UPSC Prelims Question Paper - 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

Priyanka

Updated On: June 18, 2024 12:08 PM | UPSC Civil Services

Students must practice the UPSC Prelims Question Paper for years 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 to get an idea about UPSC 2024. Download the UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question Paper below!
UPSC Prelims Question Paper

The UPSC Prelims question papers illustrate the types of questions, difficulty level, marking scheme, and important topics, that one might expect on the upcoming examination. Practising them is one of the most effective ways to prepare and be selected for the Mains exam. The difficulty level of Paper 1 ranges from moderate to difficult while for Paper 2 it remains moderate. Once the recruitment process is complete, UPSC provides the official UPSC previous year question papers PDF along with answer keys. Candidates will also benefit from having access to UPSC previous year question papers to gauge how challenging this exam will be and plan their study strategies appropriately. Further, aspirants will learn how to avoid making avoidable mistakes from the perspective of the UPSC CSE 2024 exam. Candidates can find direct links to the UPSC CSE previous year question paper PDFs for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 below.

How to Download UPSC Prelims Question Paper?

Follow the below-mentioned steps to download UPSC IAS Prelims question papers for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019:

Step 1: Visit the official UPSC website - upsc.gov.in.
Step 2: Click on the “Examinations” tab on the homepage.
Step 3: Select “Previous Year Question Papers” from the dropdown menu.
Step 4: Search Civil Services previous year's question papers.
Step 5: Click on the IAS Prelims Question paper PDF.
Step 6: Download UPSC Prelims previous year's question papers PDF for future reference.

UPSC Prelims Question Papers PDF Download - 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

We have provided all the links to UPSC Prelims previous year question paper pdfs in order to make the UPSC IAS exam 2024 preparation effortless and easy to understand. Candidates who want a comprehensive grasp of the requirements of the UPSC Exam must solve the UPSC Prelims previous year question papers. The applicants will be helped in overcoming the worry and anxiety that can hinder a student's journey in the exam room by solving UPSC IAS Prelims previous year Question Papers.

UPSC Prelims 2024 Question Paper - Direct PDF Download Links

Papers

PDF Download Link

UPSC IAS Prelims Paper I

Click here

UPSC IAS Prelims Paper II

Click here

UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper - Direct PDF Download Links

Papers

PDF Download Link

UPSC IAS Prelims Paper I

Click here

UPSC IAS Prelims Paper II

Click here


UPSC Prelims 2022 Question Paper - Direct PDF Download Links

Papers

PDF Download Link

UPSC IAS Prelims Paper I

Click here

UPSC IAS Prelims Paper II

Click here


UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper - Direct PDF Download Links

Papers

PDF Download Link

UPSC IAS Prelims Paper I

Click here (To be updated)

UPSC IAS Prelims Paper II

Click here (To be updated)


UPSC Prelims 2020 Question Paper - Direct PDF Download Links

Paper Date Question Paper PDF
UPSC Prelims GS I (Paper I) October 04, 2020 Click here
UPSC Prelims CSAT (Paper II) October 04, 2020 Click here


UPSC Prelims 2019 Question Paper - Direct PDF Download Links

Paper Date Question Paper PDF
UPSC Prelims GS I (Paper I) June 2, 2019 Click here
UPSC Prelims CSAT (Paper II) June 2, 2019 Click here


Also Read : UPSC Exams 2024 Preparation Tips

UPSC CSE Prelims Exam Pattern 2024

The IAS exam Pattern must be internalised by candidates, with a focus on the prelims' negative grading. In 2014, the IAS main exam pattern was changed, which also modified the UPSC CSE Syllabus 2024 . The CSE now includes an Ethics paper.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cannot change the UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2024 without taking the approval of the Ministry of Personnel. The IAS prelims exam is designed to screen out a large number of students, and the IAS main exam is designed to measure the depth of the candidates' knowledge. The IAS examination is split into two stages, and each stage has a unique exam pattern. For IAS preparation, having a thorough understanding of the IAS exam Pattern is crucial. Each year, the UPSC includes a modification of the IAS exam format in the official notice. The IAS Preliminary Exam 2024 will consist of two papers of 200 marks each containing objective-type multiple-choice questions. Candidates must voluntarily take both exams, which have a two-hour time limit each. Find the UPSC CSE exam pattern 2024 in detail below:

Paper

Number of Questions

Marks

General Studies Paper- I

100

200

General Studies Paper-II (Aptitude Test)

80

200

Total

400

UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis

The UPSC preliminary paper 1 contains questions on current affairs, science and technology, history, the Indian Constitution, etc. The overall difficulty level of the exam ranges from moderate to difficult. In Paper 2, questions are asked from reading comprehension, quantitative aptitude, and logical reasoning. The difficulty level of Paper 2 is typically moderate.

