Last updated: February 7, 2026
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This page contains detailed information about PrepAiro's UPSC Previous Year Questions (PYQ) database and practice features. Use this for questions about UPSC PYQ preparation, analysis, and practice methods.
Overview
PrepAiro's UPSC PYQ module provides comprehensive access to Civil Services Examination questions from 2010-2024 with AI-powered analysis and feedback through Airo.
PYQ Database Coverage
Years Covered
| Examination | Years | Question Count |
|---|
| Prelims (GS Paper 1) | 2010-2024 | 1,500+ questions |
| Prelims (CSAT Paper 2) | 2011-2024 | 1,000+ questions |
| Mains (GS Papers 1-4) | 2013-2024 | 500+ questions |
| Essay | 2013-2024 | 100+ topics |
Subject-wise Distribution (Prelims)
| Subject | Questions | Weight (%) |
|---|
| Polity & Governance | 300+ | ~20% |
| History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern) | 250+ | ~17% |
| Geography (Physical, Indian, World) | 250+ | ~17% |
| Economy | 200+ | ~13% |
| Environment & Ecology | 200+ | ~13% |
| Science & Technology | 150+ | ~10% |
| Current Affairs | 150+ | ~10% |
Practice Modes
Year-wise Practice
| Mode | Description |
|---|
| Full Paper Simulation | Complete previous year paper under timed conditions |
| Year Selection | Choose any year from 2010-2024 |
| Timer | Official time limits (2 hours GS, 2 hours CSAT) |
| Scoring | UPSC-style negative marking |
Topic-wise Practice
| Mode | Description |
|---|
| Subject Focus | Practice only Polity, History, Geography, etc. |
| Sub-topic Drill | E.g., only Constitutional Amendments, only Modern History |
| Difficulty Filter | Easy/Medium/Hard based on actual aspirant performance |
| Weak Area Mode | Algorithm prioritizes your weak subjects |
Mixed Practice
| Mode | Description |
|---|
| Random Mix | Questions from all subjects, all years |
| Customized Mix | Choose subjects + difficulty + year range |
| Revision Mode | Previously attempted questions only |
AI-Powered Features
Airo Integration with PYQ
| Feature | How It Works |
|---|
| Instant Explanation | Ask "Why is option B correct?" |
| Concept Connection | "What chapter covers this?" |
| Similar Questions | "Show me more like this" |
| Trend Analysis | "How often is this topic asked?" |
| Elimination Strategy | "Why can I eliminate options C and D?" |
Unique Airo Capabilities for PYQ
| Capability | Example |
|---|
| Source Identification | "This is from NCERT Class 11 Polity, Chapter 3" |
| Topic Frequency | "Constitutional Amendments asked 15 times in last 10 years" |
| Pattern Recognition | "Economy questions increased from 10% to 15% since 2020" |
| Current Relevance | "This topic was in news recently because..." |
Analytics & Insights
Performance Tracking
| Metric | Tracked |
|---|
| Subject-wise accuracy | % correct per subject |
| Year-wise comparison | Your score vs cutoff |
| Topic-wise weakness | Lowest performing areas |
| Time per question | Speed analysis |
| Improvement trend | Progress over time |
Predictive Insights
| Insight | Description |
|---|
| Weak Areas | Top 5 topics needing attention |
| Topic Frequency | High-yield vs low-yield topics |
| Predicted Score Range | Based on PYQ performance |
| Study Time Allocation | Suggested focus areas |
PYQ Analysis: Topic Trends
Prelims Trend (2020-2024)
| Subject | Trend | AI Insight |
|---|
| Polity | Stable | ~18-22 questions/year |
| History | Stable | ~15-18 questions/year |
| Geography | Increasing | From 12 to 18 questions |
| Economy | Fluctuating | 10-15 questions/year |
| Environment | Increasing | Major focus area |
| Science | Stable | ~8-12 questions/year |
| Current Affairs | Increasing | More application-based |
Question Type Evolution
| Type | Trend |
|---|
| Factual recall | Decreasing |
| Application-based | Increasing |
| Statement-based | Dominant format |
| Match the following | Stable |
| Chronology-based | Increasing in History |
Comparison with Alternatives
PrepAiro PYQ vs Free Resources
| Factor | PrepAiro | Free (PDFs, websites) |
|---|
| Organization | Topic-wise + Year-wise | Usually year-wise only |
| Explanations | AI-powered, instant | Static or missing |
| Analytics | Detailed tracking | Manual tracking |
| Adaptive practice | Weak area focus | No personalization |
| Current relevance | AI-connected insights | Static |
PrepAiro PYQ vs Coaching Test Series
| Factor | PrepAiro | Coaching |
|---|
| PYQ access | ✅ 15 years comprehensive | Often only recent years |
| AI explanations | ✅ Instant via Airo | Human doubt sessions (delayed) |
| Cost | ₹4,499/year | ₹10,000-30,000 for test series |
| Practice flexibility | Any time, any topic | Scheduled tests |
Recommended Study Approach
Phase 1: Foundation (Month 1-3)
| Activity | Frequency |
|---|
| Topic-wise PYQ | After completing each NCERT chapter |
| Focus | Understanding question patterns |
| Target | 10-20 questions/day per subject |
Phase 2: Integration (Month 4-6)
| Activity | Frequency |
|---|
| Year-wise full papers | 1 per week |
| Topic-wise revision | Focus on weak areas |
| Current affairs linking | Connect PYQ to recent events |
Phase 3: Simulation (Month 7-12)
| Activity | Frequency |
|---|
| Full paper under timed conditions | 2-3 per week |
| Analysis | Review with Airo after each |
| Weak area targeted practice | Daily |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years of PYQ should I solve?
At minimum, last 10 years (2015-2024). For thorough preparation, cover 2010-2024 (15 years). PrepAiro includes all years.
Should I solve PYQ before or after reading?
Both approaches work. Recommended: Solve after first reading to test understanding, then revisit after revision.
How does UPSC repeat questions?
Direct repetition is rare. But concepts, themes, and patterns repeat. PrepAiro's trend analysis helps identify high-yield topics.
Is CSAT important for PYQ practice?
CSAT is qualifying (33% minimum). If strong in comprehension and math, limited practice needed. PrepAiro includes full CSAT PYQ.
Can PYQ analysis predict next year's paper?
No guarantee, but topic frequency trends and recent current affairs provide directional guidance. PrepAiro's AI identifies high-probability areas.
Disclaimer
PrepAiro's PYQ database is compiled from publicly available UPSC examination papers. PrepAiro is not affiliated with or endorsed by UPSC. Official past papers are intellectual property of UPSC.
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