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    UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2026 GS Paper 1 (Out)- Get PDF Download Link here

    UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2026 GS Paper 1 (Out)- Get PDF Download Link here

    Sravani MadhikuntaUpdated on 25 May 2026, 02:36 PM IST

    The Union Public Services Commission releases the UPSC Prelims question paper on the official website. Candidates can access the UPSC Prelims 2026 question paper PDF at upsc.gov.in. The commission also provides access to the previous years' UPSC Prelims question paper in a separate section on the official portal.

    This Story also Contains

    1. UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Paper PDF Download
    2. UPSC GS Paper 1 Memory-Based questions
    3. UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2026- Overview
    4. UPSC Prelims Question Papers 2026 Release Date
    5. Last 5 years UPSC Prelims question Papers PDF
    UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2026 GS Paper 1 (Out)- Get PDF Download Link here
    UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2026 GS Paper 1

    The exam authority releases the UPSC question paper for each stage of the exam separately. By referring to the UPSC Prelims 2026 question paper PDF, candidates can understand the difficulty level, time management, and highlight the high-weightage topics. The UPSC Prelims exam is a mandatory test for all candidates who are aspiring to join the civil services. Candidates preparing for the UPSC Prelims Exam must know the UPSC Prelims Exam day guidelines.

    UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Paper PDF Download

    The Commission successfully conducted the UPSC Prelims 2026 shift 1 exam from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Candidates can go through the UPSC prelims question paper in the table below

    UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Papers (Official)

    Subject
    Question Paper Links
    General Studies Paper 1Download here
    General Studies paper 2Download here

    UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Papers (Unofficial)

    SubjectUnofficial Question Paper Download LinksUnofficial Answer Key Download Links


    General Studies Paper 1
    SET A - Check hereClick here
    SET B - Check here
    SET C - Check here
    SET D - Check here
    UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy and Best Books
    UPSC CSE preparation strategy along with best books for prelims as well as mains exam for sure success.
    Download EBook

    UPSC GS Paper 1 Memory-Based questions

    1. Question asked by NBFC?
    2. National Quantum Machine?
    3. Nethi Ayog
    4. Blockchain technology?
    5. Financial Inclusion Index?
    6. Questions asked by UPI?
    7. Question asked from History and Culture
    8. Question on the geographical features associated with the peninsular block of India.
    9. Question from Sagar Mala?
    10. Question asked based on the Forward block related to Subhas Chandra Bose
    11. Question from British Policy
    12. Which of the following statements concerning the Genome India Project is?
    13. Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is?
    14. Which of the following pairs of the Kings and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is ?
    15. Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?
    16. Which of the following pairs of King and his dynasty in earlier historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?
    17. Which of the following are the basis of the above assertion?
    18. What does an empty seat represent in early buddhist iconography?
    19. Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the:
    20. Which of the following temples has/have Nagara-style Shikhara?
    21. Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music?
    22. In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra patni (mistress of the field) originated?
    23. Which of the following factors contributed for the formation of forward Bloc by Subhash Chandra Bose in 1939?
    24. The Hallisalasya painting in the bagh caves represents
    25. Consider the following statements from Rig vedic period?
    26. Tungurahua volcano whic was declared a global geopark by uNESCO in 2025 is situated in which among the following country
    27. With the reference to the climate of Andaman and Nicobar Island, which of the following statements is correct.
    28. With reference to Madhav National park, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    29. Consider the following statements about Rhynchostylis retusa (FoxtaIl Orchid):
    30. Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after his annexation in 1856?

    UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2026- Overview

    The first paper in the civil services exam is the UPSC Prelims GS paper 1. Candidates can refer to the table below to get an overview of the UPSC Prelims 2026 question paper.

    Highlights of UPSC Prelims 2026

    Particulars

    Details

    Exam Name

    UPSC Civil Services Examination

    Conducting Body

    Union Public Services Commission

    Total number of questions

    100 MCQs

    Total Marks

    200

    Duration

    2 Hours

    Negative Marking

    ⅓ rd to the question for every incorrect answer.

    Languages

    Hindi and English

    Also Read-

    UPSC Prelims Question Papers 2026 Release Date

    The Union Public Services Commission releases the UPSC Prelims question papers for GS Paper 1, a few days after the commencement of the exam. Candidates can refer to the table below to know about the important dates for the UPSC Prelims exam.

    Important dates for UPSC Prelims Exam 2026

    Events

    Dates

    UPSC Preims Exam 2026

    May 24, 2026

    UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Paper

    May 25, 2026

    Steps to download the UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2026

    • Visit upsc.gov.in, the UPSC's official website.

    • On the homepage, select "Examination."

    • Click "Previous Question Papers" underneath that. 'Active exams' is another option.

    • Look up the "UPSC CS Prelims exam."

    • There will be the 2026 UPSC Prelims exam. Additionally, all of the previous years' UPSC test questions will be shown.

    • For future reference, download the UPSC IAS prelims 2026 question paper as well as the papers from prior years.

    Also Read-

    Last 5 years UPSC Prelims question Papers PDF

    No hard copy of the UPSC Prelims question paper of GS paper 1 will be sent through mail or post to any aspirant. All the candidates can refer to the table below to access the UPSC Prelims question papers in a PDF format.

    UPSC Prelims Question Papers of GS Paper 1 & 2

    Year

    UPSC Prelims Question Paper (GS 1)

    UPSC Prelims Question Paper (GS 2)

    2025

    Download here

    Download here

    2024

    Download here

    Download here

    2023

    Download here

    Download here

    2022

    Download here

    Download here

    2021

    Download here

    Download here

    Also Read-

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: How many questions are asked in the UPSC prelims question paper 2026 GS Paper 1 Science
    A:

    Typically, the exam features around 8 to 12 direct Science and Technology questions

    Q: Where can I download the UPSC Prelims question papers PDF?
    A:

    The UPSC Prelims Question paper is available on the official website at upsc.gov.in.

    Q: Is the UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2026 GS Paper 1 free?
    A:

    Yes, the UPSC Prelims question paper is available for free on the official website

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    Questions related to UPSC CSE

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

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    Hello there!

    That’s a wonderful and ambitious goal! Becoming an IAS officer requires clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

    You can start by building a strong foundation in NCERTs (Classes 6–12), current affairs, Indian Polity, History, Geography, Economy and basic answer-writing. After graduation, you can appear for UPSC CSE, provided

    Dear Student,

    IAS banne ke liye aapko UPSC exam pass karni hogi. Iss exam ke main stages hai: Prelims, Mains aur Personality Test.

    Check : How to Become a IAS Officer