UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021: PDF Download, UPSC CSE 2021 Mains Paper

UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021

UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021 had a total of 9 papers as per the exam pattern. Paper A and Paper B were qualifying in nature, and each carried 300 marks. Paper 1 was for an Essay, and Paper 2 to 5 were general studies papers. Additionally, there were two optional subject papers, each of which had 250 marks. Below we have provided the UPSC Mains question paper 2021 PDF download link for each paper.

The UPSC Mains 2021 was conducted from 7th January to 16th January 2022 for almost 10,000 candidates who cleared the Prelims exam. Later, Commission released the UPSC 2021 Mains question paper on its official website.

Those preparing for the UPSC Mains 2023 exam must download the UPSC Mains previous year question papers PDF of the last few years from the links below:

Year	UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers
2022	UPSC Mains Question Paper 2022
2020	UPSC Mains Question Paper 2020
2019	UPSC 2019 Question Papers
2018	UPSC Previous Year Papers 2018
2017	UPSC Question Paper 2017
2016	UPSC Paper 2016 PDF
2015	UPSC Question Paper 2015

UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021- Language Papers A and B

Although Papers A and B are qualifying in nature, candidates must score 25% in them, or their remaining sheets won’t be considered. The UPSC 2021 Mains question paper PDF for Papers A and B is shared below.

☛ Download: UPSC 2021 Mains Compulsory English Paper (Paper B)

Candidates can download the compulsory Indian Language UPSC Mains question paper 2021 directly from the link given below:

Telugu	Urdu
Punjabi	Sindhi (Devanagari)
Hindi	Kannada
Malayalam	Marathi
Nepali	Odia
Gujrati	Bodo
Sanskrit	Tamil
Assamese	Bengali

UPSC Mains Paper 2021 for Essay

As per the syllabus, candidates must write essays on the given essay topics. The essay section of the UPSC Mains question paper 2021 expects candidates to focus on the subject, arrange their idea in the best possible way, and write concisely. Candidates must check out the UPSC Mains question paper 2021 for the Essay because it will be counted for the merit ranking.

☛ Quotes for UPSC Essay

Fetching good marks in the essay will help the candidate boost their overall UPSC Exam score. Aspirants can download the UPSC Mains 2021 Essay Paper below:

☛ UPSC Mains 2021 Essay Paper PDF

UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021 PDF for General Studies

There are four general studies papers included in the UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021. Each paper carries 250 marks. The GS papers cover a wide range of topics like History, Geography, Science & Technology, Ethics, Economics, Biodiversity, etc. Below we have provided the UPSC Mains GS Questions Papers 2021 PDF:

• UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021 for GS 1
• UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021 for GS 2
• UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021 for GS 3
• UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021 for GS 4

UPSC Mains Optional Papers 2021

Candidates can choose any subject from the list of UPSC Optional subjects. This list covers 48 optional subjects in total. Each optional paper carries 250 marks, so the aspirants must check the UPSC Mains question paper 2021 for the subject they want to choose.

UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021 for Optional Subjects
Physics Paper I	Physics Paper II
Political Science and International Relations Paper I	Political Science and International Relations Paper II
Psychology Paper I	Psychology Paper II
Public Administration Paper I	Public Administration Paper II
Sociology Paper I	Sociology Paper II
Statistics Paper I	Statistics Paper II
Zoology Paper I	Zoology Paper II
Economics Paper I	Economics Paper II
Electrical Engineering Paper I	Electrical Engineering Paper II
Geography Paper I	Geography Paper II
Geology Paper I	Geology Paper II
Mechanical Engineering Paper I	Mechanical Engineering Paper II
Medical Science Paper I	Medical Science Paper II
Management Paper I	Management Paper II
Mathematics Paper I	Mathematics Paper II
History Paper I	History Paper II
Law Paper I	Law Paper II
Philosophy Paper I	Philosophy Paper II
Agriculture Paper I	Agriculture Paper II
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Paper I	Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Paper II
Anthropology Paper I	Anthropology Paper II
Botany Paper I	Botany Paper II
Chemistry Paper I	Chemistry Paper II
Civil Engineering Paper I	Civil Engineering Paper II
Commerce and Accountancy Paper I	Commerce and Accountancy Paper II

Candidates can also opt for literature subjects listed under the UPSC optional subjects. Here is UPSC Mains question paper 2021 for Literature optional:

UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021 for Literature Optional
Sanskrit Paper I	Sanskrit Paper II
Santhali Paper I	Santhali Paper II
Sindhi Paper I	Sindhi Paper II
Tamil Paper I	Tamil Paper II
Telugu Paper I	Telugu Paper II
Urdu Paper I	Urdu Paper II
English Paper I	English Paper II
Kashmiri Paper I	Kashmiri Paper II
Konkani Paper I	Konkani Paper II
Maithili Paper I	Maithili Paper II
Malayalam Paper I	Malayalam Paper II
Manipuri Paper I	Manipuri Paper II
Marathi Paper I	Marathi Paper II
Nepali Paper I	Nepali Paper II
Odia Paper I	Odia Paper II
Punjabi Paper I	Punjabi Paper II
Assamese Paper I	Assamese Paper II
Bengali Paper I	Bengali Paper II
Bodo Paper I	Bodo Paper II
Dogri Paper I	Dogri Paper II
Gujarati Paper I	Gujarati Paper II
Hindi Paper I	Hindi Paper II
Kannada Paper I	Kannada Paper II

UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021: Analysis

The Mains exam aims to assess the depth of understanding of candidates instead of their memory power. Check out the analysis of each UPSC Mains question paper 2021 below.

• Essay Paper: As per most candidates, the essay question paper for Mains 2021 was philosophical. This paper was quite unpredictable, and this year’s essay section differed from the previous year’s paper. As per the experts, the motive of the UPSC Mains question paper 2021 was to check the candidates’ thinking process and analytical and philosophical thinking.
• GS 1 Paper Analysis: The essay paper was a shocker. But candidates were quite relieved as the questions asked in GS 1 had an expected difficulty level. Questions from geography sections were more compared to other years. There was no sort of unusual questions in this paper. In conclusion, the UPSC Mains question paper 2021 for GS Paper 1 was scoring in nature.
• GS 2 Paper: Compared to previous years, questions asked in GS 2 were straightforward in the UPSC Mains Paper 2021. Questions from the polity and constitution were easy. The number of questions from governance has decreased as compared to previous years. Overall the difficulty level of the UPSC Mains question paper 2021 for GS 2 was moderate to difficult.
• GS 3 Paper: The weightage of internal security and the economy was the same as in Mains 2020. The UPSC 2021 Mains question paper for GS 3 focused more on the environment section. The overall difficulty level was moderate.
• GS 4 Analysis: Questions asked in the GS 4 of the UPSC Mains question paper 2021 sought the candidates to answer with examples and not just the theory part. This paper tested the decision-making ability of the candidates. Section A was moderately difficult, according to some candidates. In UPSC Mains 2020, the questions in Section A were based on current affairs, but the UPSC Mains paper 2021 was based on the static part.

UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021: Difficulty level

The overall UPSC 2021 Mains question paper had a difficulty level of moderate. As we have mentioned, the essay section was very difficult. But then again, the GS 1 paper balanced it out. GS-2 and GS-3 papers were quite tricky, and many candidates found these papers a little difficult. The UPSC Mains question paper 2021 for GS 4 also had an expected difficulty level per the standards.

Importance of Solving UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021

All the experts and IAS toppers recommend solving UPSC Previous Year Question Paper. This is due to several reasons. Solving the UPSC Mains question paper 2021 would help the candidates understand the exam and paper pattern in-depth. In addition, candidates will be aware of the latest topics and shape their preparation accordingly.

☛ Mistakes to Avoid During UPSC Preparation

Candidates can also check out the answer to each question with an explanation. The more you practice the UPSC Main Question Paper 2021, the better the chances of attempting more questions. At last, it will give you a self-assessment so that you can boost your performance in the actual exam.

How to Analyze UPSC Mains Paper 2021?

While attempting the UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021, you need to analyze it to figure out your weaknesses and resolve them in your next attempt. Here is how you need to analyze your Mains paper for 2021.

• Set a timer and start solving the UPSC 2021 Mains question paper.
• Take it as an exam, and solve it before the time limit.
• After solving it evaluate and check if you have scored well enough or not.
• If you haven’t, then find out the problem and improve it in the next attempt.

Also Check:

• UPSC Exam Pattern
• UPSC Syllabus
• UPSC Books
• UPSC Eligibility