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: Consider the following statements about Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India: It aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence and aerial offensive capabilities. This Mission is being designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India's strategic autonomy. One of the aims of this Mission is to cover all public places of India by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following statements about Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India:
- It aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence and aerial offensive capabilities.
- This Mission is being designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India's strategic autonomy.
- One of the aims of this Mission is to cover all public places of India by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three foundational Sutras : People, Planning, and Progress. The Preamble of the Summit stresses Democratising AI Resources, which acknowledges the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI as a binding framework to support locally relevant innovation and strengthen resilient AI ecosystems while respecting national laws. The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven Chakras (Pillars), which included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI.Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi :
- The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three foundational Sutras : People, Planning, and Progress.
- The Preamble of the Summit stresses Democratising AI Resources, which acknowledges the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI as a binding framework to support locally relevant innovation and strengthen resilient AI ecosystems while respecting national laws.
- The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven Chakras (Pillars), which included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- View Answer for: Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India ? Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets T-90 MK-III Tanks Akula Class SubmarineSelect the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India ?
- Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets
- T-90 MK-III Tanks
- Akula Class Submarine
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?(Indian Army Corps) : (Headquarters)
Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?
(Indian Army Corps) : (Headquarters)
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements with regard to India's Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct? It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration. Samudrayaan is a project under this mission.Select the answer using the code given below:
Which of the following statements with regard to India's Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct?
- It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.
- Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration.
- Samudrayaan is a project under this mission.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements with regard to India's indigenous new high resolution weather model, the 'Bharat Forecast System,' is/are correct? Its objective is to generate forecasts at the Panchayats cluster level. It was developed by IIT Delhi.Select the answer using the code given below:
Which of the following statements with regard to India's indigenous new high resolution weather model, the 'Bharat Forecast System,' is/are correct?
- Its objective is to generate forecasts at the Panchayats cluster level.
- It was developed by IIT Delhi.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- View Answer for: Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is not correctly matched? Semiconductor Plant | Location ---|--- (a) CG Power and Industrial Solutions Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with Renesas Electronics and STARS Microelectronics | Gujarat (b) Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt. Ltd. | Assam (c) HCL-Foxconn Joint Venture India Chip Ltd. | Madhya Pradesh (d) SicSem Pvt. Ltd. | Odisha
Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is not correctly matched?
Semiconductor Plant Location (a) CG Power and Industrial Solutions Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with Renesas Electronics and STARS Microelectronics Gujarat (b) Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt. Ltd. Assam (c) HCL-Foxconn Joint Venture India Chip Ltd. Madhya Pradesh (d) SicSem Pvt. Ltd. Odisha - View Answer for: Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? LLMs assign probabilities to the next possible words and then pick the one with the highest probability. LLMs process data through mathematical optimization to minimise prediction errors. LLMs produce unbiased outputs.Select the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ?
- LLMs assign probabilities to the next possible words and then pick the one with the highest probability.
- LLMs process data through mathematical optimization to minimise prediction errors.
- LLMs produce unbiased outputs.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct ? Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence.Select the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct ?
- Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease.
- Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine.
- Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct? Records stored in the database may be made visible to relevant stakeholders without risk of alteration. Copies of the entire database are stored on multiple computers on a network, syncing within seconds. Consortium blockchain is a blend of public and private blockchains allowing selective data access. Mathematical algorithms make it impossible to change or delete any data once recorded and accepted.Select the answer using the code given below:
Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct?
- Records stored in the database may be made visible to relevant stakeholders without risk of alteration.
- Copies of the entire database are stored on multiple computers on a network, syncing within seconds.
- Consortium blockchain is a blend of public and private blockchains allowing selective data access.
- Mathematical algorithms make it impossible to change or delete any data once recorded and accepted.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct ? Stealth objects have a very small radar cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material. Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies. Stealth objects are coated with metamaterials to increase the scattering of electromagnetic radiation.Select the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct ?
- Stealth objects have a very small radar cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material.
- Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies.
- Stealth objects are coated with metamaterials to increase the scattering of electromagnetic radiation.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India's space programme : The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world's first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India's space programme :
- The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.
- Agnikul Cosmos launched the world's first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.
- Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements with regard to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are correct ? They carry a beacon emitting red light pulses to facilitate underwater detection. They record both the cockpit voice and flight data. Their memory units are made using either stainless steel or titanium.Select the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following statements with regard to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are correct ?
- They carry a beacon emitting red light pulses to facilitate underwater detection.
- They record both the cockpit voice and flight data.
- Their memory units are made using either stainless steel or titanium.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct ? It is a part of the Human Genome Project. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population.Select the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct ?
- It is a part of the Human Genome Project.
- The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
- Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct? It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India.Select the answer using the code given below:
Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct?
- It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits.
- Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct ? They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre. Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack.Select the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct ?
- They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre.
- Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm.
- GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct ? The new standard is known as IS 19445 : 2025. It will improve interoperability of equipment across agencies. It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in collaboration with the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia.Select the answer using the code given below :
The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct ?
- The new standard is known as IS 19445 : 2025.
- It will improve interoperability of equipment across agencies.
- It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in collaboration with the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia.
Select the answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: X', born in the UK, was conferred the Nobel Prize in 2025. He was a professor in an American university when this prize was announced. Identify 'X' :
X', born in the UK, was conferred the Nobel Prize in 2025. He was a professor in an American university when this prize was announced. Identify 'X' :
- View Answer for: Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct ? It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India. It is India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.Select the answer using the code given below :
Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct ?
- It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India.
- It is India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.
Select the answer using the code given below :
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