UPSC Prelims GS Question Papers

Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) requires not only a deep understanding of the syllabus but also familiarity with the exam pattern. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by practicing previous years’ question papers. At The Civil Way, we provide free downloadable PDFs of UPSC Prelims General Studies (GS) question papers from 2016 to 2025 so that aspirants can prepare smartly and improve their chances of success.


Why Solve Previous Years’ UPSC Prelims GS Papers?

  1. Understand the Exam Pattern – Learn how UPSC frames questions, including topic distribution and difficulty level.
  2. Identify Important Topics – See which areas are frequently tested, such as Polity, Economy, Environment, History, and Current Affairs.
  3. Improve Time Management – Practice answering within the given time limit to enhance speed and accuracy.
  4. Self-Assessment – Evaluate your preparation level and identify weak areas for improvement.

Available Years – UPSC Prelims GS Paper PDF Download

We have compiled UPSC Prelims GS Question Papers for the following years:

  • 2016 – GS Paper I & GS Paper II (CSAT)
  • 2017 – GS Paper I & II
  • 2018 – GS Paper I & II
  • 2019 – GS Paper I & II
  • 2020 – GS Paper I & II
  • 2021 – GS Paper I & II
  • 2022 – GS Paper I & II
  • 2023 – GS Paper I & II
  • 2024 – GS Paper I & II
  • 2025 – GS Paper I & II

All papers are available in PDF format and can be downloaded for free.


How These PDFs Can Help You in UPSC Preparation

  • Topic-wise analysis – Understand how much weightage each subject gets.
  • Trend tracking – Identify changes in question style and subject focus over the years.
  • Real exam practice – Simulate actual exam conditions to boost confidence.
  • Error reduction – Learn to avoid negative marking by understanding tricky questions.

Tips to Use UPSC Prelims GS Papers Effectively

  1. Start Early – Don’t wait until the last month; integrate past papers into your regular preparation.
  2. Solve in Exam Conditions – Time yourself strictly while practicing.
  3. Analyze Mistakes – Review incorrect answers and revise those topics.
  4. Combine with Mock Tests – Use both previous papers and mock tests for comprehensive practice.

Why Download from The Civil Way?

  • Free & Instant Access – No sign-up required.
  • High-Quality PDFs – Clear, easy-to-read question papers.
  • Trusted by Aspirants – We focus exclusively on UPSC and competitive exam resources.
  • Extra Resources – Along with papers, we provide answer keys, explanations, and preparation tips.

Start your UPSC journey the right way! Download UPSC Prelims GS Question Papers (2016–2025) in PDF and take a step closer to becoming a civil servant.