UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Paper & Analysis
Get the UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question (PYQ) Paper with subject-wise trends, difficulty analysis, and detailed model answers — including diagrams, flowcharts, and structured writing for GS.
Subject-wise MCQ Distribution
Difficulty Analysis
Type of questions
Key Insights
- Science & Technology, Economy, International Relations carried the highest weightage, together accounting for 47% of the paper.
- The paper strongly favoured statement-based questions — multi-statement and assertion-reasoning questions together made up 73% of the paper, making careful reading and elimination especially important.
- The paper was largely easy to moderate in difficulty, with 66% of questions falling in the easy or medium range and only 34% classified as hard.
- Questions were spread across 12 subject areas, making broad syllabus coverage important rather than relying on a few traditionally dominant subjects.
- The question format demanded more than direct recall, with only 27% of questions being direct, while most required evaluating multiple statements or reasoning through assertions.
PYQs with Detailed Answers
- View Answer for: Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the :
Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the :
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements with regard to the film 'Boong': The film has recently won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award in the Children's and Family Film category. The film is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi. This is the first Indian film to win a BAFTA award in the Children's and Family Film category.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following statements with regard to the film 'Boong':
- The film has recently won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award in the Children's and Family Film category.
- The film is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi.
- This is the first Indian film to win a BAFTA award in the Children's and Family Film category.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ? It was located in the lower Krishna valley. In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size. The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.Select the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ?
- It was located in the lower Krishna valley.
- In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size.
- The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ?
Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ?
- View Answer for: Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included ?
Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included ?
- View Answer for: The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents :
The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents :
- View Answer for: Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara ? Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh Virupaksha Temple, PattadakalSelect the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara ?
- Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami
- Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole
- Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
- Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ?
What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ?
- View Answer for: Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct ? They acted as army fortresses. They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles. They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles. They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles.Select the answer using the code given below :
Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct ?
- They acted as army fortresses.
- They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles.
- They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles.
- They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles.
Select the answer using the code given below :
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