UPSC Prelims 2016 Analysis

Subject wise MCQ distribution

Environment & Ecology (22 Questions): The most dominant subject, covering biodiversity, climate change, conservation efforts, and environmental legislation. Many questions incorporated maps for better understanding.
Economy (17 Questions): Included monetary policies, fiscal policy, banking, government schemes, and international economic developments. This section was heavily inclined towards current affairs and required strong analytical abilities for elimination-based questions.
Science & Technology (13 Questions): Focused on emerging technologies, biotechnology, AI, space research, and their recent developments. Many questions followed an assertion-reasoning format to test conceptual understanding.
International Relations (11 Questions): Heavy emphasis on India’s foreign policy, international organizations like the New Development Bank and International Monetary and Financial Committee. Some questions required match the following format.
Social Issues & Schemes (11 Questions): Included government schemes & initiatives like MUDRA Yojana and Stand Up India Scheme along with policies related to education, health, and nutrition. Many questions were framed using the elimination technique.
Indian Polity (5 Questions): A relatively low count, marking a departure from UPSC’s usual trend of high-weightage in this section. However, the questions that appeared tested deep constitutional concepts and analytical abilities.
History (10 Questions Combined): Ancient (1), Medieval (3), and Modern (6), with a focus on factual recall rather than analytical aspects. Many were match the following or multi-statement-based, requiring careful reading.
Geography (Indian Geography: 4, World & Physical Geography: 0): Minimal representation, making it one of the least emphasized subjects in this year’s paper. Questions required strong NCERT-based conceptual clarity, especially in maps and location-based understanding.

**Subject-Wise Weightage in UPSC Prelims 2016**

Difficulty analysis

Medium Difficulty (57 Questions): The largest portion, demanding conceptual clarity and critical thinking.
Hard Questions (29 Questions): A significant number, testing advanced knowledge and deeper analytical skills.
Easy Questions (14 Questions): A relatively small proportion, offering limited direct scoring opportunities.

Variations in Question framing

Multi-Statement Questions (57%) – The most common type, requiring analytical skills and elimination strategies. These appeared more frequently in Polity and Environment.
Direct Questions (43%) – Straightforward factual recall, mainly seen in History and Science & Technology.

Current Affairs vs. Static Questions

Current Affairs-Based (60 Questions): The paper marked a shift from the trend observed over the past four years. UPSC has increasingly focused on current affairs, making it crucial for aspirants to stay updated.
Static-Based (40 Questions): Still significant but much lower compared to previous years, highlighting UPSC’s shift towards contemporary relevance.

Key learning for Future Preparation

Prioritize Current Affairs: Given that 60% of the questions were current-based, aspirants should regularly follow newspapers, government reports, and international developments.
Strengthen Environment & Ecology Preparation: The dominance of this section indicates that topics like climate change, environmental policies, and sustainability should be high-priority study areas.
Develop Multi-Statement Question Solving Techniques: Since more than half the paper consisted of multi-statement questions, mastering elimination techniques is essential.
Balance Conceptual & Factual Knowledge: Subjects like Economy and Science & Technology require both static understanding and awareness of recent developments.
Focus on Analytical Thinking: The difficulty level and multi-statement nature of the paper suggest that rote memorization alone is insufficient—conceptual clarity is key.

The UPSC Prelims 2016 paper emphasized current affairs, with a strong focus on Environment, Economy, and History. Polity and Geography had moderate representation. The mix of direct and multi-statement questions required both factual knowledge and analytical skills, highlighting the importance of integrating static concepts with current events.

Subject-Wise Answer Key

All (100)Geography (4)Environment & Ecology (22)International Relations (11)Science & Technology (14)Art & Culture (7)Economy (17)Medieval History (3)Modern History (6)Social Issues & Schemes (10)Indian Polity (5)Ancient History (1)

QUESTION 1

HardArt & CulturePrelims 2016

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements :

The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 2 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation

The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, not the Hinayana (or Theravada) sect. The Hinayana sect emphasizes the ideal of the Arhat, who achieves personal liberation, whereas the Mahayana tradition focuses on the Bodhisattva ideal. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

The Bodhisattva is a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism, representing a being who has attained a high level of enlightenment but delays their full enlightenment (Nirvana) to compassionately help others achieve liberation.

The Bodhisattva is characterized by a commitment to the enlightenment of all sentient beings, rather than seeking individual liberation. The Bodhisattva willingly delays their own attainment of Nirvana in order to guide and assist others on the path to enlightenment. Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

QUESTION 2

HardArt & CulturePrelims 2016

With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements :

Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.

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

Answer: C

Explanation

Siddhas and Monotheism The Siddhas (Sittars) of the Tamil region were indeed monotheistic. They believed in a single ultimate reality and often rejected the traditional Hindu practices of idol worship and elaborate temple rituals.

