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.
A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to :
Prohibition stops a lower court from continuing a case (c). A writ of Prohibition is issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal, telling it to stop a case it has no jurisdiction to hear. It is issued only to judicial and quasi-judicial bodies. Option (a) is wrong: it is never issued to a government officer. Options (b) and (d) are wrong: courts cannot use it against Parliament, a legislature or the government's policy.
Notice the five writs under Articles 32 and 226: Habeas Corpus (produce the person), Mandamus ("we command", to perform a duty), Prohibition, Certiorari and Quo Warranto (by what authority). Think of Prohibition as "stop before you decide", and Certiorari as "your decision is quashed".
option (a) describes mandamus in reverse. Prohibition is aimed at courts, not officers.
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.
