UPSC Previous Year Question Papers — Prelims & Mains

Official UPSC Civil Services question papers for the last 10 years, linked to the PDFs on upsc.gov.in: Prelims GS Paper I and CSAT, and Mains Essay and GS Papers I–IV.

UPSC CSE 2026

• Prelims GS Paper I 2026 — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Current Affairs — 100 questions, 200 marks
• Prelims GS Paper II (CSAT) 2026 — Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Data Interpretation — 80 questions, qualifying (33%)
• Mains Essay 2026 — Two essays from Sections A and B — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper I 2026 — Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper II 2026 — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper III 2026 — Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper IV 2026 — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, including case studies — 250 marks

UPSC CSE 2025

• Prelims GS Paper I 2025 — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Current Affairs — 100 questions, 200 marks
• Prelims GS Paper II (CSAT) 2025 — Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Data Interpretation — 80 questions, qualifying (33%)
• Mains Essay 2025 — Two essays from Sections A and B — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper I 2025 — Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper II 2025 — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper III 2025 — Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper IV 2025 — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, including case studies — 250 marks

UPSC CSE 2024

• Prelims GS Paper I 2024 — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Current Affairs — 100 questions, 200 marks
• Prelims GS Paper II (CSAT) 2024 — Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Data Interpretation — 80 questions, qualifying (33%)
• Mains Essay 2024 — Two essays from Sections A and B — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper I 2024 — Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper II 2024 — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper III 2024 — Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper IV 2024 — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, including case studies — 250 marks

UPSC CSE 2023

• Prelims GS Paper I 2023 — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Current Affairs — 100 questions, 200 marks
• Prelims GS Paper II (CSAT) 2023 — Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Data Interpretation — 80 questions, qualifying (33%)
• Mains Essay 2023 — Two essays from Sections A and B — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper I 2023 — Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper II 2023 — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper III 2023 — Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper IV 2023 — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, including case studies — 250 marks

UPSC CSE 2022

• Prelims GS Paper I 2022 — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Current Affairs — 100 questions, 200 marks
• Prelims GS Paper II (CSAT) 2022 — Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Data Interpretation — 80 questions, qualifying (33%)
• Mains Essay 2022 — Two essays from Sections A and B — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper I 2022 — Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper II 2022 — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper III 2022 — Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper IV 2022 — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, including case studies — 250 marks

UPSC CSE 2021

• Prelims GS Paper I 2021 — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Current Affairs — 100 questions, 200 marks
• Prelims GS Paper II (CSAT) 2021 — Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Data Interpretation — 80 questions, qualifying (33%)
• Mains Essay 2021 — Two essays from Sections A and B — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper I 2021 — Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper II 2021 — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper III 2021 — Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper IV 2021 — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, including case studies — 250 marks

UPSC CSE 2020

• Prelims GS Paper I 2020 — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Current Affairs — 100 questions, 200 marks
• Prelims GS Paper II (CSAT) 2020 — Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Data Interpretation — 80 questions, qualifying (33%)
• Mains Essay 2020 — Two essays from Sections A and B — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper I 2020 — Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper II 2020 — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper III 2020 — Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper IV 2020 — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, including case studies — 250 marks

UPSC CSE 2019

• Prelims GS Paper I 2019 — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Current Affairs — 100 questions, 200 marks
• Prelims GS Paper II (CSAT) 2019 — Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Data Interpretation — 80 questions, qualifying (33%)
• Mains Essay 2019 — Two essays from Sections A and B — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper I 2019 — Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper II 2019 — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper III 2019 — Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper IV 2019 — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, including case studies — 250 marks

UPSC CSE 2018

• Prelims GS Paper I 2018 — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Current Affairs — 100 questions, 200 marks
• Prelims GS Paper II (CSAT) 2018 — Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Data Interpretation — 80 questions, qualifying (33%)
• Mains Essay 2018 — Two essays from Sections A and B — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper I 2018 — Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper II 2018 — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper III 2018 — Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper IV 2018 — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, including case studies — 250 marks

UPSC CSE 2017

• Mains Essay 2017 — Two essays from Sections A and B — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper I 2017 — Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper II 2017 — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper III 2017 — Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper IV 2017 — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, including case studies — 250 marks

UPSC CSE 2016

• Prelims GS Paper I 2016 — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Current Affairs — 100 questions, 200 marks
• Prelims GS Paper II (CSAT) 2016 — Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Data Interpretation — 80 questions, qualifying (33%)
• Mains GS Paper I 2016 — Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper II 2016 — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper III 2016 — Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management — 250 marks
• Mains GS Paper IV 2016 — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, including case studies — 250 marks

Official UPSC links

• Exam notifications — Official notices and advertisements for exams currently open, including the Civil Services Examination.
• Exam calendar — UPSC's dates for notifications, applications and exams for the year.
• Apply online — UPSC's official online application portal.
• What's new — Latest UPSC announcements, results and admit card notices.
• Previous question papers — UPSC's own archive of past question papers.

