UPSC Prelims 2026 · Free practice resources
Practise UPSC Prelims 2026 the way you want — free.
PrepDose offers two free, complementary tools for UPSC Prelims 2026. A 930-question downloadable bank you can revise offline, and full-length mock tests you can attempt online under exam conditions. Both free, no paywall on answers or explanations.
Resource 1 · Question Bank PDF
PrepDose Companion
930 curated MCQs across 7 subjects, tiered by exam priority. One downloadable book (826 pages, 3.2 MB) with full explanations, clickable TOC and bookmarks. Revise offline, on any device.
Download free101 downloadsResource 2 · Full-length Mock Test
Prelims 2026 Mock Tests
100 questions, 2 hours, GS Paper I pattern. Take it online under exam conditions, get an instant score, and read an AI-written explanation for every question after you submit. Free; login required to attempt.
Open mock testsOr download just one subject
Each subject PDF is self-contained: cover, table of contents, all questions for that subject grouped by priority tier, full explanations, and links back to PrepDose revision notes.
Polity
Polity & Governance
Polity & Governance
Constitution, statutory bodies, governance, parliamentary proceedings, major legislation
Economy
Economy
Economy
Budget, RBI policy, banking, markets, sector reforms, federal finance
Env
Environment & Ecology
Environment & Ecology
Biodiversity, climate negotiations, pollution policy, conservation, protected areas
S&T
Science & Technology
Science & Technology
Space, defence-tech, biotechnology, IT, scientific milestones
CA
Current Affairs
Current Affairs
Awards, summits, anniversaries, sports, persons in the news, miscellaneous events
Geo
Geography
Geography
Physical and human geography, India and world, places in the news
Hist
History
History
Anniversaries, art and culture, archaeology, historic personalities surfaced in 2025-26
How PrepDose Companion was built
Every question in this bank was generated from a single PrepDose revision event for UPSC Prelims 2026 - the same source that drives our Daily Read and Revision Sprint. Questions were then audited for factual accuracy, pattern fit, and explanation completeness.
Tiered by exam priority
T1+focus (must-know, focus events) appears first in every chapter, then T1, T2+focus, T2, and T3 (supporting events) last. When you have only 30 minutes to revise, you know exactly where to start.
Full explanations on every question
Each question shows why the correct answer is correct, why every wrong option is wrong, the topic and concepts being tested, and a direct link back to the source revision note on PrepDose.
Six UPSC question patterns
Simple MCQ, statement-based, “how many correct”, assertion-reason (with modern Statement-I/II labels), match-the-pairs, and chronological - the same pattern mix UPSC uses on the actual GS Paper I.
Source-linked and verifiable
Every question links back to the original revision note on prepdose.in. Read the question, attempt it, then jump to the source if you want the full background context.
A note on AI: questions and explanations are generated by AI from the source revision notes. They have been validated against PrepDose’s editorial standards. As with any AI-assisted material, verify any specific fact against the official source before quoting it in writing.
Or take a full-length mock test
When you have a free 2-hour block, attempt a mock test under exam conditions. The format mirrors UPSC Prelims GS Paper I: 100 MCQs in 120 minutes, with the same 1-mark / -0.33 negative-marking rule. Tests are free; you need a free PrepDose account to attempt one so your scores and history are saved.
Exact exam pattern
100 questions across General Studies subjects, 200 marks, 2-hour timer. Negative marking of one-third per wrong answer, same as UPSC. Tests are released as new papers each week leading up to 24 May 2026.
AI explanation on every question
After you submit, every question shows an AI-written explanation of why the correct answer is correct and why each wrong option is wrong. Explanations are revealed only after submit so you can attempt the test cold.
Score, accuracy, time per question
The result screen shows raw score, accuracy percentage, and time spent per question, plus a subject-wise breakdown so you know which area to revise next. Browse history under your dashboard.
Free, no payment ever required
All mock tests are free to attempt. Account creation is needed only to save your attempt history; there is no paywall on the tests themselves or on any explanation.
Sister product
MockTestZone
PrepDose’s companion platform for UPSC Prelims sectional tests, PYQ practice, and additional mock tests beyond what is listed here. Same team, dedicated test infrastructure.
About the UPSC Civil Services Examination
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) every year — the entry route to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and 21 other Group A and Group B central services. Around a million candidates apply each year; roughly 1,000 are selected.
The exam runs in three stages over nearly a year:
- Prelims (May): An objective MCQ filter — only the top ~13× of available vacancies advance.
