Question 1

How many years of UPSC previous year questions are available?

Accepted Answer

Vaidra provides 20+ years of UPSC previous year questions (2000-2024) covering both Prelims and Mains examinations. The 3+ questions are organized by subject for targeted practice, with detailed explanations and answer keys.

Question 2

Are UPSC PYQs important for Prelims preparation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, UPSC previous year questions are the single most important resource for Prelims preparation. Analyzing PYQs from the last 10 years reveals recurring themes, frequently asked topics, and the difficulty level expected by UPSC. Approximately 20-30% of each year's Prelims paper contains concepts from previous year questions.

Question 3

How should I use PYQs for UPSC Mains preparation?

Accepted Answer

For Mains, use PYQs to understand the type of analysis UPSC expects — multi-dimensional answers covering social, economic, political, and ethical dimensions. Practice writing model answers for past Mains questions in time-bound conditions. Note recurring themes across years to identify predictable question patterns in each GS paper.

Question 4

Which subject has the most UPSC PYQs?

Accepted Answer

History, Polity, and Economy consistently have the highest number of UPSC Prelims PYQs. For Mains, GS2 (Polity and Governance) and GS3 (Economy and Environment) tend to have the most repeated themes. Use Vaidra's subject-wise PYQ practice to identify your weak areas systematically.

UPSC Previous Year Questions — Practice by Subject

Geography

Indian Polity