UPSC CSE · every PYQ mapped to the syllabus

Every PYQ, connected to what you study.

You are one aspirant with your own strong and weak areas. Here every previous-year question is linked to its syllabus topic, its explainer and the news behind it, so one question opens up a whole subject. Attempt, see why each option is right or wrong, and find exactly where you need work.

4180PYQs with explanations
2341Current-affairs notes
414Syllabus topics mapped
UPSC PYQ subject map, 2011–2026: Polity, History, Geography, Environment, Economy, Science and Technology, International Relations and Ethics UPSC PYQ 20112026 Polity Geography Environment Economy IR Ethics Science & Tech History UPSC PYQ subject map, 2011–2026: Polity, History, Geography, Environment, Economy, Science and Technology, International Relations and Ethics UPSC PYQ 20112026 Polity Geography Environment Economy IR Ethics Science & Tech History

Today

National current affairs with why it matters and the UPSC angle.

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GS1 Art and Culture

Sirpur in Chhattisgarh enters UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage sites

Sirpur, an archaeological site in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district with Hindu, Buddhist and Jain remains from the 5th to the 12th century CE, has been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List. The ASI now has about a year to prepare a nomination dossier proving its Outstanding Universal Value. Sirpur was once the capital of Dakshina Kosala.

  • Sirpur location
  • Lakshmana Temple
  • dynasties
  • UNESCO process
20 Oct 2026
GS2 International Relations

Rubio in Mumbai: India–US trade deal ‘very, very close’; energy and defence on the table

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his second India visit of the year in Mumbai on 20 October 2026 and met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on trade, energy, technology and defence. Rubio said the two sides are ‘very, very close’ to a trade deal with ‘a small number of items left’, and praised India’s progress in diversifying energy supplies.

  • I2U2
  • Jamnagar
  • key office holders
  • India-US partnership
20 Oct 2026
GS3 Environment

National Red List of birds: 1,211 species under assessment, 107 done in first review

India has begun a national Red List assessment of its 1,211 regularly occurring bird species using the IUCN framework. By 19 October 2026, a preliminary review of 107 species was complete, with the Great Indian Bustard proposed as Critically Endangered and the Indian Roller as Vulnerable. A final assessment is expected towards the end of 2027.

  • IUCN categories
  • lead institutions
20 Oct 2026
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UPSC Prelims 2016 · GS Paper I

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  • 1. A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation.
  • 2. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Answer (b) & explanation

Only statement 2 is correct (b). Prorogation ends a session but does not kill pending Bills (Article 107(3)), so statement 1 is wrong. Dissolution of the Lok Sabha makes Bills pending in the Lok Sabha lapse, but a Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha that the Lok Sabha has not passed survives (Article 107(4)).

Bills passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha do lapse on dissolution. A Bill on which the President has called a joint sitting before dissolution does not lapse. Notice how the Rajya Sabha, a permanent House, keeps legislative work alive across elections.

Trap

prorogation and dissolution are different. Only dissolution makes Bills lapse, and only some of them.

Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.

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UPSC exam pattern

From the official notification. Always re-check the current year's notice.

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Prelims (objective)

PaperFormatNote
GS Paper I100 Q · 200 marks · 2 hCounts for merit
GS Paper II (CSAT)80 Q · 200 marks · 2 hQualifying, 33%

Negative marking: one-third of the marks for that question, per wrong answer.

Mains (descriptive)

PaperMarksNote
Paper A: Indian language300Qualifying
Paper B: English300Qualifying
Essay250
GS I: Heritage, culture, history, geography, society250
GS II: Governance, Constitution, polity, social justice, IR250
GS III: Technology, economy, environment, security, disaster management250
GS IV: Ethics, integrity & aptitude250
Optional Paper I250
Optional Paper II250

Written 1750 + Personality Test 275 = 2025 marks

How the exam repeats

Computed from the Battle IAS UPSC PYQ bank.

Practice from the news

Original MCQs from recent current affairs.

Practice · UPSC

Sirpur, recently added to UNESCO’s Tentative List, is located on the banks of which river?

Answer (b) & explanation

Sirpur lies on the eastern bank of the Mahanadi in Mahasamund district.

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Practice · UPSC

Which of the following groupings includes both India and the United Arab Emirates?

Answer (b) & explanation

I2U2 brings together India, Israel, the UAE and the US.

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