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UPSC Civil Services

UPSC Previous Year Question Papers PDF (2014–2024)

Free download links for UPSC CSE Prelims (GS Paper 1 & CSAT) and Mains (GS 1–4, Essay, Optional) question papers from 2014 to 2024. All papers sourced from upsc.gov.in — the official UPSC website.

📌 Quick tip: UPSC CSE Prelims typically happens in June and Mains in September. Solving at least 5 years of PYQs is the most consistent advice from UPSC toppers. Use the Answer Key Analyser to evaluate your Prelims score.

UPSC CSE Prelims Papers (GS Paper 1)

100 MCQs · 200 marks · 2 hours · 1/3 negative marking

Year Exam Type Download
2024UPSC CSE PrelimsGS Paper 1View on Papers
2023UPSC CSE PrelimsGS Paper 1View on Papers
2022UPSC CSE PrelimsGS Paper 1View on Papers
2021UPSC CSE PrelimsGS Paper 1View on Papers
2020UPSC CSE PrelimsGS Paper 1View on Papers
2019UPSC CSE PrelimsGS Paper 1View on Papers
2018UPSC CSE PrelimsGS Paper 1View on Papers
2017UPSC CSE PrelimsGS Paper 1View on Papers
2016UPSC CSE PrelimsGS Paper 1View on Papers
2015UPSC CSE PrelimsGS Paper 1View on Papers
2014UPSC CSE PrelimsGS Paper 1View on Papers

UPSC CSE Prelims – GS Paper 2 (CSAT)

80 MCQs · 200 marks · 2 hours · Qualifying (min 33%)

YearExamTypeDownload
2024UPSC CSE PrelimsCSATView on Papers
2023UPSC CSE PrelimsCSATView on Papers
2022UPSC CSE PrelimsCSATView on Papers
2021UPSC CSE PrelimsCSATView on Papers
2020UPSC CSE PrelimsCSATView on Papers

UPSC CSE Mains Papers (GS 1–4 + Essay)

Descriptive exam · 250 marks each · 3 hours each

YearPaperTopicsDownload
2024Essay2 essays from given topicsView on Papers
2024GS 1History, Geography, SocietyView on Papers
2024GS 2Polity, Governance, IRView on Papers
2024GS 3Economy, Environment, S&T, SecurityView on Papers
2024GS 4Ethics, Integrity, AptitudeView on Papers
2023GS 1–4 + EssayAll papersView on Papers
2022GS 1–4 + EssayAll papersView on Papers
2021GS 1–4 + EssayAll papersView on Papers
2020GS 1–4 + EssayAll papersView on Papers
2019GS 1–4 + EssayAll papersView on Papers

UPSC CSE 2025 Exam Pattern at a Glance

StagePapersMarksDurationType
PrelimsGS Paper 12002 hrsMCQ (100 Qs)
PrelimsGS Paper 2 (CSAT)200 (qualifying)2 hrsMCQ (80 Qs)
MainsEssay2503 hrsDescriptive
MainsGS 12503 hrsDescriptive
MainsGS 22503 hrsDescriptive
MainsGS 32503 hrsDescriptive
MainsGS 4 (Ethics)2503 hrsDescriptive
MainsOptional (2 papers)5003 hrs eachDescriptive
InterviewPersonality Test275~30 minOral

Frequently Asked Questions

UPSC CSE previous year papers are available on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) under the 'Examination' section. IndiaExamsHub links directly to those official sources in the Papers section.
UPSC CSE Prelims has two papers: GS Paper 1 (2 marks × 100 questions = 200 marks) and GS Paper 2 / CSAT (200 marks, qualifying with minimum 33%). Only GS Paper 1 marks are counted for Prelims cutoff.
Solving 10 years of UPSC Prelims PYQs is the minimum recommended. It trains your pattern recognition, eliminates options faster, and builds confidence. However, UPSC questions rarely repeat — PYQs build the mental model, not direct answers. Combine with NCERT and current affairs.
100 MCQs, 200 marks, 2 hours, 1/3 negative marking (–0.66 per wrong answer). Topics: History (ancient, medieval, modern), Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment & Ecology, Science & Technology, Current Affairs.
UPSC officially does not publish Prelims cutoffs until after Mains declaration. For estimated and historical cutoffs, see the Cutoffs page.

Related Resources

📄 All Question Papers 📋 UPSC Syllabus 2025 🎯 UPSC Cutoffs 🔍 Answer Key Analyser 📝 UPSC Mock Test 📊 Exam Results
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