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UPSC Civil Services Prelims

UPSC Prelims previous year questions

2,313+ solved PYQs spanning 1995-2025 — tagged by subject and year, each with option-by-option explanations.

PYQs by subject

PYQs by year

Sample solved PYQs

Q1Indian EconomyGrowth & DevelopmentPYQ 2017

What constitutes a country's social capital?

  • AProportion of literates in the population
  • BStock of buildings, machines and other physical infrastructure
  • CSize of the working-age population
  • DLevel of mutual trust and harmony in societyCorrect

Explanation

Correct. Social capital refers to the networks of relationships, norms of reciprocity, mutual trust, and social harmony within a society. It was popularized by scholars like Robert Putnam and James Coleman. Higher social capital reduces transaction costs, facilitates cooperation, and contributes to economic growth and development by enabling collective action and good governance.

Q2History & CultureAdvent of Europeans and Company RulePYQ 2020

Wellesley established the Fort William College, Calcutta because:

  • AHe was asked by the Board of Directors at London to do so
  • BHe wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India
  • CHe wanted to provide William Carey and his associates with employment
  • DHe wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in IndiaCorrect

Explanation

Correct. Lord Wellesley founded Fort William College in 1800 to train newly arrived East India Company civil servants in Indian languages, laws, and customs needed for effective administration of the expanding British territories.

Q3ScienceSpace Science and AstronomyPYQ 2000

A 'black hole' is a body in space which does not allow any radiation to come out. This property is due to its:

  • AVery small size
  • BVery large size
  • CVery high densityCorrect
  • DVery low density

Explanation

Correct. A black hole has such extremely high density that its gravitational pull is strong enough to prevent even light from escaping beyond its event horizon.

Q4EnvironmentIndian Environmental Laws and InstitutionsPYQ 2022

Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

  • ACentral Water Commission
  • BCentral Ground Water Board
  • CCentral Ground Water AuthorityCorrect
  • DNational Water Development Agency

Explanation

Correct. The Central Ground Water Authority was constituted under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control groundwater extraction.

Q5Current AffairsEnvironment and Climate in NewsPYQ 2023

Consider the following statements in respect of the United Nations' World Water Development Report, 2022: Statement I: According to the report, India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year. Statement II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  • ABoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
  • BBoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
  • CStatement I is correct but Statement II is incorrectCorrect
  • DStatement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Explanation

Correct. India does extract over a quarter of global groundwater, but the primary driver is irrigation rather than drinking water and sanitation needs.

Q6ScienceChemistry in Everyday LifePYQ 2005

Assertion (A): The main constituent of the liquefied petroleum gas is methane. Reason (R): Methane can be used directly for burning in homes and factories where it can be supplied through pipelines.

  • ABoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
  • BBoth A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
  • CA is true but R is false
  • DA is false but R is trueCorrect

Explanation

Correct. LPG mainly consists of butane and propane, not methane, so A is false. Methane (natural gas) can indeed be piped for burning, so R is true.

Frequently asked questions

What are UPSC Prelims previous year questions (PYQs)?
PYQs are the actual questions asked in past UPSC Civil Services Preliminary examinations. Solving them is one of the most reliable ways to understand the exam pattern, difficulty, and recurring themes.
How many years of UPSC Prelims PYQs are covered?
PrelimsAI compiles previous year questions spanning more than two decades of UPSC Prelims papers, tagged by subject and year, each solved with detailed explanations.
Are the PYQs solved with explanations?
Yes. Every previous year question includes the correct answer and an option-by-option explanation so you understand why each choice is right or wrong.

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