UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Paper: Download GS 1 & CSAT Paper PDF For Free

Last Updated on Mar 17, 2025
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Success in the Civil Services examination depends entirely on solving the UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Paper. These question papers, whether GS Paper 1 or GS Paper 2 (CSAT), give an overall idea about the subjects and topics that form the crux of your preparation. Analyzing your performance based on the UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Paper Answer Key is truly invaluable.

UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Paper - The UPSC IAS Prelims 2022 exam took place on June 6, 2022. Solving the UPSC 2022 Question Paper of the prelims exam will provide you with an understanding of various topics, including current events, history, geography, economics, and environmental studies. On June 22, 2022, the UPSC Prelims 2022 test results were released. Practising these UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Papers is crucial for the upcoming IAS Prelims Exam as it will let you analyze your performance. In this article, we have added the UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Papers with Answer Key. So, what are you waiting for, Download these 2022 prelims question paper with answers and start solving them now!

Also, check out UPSC Prelims Topicwise Questions here.

UPSC Prelims 2022 Question Paper PDF Download

The UPSC Prelims 2022 Question Paper PDF is available for downloading here for free. This PDF includes both the UPSC Prelims 2022 GS Paper 1 & GS Paper 2 (CSAT) and their answer key. Candidates can download the PDF by clicking on the links given in the table below.

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2022 PDF Download

Paper Name

PDF Link

UPSC 2022 Prelims GS Paper 1

Download PDF

UPSC 2022 Prelims GS Paper 2 (CSAT)

Download PDF

Also, read the UPSC Syllabus here.

UPSC CSE 2022 Prelims Question Paper Analysis - GS Paper 1

Below, you can have a look at the analysis of UPSC 2022 Prelims GS Paper 1 to understand the trend and difficulty of the questions.

UPSC 2022 Prelims GS Paper 1 Analysis

Subject

No. of Questions

Difficulty Level

Indian Polity and Governance

13

Moderate – Difficult

India and World Geography

12

Medium

General Science and S&T (Including Current Development)

14

Moderate

Economics

17

Moderate – Difficult

Environment & Ecology (Including respective Current Affairs)

17

Moderate

Art & Culture

7

Difficult

International Relations

11

Moderate

Ancient History

1

Difficult

Medieval History

4

Moderate – Difficult

Modern History

4

Moderate

Total Questions

100

Moderate

Check out the List of Books for UPSC here.

UPSC CSE 2022 Prelims Paper Analysis - GS Paper 2 (CSAT)

Below, you can have a look at the analysis of the UPSC Prelims 2022 CSAT Paper which is also known as CSAT Paper.

UPSC Prelims 2022 GS Paper 2 Analysis (CSAT)

Subject

No. of Questions

Logical & Analytical Reasoning

9

Basic Numeracy & Maths

31

Reading Comprehension

28

Visual Reasoning

0

Data Sufficiency

12

Data Interpretation

0

Decision Making

0

Total

80

Also, download UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper PDF here.

UPSC Prelims 2022 Question Paper Answer Key

Candidates can check out the UPSC Prelims 2022 Question Paper Answer Key from the table below. It is recommended to practice the past year's question papers to update the knowledge at disposal. It also works as practice for the UPSC Prelims exam of next year.

