UPSC Previous Years' Question Papers - Prelims and Mains Exam (2011-2019)
Candidates preparing for UPSC Civil Services Exam, should be aware of the detailed UPSC Syllabus and have some information regarding the previous questions asked by UPSC. If you know the nature of questions asked by UPSC, you will come to understand how to read and what to read during your UPSC Preparation.
Get Started with UPSC Preparation
Practice UPSC Previous years Prelims GS 1 Papers (2014-2018)
| UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2018 |
| UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2017 |
| UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2016 |
| UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2015 |
| UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2014 |
It is advised that students should practice at least IAS prelims question paper of 5 years, or if possible, last 10 years of UPSC prelims question papers.
In this article, we have provided General Studies Prelims and Mains question papers for you to download. Also, Check UPSC Previous Year Cut off Marks here.
Download UPSC Prelims Question Paper with Answers
UPSC Question Paper 2011
Civil Services Prelims Question Paper GS Paper 1 - 2011
Civil Services Prelims Question Paper CSAT - 2011
UPSC Question Paper 2012
Civil Services Prelims Question Paper GS Paper 1 - 2012
Civil Services Prelims Question Paper CSAT - 2012
UPSC Question Paper 2013
Civil Services Prelims Question Paper GS Paper 1 - 2013
Civil Services Prelims Question Paper CSAT - 2013
UPSC Question Paper 2014
UPSC Question Paper 2015
UPSC Question Paper 2016
UPSC Question Paper 2017
UPSC Question Paper 2018
| Prelims | Mains |
| GS Paper 1 | GS Paper 1 |
| GS Paper 2 | |
| GS Paper 2 - CSAT | GS Paper 3 |
| GS Paper 4 |
Check Answer Key of UPSC 2019 Prelims
UPSC Prelims 2019 Answer Key and UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2019 will prepared by the team NeoStencil in collaboration with top Institutes of IAS Coaching in Delhi, on the same day of the Prelims exam.
2019 Prelims Answer key - COMING SOON.
Importance of Solving UPSC Previous Papers
Practicing UPSC question paper will help students in understanding the exam pattern and trend of questions asked by UPSC in Civil Services exams.
For practice purpose, students can go through IAS previous year question papers. No one can mimic the standard of questions set-up by the UPSC. If students solve UPSC previous year papers, they get the experience of how UPSC will ask questions in the upcoming exams.
Students can also assess their performance by solving mock test question papers and also by solving IAS question papers. Self-assessment is important in UPSC exam preparation as it directs students on where they are committing mistakes and it gives the student an opportunity to correct these mistakes in the next exam.
Solve more and more UPSC exam papers for a better understanding of the nature of IAS questions and the patterns.
Questions Asked in Previous Year Question Papers
| 2017 | 2015 |
|---|---|
| Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries?1. Jordan2. Iraq3. Lebanon4. SyriaSelect the correct answer using the code given below:(a) 1, 2 and 3 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 3 and 4 only(d) 1, 3 and 4 only | Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea?(a) Syria(b) Jordan(c) Lebanon(d) Israel |
| 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of Buddha?1. Avanti2. Gandhara3. Kosala4. MagadhaSelect the correct answer using the code given below(a) 1,2 and 3(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1,3 and 4(d) 3 and 4 only | Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?1. Avanti2. Gandhara3. Kosala4. MagadhaSelect the correct answer using the code given below.(a) 1, 2 and 3(b) 2 and 4(c) 3 and 4 only(d) 1, 3 and 4 |
| 2012 | 1995 |
|---|---|
| The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesera are (a) three main racial groups of the Indian Sub-continent(b) the three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified(c) the three main styles of Indian temple architecture(d) the three main musical gharanas prevalent in India | The Nagara, the Dravida, the Vesara are (a) the three main styles of indian temple architecture(b) the three main musical gharanas prevalent in India(c) the three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of india can be classifid(d) the three main racial group of the indian subcontinent |
| 2014 | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet earth? 1. Volcanic action2. Respiration3. Photosynthesis4. Decay of organic matter Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4(b) 1 and 3 only(c) 2 only(d) 1, 2 and 4 | Consider the following: 1. Photosynthesis2. Respiration3. Decay of organic matter4. Volcanic action Which of the above add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on Earth? (a) 1 and 4 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 2,3 and 4 only(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
| 2013 | 1992 |
|---|---|
| Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two? (a) Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks(b) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks(c) Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it(d) There is no material difference between the two | Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called chaityas while the others viharas. What is the difference between the two? (A) Chaitya is a place of worship while vihara is the dwelling place of the monks(B) Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave while vihara is the hall axial to it(C) There is no material difference between the two(D) Vihara is a place of worship while chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks |
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
UPSC Civil Services exam is conducted to shortlist the candidates for the IAS Mains examination. So Prelims exam is a screening test to filter the candidates for the later stages of the UPSC exam.
The Preliminary exam consists of two papers, namely, General studies and CSAT.
In General Studies, questions are asked from different subjects like history, geography, polity etc. CSAT paper, on the other hand, consists of aptitude and reasoning questions to check the candidate s analytical ability.
| Paper | Duration | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS Paper 1 | 2 hours | 100 | 200 |
| CSAT | 2 hours | 80 | 200 |
Note: CSAT paper is qualifying in nature (66.7 marks needed to qualify this paper)
Negative marks are deducted for wrong answers (1/3rd mark per wrong answer).
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