UPSC Prelims 2016 Question Paper & Analysis
Get the UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question (PYQ) Paper with subject-wise trends, difficulty analysis, and detailed model answers — including diagrams, flowcharts, and structured writing for GS.
Subject-wise MCQ Distribution
Difficulty Analysis
Type of questions
Key Insights
- Environment & Ecology, Economy, Science & Technology carried the highest weightage, together accounting for 53% of the paper.
- The paper strongly favoured statement-based questions — multi-statement and assertion-reasoning questions together made up 56% of the paper, making careful reading and elimination especially important.
- The paper was largely easy to moderate in difficulty, with 77% of questions falling in the easy or medium range and only 23% classified as hard.
- Questions were spread across 11 subject areas, making broad syllabus coverage important rather than relying on a few traditionally dominant subjects.
- The question format demanded more than direct recall, with only 44% of questions being direct, while most required evaluating multiple statements or reasoning through assertions.
PYQs with Detailed Answers
- View Answer for: With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements: It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements:
- It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia.
- It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: ‘Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)’, often in the news, is
‘Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)’, often in the news, is
- View Answer for: With reference to ‘Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’ consider the following statements: It is an organization of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO It monitors the chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to ‘Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’ consider the following statements:
- It is an organization of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO
- It monitors the chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging
- It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as
The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as
- View Answer for: ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -
‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS): The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS. The IAFS mechanism was instituted under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS):
- The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS.
- The IAFS mechanism was instituted under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: Community sometimes mentioned in the news : In the affairs of Kurd: Bangladesh Madhesi: Nepal Rohingya: MyanmarWhich of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Community sometimes mentioned in the news : In the affairs of
- Kurd: Bangladesh
- Madhesi: Nepal
- Rohingya: Myanmar
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- View Answer for: With reference to the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), consider the following statements: IMFC discusses matters of concern affecting the global economy and advises the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the direction of its work. The World Bank participates as an observer in IMFC’s meetings.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), consider the following statements:
- IMFC discusses matters of concern affecting the global economy and advises the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the direction of its work.
- The World Bank participates as an observer in IMFC’s meetings.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: ‘European Stability Mechanism’, sometimes seen in the news, is an
‘European Stability Mechanism’, sometimes seen in the news, is an
- View Answer for: Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?
Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements: New Development Bank has been set up by APEC. The headquarters of the New Development Bank is in Shanghai.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following statements:
- New Development Bank has been set up by APEC.
- The headquarters of the New Development Bank is in Shanghai.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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