UPSC Prelims PYQ

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions

Practise 1,100 objective UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026. Work through a full year's paper or focus on one subject, then open any question to check the answer and read the explanation.

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Questions
1,100
Years covered
2016–2026
Subjects
74
With answers
1,100

UPSC Prelims question papers year-wise

Pick a year to solve that paper's questions.

2026 100 questions 2025 100 questions 2024 100 questions 2023 100 questions 2022 100 questions 2021 100 questions 2020 100 questions 2019 100 questions 2018 100 questions 2017 100 questions 2016 100 questions

Subject-wise UPSC Prelims PYQ

Revise one subject at a time.

History147 Economy144 Geography117 Environment110 Science and technology108 Polity94 Indian economy65 International relations47 Polity and governance42 Modern india41 Art and culture39 Environment and ecology38 Polity & governance37 Ancient india29 Agriculture26 Science & technology25 Biodiversity22 Medieval india22

Latest UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions

1–20 of 200
  3. Q3 2025 Prelims GS

    With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information (Organization / Some of its functions / It works under): I. Directorate of Enforcement – Enforcement of Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 – Internal Security Division-I, Ministry of Home Affairs. II. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence – Enforces provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 – Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. III. Directorate General of Systems and Data Management – Carrying out big data analytics to assist tax officers for better policy and nabbing tax evaders – Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. All the three
    4. None
    Government organizationsPolity
    View answer & explanation
  5. Q5 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: In India, income from allied agricultural activities like poultry-farming and wool rearing in rural areas is exempted from any tax. Statement II: In India, under the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961, rural agricultural land is not considered a capital asset. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
    2. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
    3. Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
    4. Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
    AgricultureEconomyIncome tax
    View answer & explanation
  6. Q6 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member. II. India has itself identified all 30 critical minerals as resource-rich. III. Parliament in 2023 amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite (prospecting-cum-mining) licence for certain critical minerals. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. I and II only
    2. II and III only
    3. I and III only
    4. I, II and III
    Critical mineralsEconomyMmdr act
    View answer & explanation
  7. Q7 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: As regards returns from an investment in a company, generally, bondholders are considered to be relatively at lower risk than stockholders. Statement II: Bondholders are lenders to a company whereas stockholders are its owners. Statement III: For repayment purpose, bond-holders are prioritized over stockholders by a company. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
    2. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement I explains Statement II
    3. Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
    4. Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
    BondsEconomyStock market
    View answer & explanation
  8. Q8 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: I. India accounts for a very large portion of all equity option contracts traded globally thus exhibiting a great boom. II. India's stock market has grown rapidly in the recent past even overtaking Hong Kong's at some point of time. III. There is no regulatory body either to warn the small investors about the risks of options trading or to act on unregistered financial advisors in this regard. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. I and II only
    2. II and III only
    3. I and III only
    4. I, II and III
    EconomySebiStock market
    View answer & explanation
  9. Q9 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: Circular economy reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases. Statement II: Circular economy reduces the use of raw materials as inputs. Statement III: Circular economy reduces wastage in the production process. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
    2. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
    3. Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
    4. Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
    Circular economyEnvironmentSustainability
    View answer & explanation
  20. Q20 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement: I. The Congress declared that the attainment of 'Swaraj' by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective. II. It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if 'Swaraj' did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. I only
    2. II only
    3. Both I and II
    4. Neither I nor II
    HistoryNon-cooperation movement
    View answer & explanation

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How UPSC Prelims previous year questions help

Prelims questions test precise facts, clear concepts and careful elimination. Going through previous papers shows which areas are asked repeatedly and how statements are framed to test understanding.

Statement-based questions and elimination

Many Prelims questions list two to four statements and ask which are correct. Previous papers show how a single word such as only, all or always changes the answer, and practising them sharpens elimination.

A simple Prelims PYQ routine

Attempt one year's questions in a timed sitting, mark the ones you guessed, and review every explanation, including for questions you got right. Repeat with subject-wise sets for your weaker areas.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I practise UPSC Prelims previous year questions?

This page lists 1,100 UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026. Choose a year or subject above, or practise them interactively in the Padhlona question bank.

Do the UPSC Prelims questions have answers?

1,100 of these questions include the correct answer or an explanation, shown on each question's page.

Should I solve Prelims PYQs year-wise or subject-wise?

Both. Subject-wise practice builds concepts while year-wise practice builds exam temperament. Most aspirants start subject-wise and switch to full papers closer to the exam.

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