# UPSC Optional Subject Previous Year Questions

> UPSC Mains optional subject PYQs for Anthropology, Geography, PSIR, Sociology: Paper 1 and Paper 2, year by year, with marks and the official question paper.

- **URL**: https://upscyatra.in/optional-pyq

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## Subjects

- [Anthropology optional PYQs, 2013-2025](https://upscyatra.in/optional-pyq/anthropology)
- [Geography optional PYQs, 2013-2025](https://upscyatra.in/optional-pyq/geography)
- [Political Science & IR optional PYQs, 2013-2025](https://upscyatra.in/optional-pyq/psir)
- [Sociology optional PYQs, 2013-2025](https://upscyatra.in/optional-pyq/sociology)

## Frequently asked questions

### Which optional subjects have PYQs on UPSCYatra?

Anthropology, Geography, Political Science & IR, Sociology, with Paper 1 and Paper 2 for every year from 2013 to 2025.

### How is a UPSC optional paper structured?

Each optional subject has two papers of 250 marks and 3 hours each. A paper has eight questions in two sections: Section A (Questions 1-4) and Section B (Questions 5-8). Questions 1 and 5 are compulsory, and candidates answer three more, choosing at least one from each section.

### Where do these questions come from?

From the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination question papers. Each paper page links the official question paper it was taken from.

### Are answers included?

Not yet. Each page lists the questions with their question number and marks.

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- [UPSC Mains GS and Essay PYQs](https://upscyatra.in/mains-pyq)