UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 PYQs: Topic Wise
GS Paper 4 of the UPSC Mains covers Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude. Pick a topic to see its questions year by year, with marks.
By Team MaargX UPSC · UPSC Mains 2013-2025
Short answer: UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) had 166 questions between 2013 and 2025, worth 1,665 marks in all. The heaviest topic is Public Service Values and Ethics in Administration with 35 questions (350 marks), followed by Moral Thinkers and Philosophers with 32.
Find Questions by GS Paper, Syllabus Topic and Microtheme
Step 1 paper → Step 2 syllabus topic → Step 3 subject → Step 4 microtheme. Each step opens after the one before it.
| Syllabus topic | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01. Ethics and Human Interface | Ethics | 31 | 315 marks |
| 02. Human Values | Ethics | 13 | 130 marks |
| 03. Attitude | Ethics | 15 | 150 marks |
| 04. Emotional Intelligence | Ethics | 6 | 60 marks |
| 05. Moral Thinkers and Philosophers | Ethics | 32 | 320 marks |
| 06. Aptitude and Foundational Values | Ethics | 14 | 140 marks |
| 07. Public Service Values and Ethics in Administration | Ethics | 35 | 350 marks |
| 08. Probity in Governance | Ethics | 20 | 200 marks |
GS Paper 4: questions year-wise with marks
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Most-Asked Microthemes in GS Paper 4
A microtheme is a narrow idea inside a syllabus topic. These are the ones UPSC has returned to most often.
- Ethical Issues in International Relations and funding 8 · 80 marks
- Laws, Rules, Regulations and Conscience as Ethical Guidance 8 · 80 marks
- Teachings of Great Leaders 7 · 70 marks
- Attitude for Civil Servants 7 · 70 marks
- Accountability and Ethical Governance 6 · 60 marks
- Mahatma Gandhi 6 · 60 marks
- Foundational values 6 · 60 marks
- Term Based 5 · 55 marks
- Applied Ethics × Technology 5 · 50 marks
- Swami Vivekananda 5 · 50 marks
- Public/Civil Service Values 5 · 50 marks
- Consequences of Ethics 5 · 50 marks
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | 130 marks |
| 2024 | 13 | 130 marks |
| 2023 | 13 | 130 marks |
| 2022 | 13 | 130 marks |
| 2021 | 13 | 130 marks |
| 2020 | 13 | 130 marks |
| 2019 | 13 | 130 marks |
| 2018 | 13 | 130 marks |
| 2017 | 13 | 130 marks |
| 2016 | 12 | 120 marks |
| 2015 | 12 | 120 marks |
| 2014 | 13 | 130 marks |
| 2013 | 12 | 125 marks |
| Total | 166 | 1,665 marks |
Topics in GS Paper 4
- 07. Public Service Values and Ethics in Administration 35 · 350 marks
- 05. Moral Thinkers and Philosophers 32 · 320 marks
- 01. Ethics and Human Interface 31 · 315 marks
- 08. Probity in Governance 20 · 200 marks
- 03. Attitude 15 · 150 marks
- 06. Aptitude and Foundational Values 14 · 140 marks
- 02. Human Values 13 · 130 marks
- 04. Emotional Intelligence 6 · 60 marks
How to Use Mains PYQs Topic Wise
- Start with the microthemes. Open a topic and read its microtheme list. The ones with the most questions are the ideas UPSC returns to.
- Read the demand words. Note how questions begin: discuss, examine, critically analyse, comment. Each asks for a different answer structure.
- Write by marks. A 10-mark question needs a tight answer of about 150 words, and a 15-mark question about 250 words.
- Cover all years of a microtheme. Write the oldest and the latest question on the same microtheme, and see how the angle changed.
- Revise and rewrite. Revise the topic from the notes, and write the same question again after a week.
For the method in full, read the Mains answer writing strategy. The official papers are on our UPSC PYQs page.
Questions are shown as printed in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) General Studies papers of 2013-2025. The grouping into topics and microthemes is by Team MaargX UPSC. Check any wording against the official paper on upsc.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions came in UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 from 2013-2025?
166 questions came in GS Paper 4 between 2013 and 2025, worth 1,665 marks in all, so about 12.8 a year. Each is listed with its year and marks.
What does GS Paper 4 of UPSC Mains cover?
GS Paper 4 covers Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude. This page splits it into 8 topics: Public Service Values and Ethics in Administration (35), Moral Thinkers and Philosophers (32), Ethics and Human Interface (31), Probity in Governance (20), Attitude (15), Aptitude and Foundational Values (14), Human Values (13), Emotional Intelligence (6).
Which GS Paper 4 topic carries the most questions?
Public Service Values and Ethics in Administration leads with 35 questions worth 350 marks. Open a topic to see its microthemes and every question year-wise.
How are marks spread in GS Paper 4?
Across GS Paper 4 the questions split as 1 of 15 marks, 165 of 10 marks. The year-wise table on this page shows the marks per year.
How do I practise GS Paper 4 with these PYQs?
Take one topic at a time, answer its last five years of questions within the word limit, and check the demand words. In the last two months, write a full mixed paper in three hours.
Official Sources
These are the primary sources behind this page. Rules, dates and papers can change, so confirm them on the official pages.
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers (Archives)
- UPSC: Revised Syllabus and Scheme
- UPSC: Civil Services Examination Rules