Download UPSC Previous Question Paper pdfs for Prelims and Mains. Access last 10 years’ UPSC previous year question papers, analyze exam trends, practice with authentic papers, and prepare effectively for the UPSC CSE 2026 with detailed solutions and subject-wise guidance.
theIAShub | 17 Oct, 2025 | 2277 | 0 |
For candidates preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025, accessing previous years’ question papers is crucial.
In the journey to cracking the Civil Services Examination, UPSC Previous Year Question Papers play an important role. They offer valuable insights into the exam pattern, question types, priority areas, and time management strategies. Moreover, they provide a means for aspirants to assess their progress and build confidence. Aspirants should incorporate the practice of solving UPSC Previous Year Papers into their study routine, making it an integral part of their preparation strategy. In doing so, they enhance their chances of mastering this challenging examination and realising their dream of serving the nation in prestigious administrative roles.
Every year, thousands of aspirants strive to crack this examination to secure prestigious positions in the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and various other central services. Among the myriad resources available for CSE preparation, UPSC previous year question papers stand out as invaluable assets. On this page, you can download the last 10 years UPSC question papers PDF and understand how they aid aspirants in their journey toward success.
Also Read: UPSC Prelims GS Question Paper 2025
Practicing previous year papers is a smart way to understand the exam pattern and the type of questions asked. The UPSC Prelims consists of two papers – General Studies (GS) and CSAT, both conducted on the same day.
The UPSC Prelims exam 2025 was held on 25th June 2025. Based on the paper analysis, the overall difficulty level of the UPSC CSE Prelims was moderate to difficult.
To get an overview of the exam’s structure, you can download the latest UPSC 2025 Prelims question paper provided in the table below.
| Year Wise UPSC Previous year Question Papers Prelims PYQs PDFs | ||
| Year | General Studies Paper-I | General Studies Paper-II ( CSAT) |
| UPSC Previous Year Question paper (Prelims) 2025 | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
| UPSC Previous Year Question paper (Prelims) 2024 | Paper I | Paper II |
| UPSC Previous Year Question paper (Prelims) 2023 | Paper I | Paper II |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper (Prelims) 2022 | Paper I | Paper II |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper (Prelims) 2021 | Paper I | Paper II |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper (Prelims) 2020 | Paper I | Paper II |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper (Prelims) 2019 | Paper I | Paper II |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper (Prelims) 2018 | Paper I | Paper II |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper (Prelims) 2017 | Paper I | Paper II |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper (Prelims) 2016 | Paper I | Paper II |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper (Prelims) 2015 | Paper I | Paper II |
Also read: UPSC Prelims CSAT Question Paper 2025
Similar to the prelims question papers, solving the UPSC Mains Previous Year Question papers are extremely important to gain insight on the type of questions that are asked in the exam.
The Mains examination consists of 9 papers and is descriptive in nature.
Out of 9 papers, the 2 papers are qualifying in nature while the marks scored in the remaining 7 papers are considered for the merit. The UPSC Mains exam carries an overall weightage of 1750 marks.
Recently UPSC Mains 2025 have been cleared. Below are all the question papers of the Mains exam including Essay, General Studies and Optionals:
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper for Mains 2025 PDF | |
| Paper Name | Download Link |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Essay & GS Papers 2025 | UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper
UPSC Mains GS 1 Question Paper 2025 UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper 2025 |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper – Hindi Compulsory Paper 2025 | Click Here |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – English Compulsory Paper 2025 | Click Here |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Optional Question Papers | Click Here |
Also Read: UPSC Exam Syllabus
The UPSC Mains Examination, the second stage of the Civil Services Exam,
assesses candidates’ thorough knowledge across various subjects through
detailed and analytical questions. It comprises nine papers, including two mandatory language papers (one in an Indian Language and the other in English) and an optional subject chosen from a list of approximately 48 optionals. Here is the UPSC Mains 2024 papers:
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper for Mains 2024 PDF | |
| Paper Name | Download Link |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Essay & GS Papers 2024 | UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper
UPSC Mains GS 1 Question Paper 2024 UPSC Mains GS 2 Question Paper 2024 |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper – Hindi Compulsory Paper 2024 | Click Here |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – English Compulsory Paper 2024 | Click Here |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Optional Question Papers | Click Here |
Also Read: UPSC Prelims Syllabus
The UPSC Mains 2023 Question Paper PDF will serve as an essential resource for aspirants to understand the exam pattern, types of questions, and level of difficulty. Examining these papers can greatly enhance strategic preparation and time management abilities. Here is the UPSC Mains 2023 papers:
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper for Mains 2023 PDF Download | |
| Paper Name | Download Link |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Essay & GS Papers 2023 | |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper – Hindi Compulsory Paper 2023 | Hindi |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – English Compulsory Paper 2023 | English |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Optional Question Papers | Click here |
Also Read: UPSC Prelims PYQs
The UPSC Mains 2022 Question Paper PDF will serve as an essential resource for aspirants to understand the exam pattern, types of questions, and level of difficulty. Here is the UPSC Mains 2022 papers:
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper for Mains 2022 PDF Download | |
| Paper Name | Download Link |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Essay & GS Papers 2022 | |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper – Hindi Compulsory Paper 2022 | Hindi |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – English Compulsory Paper 2022 | English |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Optional Question Papers | Click here |
The UPSC Mains 2021 Question Paper PDF will serve as an essential resource for aspirants to understand the exam pattern, types of questions, and level of difficulty. Examining these papers can greatly enhance strategic preparation and time management abilities. Here is the UPSC Mains 2021 papers:
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper For Mains 2021 PDF Download | |
| Paper Name | Download Link |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Essay & GS Papers 2021 | |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper – Hindi Compulsory Paper 2021 | Hindi |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – English Compulsory Paper 2021 | English |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Optional Question Papers | Click here |
The UPSC Mains 2020 Question Paper PDF will serve as an essential resource for aspirants to understand the exam pattern, types of questions, and level of difficulty. Here is the UPSC Mains 2020 papers:
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper For Mains 2020 PDF Download | |
| Paper Name | Download Link |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Essay & GS Papers 2020 | |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper – Hindi Compulsory Paper 2020 | Hindi |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – English Compulsory Paper 2020 | English |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Optional Question Papers | Click here |
The UPSC Mains 2019 Question Paper PDF will serve as an essential resource for aspirants to understand the exam pattern, types of questions, and level of difficulty. Examining these papers can greatly enhance strategic preparation and time management abilities. Here is the UPSC Mains 2019 papers:
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper For Mains 2019 PDF Download | |
| Paper Name | Download Link |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Essay & GS Papers 2019 | |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Hindi – Compulsory Paper 2019 | Hindi |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – English Compulsory Paper 2019 | English |
| UPSC Previous Year Question Paper Mains – Optional Question Papers | Click here |
Are you preparing for UPSC 2026? Join IAShub’s UPSC coaching batches to boost your preparation. Enroll now!
Prelims PYQs are MCQs testing general awareness and aptitude, while Mains PYQ papers are subjective, testing writing and depth of understanding.
Yes. It helps you grasp question patterns, predict repeating topics, and improve time management under exam conditions.
Study sample answers, learn structuring, note keywords, and practice writing full-length answers using the mains paper 2025 questions.
No. PYQs help a lot, but you also need to cover the syllabus, study current affairs, write mock tests, and revise concepts regularly.
Refine your answer writing skills and elevate your UPSC preparation with personalized support and expert feedback.
Fill out the form to get started with the program or any other enquiries !
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