Most asked topics, 2016–2025

Previous-year question trends mapped to the UPSC syllabus, from GS Score's UPSC Syllabus 2026-27 analysis. These GS and CSAT topics appeared in the most exam years between 2016 and 2025.

• Gandhi & Mass Movements — NCM, CDM, Quit India Movement (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Temple Architecture — Nagara, Dravida, Vesara, Buddhist & Jain Monuments (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
• Heritage Governance — UNESCO (WH/Intangible), ASI, GI Tags, PRASAD, HRIDAY (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Space Technology — ISRO Missions, Satellites, Planetary Science & Space Economy (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Biotechnology — Genomics, GMO, Vaccines, CRISPR, Biosafety & Health Tech (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025
• Disaster Management — Framework, NDMA & Policy (Mains GS Paper III) — asked in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• Monsoon — Mechanism, ENSO, IOD, MJO & Indian Impact (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
• Drainage System — Himalayan & Peninsular Rivers, River Projects (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Transport Networks — Railways, Roads, DFCs, Waterways & Economic Corridors (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• World & Map-Based Geography — Countries, Straits, Passes, Features in News (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Mauryan Empire — Chandragupta, Ashoka, Administration & Edicts (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
• Sangam Age, South Indian Kingdoms & Epigraphy/Numismatics (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
• Fundamental Rights (Art.12-35) — Scope, Exceptions & Recent Judgments (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
• RBI, Monetary Policy, Banking System & Financial Sector Reforms (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
• Climate Change — GHGs, UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, NDCs, Carbon Markets (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
• General Science — Biology (Cell, Genetics, Disease, Nutrition, Human Body) (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
• Emerging Tech — AI, Semiconductors, Quantum, Cybersecurity, ICT & Standards (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Heritage Governance — UNESCO WH/Intangible Lists, ASI, GI Tags, PRASAD, HRIDAY (Mains GS Paper I) — asked in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• India & Neighbours — Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Mains GS Paper II) — asked in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
• Climate Policy — Mitigation, Adaptation, NDC & Carbon Markets (Mains GS Paper III) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes & Volcanoes (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
• Geomorphology — Landforms, Weathering & Erosion (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
• Atmospheric Circulation, Pressure Belts & Wind Systems (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
• Oceanography — Ocean Floor, Currents, Tides & Marine Zones (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
• Physiography of India — Himalayas, Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Islands (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
• Climate of India — Monsoon Seasons, Regional Variations & Weather (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
• Industries — Iron/Steel, Textile, Chemical, Industrial Location Theory (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
• Population & Demography — Distribution, Density, Migration, Census Data (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
• Prehistory, Protohistory & Sources of Ancient Indian History (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
• Indus Valley Civilization — Sites, Features, Trade & Decline (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
• Mahajanapadas, Second Urbanisation & Rise of Magadha (600–300 BCE) (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
• Buddhism & Jainism — Origins, Councils, Texts, Sites & Spread (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
• Post-Mauryan Polities — Kushanas, Satavahanas, Indo-Greeks, Trade Routes (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
• Gupta Empire — Administration, Economy, Art, Science & Post-Gupta (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
• Cholas & South Indian Kingdoms (850–1300 CE) — Administration, Culture, Navy (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
• Mughal Empire — Akbar to Aurangzeb, Administration, Art & Architecture (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
• 1857 Revolt — Causes, Nature, Consequences & British Response (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
• Socio-Religious Reform Movements — Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Aligarh etc. (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
• Revolutionary Movements, Peasant & Tribal Rebellions (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
• Indo-Islamic & Regional Architecture — Forts, Stepwells, Mughal/Rajput Styles (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024

See trends for every topic in the syllabus tracker.