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 international conventions have not been ratified by India? Employment Policy Convention Abolition of Forced Labour Convention International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War Convention on Reduction of StatelessnessSelect the answer using the code given below:
Which of the following international conventions have not been ratified by India?
- Employment Policy Convention
- Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
- International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
- Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
- Convention on Reduction of Statelessness
Select the answer using the code given below:
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries: 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgarh in India with Sabroom in Bangladesh. Jhulaghat suspension bridge connects India with Myanmar. Mechi bridge and its approaches connect Panitanki Bypass in India with Kakarvitta in Nepal.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries:
- 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgarh in India with Sabroom in Bangladesh.
- Jhulaghat suspension bridge connects India with Myanmar.
- Mechi bridge and its approaches connect Panitanki Bypass in India with Kakarvitta in Nepal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project IMT Trilateral Highway Agartala-Akhaura Rail LineSelect the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ?
- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
- IMT Trilateral Highway
- Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation : The 'Colombo Process' is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus. The 'Abu Dhabi Dialogue' is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility. The 'Global Forum for Migration and Development', created upon the proposal of a former UN Secretary General, is a voluntary forum whose decisions are non-binding in nature.Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation :
- The 'Colombo Process' is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus.
- The 'Abu Dhabi Dialogue' is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility.
- The 'Global Forum for Migration and Development', created upon the proposal of a former UN Secretary General, is a voluntary forum whose decisions are non-binding in nature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- View Answer for: Consider the following UN organisations/agencies : World Food Programme United Nations Children's Fund United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees International Labour OrganisationHow many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice ?
Consider the following UN organisations/agencies :
- World Food Programme
- United Nations Children's Fund
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- International Labour Organisation
How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice ?
- View Answer for: Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) ---|--- A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory | 1. NOIDA B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre | 2. Bengaluru C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate | 3. Colombo D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility | 4. Thimphu
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) List II (Location) A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory 1. NOIDA B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre 2. Bengaluru C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate 3. Colombo D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility 4. Thimphu - View Answer for: Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : List I (Project Supported by India) | List II (Country) ---|--- A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project | 1. Maldives B. Restoration of Stor Palace | 2. Afghanistan C. District Hospital at Dickoya | 3. Bhutan D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies | 4. Sri Lanka
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
List I (Project Supported by India) List II (Country) A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project 1. Maldives B. Restoration of Stor Palace 2. Afghanistan C. District Hospital at Dickoya 3. Bhutan D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies 4. Sri Lanka - View Answer for: Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ---|--- A. UNMIL | 1. 2007 - 2010 B. MINURCAT | 2. 2002 - 2005 C. MINUSTAH | 3. 2003 - 2018 D. UNMISET | 4. 2004 - 2017
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) List II (Period of Operation) A. UNMIL 1. 2007 - 2010 B. MINURCAT 2. 2002 - 2005 C. MINUSTAH 3. 2003 - 2018 D. UNMISET 4. 2004 - 2017 - View Answer for: Which of the following statements with regard to the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments is/are correct? The tournaments have a shared governance structure establishing the partnership among the four Grand Slam tournaments. They are open for entry to all internationally ranked tennis players above the age of 14. There is a limitation on the number of 'Wild Cards' a player may receive to compete in a Grand Slam Tournament.Select the answer using the code given below:
Which of the following statements with regard to the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments is/are correct?
- The tournaments have a shared governance structure establishing the partnership among the four Grand Slam tournaments.
- They are open for entry to all internationally ranked tennis players above the age of 14.
- There is a limitation on the number of 'Wild Cards' a player may receive to compete in a Grand Slam Tournament.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- View Answer for: The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are not correct in terms of outcomes of this visit ? Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in LucknowSelect the answer using the code given below :
The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are not correct in terms of outcomes of this visit ?
- Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg
- Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation
- Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific
- Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Which of the following countries are members of the European Union ? Belarus Poland Germany SwitzerlandSelect the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following countries are members of the European Union ?
- Belarus
- Poland
- Germany
- Switzerland
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : List I (INTERPOL Notice) | List II (Description) ---|--- A. Silver Notice | 1. To seek information on unidentified bodies B. Blue Notice | 2. To collect additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation C. Black Notice | 3. To provide warning about a person's criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety D. Green Notice | 4. To identify and trace criminal assets
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
List I (INTERPOL Notice) List II (Description) A. Silver Notice 1. To seek information on unidentified bodies B. Blue Notice 2. To collect additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation C. Black Notice 3. To provide warning about a person's criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety D. Green Notice 4. To identify and trace criminal assets
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