UPSC IAS Prelims Question Paper Answer Key 2022: GS 1 SET - A

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

1

B

26

A

51

C

76

A

2

C

27

C

52

B

77

A

3

B

28

B

53

D

78

D

4

C

29

B

54

B

79

D

5

A

30

B

55

B

80

A

6

B

31

D

56

C

81

D

7

A

32

D

57

B

82

C

8

D

33

D

58

D

83

C

9

A

34

C

59

B

84

B

10

C

35

B

60

D

85

D

11

B

36

D

61

A

86

B

12

B

37

D

62

A

87

C

13

B

38

C

63

B

88

B

14

B

39

B

64

B

89

A

15

B

40

C

65

C

90

A

16

B

41

A

66

D

91

B

17

D

42

B

67

C

92

B

18

C

43

D

68

D

93

B

19

D

44

B

69

A

94

A

20

A

45

C

70

C

95

A

21

B

46

A

71

C

96

A

22

D

47

A

72

A

97

D

23

B

48

A

73

A

98

D

24

C

49

A

74

B

99

D

25

B

50

C

75

C

100

B

UPSC IAS Prelims Question Paper Answer Key 2022 : GS 1 SET - B

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

1

A

26

B

51

B

76

D

2

B

27

D

52

B

77

C

3

D

28

C

53

B

78

D

4

B

29

D

54

A

79

A

5

C

30

A

55

A

80

C

6

A

31

B

56

A

81

C

7

A

32

C

57

D

82

B

8

A

33

B

58

D

83

D

9

A

34

C

59

D

84

B

10

C

35

A

60

B

85

B

11

D

36

B

61

D

86

C

12

D

37

A

62

C

87

B

13

D

38

D

63

C

88

D

14

C

39

A

64

B

89

B

15

B

40

C

65

D

90

D

16

D

41

B

66

B

91

C

17

D

42

D

67

C

92

A

18

C

43

B

68

B

93

A

19

B

44

C

69

A

94

B

20

C

45

B

70

A

95

C

21

B

46

A

71

A

96

A

22

B

47

C

72

A

97

A

23

B

48

B

73

B

98

D

24

B

49

B

74

B

99

D

25

B

50

B

75

C

100

A

UPSC IAS Preliminary Question Paper Answer Key 2022 : GS 1 SET - C

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

1

B

26

A

51

A

76

A

2

B

27

A

52

B

77

C

3

B

28

D

53

D

78

B

4

A

29

D

54

B

79

B

5

A

30

A

55

C

80

B

6

A

31

A

56

A

81

B

7

D

32

A

57

A

82

B

8

D

33

B

58

A

83

B

9

D

34

B

59

A

84

B

10

B

35

C

60

C

85

B

11

D

36

D

61

D

86

B

12

C

37

C

62

D

87

D

13

C

38

D

63

D

88

C

14

B

39

A

64

C

89

D

15

D

40

C

65

B

90

A

16

B

41

C

66

D

91

B

17

C

42

B

67

D

92

C

18

B

43

D

68

C

93

B

19

A

44

B

69

B

94

C

20

A

45

B

70

C

95

A

21

C

46

C

71

B

96

B

22

A

47

B

72

D

97

A

23

A

48

D

73

B

98

D

24

B

49

B

74

C

99

A

25

C

50

D

75

B

100

C

UPSC Prelims Question Paper Answer Key 2022 : GS 1 SET - D

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

Q. No.

Key

1

C

26

B

51

B

76

B

2

A

27

C

52

C

77

D

3

A

28

B

53

B

78

C

4

B

29

A

54

C

79

D

5

C

30

A

55

A

80

A

6

A

31

C

56

B

81

A

7

A

32

B

57

A

82

B

8

D

33

D

58

D

83

D

9

D

34

B

59

A

84

B

10

A

35

B

60

C

85

C

11

A

36

C

61

B

86

A

12

A

37

B

62

D

87

A

13

B

38

D

63

B

88

A

14

B

39

B

64

C

89

A

15

C

40

D

65

B

90

C

16

D

41

B

66

A

91

D

17

C

42

B

67

C

92

D

18

D

43

B

68

B

93

D

19

A

44

A

69

B

94

C

20

C

45

A

70

B

95

B

21

D

46

A

71

B

96

D

22

C

47

D

72

B

97

D

23

C

48

D

73

B

98

C

24

B

49

D

74

B

99

B

25

D

50

B

75

B

100

C

Check out the Best Books for UPSC here.

UPSC CSAT Question Distribution (2014-2024): Subject-Wise Analysis

The below graph represents the trend of UPSC subject-wise weightage

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Importance Of Solving UPSC 2022 Prelims 2022 Question Papers

The first step to becoming a civil servant in India is passing the UPSC Prelims test. It is a tough test that requires extensive study and a thorough comprehension of many topics. Solving UPSC Previous Year Papers is one of the best preparation methods for this exam. There are several reasons why solving question paper UPSC prelims 2022 is essential.

  • Suggesting that cracking the IAS Prelims 2022 Question Paper helps applicants understand the kind of test structure. It generalizes the understanding of the form of questions expected, the levels of difficulty while taking the actual test, and the time-management skills required for completing the paper within the deadline.
  • Second, practising the UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Papers enables candidates to pinpoint their strong points and areas for improvement.
  • Candidates can determine which subjects/topics they are strong in and which ones need more attention by looking at how they performed on the previous year's papers.
  • By solving these UPSC Prelims Question Papers 2022 candidates can check the key ideas and subjects frequently tested by reviewing and analyzing these papers.

Solving UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Papers is crucial to the UPSC Prelims Exam Preparation procedure.

Access UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Papers to enhance your knowledge in various subjects. Download the PDF with answer keys for comprehensive practice.

The UPSC Prelims test 2 is an objective type test, which is held after the UPSC GS Paper 1. It has a total of 80 questions and carries 200 marks each. Unlike General Studies Paper I, this paper is meant to analyze the applicants' critical thinking capabilities. It examines intellectual ability, simple arithmetic operations, communication skills, logical skill, and analytical skills. It has negative marking similar to Paper 1, wherein one-third of the total marks for the question is deducted for each wrong answer. Paper 2 is not qualifying like Paper 1, and only 33% of the marks are required for the contender to go ahead to the next level.

