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The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) holds an exam each year to find talented individuals to join the Indian Civil Services. The competition for the UPSC exams is extremely fierce because it is one of the most prestigious organisations in the nation.
After a few days of the IAS prelims examination, UPSC question papers are made available on the UPSC’s official website, upsc.gov.in. The UPSC question papers are a crucial resource for IAS preparation because they benefit candidates in numerous ways. IAS exam demand is clearly expressed in question papers. The IAS exam questions are written by the UPSC so that the level of difficulty is nearly constant from year to year. IAS question papers are crucial for IAS preparation because of this. To familiarise themselves with the format of UPSC questions, candidates should practise on IAS question papers.
By completing the UPSC IAS Previous Year Papers and becoming familiar with the test format and question types, candidates can quickly improve their preparation. Continue reading this article to learn more about the advantages of including past year papers in your UPSC preparations as well as the UPSC IAS Previous Year Questions papers.
Table of Contents
| Admissions Open for 2023 | |
| Karnavati University Admissions Open | Apply |
| Manipal University Admissions Open | Apply |
| Amrita University Admissions Open | Apply |
| NIIT University Admissions Open | Apply |
Previous Year Papers for UPSC IAS
Two papers of objective-type questions with multiple choice answers make up the UPSC IAS Prelims Exam. General Studies I is the first assignment. The second test is the CSAT, or General Studies II. Each of the two papers carries 200 points, for a combined 400 points. The CSAT is a qualifying exam. Candidates whose CSAT scores meet the minimum threshold are qualified to have their GS I answersheets evaluated. Candidates’ GS I scores determine whether they are qualified to take the UPSC IAS Mains Exam. Consequently, the prelims exam is qualifying in nature. To advance in the UPSC IAS selection process, it’s critical to achieve high test scores at this stage.
For Prelims Exam
The UPSC IAS preliminary exam previous year papers are listed below:
| UPSC IAS Prelims Previous Year Question Paper | |||||
| UPSC IAS Prelims Previous Year Question Paper 2021 | |||||
| General Studies Paper 2021 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| CSAT Paper 2021 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| UPSC IAS Prelims Previous Year Question Paper 2020 | |||||
| General Studies Paper 2020 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| CSAT Paper 2020 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| UPSC IAS Previous Year Question Paper 2019 | |||||
| General Studies Paper 2019 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| CSAT Paper 2019 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| UPSC IAS Previous Year Question Paper 2018 | |||||
| General Studies Paper 2018 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| CSAT Paper 2018 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| UPSC IAS Previous Year Question Paper 2017 | |||||
| General Studies Paper 2017 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| CSAT Paper 2017 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| UPSC IAS Previous Year Question Paper 2016 | |||||
| General Studies Paper 2016 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| CSAT Paper 2016 | Download as PDF | SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
| Admissions Open for 2023 | |
| Karnavati University Admissions Open | Apply |
| Manipal University Admissions Open | Apply |
| Amrita University Admissions Open | Apply |
| NIIT University Admissions Open | Apply |
For Mains Exam
The second phase of the UPSC IAS Recruitment selection process is the main exam. There are a total of 9 papers in it. Of the nine papers, two are qualifying papers, and the remaining seven will be given merit points. English and a required Indian language are the two language qualifying exams. General Studies I, II, III, IV, V, Optional Paper I & II, and an Essay make up the remaining 7 papers. Each of these papers has a 3 hour time limit. The UPSC CSE Mains Exam will have a total weightage of 1750 marks.
| UPSC Mains Essay Paper | |
| Year | Paper |
| UPSC IAS Essay Previous Year Paper 2014 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Essay Previous Year Paper 2015 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Essay Previous Year Paper 2016 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Essay Previous Year Paper 2017 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Essay Previous Year Paper 2018 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Essay Previous Year Paper 2019 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Essay Previous Year Paper 2020 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Essay Previous Year Paper 2021 | Download PDF |
For Optional Papers
| UPSC Mains Optional Papers | ||
| UPSC Agriculture Optional Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Anthropology Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Botany Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Chemistry Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Civil Engineering Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Commerce & Accountancy Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Economics Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Electrical Engineering Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Geography Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Geology Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC History Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Law Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Management Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Maths Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Mechanical Engineering Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Medical Science Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Philosophy Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Physics Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Political Science Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Psychology Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Sociology Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Statistics Previous Year Question Paper | ||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II |
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2014 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
For Language Papers
In the UPSC IAS Mains examination, there are two language papers. Candidates have the choice of any Indian language for the first paper. These include Bengali, Marathi, Bodo, Punjabi, Kannada, Hindi, Sanskrit, and many others. An English-language paper is the second assignment. Each exam carries 300 marks, and both are qualifying in nature.
