UPSC Prelims 2011 Analysis
Subject-Wise MCQ Distribution
- Environment & Ecology (21 Questions): The highest weightage, emphasizing UPSC’s growing focus on environmental issues, biodiversity, climate change, and global agreements. Aspirants must focus on analytical abilities and map-based learning in this section.
- Economy (17 Questions): Focused on core economic concepts, banking, financial institutions, and policies, with minimal emphasis on current economic developments. Aspirants should master "match the following" questions related to economic policies.
- Science & Technology (15 Questions): Covered biotechnology, space research, defense technology, and general scientific concepts, requiring both static and applied knowledge. A deep understanding is crucial for answering these questions.
- Indian Polity (11 Questions): Included constitutional provisions, governance mechanisms, federalism, and judicial independence. A static-heavy approach requires thorough study of NCERTs and reference books.
- Modern History (9 Questions): Concentrated on India’s freedom struggle, British policies, revolutionary movements, and social reform efforts. Familiarity with key events and leaders is essential.
- Geography (Indian Geography: 7, Physical Geography: 4, World Geography: 3): A strong focus on Indian geography, especially rivers, agriculture, monsoons, and resource distribution. Maps and geographical concepts must be well-prepared.
- International Relations (5 Questions): Covered India’s foreign policy, international organizations, and global treaties, focusing on institutional aspects and global affairs.
- Art & Culture (1 Question) and Ancient History (3 Questions): Minimal representation, covering temple architecture, Vedic texts, and early Indian civilizations.
- Medieval History (0 Questions): No questions in this section, continuing the trend of reduced emphasis on medieval history in UPSC Prelims.
Difficulty Analysis
- Medium Difficulty (60 Questions): The largest segment, requiring conceptual clarity and deeper understanding rather than rote memorization.
- Easy Questions (20 Questions): A fair portion, offering scoring opportunities for well-prepared aspirants.
- Hard Questions (20 Questions): Required advanced understanding and critical thinking, particularly in Science & Technology and Economy.
Variations in Question Framing
- Multi-Statement Questions (50%): Required careful evaluation and elimination strategies, particularly in subjects like Environment, Economy, and Polity. Analytical abilities were critical in solving these questions.
- Direct Questions (50%): Straightforward factual recall, mostly in History and Geography. Focused on well-established concepts, such as those from NCERT.
- Assertion-Reasoning Questions (0%): Unlike some later years, there were no assertion-reasoning questions, making the paper more direct in approach.
Current Affairs vs. Static Questions
- Static-Based (81 Questions): Dominated the paper, highlighting the importance of foundational knowledge from standard sources like NCERTs, Laxmikanth, and GC Leong.
- Current Affairs-Based (19 Questions): A relatively low proportion, indicating that UPSC in 2011 focused more on long-term concepts rather than recent events.
Key Learnings for Future Preparation
- Focus on Environment & Ecology: The high number of questions in this section suggests that it has been a priority for UPSC since the early 2010s. Topics like climate change, biodiversity, and conservation efforts should be well-prepared.
- Strengthen Conceptual Understanding: A significant portion of the paper required deeper knowledge rather than memorization, especially in Economy, Science & Technology, and Polity.
- Master Multi-Statement Questions: Since half the paper consisted of multi-statement questions, aspirants should develop elimination techniques and improve analytical abilities.
- Prioritize Static Subjects: With 81% of the paper based on static knowledge, aspirants must have a strong foundation in NCERTs, standard textbooks, and conceptual clarity in traditional subjects.
- Be Prepared for Moderate to Hard Questions: With 80 questions falling in the medium-to-hard category, the focus should be on understanding the "why" behind concepts, rather than just factual recall.
- Adopt an Interdisciplinary Approach: Questions often combined elements from multiple subjects, reinforcing the need for integrated study, including a balance of map-based learning, assertion-based reasoning, and analytical thinking.
Subject-Wise Answer Key
QUESTION 1
The tendency for increased litigation was visible after the introduction of the land settlement system of Lord Cornwallis in 1793. The reason for this is normally traced to which of the following provisions?
A. Making zamindar’s position stronger vis-à-vis the ryot.
B. Making east India company an overlord of zamindars.
C. Making the judicial system more efficient.
D. None of the a, b and c above.
QUESTION 2
With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru report?
- Complete Independence for India.
- Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities.
- Provision of fundamental rights for the people of India in the Constitution.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
QUESTION 3
With reference to the Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for:
A. Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
B. Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
C. Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
D. Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
QUESTION 4
Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century?
A. Introduction of a new system of land revenue and taxation of tribal products
B. Influence of foreign religious missionaries in tribal areas
C. Rise of a large number of money lenders, traders and revenue farmers as middlemen in tribal areas
D. The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities
QUESTION 5
What was the purpose with which Sir William Wedderburn and W. S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893?
A. To agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons
B. To campaign for. the entry of Indians into the Imperial Judiciary
C. To facilitate a discussion on India’s Independence in the British Parliament
D. To agitate for the entry of eminent Indians into the British Parliament
QUESTION 6
Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942?
A. It was a non-violent movement
B. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi
C. It was a spontaneous movement
D. It did not attract the labour class in general
QUESTION 7
What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi to organize a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda?
- The Administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of the drought.
- The Administration proposed to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
QUESTION 8
With reference to the period of colonial rule in India, “Home Charges” formed an important part of the drain of wealth from India. Which of the following funds constituted “Home Charges”?
- Funds used to support the India Office in London.
- Funds used to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in India.
- Funds used for waging wars outside India by the British.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
QUESTION 9
Mahatma Gandhi said that some of his deepest convictions were reflected in a book titled, “Unto this Last” and the book transformed his life. What was the message from the book that transformed Mahatma Gandhi?
A. Uplifting the oppressed and poor is the moral responsibility of an educated man
B. The good of the individual is contained in the good of all
C. The life of celibacy and spiritual pursuit are essential for a noble life
D. All the statements a, b and c are correct in this context