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: Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ? It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS). It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy. National Green Hydrogen Mission of India aims for abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.Select the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ?
- It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS).
- It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy.
- National Green Hydrogen Mission of India aims for abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change :I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. II. India's 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December, 2024 recorded around 8% decrease in Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 over 2019. III. Climate-resilient development necessarily depends on quick and short-term achievement of emission reduction targets.Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ? Statement I is empirically supported by statement II. Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in statement I. Statement I and statement III together establish the premise of long-term sustainability.Select the answer using the code given below :
Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change :
I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. II. India's 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December, 2024 recorded around 8% decrease in Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 over 2019. III. Climate-resilient development necessarily depends on quick and short-term achievement of emission reduction targets.
Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ?
- Statement I is empirically supported by statement II.
- Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in statement I.
- Statement I and statement III together establish the premise of long-term sustainability.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: With respect to the Western Hoolock Gibbons, which of the following statements is/are correct? A Sanctuary in North-east India is home to this ape species listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. They have specialized brachiation and can easily swing between trees. They possess a strong and heavy build like gorillas, yet are remarkably agile tree climbers.Select the answer using the code given below:
With respect to the Western Hoolock Gibbons, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- A Sanctuary in North-east India is home to this ape species listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
- They have specialized brachiation and can easily swing between trees.
- They possess a strong and heavy build like gorillas, yet are remarkably agile tree climbers.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct ? Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata. Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi. Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.Select the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct ?
- Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.
- Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.
- Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct? It showcases how sustained local conservation efforts can contribute to the arrival and protection of international migratory birds. It reflects the global success of advanced tracking technologies that guide migratory birds back to their stopover sites. It confirms that Amur Falcons have adapted to permanent residency in India due to favourable habitat changes.Select the answer using the code given below:
Which of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct?
- It showcases how sustained local conservation efforts can contribute to the arrival and protection of international migratory birds.
- It reflects the global success of advanced tracking technologies that guide migratory birds back to their stopover sites.
- It confirms that Amur Falcons have adapted to permanent residency in India due to favourable habitat changes.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements about Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid) : It is an epiphytic orchid. The species is endemic to North-east India. It is the State flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Consider the following statements about Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid) :
- It is an epiphytic orchid.
- The species is endemic to North-east India.
- It is the State flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- View Answer for: Which one of the following is the first Plan Vivo certified Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project in India ?
Which one of the following is the first Plan Vivo certified Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project in India ?
- View Answer for: At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and "Blue Transformation".Which of the following combinations about the "Four Betters" proposed by FAO for "Blue Transformation" is correct ?
At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and "Blue Transformation".
Which of the following combinations about the "Four Betters" proposed by FAO for "Blue Transformation" is correct ?
- View Answer for: With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ? It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025. Sakhya Sagar, which is designated as a Ramsar Site, is situated within this National Park. Its area is shared between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.Select the answer using the code given below :
With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ?
- It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025.
- Sakhya Sagar, which is designated as a Ramsar Site, is situated within this National Park.
- Its area is shared between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience? Mangroves reduce tidal energy and store freshwater, making them ideal sites for paddy cultivation in saline estuarine belts. Their salt-sensitive roots filter seawater, making mangroves key to converting coastal land into freshwater aquaculture zones. By withstanding tidal surges and offering biomass resources, mangroves function both as natural bio-shields and livelihood bases for rural communities.Select the answer using the code given below:
Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience?
- Mangroves reduce tidal energy and store freshwater, making them ideal sites for paddy cultivation in saline estuarine belts.
- Their salt-sensitive roots filter seawater, making mangroves key to converting coastal land into freshwater aquaculture zones.
- By withstanding tidal surges and offering biomass resources, mangroves function both as natural bio-shields and livelihood bases for rural communities.
Select the answer using the code given below:
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