UPSC Psychology Optional Question Paper 2024 - Download PDF

The Psychology Question Paper UPSC is a quintessential element of the Civil Services Examination (CSE), and every year, this test brings thousands of candidates. The number of candidates registered nationwide in the 2025 Prelims was in excess of 948,000 (9.48 lakh), and of those who were registered to take it, approximately 573,000 took it. The prelims were to be conducted on May 25, 2025, and the Mains will occur between August 22 to August 31, 2025. You have to prepare thoroughly before UPSC CSE 2025 or 2026, because you might want to practice by solving the older required papers conducted by UPSC in both cycles, as it serves as the greatest time-consuming, language-expressive, and language-understanding exercises to help you achieve good scores.

Psychology UPSC examination is a Civil Services examination component administered by the Union Public Service Commission of India. Candidates are not compulsory to take this subject in case they are proficient in the Psychology subject. The Psychology Question Paper UPSC will assist the aspirants in preparing for the subject in a constructive and well-planned way. Psychology Question Paper UPSC helps candidates understand their strengths and weaknesses and prioritize the topics they need to focus on for their UPSC IAS Exam. 

In this article, aspirants can get detailed insights about the Psychology Question Paper UPSC. We have compiled the Previous year’s papers of 16 years of Psychology Question Paper UPSC, which will help candidates to successfully crack the subject preparations. Candidates can also improvise their preparation strategy by enrolling in UPSC Online IAS Coaching classes.

Also, check out Testbook’s Flagship UPSC Online Coaching classes here.

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UPSC Psychology Optional Question Paper 2024 - Download PDF

UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam that took place between 20th September to 29 th September 2024. One of the optional subject days was either 28 th or 29 th September 2024 when the Psychology optional papers (Paper I and II) were held.

The UPSC 2023 Mains Exam was conducted on 15th September 2023 to 24th September 2023. The latest UPSC 2023 Psychology Optional Question Paper PDF is available here for download. Click on the below links to get the latest Psychology Question Paper.

Check out the Best Optional Subject For UPSC here.

Benefits Of Solving Psychology Question Paper UPSC

Solving the UPSC Previous Year Question Papers is very important for every exam. UPSC has a high level of complexity and competitiveness, so it becomes mandatory for this exam to solve the previous year's papers to prepare for the near equivalent of a real shot. Have a look at the importance of the Psychology Question Paper UPSC below.

Provides Insights into Exam Pattern

By doing the Psychology Question Paper UPSC, one gets to know about the pattern of the question paper and what is in store in the exam, point wise which is good in studying and preparing for the exam.

Better Language Mastery

Use of past papers makes candidates competent in the Psychology subject, making them perform better in expression, as well as in grasping knowledge.

The trends in questions

Reading the Psychology Question Paper UPSC would enable candidates to be aware of the trend of questions being asked repeatedly so that they can give more priority to important issues and concentrate on them.

Improve time management

Periodic practice of the Psychology Question Paper UPSC teaches the applicants to be on time during the real UPSC Psychology test such that they complete the paper on time.

Easy revision of Content

Solution of previous year papers enhances the necessary facts and issues enjoyed during the study of the UPSC Psychology syllabus to have a complete understanding of the syllabus.

Create Exam Strategy

The trend followed by previous question papers will help candidates to develop an intelligent plan of cracking the exam and face the test with confidence in UPSC Psychology exam.

How to download the Psychology Question Paper UPSC?

Candidates have to download the Psychology Question Paper UPSC to practice and enhance their exam writing skills. For that, candidates must follow the simple steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Go to the official Testbook website or download the Testbook app.

Step 2: Sign in or create your account.

Step 3: Go to the previous year's papers section.

Step 4: Search for the "UPSC Civil Services" exam.

Step 5: A list of the previous year's papers for the Psychology Question Paper UPSC will open up. Choose the PDF you want to open.

Step 6: Download the PDF and save it for your reference.

UPSC Main Exam Date & Schedule

Knowing the timeline helps to create a strategic preparation plan. Following are the confirmed and proposed dates for future and past cycles.

2025 Exam Schedule

• Notification Released: 22 January 2025
• Application Window: 22 January – 11 February 2025
• Prelims Exam Date: 25 May 2025
• Prelims Result: Expected by June 14, 2025
• Mains Exam: 22–31 August 2025

2026 Cycle (Tentative)

• Notification likely in late January 2026 (based on past schedules).
• Application until February 2026, Prelims in May, and Mains in August. UPSC typically follows this pattern, so aspirants can plan future preparation effectively

Number of Aspirants & Trends

Key trends in terms of numbers and demographics are very important to get right, because they are important for predicting how intense competition is and what levels of advertising study are needed.

Aspirants Overview

• 2025 Registrants: 9.48 lakh
• Appeared in Prelims: ~5.73 lakh
• Shortlisted for Mains: ~12,000

Optional Success Trends

A proper selection of options can turn your selection around. Now, let us examine the discretionary success pattern.

Most Successful Optionals

• The Psychology optional is also popular among the all candidates, especially as a level of comfort in their academic subject.
• Traditionally, the greatest success levels are observed in Public Administration, Psychology, and Anthropology; however, Psychology does not lag behind, considering the fact that the knowledge of the language enhances written communication.

Gender Trends

• UPSC statistics: The percentage of women is increasing, and the passing rate in exams is also rising.
• Gender ratio of qualified candidates (70:30): There are positive signs of an increase in the number of women in the workforce every year.

Last 10 Years UPSC Mains Question Papers with Answers PDF

Here are the download links for the candidates looking for the last 10 years UPSC Mains question papers PDF. Get the past 10 years' question papers for UPSC mains exams from the table mentioned below.

Check out Last 25 Years UPSC Mains Question Papers here.

Why Psychology Optional Helps You?

Studying Psychology Question Paper UPSC, which not only scores but also forms the basis of the most vital competence in CSE.

Subject Mastery

• Improves mastery of subject and understanding.
• Assists in making clear essays in the interviews and mains.

Effective Understanding

• Skimming and increasing comprehension are enabled by reading unseen passages, which directly apply to the GS reading and comprehension sections.

Confidence Booster

• Achieving a high score in native language optional will give a general confidence in the exam and eliminate the problem of test-day stress.

Conclusion

Psychology Question Paper UPSC is a very strong tool in the CSE quest. In Prelims 2025, there were 9.48 lakh candidates, and only 12,000 came to Mains. Mandatory articles also improve language, understanding, and systematic writing talents, which are essential in mains and interrogations. Prelims 2026 (probably notification in January 2026) is around the corner, and as you plan, ensure you include Psychology optional past papers, match your prep with that of your optional, background, and emerging UPSC trends. Begin early, practice well and see your confidence shoot up!

We hope this Psychology Question Paper UPSC prove helpful in your exam preparation. You can also check Psychology Optional Coaching by Testbook for guidance from India's SuperTeachers. For more information about test series, live classes, detailed notes, and to know about several other government exam candidates, download the Testbook App.