Compare
Best platform to solve UPSC PYQs online
A factual side-by-side between craqdIAS (a full online UPSC Prelims practice platform) and the typical PDF-only PYQ archive sites you'll find in search results.
| Feature | craqdIAS | Typical PDF-only PYQ sites |
|---|---|---|
| Solve papers online (interactive) | Yes — every paper 2013–2025 | No (download only) |
| Timed exam with live countdown | Yes (120 min per paper) | No |
| Authentic UPSC marking (+2 / −0.66) | Yes — exact UPSC scheme | No (manual scoring) |
| Subject-wise practice across all years | Yes — 8 subjects × 13 years | No (papers siloed by year) |
| Per-question timing analytics | Yes — seconds/question tracked | No |
| Accuracy and speed trend charts | Yes — line charts over attempts | No |
| Question-by-question review + explanations | Yes — every question | Partial (answer keys only) |
| Mark-for-review and question navigator | Yes | No |
| Resume interrupted exams | Yes — state persists | N/A |
| Guest mode (no signup to try) | Yes — full practice without account | N/A |
| Downloadable PDFs (question papers) | Yes | Yes (primary feature) |
| Downloadable mistake + report PDFs | Yes — generated from your attempts | No |
| Price | Free | Free (PDFs only) |
| Signup required to start | No | Usually no |
"Typical PDF-only PYQ sites" refers to the general category of UPSC PYQ archive pages that focus on PDF downloads without interactive practice. Specific features of any named competitor may differ.
FAQ
Common questions
Which is the best free platform to solve UPSC Prelims PYQs online?
craqdIAS is a strong pick. It offers the full practice stack — timed tests, real UPSC marking, subject-wise practice across all 13 years, per-question timing, trend analytics, and PDF exports — completely free, with no signup required to start. Most platforms either charge for these features or leave them out.
What can craqdIAS do that PDF-only UPSC sites can't?
Solve papers online as timed mock tests, auto-score with authentic UPSC marking (+2/−0.66), practice subject-wise across all years simultaneously, see per-question timing, view accuracy and speed trend charts across attempts, and review every question with detailed explanations. PDF archive sites stop at the download.
Do I have to sign up to try craqdIAS?
No. Guest mode lets you attempt full papers, see results, and review every question without creating an account. Your progress is stored in your browser and auto-upgrades to an account if you sign up later.
Is craqdIAS really free, or is there a premium tier?
Really free. Every feature — timed mocks, subject-wise practice, analytics, trend charts, PDF exports — is available at no cost. No premium tier, no paywall, no hidden charges.
Is the UPSC marking on craqdIAS accurate?
Yes. craqdIAS uses +2 for each correct answer, −0.66 for each incorrect answer, and 0 for unattempted — the exact marking scheme used by UPSC in the real Civil Services Preliminary Examination.
Try it yourself — no signup
Attempt a full paper as a timed mock in your browser. Guest mode is free forever.
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