| UPSC Mains Language Papers | |
| UPSC IAS Assamese Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Bengali Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Dogri Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS English Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Gujarati Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Hindi Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Kannada Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Maithili Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Malayalam Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Oriya Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Punjabi Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Sanskrit Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Marathi Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Telugu Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Tamil Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| UPSC IAS Urdu Language Previous Year Papers | |
| Year | Paper |
| 2014 | Download PDF |
| 2015 | Download PDF |
| 2016 | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF |
| 2021 | Download PDF |
| Admissions Open for 2023 | |
| Karnavati University Admissions Open | Apply |
| Manipal University Admissions Open | Apply |
| Amrita University Admissions Open | Apply |
| NIIT University Admissions Open | Apply |
For GS Papers
Here are the four general studies exam questions for the UPSC IAS Mains. Each paper carries a weight of 250 marks. The information for these papers is provided below.
- General Studies I: Indian Heritage & Culture, History and Geography of the World & Society
- General Studies II: Governance, Social Justice, Constitution, Polity, & International Relations
- General Studies III: Technology, Economy Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security & Disaster Management
- General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
| UPSC Mains GS Papers | ||||
| Year | Paper I | Paper II | Paper III | Paper IV |
| 2014 | UPSC GS Paper 1 | UPSC GS Paper 2 | UPSC GS Paper 3 | UPSC GS Paper 4 |
| 2015 | UPSC GS Paper 1 | UPSC GS Paper 2 | UPSC GS Paper 3 | UPSC GS Paper 4 |
| 2016 | UPSC GS Paper 1 | UPSC GS Paper 2 | UPSC GS Paper 3 | UPSC GS Paper 4 |
| 2017 | UPSC GS Paper 1 | UPSC GS Paper 2 | UPSC GS Paper 3 | UPSC GS Paper 4 |
| 2018 | UPSC GS Paper 1 | UPSC GS Paper 2 | UPSC GS Paper 3 | UPSC GS Paper 4 |
| 2019 | UPSC GS Paper 1 | UPSC GS Paper 2 | UPSC GS Paper 3 | UPSC GS Paper 4 |
| 2020 | UPSC GS Paper 1 | UPSC GS Paper 2 | UPSC GS Paper 3 | UPSC GS Paper 4 |
| 2021 | UPSC GS Paper 1 | UPSC GS Paper 2 | UPSC GS Paper 3 | UPSC GS Paper 4 |
Benefits of Preparing with UPSC IAS Previous Year Papers
The following are some of the advantages it provides to applicants for the UPSC IAS Examination:
- You will perform better on the actual exam with the aid of the UPSC IAS Previous Year Papers by better understanding the concepts.
- Depending on how well you perform on each attempt of the UPSC IAS Previous Year Question Papers, your exam preparation will advance.
- By carefully studying the UPSC IAS Previous Year Papers, you will gain a thorough understanding of the different types of questions, their degree of difficulty, and time management strategies.
- By downloading the UPSC IAS Previous Year Question Papers as a pdf, you can practise whenever you want.
- With the aid of the UPSC IAS Previous Year Papers, you can improve your level of preparation and boost your confidence for the UPSC Mains Literature Paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. Will working through the UPSC IAS Previous Year Papers be beneficial for exam preparation?
Ans. To prepare for the exam, it is true that solving UPSC IAS Previous Year Papers is beneficial. Through practise, they enable you to gauge your exam readiness. After attempting all of the UPSC IAS Previous Year Question Papers, there is room for creativity.
Ques. What strategy should I use when solving UPSC IAS Previous Year Papers?
Ans. Candidates must solve the UPSC IAS Previous Year Papers once they have finished the syllabus. They should pace themselves when responding and critically assess how they did.