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Questions to Ace Your Exams

Q1. Are UPSC 2022 Prelims tough?

Assessing the difficulty of UPSC Prelims can be subjective as it varies from person to person based on their preparation, understanding, and exposure to the syllabus. UPSC consistently crafts the Prelims to gauge candidates' comprehensive knowledge, critical thinking, and application skills across various subjects like history, geography, politics, economy, science and technology, environment, and current affairs.

The 2022 Prelims were, on the whole, moderately tough. The question paper is designed in such a manner that it checks the candidates' knowledge on a wide range of topics. In most cases, it is about applying and interpreting knowledge rather than just remembering facts. Those candidates who were aware of the concepts and had a strategic approach could manage the paper. But for others, it might have appeared tough due to the vast array of topics and the depth of questions asked.

Q2. What are the passing marks for UPSC Prelims 2022? 

The UPSC doesn't specify a fixed passing marks criterion for the Preliminary Examination. The Prelims marks are used to determine eligibility for the Main Examination. Only candidates who score above the cutoff set by the Commission move to the next stage. The cutoff marks are determined based on various factors, including the number of vacancies, the difficulty level of the paper, and the overall performance of candidates.

In the past, the cutoff for the Prelims has varied across different categories (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.). It generally hovers around 40-50% of the total marks. However, it's important to note that this varies from year to year based on the factors mentioned earlier.

 
Q3. Are UPSC Prelims questions repeated? 

UPSC rarely repeats questions in consecutive years. However, the commission might ask questions on similar topics but in a different context or with a different angle. Hence, aspirants are advised not to focus solely on previous year's question papers and instead to gain a proper understanding of the concepts of an examination, which helps in answering the questions even if they are presented in a different manner. Besides, the question papers of previous years are studied for a better understanding of the pattern, weightage of subjects, and the type of questions asked, thus helping to prepare better.


Q4. What is the safe score for UPSC Prelims 2022? 

Since the UPSC Prelims have a different kind of difficulty and dynamism attached to it, determining a 'safe score' for UPSC Prelims is a bit tough. It would be advisable to score much higher than the cutoff. It goes without saying, a score anywhere in the middle to high region of 55-60 percent or more has a good degree of safety since the cutoff usually varies with points discussed above.

The UPSC Prelims 2022 appeared to be of moderate difficulty level, and thus, those aspirants who will be attempting the stage need a well-rounded strategy of preparation encompassing an understanding of concepts and their revisions at regular intervals along with practice, and updates in current affairs. 

UPSC Prelims 2022 Question Paper: Key Points to Remember

Current Affairs and General Awareness holds an important position in the civil services preliminary test. While appearing in this exam, it is necessary to be as informed as possible about national and international current affairs. The importance of these sections lies in the testing of knowledge regarding current affairs; such has been aspired for by an aspirant.

  • Focus on General Studies Paper I: While both papers, General Studies Paper I and CSAT, are integral to the UPSC Prelims, it is essential to note that marks obtained in General Studies Paper I will determine inclusion in the final merit list. This, therefore, gives you a greater reason to focus on this paper.
  • Understanding the CSAT Paper: The CSAT is an essential part of the preliminary exam. But, as it is said, the CSAT paper is meant for qualification purposes. For clearing this paper, one must obtain at least 33% (i.e., 66 out of 200 marks). To prepare effectively, one must be familiar with the CSAT exam pattern and syllabus.
  • Negative Marking: The UPSC Prelims follows a negative marking system. For every wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question is deducted. Thus, it is said that there is a significance of correct marking.
  • Consistent Practice: Success in the UPSC Prelims requires consistency. Regular revision and practice tests will enhance your ability to tackle the diverse range of questions asked in the exam.

We hope this article on UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Papers will give a boost to your exam preparation. You can visit our website Testbook.com or download our Testbook App and get access to a wide range of practice tests, mock tests, quizzes and courses with live classes to help you cover your course.

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UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Paper 2022 FAQs

The UPSC Prelims 2022 paper was moderate to difficult, as it had increased weightage to Current Affairs, Economy, and History, and hence was difficult.

The highest weightage was Current Affairs with 32 questions, followed by Economy with 14, History with 14, Polity with 12, and Geography with 12.

Yes, one-third (0.33) marks were deducted per incorrect answer, though no negative marking for unanswered questions during the test

Candidates can directly download question papers and answer keys from the official website of UPSC, upsc.gov.in, under 'Examinations'.

The cutoff marked for the General category, for qualifying in the Mains examination, in UPSC Prelims 2022 was 88.22.

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