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.
National current affairs with why it matters and the UPSC angle.
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.
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.
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.
Every syllabus line leads to its PYQs, explainers and current affairs.
Attempt a real previous-year question. Instant feedback, option-wise reasons.
In essence, what does 'Due Process of Law' mean?
Due process means the principle of natural justice (a). Due process of law, from the US Constitution, asks whether a law itself, and the way it is applied, is fair and reasonable. At its heart are the rules of natural justice: hear the other side (audi alteram partem) and no one should judge his own case. Option (b) is the opposite idea: procedure established by law, written in India's Article 21, which only asks whether a valid law was followed. Options (c) and (d) are parts of fairness but not its essence.
Notice the turn in Maneka Gandhi v Union of India (1978): the Supreme Court held that the procedure must be fair, just and reasonable, bringing due process into India in effect. Earlier, A.K. Gopalan (1950) had taken the narrow view.
option (b) is the Indian phrase, not its opposite number. UPSC asked what "due process" means, not what our text says.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
From the official notification. Always re-check the current year's notice.
| Paper | Format | Note |
|---|---|---|
| GS Paper I | 100 Q · 200 marks · 2 h | Counts for merit |
| GS Paper II (CSAT) | 80 Q · 200 marks · 2 h | Qualifying, 33% |
Negative marking: one-third of the marks for that question, per wrong answer.
| Paper | Marks | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A: Indian language | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper B: English | 300 | Qualifying |
| Essay | 250 | |
| GS I: Heritage, culture, history, geography, society | 250 | |
| GS II: Governance, Constitution, polity, social justice, IR | 250 | |
| GS III: Technology, economy, environment, security, disaster management | 250 | |
| GS IV: Ethics, integrity & aptitude | 250 | |
| Optional Paper I | 250 | |
| Optional Paper II | 250 |
Written 1750 + Personality Test 275 = 2025 marks
Computed from the Battle IAS UPSC PYQ bank.
Original MCQs from recent current affairs.
Sirpur, recently added to UNESCO’s Tentative List, is located on the banks of which river?
Sirpur lies on the eastern bank of the Mahanadi in Mahasamund district.
Which of the following groupings includes both India and the United Arab Emirates?
I2U2 brings together India, Israel, the UAE and the US.
Subjects aren't silos. Every PYQ links to related questions, explainers and news.
