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Topic

Evolution

Asked 9 times across 5 UPSC exams over 41 years (1985–2026), peaking in 2026.
9
PYQs
5
Exams
8
Years active
1985–2026
Span
2026
Peak
5/9
Answers
📅 Full chronological timeline →

Key insights

  • Most tested in CSE — 3 of 9 PYQs
  • Most asked in 2026
  • Recurs across 8 years (1985–2026)

How it travelled across exams

First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1985 CDS 2020 GEO 2021 CISF 2023 ESE 2024

How the concept evolved

185
194
110
120
121
123
124
226
Rising — more than half its appearances (6 of 9) are since 2016.

Related concepts

Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.

Sample questions

You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CISF2026
Which one of the following pairs of scientists and their contributions is correctly matched?
  1. A Charles Darwin : Laws of Inheritance
  2. B Gregor Mendel : Natural Selection
  3. C Ernst Mayr : Biological Species Concept
  4. D R.H. Whittaker : Six-Kingdom Classification
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
CISF2026
Which one among the following is not an example of homologous organs?
  1. A Thorn of Bougainvillea and Tendril of Cucurbita
  2. B Wings of birds and Wings of butterflies
  3. C Forelimbs of horse and Hands of humans
  4. D Wings of bats and Flippers of dolphins
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
ESE2024

Match the following lists: List I: P. Lamarck, Q. Lyell, R. Malthus, S. Wallace. List II

  1. Evolutionary theory,
  2. Gradual geological processes have gradually shaped Earth's surface,
  3. Human population grow faster than the resources they depend on,
  4. Inheritance of acquired characteristics

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A P-2, Q-1, R-4, S-3
  2. B P-4, Q-2, R-3, S-1 ✓
  3. C P-1, Q-4, R-3, S-2
  4. D P-4, Q-3, R-1, S-2
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › History & Foundations of Science

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