here are the number of questions in each subject based on the subject-wise UPSC Mains GS 2 paper analysis:
UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Subject Wise Questions
Subject Questions Total Marks Break Down
Indian Polity & Constitution 10 5*10 + 5*15= 125
Governance & Social Justice 6 3*10 + 3*15 = 75
International Relations 4 2*10 + 2*15 = 50

UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2024

The UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2024, conducted on September 21 in the afternoon shift, is now available for review. This paper covers key subjects like Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations, essential for aspirants preparing for the exam. You can check the highlights and important questions from the exam by referring to the section below.
UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2024 Overview
Particular Detail
Paper Paper III
Paper Name UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 2
Exam Date 21 September 2024
Shift 2:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Total Marks 250
Duration 3 Hours
Number of Questions 20 Questions (10X10 marks and 10X15 marks)
Nature of Paper Considered for Merit List
Minimum Marks 10% (25 marks)

Previous Year UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis

A detailed analysis of the previous year’s UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper provides valuable insights into the kind of questions asked and the areas that are likely to be emphasised in 2024. The UPSC CSE Mains GS 2 question paper has been moderately difficult in previous years. Here is an analysis of the past 5 years:
  • Indian Polity and Constitution: In both 2021 and 2023, this section saw an increase in the number of questions, with almost half of the paper dedicated to topics under Polity. This paper has dominated the 40-50% of the paper.
  • Governance: Questions in the governance section were often linked with ongoing government initiatives and their effectiveness. Supreme Court/High Court judgments also featured prominently.
  • Social Justice: In previous years questions on social justice focused on the government's efforts to ensure equality for vulnerable groups requiring candidates to be updated with the latest trends.
  • International Relations: The focus in this section has remained on India's diplomatic relations, especially with its neighbours and Southeast Asia.
Here is the past five years’ subject-wise UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper analysis:

Download UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper

Candidates can access the UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper from previous years to practice and develop a better understanding of the exam pattern and question types. A direct link to download the UPSC Mains 2024 GS 2 2024 question paper PDF is available in the below table, which currently has UPSC Mains GS 2 question paper PDFs from 2019 to 2024:
Download UPSC Mains GS 2 PDF
Year Download Link
UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2024 Click Here
UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2023 Click Here
UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2022 Click Here
UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2021 Click Here
UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2020 Click Here
UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2019 Click Here

UPSC Mains GS 2 Syllabus

The UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper syllabus is extensive, covering key aspects of governance and international relations, which are often connected with current events. UPSC Mains syllabus for GS 2 paper can be divided into four main subjects:
  1. Indian Polity and Constitution: This section deals with the structure of the Indian Constitution, federalism, judiciary, Union and the state legislature, and amendments.
  2. Governance: Topics under governance include the role of civil services, e-governance, transparency, accountability, and the implementation of key government schemes.
  3. Social Justice: This section focuses on Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services, poverty and hunger, policies, and welfare measures initiated by the government to ensure social justice.
  4. International Relations: Questions in this section cover India's foreign policy, its relations with neighboring countries, groupings and agreements, and global institutions like the United Nations.
Effective answer writing and the ability to critically analyze government policies and legal frameworks are essential for scoring well in the IAS Mains GS 2 paper. A thorough UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis will help candidates approach the exam with a clear strategy, ensuring they focus on the most important topics when they prepare for the 2025 exam cycle. To enhance your preparation, consider enrolling in the PW UPSC Course, where expert guidance will equip you with the necessary tools and insights to excel in the UPSC Mains. Join us today and take a significant step toward achieving your UPSC IAS 2025 goals!
UPSC Related Articles
UPSC Essay Paper UPSC Optional Subject UPSC Cut Off
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2024 How to Solve Case Studies? UPSC Mains Important Topics

UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis 2024 FAQs

What is the weightage of Polity in UPSC Mains GS 2 paper?

The weightage of Polity typically accounts for 40-50% of the questions in the UPSC Mains GS 2 paper.

What is the pattern of UPSC Mains GS 2 paper?

The UPSC Mains GS 2 paper consists of 20 questions, with 10 questions worth 10 marks each and 10 questions worth 15 marks each.

How to link current events with the static syllabus for the UPSC Mains GS 2?

Candidates should analyze current events in the context of governance, policies, and international relations to effectively link them with the static syllabus.

What is the weightage of each subject in the GS 2 paper?

The weightage of each subject in the GS Paper 2 typically includes around 75 marks for Governance and Social Justice, 50 marks for International Relations, and 125 marks for Polity.

How to score good marks in UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper?

To score well, focus on understanding concepts, stay updated with current affairs, practice answer writing, and critically analyze government policies and frameworks.
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Point IconLive & recorded classes available at ease
Point IconDashboard for progress tracking
Point IconMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Download ButtonDownload Button
Banner Image
Banner Image
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others

Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.