UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions – Subject-wise Analysis (1995–2024)
Smart preparation for UPSC begins with understanding past trends. Below is a subject-wise classification of all UPSC Prelims PYQs from 1995 to 2024. Use the links to navigate directly to detailed question sets from each subject.
| Sr. No. | Subject Name | Access PYQs (1995–2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Art and Culture | Click Here |
| 2 | Ancient Indian History | Click Here |
| 3 | Medieval Indian History | Click Here |
| 4 | Modern Indian History | Click Here |
| 5 | Polity | Click Here |
| 6 | Indian Economy | Click Here |
| 7 | Geography | Click Here |
| 8 | Environment | Click Here |
| 9 | Science and Technology | Click Here |
| 10 | Current Affairs & GK | Click Here |
Why PYQs Matter in UPSC Prelims Preparation
We’ve already covered the UPSC Prelims syllabus in detail in an earlier post, analyzing topics based on past year questions. Knowing the syllabus is the first step in smart preparation – it guides your choice of resources and helps avoid distractions.
Once you grasp the syllabus, understanding the weightage of subjects gives clarity on what to prioritize. But the real insight comes from solving actual UPSC Prelims PYQs. These not only reveal question patterns but also build the right exam temperament.
Here, we present PYQs from the last 12 years (2013–2024), covering all subjects in depth. This dataset is ideal to identify recurring themes and question framing, giving your preparation a clear direction.
PYQs also help counter the stress caused by many mock tests that often pose unrealistic questions. It's not uncommon for successful candidates to score below average in such tests. Revisiting real UPSC questions can help restore confidence as the exam nears.
Subject-Wise Weightage in UPSC Prelims (2011–2024)
| Subject | Average Weightage (%) |
|---|---|
| Indian Economy | 21% |
| Environment | 18% |
| Indian Polity | 15% |
| Geography | 11% |
| Science and Technology | 11% |
| Current Affairs & GK | 8% |
| Modern History | 7% |
| Ancient History | 6% |
| Art and Culture | 2% |
| Medieval History | 2% |
Trends (2011–2024 vs. 2022–2024)
| Subject | 2011–2024 (%) | 2022–2024 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Art and Culture | 2% | 1% |
| Ancient History | 6% | 7% |
| Medieval History | 2% | 3% |
| Modern History | 7% | 3% |
| Polity | 15% | 14% |
| Indian Economy | 21% | 17% |
| Geography | 11% | 14% |
| Environment | 18% | 18% |
| Science & Tech | 10% | 10% |
| Current Affairs & GK | 8% | 13% |
How to Make the Most of PYQs
We’ve done a subject-wise and topic-wise breakdown of all UPSC Prelims PYQs, aligned closely with the official syllabus and widely used textbooks. This classification ensures clarity and consistency in your preparation.
The best way to use PYQs is to integrate them with your regular study – after finishing a topic, solve related PYQs. This strengthens both your concept clarity and retention.
All answers provided are based on UPSC’s official answer keys. For the 2024 paper, the responses are derived from expert analysis and reliable sources, pending the official key.
Download the Detailed UPSC Prelims Syllabus and UPSC prelims pyq PDF(PDF)
