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Candidates who qualify in the prelims exam are required to appear in the main examination. While preparing for the UPSC IAS 2024 mains exam they should go through the IAS mains previous year question papers to get an idea about the question paper level of IAS exam. The commission releases the UPSC mains question paper on the official website.
Candidates will be able to download the UPSC IAS 2024 mains question paper at upsc.gov.in. The commission will release the UPSC mains paper separately for all the papers. The UPSC 2024 mains question paper will also be released for language and optional subjects. Aspirants can download last 10 years UPSC mains question papers pdf here.
Papers | Download link |
UPSC IAS Mains Paper I | Essay |
UPSC IAS Mains Paper II | General Studies - Paper I General Studies - Paper II General Studies - Paper III General Studies - Paper IV |
Candidates can download the IAS mains question papers by following the steps given below.
Step 1: Visit the UPSC upsc.gov.in.
Step 2: Click on the “Examinations” tab on the homepage.
Step 3: Select “Previous Year Question Papers” from the dropdown menu.
Step 4: Search Civil Services mains previous year's question papers.
Step 5: Click on the IAS main question paper PDF.
Step 6: Download UPSC mains previous year question papers PDF for future reference.
Candidates who appearing for UPSC IAS mains exam 2024 can download the UPSC mains previous year question papers here. Check the tables below for direct links to previous years' UPSC IAS mains question paper.
Papers | Download link |
UPSC IAS Mains Paper I | |
UPSC IAS Mains Paper II | General Studies - Paper IV |
Papers | Download link |
UPSC IAS Mains Paper I | |
UPSC IAS Mains Paper II |
Year | IAS Mains Question Paper Download Link |
UPSC IAS 2020 Mains Question Papers | UPSC CSE mains essay question paper UPSC CSE mains GS paper 1 question paper UPSC CSE mains GS paper 2 question paper |
UPSC IAS 2019 Mains Question Papers | UPSC CSE mains essay question paper UPSC CSE mains GS paper 1 question paper UPSC CSE mains GS paper 2 question paper |
UPSC IAS 2018 Mains Question Papers | UPSC CSE mains essay question paper UPSC CSE mains GS paper 1 question paper UPSC CSE mains GS paper 2 question paper |
UPSC IAS 2017 Mains Question Papers | UPSC CSE mains essay question paper UPSC CSE mains GS paper 1 question paper UPSC CSE mains GS paper 2 question paper |
UPSC IAS 2016 Mains Question Papers | IAS English Question Paper 2016 PDF IAS Essay Question Paper 2016 PDF IAS GS 1 Question Paper 2016 PDF IAS GS 2 Question Paper 2016 PDF |
Quick links:
Candidates can gain many benefits while referring the UPSC Mains question papers. Some of the advantages of solving UPSC mains question paper are mentioned below
It helps to understand about UPSC mains exam pattern
It helps to know about what types of topics are frequently asked in the exam.
It also helps us in time management while solving UPSC mains previous year question papers.
Number of papers | 9 |
Language of paper | English |
Hindi | |
Descriptive paper: Candidates can appear for language paper in 22 languages mentioned in schedule 8 of the Indian constitution | |
Duration of exam | 3 hours each |
Subjects | Compulsory Indian language English Essay
|
Number of questions | Part A and B: 300 each General studies and optional paper: 250 each |
Sub Total (Mains) | 1750 marks |
Other exams conducted by UPSC
GS Paper 1 (History, Indian Heritage & Culture)
Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
India after Independence by Bipan Chandra
History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra
Ancient India by R.S Sharma
GS Paper 1 (Geography)
Geography of India by Majid Husain
World Geography by Majid Husain
World Atlas (Orient Black Swan)
Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G C Leong
Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11
GS Paper 2 (Polity & International Relations)
Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu
International Relations: Pushpesh Pant
GS Paper 3 (Economy)
Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania
Environment and Disaster Management – Tata McGraw Hill
Challenges to Internal Security of India – Ashok Kumar
GS Paper 4 (Ethics)
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary
Aspirants can download the UPSC mains question papers from the official website at upsc.gov.in.
