UPSC IAS Previous Years Question Papers – UPSC Exam Papers

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Aspirants preparing for UPSC and other Civil Services Exams must use different strategies to practice and revise before appearing for the exam. One of the solutions to this can be solving previous years UPSC papers.

They are to give you a gist of the exam pattern and questions. The UPSC CSE Exam is divided in three stages – The Preliminary Examination, The Mains Exam and Personality Test / Personal Interview.

Let’s take a look at Previous 10 Years UPSC Question Papers that covers UPSC prelims Exam Ppares, UPSC Essay Exam Papers, UPSC Mains Exam Papers and UPSC Optional Subject Papers.

But before starting with Previous Years UPSC Papers, It is highly recommended to Take Free UPSC Mock Test Series to check your learning.

UPSC Prelims Previous Years Question Papers

UPSC Prelims Exam is the first stage of the UPSC exam. It is the screening test for candidates to enter the mains. There are two papers in prelims. The first prelims paper revolves around general knowledge questions while the second one focuses on communication skills with logical reasoning.

The marks scored in the prelims are not counted in the final score. These are links to previous year UPSC Previous Years Prelims Question Papers. 

YearUPSC Prelims Paper IUPSC Prelims Paper II
2020General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II (CSAT)
2019General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II (CSAT)
2018General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II (CSAT)
2017General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II (CSAT)
2016General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II (CSAT)
2015General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II (CSAT)
2014General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II (CSAT)
2013General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II (CSAT)
2012General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II (CSAT)
2011General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II (CSAT)
2010General Studies Paper I
2009General Studies Paper I

UPSC Mains Essay Previous Years Question Papers

Candidates have to write two essays from given topics in this paper of UPSC Mains Exam. There are usually 8 topics. The word count of each essay has to be between 1000 – 1200 words. 

The Essay Paper holds 250 marks with each essay for 125 marks. Let’s take a look at UPSC Mains Essay Previous Year Question Papers –

Year UPSC Essay Paper
2019UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2019
2018UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2018
2017UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2017
2016UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2016
2015UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2015
2014UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2014
2013UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2013
2012UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2012
2011UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2011
2010UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2010
2009UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2009

UPSC Mains General Studies Previous Years Question Papers

There are four General Studies Papers in the UPSC Mains Exam. They are of 250 marks each with approx 20 questions in every paper. They are around History, Technology, Polity and Ethics. Let’s take a look at UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers –

Year UPSC Mains General Studies Paper I & IIIUPSC Mains General Studies Paper II & IV
2019General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II
General Studies Paper IIIGeneral Studies Paper IV
2018General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II
General Studies Paper IIIGeneral Studies Paper IV
2017General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II
General Studies Paper IIIGeneral Studies Paper IV
2016General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II
General Studies Paper IIIGeneral Studies Paper IV
2015General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II
General Studies Paper IIIGeneral Studies Paper IV
2014General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II
General Studies Paper IIIGeneral Studies Paper IV
2013General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II
General Studies Paper IIIGeneral Studies Paper IV
2012General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II
2011General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II
2010General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II
2009General Studies Paper IGeneral Studies Paper II

UPSC Mains Optional Subjects Previous Years Question Papers

The first seven papers are fixed for UPSC Mains but for the last two papers, candidates can choose their subject. These subjects are called optional subjects which a candidate can choose according to her/his preference.

There are 48 UPSC optional subjects in total. Out of this 23 are literature subjects. Let’s take a look at UPSC Mains Optional Subjects Previous Year Question Papers –

2019

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
AgricultureQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
AnthropologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Chemistry Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Accounts Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Electrical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Law Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mathematics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Medical Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Physics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Psychology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Animal HusbandryQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Botany Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Civil EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Economics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geography Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
History Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Management Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mechanical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Philosophy Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Political Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Public AdministrationQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
SociologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
StatisticsQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
ZoologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II

2018

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
AgricultureQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
AnthropologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Chemistry Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Accounts Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Electrical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Law Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mathematics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Medical Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Physics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Psychology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Animal HusbandryQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Botany Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Civil EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Economics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geography Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
History Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Management Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mechanical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Philosophy Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Political  Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Public AdministrationQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
SociologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
StatisticsQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
ZoologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II