- Mains (September): Nine descriptive papers totalling 1,750 marks across essay, GS I-IV, optional, and language papers.
- Interview / Personality Test (January – April): 275 marks. Final ranking = Mains + Interview.
Current affairs feed every stage. Prelims has a dedicated current-affairs section. Mains GS-II and GS-III pull heavily from the year’s policy, judicial and macroeconomic events. A serious aspirant tracks current affairs daily, then condenses them in the final 60 days — which is exactly what these PDFs are for.
UPSC Prelims 2026 — exam structure
| Field | Paper I — General Studies | Paper II — CSAT |
|---|---|---|
| Marks | 200 | 200 (qualifying) |
| Questions | 100 MCQ | 80 MCQ |
| Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Negative marking | 1/3 per wrong | 1/3 per wrong (except decision-making block) |
| Counts toward | Mains cut-off ranking | Qualifying only — need 33% (66 marks) to pass |
Both papers must be attempted. The Paper II 33% threshold disqualifies candidates regardless of Paper I performance — neither paper can be skipped. The cut-off (Paper I) varies year to year and category to category.
Eligibility for UPSC CSE 2026
Citizenship
Indian citizen. Specific categories of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees (who arrived before 1 Jan 1962), and Indian-origin migrants from select countries are also eligible, subject to a certificate of eligibility.
Age (as of 1 Aug 2026)
21 to 32 for general category. Relaxations: OBC +3 years, SC/ST +5 years, PwBD +10 years. Defence personnel and ex-servicemen have additional relaxations.
Education
Bachelor's degree from a recognised university (or equivalent). Final-year students may apply, subject to producing the degree before Mains.
Attempts
6 (general), 9 (OBC), unlimited until age limit (SC/ST). PwBD has separate provisions.
Always verify against the official UPSC notification at upsc.gov.in.
UPSC Prelims 2026 syllabus
The official Prelims syllabus has been stable since the 2011 redesign. Below is the structure for both papers.
Paper I — General Studies (200 marks)
- 1. Current events of national and international importanceThe focus area these PDFs directly serve — economy, polity, IR, environment, judicial and policy headlines.
- 2. History of India and Indian National MovementModern Indian history, the freedom struggle, post-independence consolidation, cultural and historical milestones.
- 3. Indian and World GeographyPhysical, social and economic geography of India and the world.
- 4. Indian Polity and GovernanceConstitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, rights issues, statutory and constitutional bodies.
- 5. Economic and Social DevelopmentSustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives, macro and welfare policy.
- 6. General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate ChangeNo subject specialisation expected — general awareness of climate, conservation and environmental governance.
- 7. General ScienceBasic science across physics, chemistry, biology — common-knowledge level, with current frontier-tech awareness.
Paper II — CSAT (200 marks, qualifying)
- 1. ComprehensionReading-comprehension passages, including bilingual where applicable.
- 2. Interpersonal skills including communication skillsSituational items testing communication and interpersonal judgement.
- 3. Logical reasoning and analytical abilityPatterns, syllogisms, ordering, conditionals, and analytical reasoning.
- 4. Decision-making and problem-solvingSituational and ethical decision-making (no negative marking on this section).
- 5. General mental abilityQuantitative reasoning, mental arithmetic, sequences, analogies.
- 6. Basic numeracy and Data interpretationClass X level — numbers, ratios, percentages, orders of magnitude; charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency.
Frequently asked questions
What free UPSC Prelims 2026 resources does PrepDose offer?
PrepDose offers two free resources for UPSC Prelims 2026 on this page: (1) PrepDose Companion - a 930-MCQ question bank across 7 subjects (Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, Geography, History) with full explanations, downloadable as one 826-page master PDF or seven per-subject PDFs; (2) Full-length mock tests on the GS Paper I pattern - 100 questions, 2 hours, with AI-written explanations after submit. Both are free. The PDFs require no signup; the mock tests need a free PrepDose account so your scores are saved.
Should I use the question bank or the mock tests first?
Use them in parallel. The PrepDose Companion question bank is for offline revision - drill must-know events first (T1+focus), then important (T2), then supporting (T3). The mock tests are for periodic timed practice - attempt one every weekend under exam conditions, score yourself, and use the result breakdown to identify which subjects to revisit in the bank. The two products are designed to feed each other.
When is UPSC Prelims 2026?
UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 is scheduled for 24 May 2026 (Sunday). The official notification is published by the Union Public Service Commission on upsc.gov.in.
