Previous Year Questions · 2013–2026

UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions

1252 questions · 5 papers · 14 years · every one with a model answer

UPSC Mains previous year questions, 2013 to 2026, in one place — every question from GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3, GS Paper 4 and the Essay paper, transcribed from the official papers and paired with a structured model answer, the marks and word limit, an answer outline and the key points an examiner rewards.

Use the matrix below two ways. Read down a column to work one year's full paper — the way it was actually sat — or read across a row to trace how one paper's demands have shifted over 14 years. Every cell opens that paper-year's complete question set; every question opens a full model answer. Start with the most recent 2026 GS Paper 1 set, or drop into a paper hub for the year-by-year and subject-by-subject breakdown.

GS Paper 1290 questions · 14 yearsIndian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography and SocietyView PYQs →GS Paper 2285 questions · 14 yearsGovernance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International RelationsView PYQs →GS Paper 3285 questions · 14 yearsEconomy, Agriculture, Science & Technology, Environment, Disaster Management and Internal SecurityView PYQs →GS Paper 4185 questions · 14 yearsEthics, Integrity and AptitudeView PYQs →Essay100 questions · 13 yearsthe sectional essay topicsView PYQs →

Year × paper matrix

Year	GS Paper 1	GS Paper 2	GS Paper 3	GS Paper 4	Essay
2026	20	20	20	19	—
2025	20	20	20	12	8
2024	20	20	20	12	8
2023	20	20	20	12	8
2022	20	20	20	12	8
2021	20	20	20	12	8
2020	20	20	20	12	8
2019	20	20	20	12	8
2018	20	20	20	12	8
2017	20	20	20	14	8
2016	20	20	20	14	8
2015	20	20	20	14	8
2014	25	20	20	14	8
2013	25	25	25	14	4