Exams   »   UPSC Previous Year Question Papers

UPSC Previous Year Question Papers For Prelims and Mains Exam, Download PDF

If you’re planning to appear for the UPSC Exam 2026, starting your preparation with UPSC Previous Year Question Papers is a smart strategy. These papers often include recurring topics and familiar question patterns. Below, we’ve shared past year papers from multiple years to help you strengthen your preparation and deepen your understanding of the exam. This will help you assess how much you’ve learned and boost your chances of performing well in the UPSC CSE and securing a place on the final merit list.

UPSC Previous Year Question Papers

UPSC Previous Year Question Papers are one of the most valuable resources for candidates preparing for the Civil Services Examination. These papers offer a clear understanding of the exam pattern, question trends, and the depth of knowledge required to succeed in both the Prelims and Mains stages.

By practising these papers, aspirants can identify important topics, improve their problem-solving speed, and evaluate their preparation level more effectively. Overall, UPSC Previous Year Question Papers serve as an essential tool to enhance confidence and boost the chances of success in this highly competitive exam.

UPSC Previous Year Question Papers For Prelims Exam PDF
Exam Name UPSC CSE 2026
Recruiting Organization Union Public Service Commission
Category
Previous Year Question Paper
UPSC Official Website upsc.gov.in

Last 10 Years UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question Papers PDF

In the table below, we have provided the last 10 years of UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question Papers.

UPSC Prelims GS paper UPSC Prelims CSAT paper
Download UPSC Prelims GS paper 2024 Download UPSC Prelims CSAT paper 2024
Download UPSC Prelims GS paper 2023 Download UPSC Prelims CSAT paper 2023
Download UPSC Prelims GS paper 2022 Download UPSC Prelims CSAT paper 2022
Download UPSC Prelims GS paper 2021 Download UPSC Prelims CSAT paper 2021
Download UPSC Prelims GS paper 2020 Download UPSC Prelims CSAT paper 2020
Download UPSC Prelims GS paper 2019 Download UPSC Prelims CSAT paper 2019
Download UPSC Prelims GS paper 2018 Download UPSC Prelims CSAT paper 2018
Download UPSC Prelims GS paper 2017 Download UPSC Prelims CSAT paper 2017
Download UPSC Prelims GS paper 2016 Download UPSC Prelims CSAT paper 2016
Download UPSC Prelims GS paper 2015 Download UPSC Prelims CSAT paper 2015
Download UPSC Prelims GS paper 2014 Download UPSC Prelims CSAT paper 2014

Last 10 Years UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers PDF

In the table below, we have provided the last 10 years of UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers.

