UPSC PYQ Trends 2016–2025 — Most Asked Topics
Previous-year question trends mapped to the UPSC syllabus. These GS and CSAT topics appeared in the most exam years between 2016 and 2025.
- Gandhi & Mass Movements — NCM, CDM, Quit India Movement (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Temple Architecture — Nagara, Dravida, Vesara, Buddhist & Jain Monuments (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
- Heritage Governance — UNESCO (WH/Intangible), ASI, GI Tags, PRASAD, HRIDAY (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Space Technology — ISRO Missions, Satellites, Planetary Science & Space Economy (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Biotechnology — Genomics, GMO, Vaccines, CRISPR, Biosafety & Health Tech (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025
- Disaster Management — Framework, NDMA & Policy (Mains GS Paper III) — asked in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Monsoon — Mechanism, ENSO, IOD, MJO & Indian Impact (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
- Drainage System — Himalayan & Peninsular Rivers, River Projects (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Transport Networks — Railways, Roads, DFCs, Waterways & Economic Corridors (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- World & Map-Based Geography — Countries, Straits, Passes, Features in News (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Mauryan Empire — Chandragupta, Ashoka, Administration & Edicts (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
- Sangam Age, South Indian Kingdoms & Epigraphy/Numismatics (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
- Fundamental Rights (Art.12-35) — Scope, Exceptions & Recent Judgments (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
- RBI, Monetary Policy, Banking System & Financial Sector Reforms (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
- Climate Change — GHGs, UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, NDCs, Carbon Markets (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
- General Science — Biology (Cell, Genetics, Disease, Nutrition, Human Body) (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
- Emerging Tech — AI, Semiconductors, Quantum, Cybersecurity, ICT & Standards (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Heritage Governance — UNESCO WH/Intangible Lists, ASI, GI Tags, PRASAD, HRIDAY (Mains GS Paper I) — asked in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- India & Neighbours — Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Mains GS Paper II) — asked in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
- Climate Policy — Mitigation, Adaptation, NDC & Carbon Markets (Mains GS Paper III) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes & Volcanoes (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
- Geomorphology — Landforms, Weathering & Erosion (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
- Atmospheric Circulation, Pressure Belts & Wind Systems (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
- Oceanography — Ocean Floor, Currents, Tides & Marine Zones (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
- Physiography of India — Himalayas, Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Islands (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
- Climate of India — Monsoon Seasons, Regional Variations & Weather (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
- Industries — Iron/Steel, Textile, Chemical, Industrial Location Theory (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
- Population & Demography — Distribution, Density, Migration, Census Data (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
- Prehistory, Protohistory & Sources of Ancient Indian History (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
- Indus Valley Civilization — Sites, Features, Trade & Decline (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
- Mahajanapadas, Second Urbanisation & Rise of Magadha (600–300 BCE) (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
- Buddhism & Jainism — Origins, Councils, Texts, Sites & Spread (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
- Post-Mauryan Polities — Kushanas, Satavahanas, Indo-Greeks, Trade Routes (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
- Gupta Empire — Administration, Economy, Art, Science & Post-Gupta (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
- Cholas & South Indian Kingdoms (850–1300 CE) — Administration, Culture, Navy (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
- Mughal Empire — Akbar to Aurangzeb, Administration, Art & Architecture (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
- 1857 Revolt — Causes, Nature, Consequences & British Response (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
- Socio-Religious Reform Movements — Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Aligarh etc. (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
- Revolutionary Movements, Peasant & Tribal Rebellions (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
- Indo-Islamic & Regional Architecture — Forts, Stepwells, Mughal/Rajput Styles (Prelims GS Paper I) — asked in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
See trends for every topic in the syllabus tracker.