2017

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
AgricultureQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
AnthropologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Chemistry Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Accounts Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Electrical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Law Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mathematics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Medical Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Physics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Psychology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Animal HusbandryQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Botany Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Civil EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Economics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geography Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
History Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Management Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mechanical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Philosophy Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Political  Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Public AdministrationQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
SociologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
StatisticsQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
ZoologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II

2016

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
AgricultureQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
AnthropologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Chemistry Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Accounts Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Electrical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Law Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mathematics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Medical Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Physics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Psychology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Animal HusbandryQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Botany Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Civil EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Economics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geography Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
History Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Management Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mechanical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Philosophy Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Political  Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Public AdministrationQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
SociologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
StatisticsQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
ZoologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II

2015

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
AgricultureQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
AnthropologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Chemistry Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Accounts Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Electrical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Law Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mathematics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Medical Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Physics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Psychology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Animal HusbandryQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Botany Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Civil EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Economics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geography Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
History Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Management Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mechanical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Philosophy Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Political  Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Public AdministrationQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
SociologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
StatisticsQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
ZoologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II

2014

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
AgricultureQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
AnthropologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Chemistry Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Accounts Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Electrical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Law Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mathematics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Medical Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Physics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Psychology Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Animal HusbandryQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Botany Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Civil EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Economics Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Geography Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
History Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Management Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Mechanical EngineeringQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
Philosophy Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Political  Science Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Public AdministrationQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
SociologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
StatisticsQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II
ZoologyQuestion Paper IQuestion Paper II

UPSC Mains  Literature Optional Subjects Previous Years Question Papers

2019

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
Gujarati  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Kannada  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Bengali  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sindhi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Tamil  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Telugu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Urdu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sanskrit  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Malayalam  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
English  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Assamese  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Manipuri  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Hindi Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Maithili  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Odia  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Punjabi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Marathi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II

2018

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
Gujarati  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Kannada  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Bengali  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sindhi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Tamil  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Telugu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Urdu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sanskrit  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Malayalam  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
English  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Assamese  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Manipuri  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Hindi Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Maithili  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Odia  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Punjabi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Marathi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II

2017

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
Gujarati  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Kannada  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Bengali  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sindhi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Tamil  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Telugu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Urdu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sanskrit  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Nepali  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Malayalam  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
English  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Assamese  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Manipuri  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Hindi Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Maithili  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Bodo  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Odia  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Punjabi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Marathi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II

2016

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
Gujarati  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Kannada  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Bengali  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sindhi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Tamil  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Telugu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Urdu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sanskrit  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Malayalam  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
English  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Assamese  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Manipuri  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Hindi Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Santali  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Maithili  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Bodo  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Odia  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Punjabi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Marathi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II

2015

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
Gujarati  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Kannada  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Bengali  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sindhi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Tamil  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Telugu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Urdu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sanskrit  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Malayalam  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
English  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Assamese  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Manipuri  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Hindi Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Santali  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Maithili  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Dogri  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Odia  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Punjabi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Marathi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II

2014

SubjectUPSC Optional Paper IUPSC Optional Paper II
Gujarati  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Kannada  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Bengali  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sindhi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Tamil  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Telugu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Urdu  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Sanskrit  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Malayalam  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
English  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Assamese  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Manipuri  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Hindi Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Santali  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Maithili  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Odia  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Punjabi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II
Marathi  Question Paper IQuestion Paper II

Why Solving Previous Year UPSC Question Papers Will Improve Your score?

  • Firstly, It will benefit your answer writing practise, which is important for time management in UPSC Mains Exam. 
  • Secondly, It will make you comfortable with the MCQ pattern of the UPSC preliminary examination.
  • Further, This will help you avoid negative marks in the UPSC prelims exam as you will become more vigilant by solving Previous years UPSC IAS Question papers. 
  • Moreover, It will also help in understanding types of UPSC questions asked.
  • Above all, It will give clarity on important and repetitive topics.
  • Lastly, Civil service question papers should be solved to get an answer writing practice for the IAS exam.

Conclusion

To sum up, this article will help you get access to the previous years question papers for UPSC Prelims and Mains. Subsequently, It will give you clarity on your current preparation and where you need to improve. The aspirants should go through it once before appearing for the UPSC exams. 

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