The commission will upload the IAS mains question paper 2024 two to three days after completion of exam.
Yes, the commission will upload UPSC IAS mains question paper for all the subjects including language and optional subjects.
No, aspirants can directly download the IAS mains question paper on the official website by following the steps given above in this article.
The commission provides approximately 4 months time duration for mains exam after completion of prelims exam.
Others:18 February,2025 - 31 August,2025
Application Date:01 August,2025 - 21 August,2025
Application Date:07 August,2025 - 30 August,2025
Application Date:10 August,2025 - 08 September,2025
Hello, it’s wonderful to see such clarity at such a young age. Becoming an IAS officer requires consistent preparation, strong general knowledge, and excellent analytical skills. Right now, your main focus should be building a strong base in academics, especially in subjects like History, Geography, and Economics. Start reading NCERT textbooks from class 6 to 12 for these subjects. Make it a habit to read a good newspaper like The Hindu or Indian Express daily to improve your current affairs knowledge. Practice writing short essays on important topics it will help you in the Mains stage later. Participate in debates, quizzes, and discussions to improve your speaking and thinking skills. After 12th, choose a graduation subject that you enjoy but also overlaps with UPSC syllabus. Most importantly, stay consistent and avoid distractions. You have plenty of time to prepare, so start slowly and build steadily.
Wishing you success in your IAS dream, and thank you for sharing.
The choice of your graduation path – integrated BSc BEd (Zoology), BTech CS, or integrated BS-MS at IISER Thiruvananthapuram – to pursue the dream of becoming an IAS officer requires careful consideration.
A Bachelor of Arts degree, particularly in subjects like Political Science, History, or Economics, is often considered the most aligned with the CSE syllabus, covering crucial topics relevant to General Studies papers.
However, a science background, especially with a BTech CS degree, develops analytical and logical reasoning skills beneficial for the CSAT paper and could be advantageous for certain optional subjects like Mathematics or potentially Engineering disciplines.
Even if you choose a science or engineering stream, you can still select humanities-based optional subjects that overlap with the General Studies papers like Anthropology, Sociology, or Public Administration, which many engineers have successfully opted for.The integrated BSc BEd (Zoology) offers a strong foundation in science and a backup career in teaching, but the primary focus of the BEd component may not be directly relevant to the UPSC syllabus. The integrated BS-MS at IISER offers a strong research focus and academic excellence, potentially leading to diverse career paths in science, academia, industry, or even government agencies But still it is not connected with your ias dream.
Among all b.tech is best as many successful candidates from engineering backgrounds, have utilized their analytical skills and knowledge to crack the exam.
Hello
This is the typical schedule of the IAS Exam (UPSC CSE):
Notification Release:
February
Online Application Window:
February to early March
Prelims Exam:
May or June
Mains Exam:
September/October
As for 2025, the registration date is already gone, so you have to see for 2026 now. The registration will open most probably in February 2026 so stay tuned.
To know more about the IAS Exam: UPSC CSE
Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!
A candidate who has undergone heart surgery can be eligible for the IAS post if they are medically fit and can perform the required duties without any serious health problems The UPSC allows candidates to appear for the exam if they meet the general physical and mental fitness criteria After clearing the main examination and interview all selected candidates must undergo a detailed medical examination by a government medical board If the candidate has recovered well from heart surgery and there are no complications they can be declared fit for service However if the surgery has caused any permanent disability and if it is certified under the benchmark disability rules then the candidate may be eligible for reservation under the persons with disabilities category Final eligibility depends on the report given by the medical board during the selection process
If a person has undergone heart surgery for ASD which means Atrial Septal Defect and is now medically fit then they can apply for the IAS exam There is no restriction for such candidates if their physical and mental condition is stable and they can perform the duties required in civil services However selection to IAS also depends on passing the medical test conducted after clearing the main exam and interview If the person has any lasting disability due to the heart condition and it is certified by a government medical board then they may be considered under the benchmark disability category as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act In such cases the candidate may come under reservation for persons with disabilities in the specific category mentioned by the medical authority It is always advised to check the official UPSC notification and consult with a government hospital for proper disability certification before applying
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