How is the Prelims exam structured?
Two papers, both objective MCQ. Paper I (General Studies) carries 200 marks across 100 questions in 2 hours and is the scoring paper used to determine the cut-off. Paper II (CSAT) carries 200 marks across 80 questions in 2 hours and is qualifying — you need 33% (66 marks) to qualify, but the score is not added to the cut-off ranking.
What is the negative marking rule?
Each wrong answer deducts one-third (1/3) of the marks allotted to that question. Unanswered questions get zero. The decision-making block in Paper II is exempt from negative marking.
How many subjects does PrepDose Companion cover?
Seven subjects — Polity & Governance (149 Q), Economy (148 Q), Environment & Ecology (153 Q), Science & Technology (149 Q), Current Affairs (148 Q), Geography (110 Q), and History (73 Q). All 930 questions are available now, either as one combined book (PrepDose Companion master PDF) or as seven individual subject PDFs.
What is the priority tier system used in this book?
Every question carries a priority tag inherited from the source PrepDose revision event. T1+focus = must-know, focus event (highest priority). T1 = must-know, non-focus. T2+focus = important focus event. T2 = important. T3 = supporting / background. Within each chapter, questions are ordered T1+focus first and T3 last, so the most important material always comes up earliest.
Are the PDFs really free?
Yes. PrepDose is free on the open web — no paywall, no login, no email required. Download any PDF and share it with anyone preparing for UPSC Prelims 2026.
How are the questions and explanations generated?
Every question is generated by AI from a PrepDose revision event for UPSC Prelims 2026, then validated for factual accuracy, pattern fit, and explanation completeness. Explanations address every option — not just why the correct answer is correct, but why each wrong option is wrong. Verify any specific fact against the official source before quoting in writing.
How long are the PrepDose Prelims 2026 mock tests, and what is the format?
Each PrepDose UPSC Prelims 2026 mock test is 100 questions long, has a 2-hour timer, and follows the GS Paper I pattern. Negative marking is one-third (-0.33) per wrong answer, identical to UPSC. After you submit, you see your raw score, accuracy percentage, time per question, and a subject-wise breakdown. Every question gets an AI-written explanation revealed only after submit.
Do I need to sign up to take the PrepDose mock tests?
Yes - taking a mock test requires a free PrepDose account so your attempt, score, and explanations are saved to your dashboard. You can browse the list of available mock tests without signing up. The mock tests themselves are free; the signup is only to persist your history.
Can I take the PrepDose mock test on a mobile phone?
Yes. The mock tests are designed to work on phones, tablets, and laptops. The timer, question navigator, and submit flow are responsive. We recommend a laptop or tablet for the full 2-hour attempt because of screen size, but a phone works fine for sectional practice.
How is the PrepDose Companion question bank different from a mock test?
PrepDose Companion is a downloadable PDF question bank for offline, untimed revision - 930 MCQs grouped by subject and priority tier, with the explanation visible immediately below each question. A mock test is an online, timed attempt that mirrors the actual exam (100 Qs, 2 hours, negative marking) where explanations are hidden until you submit. The bank trains your knowledge; the mock tests train your exam-day performance under time pressure.
Is PrepDose Companion endorsed by UPSC?
No. PrepDose Companion is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or published by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is an independent free study resource published by PrepDose. The official UPSC notification, syllabus, and exam pattern are available at upsc.gov.in - always verify exam dates, eligibility, and answers against the official source before quoting them in writing.
Who can apply (eligibility)?
Indian citizens (with specified provisions for Nepal, Bhutan and Tibetan refugees who arrived before 1 Jan 1962, plus certain Indian-origin migrants). Age 21 to 32 as of 1 August 2026 for general category, with relaxations for OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years), and PwBD (10 years). Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
How many attempts are allowed?
Six attempts for general category; nine for OBC; unlimited for SC/ST candidates (subject to upper age limit); separate provisions for PwBD.
Where can I find the official UPSC notification?
The official UPSC Civil Services Examination notification is published on https://upsc.gov.in. Always verify exam dates, eligibility, pattern and syllabus against the official notification before applying.
Free, no signup
One book. 930 questions. All free.
PrepDose Companion bundles every priority current-affairs event for UPSC Prelims 2026 into one navigable 826-page PDF - full explanations, priority tiers, clickable table of contents and bookmarks. Free, no signup, no paywall.
Download PrepDose Companion (3.2 MB)