UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2024 – GS 1 and CSAT Paper PDF Set A, B, C, D
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The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2024, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is a pivotal step for lakhs of aspirants dreaming of joining the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Services (IPS), Indian Foreign Services (IFS), and other elite services. The UPSC Prelims 2024 took place on [Exam Date Placeholder], and candidates across India appeared for two key papers: General Studies Paper 1 (GS 1) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT or GS Paper 2). UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2024 – GS 1 and CSAT Paper PDF Set A, B, C, D
In this blog post, we provide a detailed analysis and overview of the UPSC Prelims 2024 question paper for both GS and CSAT. Whether you’re preparing for UPSC 2025 or reviewing your performance, understanding the 2024 paper pattern and difficulty is crucial for success. UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2024 – GS 1 and CSAT Paper PDF Set A, B, C, D
📌 Table of Contents
- Overview of UPSC Prelims 2024
- Paper Pattern – GS 1 and CSAT
- Importance of Analyzing Previous Year Papers
- Detailed Breakdown – GS 1 (General Studies)
- Topic-Wise Weightage – GS 1
- Detailed Breakdown – CSAT (GS Paper 2)
- UPSC 2024 Prelims Difficulty Level
- Set-wise Variation in Question Papers – A, B, C, D
- How to Use These Papers for UPSC 2025
- Final Thoughts
1. Overview of UPSC Prelims 2024
The UPSC Prelims 2024 was conducted in two sessions:
- Morning Session: GS Paper 1 (Objective, 100 questions)
- Afternoon Session: CSAT Paper (Objective, 80 questions)
These exams were held in offline mode (OMR-based) across hundreds of centers nationwide. UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2024 – GS 1 and CSAT Paper PDF Set A, B, C, D
Key Points:
- Negative marking of 1/3rd for every wrong answer
- GS Paper 1 is qualifying for Mains eligibility
- CSAT is qualifying in nature (must score 33%)
2. Paper Pattern – GS 1 and CSAT
📘 GS Paper 1 (General Studies)
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Marks | 200 |
| Time Duration | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | Yes (0.66 marks per wrong answer) |
| Syllabus Coverage | History, Polity, Geography, Environment, Science & Tech, Economy, Current Affairs |
📙 CSAT Paper (GS Paper 2)
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 80 |
| Marks | 200 |
| Time Duration | 2 Hours |
| Qualifying Marks | 33% (66 marks) |
| Syllabus Coverage | Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Data Interpretation, Mathematics |
3. Importance of Analyzing Previous Year Papers
Analyzing UPSC Prelims question papers is vital for every aspirant, especially those preparing for the next attempt. Here’s why: UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2024 – GS 1 and CSAT Paper PDF Set A, B, C, D
- Helps understand UPSC’s unpredictable pattern
- Identifies important and recurring topics
- Aids in prioritizing subject-wise preparation
- Improves elimination techniques
- Builds exam temperament
4. Detailed Breakdown – GS Paper 1 (2024)
The General Studies Paper 1 tested aspirants on a broad spectrum of subjects. The nature of questions continues to be conceptual and analytical, challenging even experienced candidates.
Key Sections:
- Current Affairs (International & National)
- Indian Polity
- Modern Indian History
- Geography (India & World)
- Indian Economy
- Environment & Ecology
- Science & Technology
5. Topic-Wise Weightage – GS Paper 1 (Approximate)
| Subject | No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | 20–22 |
| Polity | 13–15 |
| Economy | 14–16 |
| History & Art Culture | 10–12 |
| Geography | 12–14 |
| Environment & Ecology | 12–13 |
| Science & Tech | 8–10 |
| GS Paper 1 Question Paper, Set A | CLICK HERE |
| GS Paper 1 Question Paper, Set B | CLICK HERE |
| GS Paper 1 Question Paper, Set C | CLICK HERE |
| GS Paper 1 Question Paper, Set D | CLICK HERE |
Notable Observations:
- Environment had a significant weight due to upcoming climate summits.
- Factual questions from NCERTs reappeared in Economy and History.
- More emphasis on comprehension-based current affairs.
6. Detailed Breakdown – CSAT Paper 2024
Many candidates consider CSAT easy to moderate, but in recent years, UPSC has increased its difficulty level. CSAT 2024 continued that trend with time-consuming questions in comprehension and reasoning.
Major Areas:
- Reading Comprehension – Long and short passages, inference-based
- Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability – Puzzle solving, directions, number series
- Quantitative Aptitude – Arithmetic, Algebra, Percentages, Ratio, Time-Speed-Distance
- Data Interpretation – Tables, Pie Charts
CSAT Difficulty:
- Reading Comprehension – Moderate to difficult
- Maths – Moderate with tricky questions
- Logical Reasoning – High level of analytical skill required
7. UPSC 2024 Prelims Difficulty Level
GS Paper 1:
- Overall Level: Moderate to Difficult
- Surprise Element: Very few direct current affairs questions, focus on understanding
- Most Difficult: Economy & Environment
CSAT:
- Overall Level: Moderate to Tough
- Most Time-Consuming: Comprehension passages
- Toughest Area: Math logic-based problems and multi-step DI sets
8. Set-Wise Variation – A, B, C, D
Like every year, the UPSC Prelims 2024 papers were released in four sets – Set A, Set B, Set C, and Set D. The questions remain the same in content but shuffled in sequence.
How Sets Differ:
- Question order is different in each set
- Helps prevent cheating and reduces predictability
- Candidates must carefully check set codes on OMR sheets
Example Pattern:
| Question No. | Set A | Set B | Set C | Set D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Q1 | Q31 | Q61 | Q91 |
| 2 | Q2 | Q32 | Q62 | Q92 |
This variation does not change the content difficulty, so all aspirants face the same conceptual challenge.
9. How to Use These Papers for UPSC 2025
If you’re preparing for UPSC CSE Prelims 2025, here’s how to smartly use the 2024 paper:
✅ Analyze Questions:
- Categorize questions subject-wise
- Tag questions into easy, moderate, and tough
🧠 Identify Trends:
- Look for repeated themes (e.g., Government schemes, Environmental acts)
- Note the level of depth asked in Polity or Economy
📚 Focus Revision:
- Prioritize NCERTs and standard books based on question source
- Revisit concepts you got wrong while solving the paper
🕒 Practice Like Real Exam:
- Solve 2024 paper in 2-hour time limit
- Use OMR sheet for real-time simulation
10. Final Thoughts
The UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2024 reaffirms that there are no shortcuts to clearing this exam. A deep understanding of core subjects, a firm grip on current affairs, and the ability to think analytically are the keys to success.
The GS and CSAT papers reflected UPSC’s commitment to maintaining high standards of evaluation and selecting only the best for the next stages. If you’re an aspirant, start by solving the 2024 papers thoroughly. Don’t just look at the right answers—understand the logic behind every option.
By reviewing Set A, B, C, and D of both GS and CSAT, you can gain a complete picture of what UPSC expects and how to prepare accordingly.
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