Lingayats and Social Reform The Lingayats of the Kannada region challenged the established social order. They did not subscribe to the concept of rebirth within the caste system. They emphasized equality and rejected the rigidities of the caste system.

Therefore, both statements are correct.

QUESTION 3

HardArt & CulturePrelims 2016

Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?

A. Swapnavasavadatta

B. Malavikagnimitra

C. Meghadoota

D. Ratnavali

Answer: B

Explanation

Malavikagnimitra, a play by Kalidasa, narrates the love story of King Agnimitra, the son of Pushyamitra Shunga, the founder of the Sunga dynasty.

Swapnavasavadatta This Sanskrit play by Bhasa does not revolve around the Sunga dynasty. Meghadoota This poem by Kalidasa focuses on the pining of a separated Yaksha and doesn't involve historical figures. Ratnavali This play by Sri Harsha also doesn't have a connection to the Sunga dynasty or its rulers.

QUESTION 4

MediumArt & CulturePrelims 2016

Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

A. Georg Buhler

B. James Prinsep

C. Max Muller

D. William Jones

Answer: B

Explanation

The person who first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka was James Prinsep.

James Prinsep (1799-1840) was an English philologist, antiquary and administrator who served in the British East India Company. He played a crucial role in deciphering and interpreting the inscriptions and edicts of Emperor Ashoka, which were written in the Brahmi script.

In the 1830s, Prinsep was able to decipher the Brahmi script and translate Ashoka's inscriptions, which provided valuable insights into the reign and policies of the Mauryan emperor. His groundbreaking work helped establish the historical significance of Ashoka and the Mauryan empire.

QUESTION 5

HardArt & CulturePrelims 2016

What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?

Both were built in the same period.
Both belong to the same religious denomination.
Both have rock-cut monuments.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. None of the statements given above is correct

Answer: B

Explanation

Ajanta and Mahabalipuram were not built in the same period. Ajanta is known for its rock-cut cave monuments, which were constructed from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE, primarily during the Gupta and Vakataka dynasties. On the other hand, Mahabalipuram's rock-cut monuments and structures were built primarily during the 7th and 8th centuries CE, under the Pallava dynasty.

Ajanta is associated with Buddhism, as the cave monuments were used as monasteries and temples by Buddhist monks. Mahabalipuram, on the other hand, is associated with Hinduism, as the rock-cut monuments and temples are dedicated to Hindu deities and themes.

Both Ajanta and Mahabalipuram are known for their remarkable rock-cut monuments and structures. The Ajanta Caves are a series of rock-cut cave temples and monasteries, while Mahabalipuram is renowned for its rock-cut temples, Rathas (chariot-shaped temples), and other monumental structures carved directly out of rock.

Therefore, the only common feature between Ajanta and Mahabalipuram is that both have rock-cut monuments, as stated in statement 3.

QUESTION 6

HardArt & CulturePrelims 2016

Consider the following pairs:

Famous place	Region
1. Bodhgaya	Baghelkhand
2. Khajuraho	Bundelkhand
3. Shirdi	Vidarbha
4. Nasik (Nashik)	Malwa
5. Tirupati	Rayalaseema

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

A. 1, 2 and 4

B. 2, 3, 4 and 5

C. 2 and 5 only

D. 1, 3, 4 and 5

Answer: C

Explanation

Out of the listed pairs, the following are correctly matched

Khajuraho - Bundelkhand (Correct)
Tirupati - Rayalaseema (Correct)
Bodhgaya - Baghelkhand (Incorrect) Bodhgaya is situated in the Magadh region of Bihar.
Shirdi - Vidarbha (Incorrect) Shirdi is located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, not Vidarbha.
Nasik (Nashik) - Malwa (Incorrect) Nashik is in the northwest region of Maharashtra, not Malwa, which is located in Madhya Pradesh.

QUESTION 7

HardArt & CulturePrelims 2016

With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and Epictales was the profession of which of the following?

A. Shramana

B. Parivraaj

C. Agrahaarika

D. Maagadha

Answer: D

Explanation

The memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories, and Epic tales was the profession of Maagadha.

To make it easier to remember, let's break it down

Chronicles These are the records of historical events in chronological order.
Dynastic histories These detail the histories of dynasties or royal families.
Epic tales These are long, narrative poems about heroic deeds.

So, a Maagadha was essentially a historical storyteller or a keeper of history and legends.

Subject wise MCQ distribution

Difficulty analysis

Variations in Question framing

Current Affairs vs. Static Questions

Key learning for Future Preparation

Subject-Wise Answer Key

UPSC Prelims 2016 Analysis

Subject wise MCQ distribution

Difficulty analysis

Variations in Question framing

Current Affairs vs. Static Questions

Key learning for Future Preparation

Subject-Wise Answer Key

QUESTION 1

QUESTION 2

QUESTION 3

QUESTION 4

QUESTION 5

QUESTION 6

QUESTION 7

Table of Contents

Share

UPSC Prelims GS Paper I Answer Key