UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021: Download UPSC CSE 2021 Mains Paper PDF
By Balaji
Updated on: March 23rd, 2023
UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021 holds importance while practicing answer writing for the UPSC Mains. Going through previous year’s papers is always crucial as it provides useful insights about the types of questions, difficulty level, number of questions from each topic, etc. The Union Public Service Commission has released all 9 papers included under the UPSC 2021 Mains Question Paper. Of these nine papers, Paper A and Paper B are qualifying in nature, and the other seven papers will be considered for the merit list.
Candidates preparing for the upcoming Mains exam must go through the UPSC 2021 Mains Question Paper to comprehend the current trend of the exam pattern, figure out the important sections from the syllabus, and develop a robust study plan to score big in this exam.
Table of content
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1. UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021
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2. UPSC 2021 Mains Question Paper – Compulsory Language Papers
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3. UPSC Mains 2021: Essay Question Paper
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4. UPSC Question Paper 2021: General Studies
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5. UPSC Mains Optional Papers 2021
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6. How to Analyze UPSC Mains 2021 Paper?
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7. UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021: Analysis
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8. UPSC Mains 2021 Question Paper: Difficulty level
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9. Importance of Solving UPSC Mains Question Paper 2021
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 Papers 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 2021 Mains Question Paper – Compulsory Language Papers
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 Compulsory Language Paper is shared below.
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 2021: Essay Question Paper
As per the UPSC syllabus, candidates must write essays on the given essay topics. The essay section of the UPSC Mains question paper 2021 expected candidates to focus on the subject, arrange their idea in the best possible way and write concisely.
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 Question Paper 2021: 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 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 2021 question paper for the subject they want to choose as optional to get an idea.
Candidates can also opt for literature subjects listed under the UPSC optional subjects. Here is UPSC Mains question paper 2021 for Literature optionals:
How to Analyze UPSC Mains 2021 Paper?
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.
- Set a timer and start solving the UPSC 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.
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. 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 from the GS 1 Syllabus 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 from GS 2 Syllabus were straightforward in the UPSC Mains Paper 2021. Questions from the polity and constitution were easy. 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 General Studies Paper 3 focused more on the environment section. The overall difficulty level was moderate.
- GS 4 Analysis: Questions asked in the General Studies Paper 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.
UPSC Mains 2021 Question Paper: 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 Years 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.
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.
