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UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question Paper: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination in three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The Preliminary exam is the first stage and comprises two objective-type papers – General Studies Paper 1 and General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT). This year the UPSC CSE Prelims exam is going to be conducted on 25 May, 2025.
Solving UPSC Previous Year Papers helps candidates gain clarity on the pattern of questions and the level of difficulty. It also aids in developing an effective exam strategy by identifying high-yield areas from subjects like History, Polity, Economy, Environment, and Current Affairs.
UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question Paper PDFs
Candidates can download the UPSC Prelims question papers of General Studies I and CSAT in PDF format for the last 10 years. Practising these papers not only improves accuracy but also enhances time management skills under exam-like conditions.
Download UPSC Prelims Previous Year Papers PDF
Click the links below to access year-wise question papers and answer keys for General Studies Paper 1 and CSAT (Paper 2).
| Year | GS Paper 1 | CSAT (Paper 2) |
| 2024 | ||
| 2023 | ||
| 2022 | ||
| 2021 | ||
| 2020 | ||
| 2019 | ||
| 2018 | ||
| 2017 | ||
| 2016 | ||
| 2015 | ||
| 2014 |
How to Download UPSC Previous Year Question Paper PDF
Follow the steps below to download the official UPSC Prelims previous year papers with answer keys:
- Visit the UPSC official website.
- On the homepage, click on the “Examinations” tab.
- Select the “Previous Year Question Papers” section.
- Choose “Civil Services (Preliminary)” and select the year.
- Click on the PDF link to download both GS Paper 1 and Paper 2.
- Save or print the files for offline use.
How to Solve UPSC Prelims Previous Year Papers
Here are some tips on how to make the best use of UPSC previous year papers in your preparation:
- Simulate exam conditions: Set a timer and solve the papers in a real exam-like environment.
- Focus on accuracy: Analyse the number of correct vs. incorrect attempts.
- Review answer keys: Cross-check your answers with the official answer key to identify your weak areas.
- Identify trends: Note frequently asked topics and subjects across different years.
- Track progress: Maintain a record of your scores and time taken to track improvement.
Benefits of Solving UPSC Previous Year Question Papers
Solving UPSC Prelims previous year papers has multiple benefits for aspirants. Some of the key advantages include:
- Get familiar with the exam format and question difficulty.
- Learn time management by practising under strict time limits.
- Identify high-weightage topics and focus on repeated subjects.
- Improve your accuracy and elimination techniques.
- Boost your confidence and reduce exam anxiety.
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
Understanding the Prelims exam pattern is crucial to strategise your preparation. Paper 2 (CSAT) is qualifying in nature. Candidates must score at least 33% (66 marks) to be considered for merit in GS Paper 1. Here’s a breakdown of both papers:
| Paper | Subject | Total Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
| Paper 1 | General Studies (GS) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | 1/3rd per wrong answer |
| Paper 2 | CSAT (Qualifying) | 80 | 200 | 2 hours | 1/3rd per wrong answer |
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