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UPSC Civil Services Prelims

UPSC Prelims previous year questions

2,412+ solved PYQs spanning 1995-2026 — tagged by subject and year, each with option-by-option explanations.

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PYQs by year

Sample solved PYQs

Q1GeographyClimatology and Atmospheric CirculationPYQ 2003

Assertion (A): The amount of moisture in the atmosphere is related to latitude. Reason (R): The capacity to hold moisture in the form of water vapour is related to temperature.

  • ABoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of ACorrect
  • 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 true

Explanation

Correct. Atmospheric moisture varies with latitude because temperature varies with latitude. Warmer air at lower latitudes can hold more water vapour (as per the Clausius-Clapeyron relation), so moisture content decreases toward the poles.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option B

The reason does explain the assertion. Temperature is the link between latitude and moisture capacity — since temperature decreases with latitude, so does the air's capacity to hold moisture.

Option C

The reason is true. Air's water-holding capacity roughly doubles for every 10°C increase in temperature.

Option D

The assertion is true. Tropical air masses carry far more moisture than polar air masses due to the temperature difference.

Q2History & CultureMusic, Dance, Literature and PhilosophyPYQ 2012

With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct? [2012] 1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdom period. 2. Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music. 3. Dhrupad alap uses Sanskrit syllables from mantras. Select the correct answer using the codes below:

  • A1 and 2 only
  • B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
  • C1, 2 and 3 only
  • DNone is correct

Explanation

Correct. Dhrupad is strongly associated with devotional and meditative music, and its alap uses syllables (nom-tom syllables) derived from sacred Sanskrit sounds and mantras.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

Statement 1 is too narrow and inaccurate — Dhrupad has earlier roots associated with temple traditions and was later developed under the patronage of various courts, not exclusively Rajput kingdoms.

Option C

Statement 1 incorrectly restricts Dhrupad's origin to the Rajput period; its roots go back to temple ritual music predating the Rajput courts.

Option D

Statements 2 and 3 are correct — Dhrupad is devotional and uses Sanskrit syllables in alap.

Q3History & CultureGandhian Era (1919-1939)PYQ 2015

With reference to Congress Socialist Party, consider the following statements: 1. It advocated the boycott of British goods and evasion of taxes. 2. It wanted to establish the dictatorship of the proletariat. 3. It advocated separate electorate for minorities and oppressed classes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A1 and 2 only
  • B3 only
  • C1, 2 and 3
  • DNoneCorrect

Explanation

Correct. The Congress Socialist Party functioned as a socialist group within the Congress but did not advocate boycott/tax evasion as its defining programme, did not support the dictatorship of the proletariat, and opposed separate electorates.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

The Congress Socialist Party did not specifically advocate boycott or tax evasion as its programme; nor did it adopt a strict communist dictatorship line.

Option B

The Congress Socialist Party opposed separate electorates. It worked within the Congress framework and did not support communal representation.

Option C

None of these statements accurately describe the CSP. It was a socialist grouping within the Congress that advocated land reform and workers' rights but did not adopt these specific positions.

Q4History & CultureGandhian Era (1919-1939)PYQ 1996

Consider the following statements: The Non-Cooperation Movement led to the: I. Congress becoming a mass movement for the first time. II. Growth of Hindu-Muslim unity. III. Removal of fear of the British 'might' from the minds of the people. IV. British government's willingness to grant political concessions to Indians. Of these statements:

  • AI, II, III and IV are correct
  • BII and III are correct
  • CI and III are correctCorrect
  • DIII and IV are correct

Explanation

Correct. The Non-Cooperation Movement transformed Congress into a mass movement for the first time (I) and removed the fear of British power from the minds of ordinary Indians (III). Hindu-Muslim unity was temporary, and the British did not willingly grant concessions.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

Statement II is debatable as Hindu-Muslim unity proved temporary, and statement IV is incorrect as the British did not show willingness to grant concessions after the movement.

Option B

Statement II is debatable. Hindu-Muslim unity during the Non-Cooperation-Khilafat period was temporary and broke down after 1922.

Option D

Statement IV is incorrect. The British did not show willingness to grant political concessions in response to the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Q5Polity & GovernanceNon-Constitutional BodiesPYQ 2025

Consider the following statements about Lokpal: Statement I: The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to Indian public servants posted outside India. Statement II: The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a Member of Parliament or of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory, and only the Chief Justice of India, whether incumbent or retired, has to be its Chairperson. Statement III: The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a person of less than forty-five years of age on the date of assuming office. Statement IV: Lokpal cannot inquire into allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India.

  • AIII onlyCorrect
  • BII and III
  • CI and IV
  • DNone of the above statements is correct

Explanation

Correct. Only Statement III is correct. The minimum age requirement of 45 years for the Chairperson or a Member of Lokpal is accurately stated under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option B

Statement II is incorrect because the Chairperson need not be only the CJI — a former CJI, former Supreme Court judge, or eminent person can also qualify. Only Statement III about the age requirement is correct.

Option C

Statement I is incorrect because the Lokpal's jurisdiction can extend to public servants outside India. Statement IV is incorrect because the Lokpal can inquire into allegations against a sitting Prime Minister subject to certain statutory safeguards.

Option D

Statement III is correct — the minimum age of 45 years is a valid statutory requirement under the 2013 Act.

Q6ScienceChemistry in Everyday LifePYQ 1995

Which one of the following polymers is widely used for making bullet-proof vests?

  • APolyethylene
  • BPolystyrene
  • CPolyvinyl chloride
  • DKevlar (Polyamide)Correct

Explanation

Correct. Kevlar is a para-aramid synthetic fibre with extremely high tensile strength-to-weight ratio, making it the primary material in bullet-proof vests and body armour.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

Polyethylene is a soft, flexible plastic used for packaging, not strong enough for ballistic protection.

Option B

Polystyrene is a brittle plastic used for insulation and disposable cutlery, unsuitable for bullet-proof applications.

Option C

PVC is used in pipes and cable insulation, but lacks the tensile strength required for ballistic resistance.

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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