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Next exam: 23 May 2027
Stages: Prelims → Mains → Interview
Solved PYQs: 6,100
Years: 1995–25

UPSC exam pattern

Always confirm the pattern in the latest official notification.

Prelims

Two objective papers on the same day. Only GS Paper I counts for the merit list; CSAT is qualifying.

General Studies Paper I. 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours. Current events, history and the national movement, Indian and world geography, polity and governance, economic and social development, environment and ecology, general science.
CSAT (General Studies Paper II). 80 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, qualifying at 33%. Comprehension, logical reasoning, decision making, basic numeracy and data interpretation.

Mains

Nine descriptive papers. Two language papers are qualifying; the other seven (1,750 marks) count for the merit list.

Qualifying papers. Paper A (an Indian language) and Paper B (English), 300 marks each.
Essay. 250 marks.
General Studies I to IV. 250 marks each. Heritage, history and society; governance, polity and IR; economy, environment, S&T, security and disaster management; ethics, integrity and aptitude.
Optional subject. Two papers, 250 marks each.

Interview

Personality test, 275 marks. The final merit list is out of 2,025.

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23 May 2027

Civil Services (Prelims) 2027

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20 Aug 2027

Civil Services (Main) 2027

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Solved UPSC previous year questions

Real UPSC questions with the correct answer marked.

UPSC 2025 · Indian Economy

With reference to investments, consider the following: I. Bonds II. Hedge Funds III. Stocks IV. Venture Capital How many of the above are treated as Alternative Investment Funds?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four

Correct Answer

The correct answer is b)

Explanation

Traditional vs Alternative Investments:

Investment Type	Classification	Key Features
Stocks	TRADITIONAL	Traded in regulated public markets with standardised regulations and transparent pricing
Bonds	TRADITIONAL	Debt instruments in regulated markets - fixed interest, lower risk
Hedge Funds	ALTERNATIVE	Non-traditional vehicles using aggressive strategies outside the formal banking system
Venture Capital	ALTERNATIVE	Non-traditional financing into high-growth startups, outside conventional banking

SEBI Classification: Hedge Funds and Venture Capital are explicitly classified as Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).

Answer Logic: Only TWO of the four — hedge funds and venture capital — qualify as alternative sources.

Answer: (b) Only two.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

a) Only one

Incorrect. Both hedge funds and venture capital are classified as non-traditional. Selecting only one ignores half the correct answer.

c) Only three

Incorrect. This claims three are non-traditional. But bonds are traditional debt instruments and stocks are traditional equity — only hedge funds and VC are alternative.

d) All the four

Incorrect. Stocks trade on regulated exchanges (traditional). Bonds are traditional debt. Only hedge funds and VC are alternative/non-traditional.

Remember This

Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) = Hedge Funds + Venture Capital. Both operate OUTSIDE the formal banking system. Stocks and bonds are traditional.

📌 Remember

Hedge Funds + Venture Capital = AIFs (Alternative Investment Funds). Stocks + Bonds = traditional. Only 2 of the 4 are alternative.

Common Mistakes

- Confusing venture capital with traditional equity (stocks). VC is unregulated, informal, and targets startups — entirely different from stock market investment.
- Assuming bonds are alternative investments. Bonds are the most traditional debt instrument, regulated and traded on formal markets.
- Not knowing SEBI's specific AIF classification — hedge funds and VC are AIFs; stocks and bonds are not.

Quick Tip

Identify traditional (stock exchanges, banks, bonds) vs alternative (hedge funds, VC, private equity) channels. Alternative = outside formal banking system. Look for SEBI's AIF classification in UPSC questions.

SOURCES

- NCERT Class XII - Business Studies (Capital Structure and Financing)
- SEBI Alternative Investment Fund Guidelines (2012, amended 2021)
- Ministry of Finance - Capital Markets Regulation

UPSC 2025 · Environment & Ecology

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Circular economy reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases. Statement II: Circular economy reduces the use of raw materials as inputs. Statement III: Circular economy reduces wastage in the production process. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Correct Answer

The correct answer is a)

Explanation

Circular Economy - GHG Reduction Mechanisms:

Circular Economy Mechanism	How It Reduces GHG	Statement
Reduces raw material input (II)	Less mining and extraction = less energy use = lower CO₂ from industrial processes	CORRECT - explains Statement I
Reduces waste/wastage (III)	Less landfill = less methane. Less incineration = less CO₂. Designed for durability = fewer replacement cycles	CORRECT - explains Statement I

Statement I: CORRECT. Circular economy does reduce GHG emissions by transforming the linear "take-make-dispose" model into a closed loop.

Statement II: CORRECT. Keeping materials in use longer = less raw material extraction = less energy-intensive mining, smelting, and manufacturing.

Statement III: CORRECT. Designing for repairability = less waste to landfills (methane) and less incineration (CO₂).

Both II and III are the direct causal mechanisms that achieve the GHG reduction in Statement I.

Answer: (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I

Incorrect. Both statements explain Statement I — not just one. Both mechanisms independently reduce emissions.

c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I

Incorrect. Both statements are correct — each describes a separate pathway through which circular economy cuts GHG.

d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Incorrect. Both statements are factually accurate and causally connected to Statement I.

Remember This

Circular economy cuts GHG by: (1) less raw material extraction (II) and (2) less waste (III). Both mechanisms explain the emission reduction.

📌 Remember

Circular economy = less raw material extraction + less waste = lower GHG emissions.

Common Mistakes

- Thinking only one of II or III explains Statement I. **Both independently explain it** — less extraction reduces industrial energy use; less waste reduces methane and incineration CO₂.
- Not understanding that the **linear economy (take-make-dispose)** is itself a major source of GHG — circular economy attacks it at both input and output ends.
- Forgetting that landfill waste produces **methane** (a powerful GHG) — reducing waste is directly relevant to climate change, not just pollution.

Quick Tip

Circular economy GHG reduction = two pathways: input reduction (less mining) + output reduction (less waste). For any such question, check if both mechanisms are covered in the answer.

SOURCES

- NCERT Class XI - Environmental Science (Sustainability and Circular Economy)
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation - Circular Economy Framework
- UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
- IPCC Climate Change Mitigation Report - Circular Economy Role

UPSC 2025 · Modern History
Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy: I. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East. II. He desired his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. (a) I only
2. (b) II only
3. (c) Both I and II
4. (d) Neither I nor II
See the answer and full explanation
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UPSC PYQ FAQs

Are the UPSC PYQs on Jasvin Thinks free?

Yes. Every Prelims and Mains question and its explanation is free to read, with no signup or paywall.

Which years of UPSC PYQs are covered?

Prelims General Studies questions go back to 1995 and Mains questions to 2013, up to the latest paper.

How are current affairs linked to UPSC PYQs?

Each daily current-affairs article names the previous year question it would help you answer, so you can see why the story matters for the exam.

Can I practise UPSC PYQs topic-wise?

Yes. The Practice section lets you filter questions by subject, topic and year, or attempt them as a timed test.

Is there negative marking in UPSC Prelims?

Yes. One third of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer, in both GS Paper I and CSAT.

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