UPSC Mains 2024 Question Paper
UPSC GS 1 Question Paper 2024 UPSC GS 2 Question Paper 2024
UPSC GS 3 Question Paper 2024 UPSC GS 4 Question Paper 2024
Assam Bengal
BODO English
Essay Gujarat
UPSC GS 1 Question Paper 2024 UPSC GS 2 Question Paper 2024
UPSC GS 3 Question Paper 2024 UPSC GS 4 Question Paper 2024
Hindi Kannada
Maithali Malayalam
Marathi Nepal
Odia Punjabi
Sindhi Sanskrit
Telugu Urdu
Agriculture Paper 1 Agriculture Paper 2
Animal Husbandry Vet. Science Paper 1 Animal Husbandry Vet. Science Paper 2
Anthropology 1 Anthropology 2
Botany 1 Botany 2
Chemistry Paper 1 Chemistry Paper 2
Civil Engineering Paper 1 Civil Engineering Paper 2
Commerce Paper 1 Commerce Paper 2
Economics Paper 1 Economics Paper 2
Electrical Engineering Paper 1 Electrical Engineering Paper 2
Geography Paper 1 Geography Paper 2
Geology Paper 1 Geology Paper 2
History Paper 1 History Paper 2
Law Paper 1 Law Paper 2
Management Paper 1 Management Paper 2
Mathematics paper 1 Mathematics paper 2
Mechanical Engineering Paper 1 Mechanical Engineering Paper 2
Medical Science Paper 1 Medical Science Paper 2
Philosophy Paper 1 Philosophy Paper 2
Physics Paper 1 Physics Paper 2
Political Science International Relation Paper 1 Political Science International Relation Paper 2
Psychology Paper 1 Psychology Paper 2
Public Administration Paper 1 Public Administration Paper 2
Sociology Paper 1 Sociology Paper 2
Statistics Paper 1 Statistics Paper 2
Zoology Paper 1 Zoology Paper 2
UPSC Mains 2023 Question Paper
UPSC GS 1 Question Paper 2023 UPSC GS 2 Question Paper 2023
UPSC GS 3 Question Paper 2023 UPSC GS 4 Question Paper 2023
UPSC Essay Paper
UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper
UPSC GS 1 Question Paper 2022 UPSC GS 2 Question Paper 2022
UPSC GS 3 Question Paper 2022 UPSC GS 4 Question Paper 2022
UPSC Essay Paper
UPSC Mains 2021 Question Paper
UPSC Mains GS 1 Question Paper 2021 UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper 2021
UPSC Mains GS 3 Question Paper 2021 UPSC Mains GS 4 Question Paper 2021
UPSC Mains 2020 Question Paper
UPSC Mains GS 1 Question Paper 2020 UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper 2020
UPSC Mains GS 3 Question Paper 2020 UPSC Mains GS 4 Question Paper 2020
UPSC Mains 2019 Question Paper
UPSC Mains GS 1 Question Paper 2019 UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper 2019
UPSC Mains GS 3 Question Paper 2019 UPSC Mains GS 4 Question Paper 2019
UPSC Mains 2018 Question Paper
UPSC Mains GS 1 Question Paper 2018 UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper 2018
UPSC Mains GS 3 Question Paper 2018 UPSC Mains GS 4 Question Paper 2018
UPSC Mains 2017 Question Paper
UPSC Mains GS 1 Question Paper 2017 UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper 2017
UPSC Mains GS 3 Question Paper 2017 UPSC Mains GS 4 Question Paper 2017
UPSC Mains 2016 Question Paper
UPSC Mains GS 1 Question Paper 2016 UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper 2016
UPSC Mains GS 3 Question Paper 2016 UPSC Mains GS 4 Question Paper 2016
UPSC Mains 2015 Question Paper
UPSC Mains GS 1 Question Paper 2015 UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper 2015
UPSC Mains GS 3 Question Paper 2015 UPSC Mains GS 4 Question Paper 2015
UPSC Mains 2014 Question Paper
UPSC Mains GS 1 Question Paper 2014 UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper 2014
UPSC Mains GS 3 Question Paper 2014 UPSC Mains GS 4 Question Paper 2014

Last 10 years UPSC Mains Essay PYQs

Here we have added all the PYQs for UPSC Mains Essay Paper

UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 
UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2023 UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2022
UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2021 UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2020
UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2019 UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2018
UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2017 UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2016
UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2015 UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2014
UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2013 UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2012
UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2011 UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2010
UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2009

Benefits of Solving UPSC Previous Year Question Papers

For a Better understanding of the UPSC Exam, one should go through all aspects related to the UPSC Syllabus and the UPSC Previous Year’s Papers. Here are some points that explain why it is important for UPSC candidates to solve UPSC Previous Year Papers.

  • Understanding the Exam Pattern: Get to know the format and sequence of the questions.
  • Researching Relevant Subjects: Sort your research to important topics according to the UPSC Syllabus most often asked questions.
  • Improving Time Management: become comfortable with efficient time management during the test.
  • Improving Your Problem-Solving Ability: Create plans for answering various kinds of queries.
  • Increasing confidence: Build self-assurance by practising with real questions from the test.

In conclusion, solving UPSC Previous Year Question papers is an important part of exam preparation, and it can significantly increase an aspirant’s chances of success in the exam.

It is recommended to attempt these papers under the same conditions as the actual exam. This means completing each paper within the allotted 3 hours and practising both papers on the same day, with a break in between. You should also try to solve the mock tests or PYQs at the same time as your scheduled exam, for example, if your exam starts at 9 AM, attempt your practice paper at 9 AM. This helps your body and mind get accustomed to the exam timing.

Also check
UPSC Calendar 2026

FAQs

Is it important to read UPSC previous year question papers?

UPSC previous year questions are considered the most important source to know about the pattern of IAS Prelims exam, and thus play an important role in strategizing the preparation effectively.

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