UPSC CSE 2024 Paper 1 Analysis

Subject Number of Questions Asked Good Attempts Difficulty Level
Geography 16-18 10-13 Moderate to Difficult
Environment 12-14 6-10 Moderate to Difficult
Science and Tech 10-12 7-11 Moderate to Difficult
History 14-16 8-12 Moderate
Economics and Govt. Schemes 15-20 10-12 Easy to Moderate
Polity 14-16 9-11 Easy to Moderate
Current Affairs and Sports 6-8 3-5 Moderate

UPSC CSE 2024 Paper 2 Analysis

Subject Number of Questions Asked Good Attempts Difficulty Level
Reading Comprehension 22-24 14-17 Moderate
Quantitative Aptitude 23-25 15-18 Moderate
Logical Reasoning 35-40 21-26 Moderate

UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2023

UPSC Paper 1 (GS) Analysis 2023
Subject Number of Questions Asked Good Attempts Difficulty Level
Geography 20 - 24 13 - 17 Moderate
History 13 - 15 7 - 9 Moderate to Difficult
Economics 14 - 16 9 - 12 Moderate
Science and Technology 3 - 5 2 - 3 Moderate to Difficult
Polity 10 - 12 7 - 8 Moderate to Difficult
Environment 7 - 9 5 - 6 Easy to Moderate
Current Affairs 15 -19 12 - 13 Easy to Moderate
Total 100 60 - 68 Moderate to Difficult
UPSC Paper 2 (CSAT) Analysis 2023
Reasoning Ability 13-14 14-17 Moderate
Reading Comprehension 27 15-18 Moderate to Difficult
Numerical Ability 39-40 21-26 Moderate to Difficult
Total 80 50-62 Moderate to Difficult

UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2022

UPSC Paper 1 (GS) Analysis 2022
Subjects Total Questions Difficulty Level
Polity 13 Moderate to Difficult
Economy 17 Moderate to Difficult
Modern History 4 Moderate
Ancient  and Medieval History 5 Difficult
Art & Culture 7 Difficult
Science & Technology 14 Moderate
Geography 12 Moderate
Environment 17 Moderate
International Relations 11 Moderate
Total 100 Moderately Tough
UPSC Paper 2 (CSAT) Analysis 2022
Reasoning Ability/Data Sufficiency 21 Moderate to Difficult
Reading Comprehension 28 Easy to Moderate
Numerical Ability 31 Moderate to Difficult
Total 80 Moderate to Difficult

UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2021

UPSC Paper 1 (GS) Analysis 2021
Subjects Total Questions Difficulty Level
Polity 17 Easy to Moderate
Economy 14 Moderate
History 18 Difficult
Art & Culture 3 Difficult
Science & Technology 12 Moderate to Difficult
Geography+Agriculture 9 Easy to Moderate
Environment 21 Moderate to Difficult
Sports/Misc. Current Affairs 6 Difficult
Total 100 Moderately Tough
UPSC Paper 2 (CSAT) Analysis 2021
Reasoning Ability 21 Moderate
Reading Comprehension 27 Moderate to Difficult
Numerical Ability 24 Difficult
Misc. 8 Moderate to Difficult
Total 80 Moderately Tough

UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2020

UPSC Paper 1 (GS) Analysis 2020
Subjects Total Questions Difficulty Level
Polity 14 Easy to Moderate
Economy 14 Moderate to Difficult
History and  Art and Culture 19 Moderate to Difficult
Science & Technology 10 Easy to Moderate
Geography 13 Moderate to Difficult
Environment 11 Moderate to Difficult
Current Affairs 19 Moderate to Difficult
Total 100 Moderately Tough
UPSC Paper 2 (CSAT) Analysis 2020
Reasoning Ability 16 Easy to Moderate
Reading Comprehension 25 Moderate to Difficult
Numerical Ability 39 Moderate to Difficult
Total 80 Moderate

UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2019

UPSC Paper 1 (GS) Analysis 2019
Subjects Total Questions Difficulty Level
Polity 15 Moderate to Difficult
Economy 14 Easy to Moderate
History+Art & Culture 17 Difficult
Science & Technology 7 Moderate to Difficult
Geography 14 Moderate to Difficult
Environment 11 Moderate
Current Affairs 22 Moderate to Difficult
Total 100 Moderate
UPSC Paper 2 (CSAT) Analysis 2019
Reasoning Ability 18 Easy to Moderate
Reading Comprehension 30 Moderate
Numerical Ability 32 Moderate to Difficult
Total 80 Moderate

Benefits of Solving UPSC Prelims Question Papers

Wondering why it is significant to solve UPSC Prelims question papers before taking the exam? Well, check out the reasons mentioned below to learn why:
  • Gaining Insight into the Exam Pattern: Working through UPSC Previous Year Question Papers can help you have a comprehensive understanding of the exam Pattern, marking scheme, and types of questions that will be asked throughout the examination. This will enable appropriate preparedness strategy planning.
  • Identifying Important Topics: Going through the UPSC Previous Year Question papers will help aspirants in identifying the important topics that are frequently asked in the exam.
  • Time Management: Because the UPSC exam has a time limitation, completing UPSC Previous Year Question Papers will assist candidates in improving their time management abilities. It will provide a candidate with a rough estimate of how much time to devote to each question and segment
  • Increasing Confidence : Working through UPSC Previous Year Question questions can help candidates get a feel for the actual examination and increase confidence. Additionally, it will assist in recognizing one's skills and flaws so that they can be improved upon.
  • Practising UPSC Previous Year Question papers would aid candidates in increasing their speed and accuracy. Regular practice will enable a candidate to answer questions accurately and rapidly, which is essential for performing well on the actual examination.

In conclusion, solving UPSC Civil Services Previous Year Question Papers from 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are an important part of exam preparation, and they can significantly increase a candidate's chances of making it through the exam.

Related Articles:
How to Prepare for UPSC Civil Services Personality Test Tips? UPSC CSE Prelims Passing Marks 2024
UPSC CSE Prelims Subject-Wise Weightage 2024 UPSC Prelims: Most Important Chapter & Topics
UPSC CSE Mains Passing Marks 2024 UPSC CSE 2024 Prelims Exam Day Instructions


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