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UPSC Prelims 2018 Analysis

Subject wise MCQ distribution

  • Economy (20 Questions): The highest weightage in the paper, covering macroeconomic indicators, policies, and economic development themes. Analytical abilities were essential to interpret trends.
  • Environment & Ecology (15 Questions): A significant presence, likely reflecting UPSC’s increasing focus on climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Maps were useful in location-based questions.
  • Indian Polity (15 Questions): A core subject, testing governance, constitutional provisions, and landmark judgments. Many questions followed an assertion-reasoning pattern.
  • Modern History (13 Questions): A relatively high emphasis on the freedom struggle, key personalities, and movements.
  • Science & Technology (12 Questions): Covered advancements in AI, biotechnology, and space technology, requiring both static and current knowledge.
  • Art & Culture (7 Questions): More weightage than in some later years, indicating an expectation for deeper knowledge of cultural heritage.
  • International Relations (7 Questions): Focused on global organizations, treaties, and India's foreign policy.
  • Medieval History (1 Question): Minimal representation, following the usual trend of fewer medieval history questions.
  • Geography (Indian Geography: 4, Physical Geography: 2, World Geography: 0): The focus was on Indian geography, with limited physical geography and no direct world geography questions.
Prelims 2018
Subject-Wise Weightage in UPSC Prelims 2018

Difficulty analysis

  • Medium Difficulty (50 Questions): The largest segment, requiring a balance of factual knowledge and application skills.
  • Hard Questions (29 Questions): A significant portion of the paper, making elimination techniques and conceptual clarity essential.
  • Easy Questions (21 Questions): Fewer than in later years, indicating a relatively tougher paper.

The 2018 Prelims had tougher questions than before, which made them hard to solve. This is reflected in the final cut-off, which was only 98 marks.

Prelims 2018
Difficulty-Level Distribution in UPSC Prelims 2021

Variations in Question framing

Multi-Statement Questions (58%):

  • The most common type, requiring elimination techniques and conceptual clarity.
  • Particularly prevalent in Polity, Economy, and Environment sections.
  • Many followed match the following and assertion-reasoning formats.

Direct Questions (42%):

  • Straightforward factual questions, especially in History and Geography.
  • Easier to score but required precise knowledge.
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Variations of Questions in UPSC Prelims 2021

Current Affairs vs. Static Questions

  • Current Affairs-Based (44 Questions): UPSC maintained a strong current affairs focus, particularly in Economy, Science & Technology, and International Relations.
  • Static (56 Questions): A balanced approach, with a considerable portion testing foundational knowledge, often derived from NCERT books.

Key learning for Future Preparation

  • Strengthen Economy and Polity: These subjects consistently hold high weightage and require an in-depth understanding of fundamental concepts.
  • Master Multi-Statement Questions: Since a majority of questions require elimination skills, practice structured reasoning techniques.
  • Balance Static and Current Affairs: While static knowledge remains crucial, integrating dynamic current developments is essential for scoring well.
  • Prepare for Moderate to Hard Questions: The paper had a higher proportion of challenging questions, so aspirants should refine their approach to conceptual application and strategic guessing.
  • History and Culture Awareness: Despite variations in different years, Art & Culture and Modern History continue to hold importance, making them key focus areas.
The Prelims 2018 paper had a strong focus on Economy, Environment, and Polity, with a majority of multi-statement questions requiring elimination techniques. A mix of current affairs and static knowledge highlighted the need for an integrated approach. The moderate-to-hard difficulty level and a low cutoff of 98 marks reflected the paper’s complexity.

QUESTION 1

GS

Easy

Modern History

Prelims 2018

Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha?

A. Active all-India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement

B. Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement

C. Joining of peasant unrest to India's National Movement

D. Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crops and commercial crops

Explanation

The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was Mahatma Gandhi’s first experiment with Satyagraha in India. It was launched to address the grievances of peasants in Bihar who were forced by European planters under the 'Tinkathia system' to cultivate indigo on 3/20th of their land. The most significant aspect of this movement was the joining of peasant unrest to the Indian National Movement. This marked a fundamental shift in the struggle for independence, transitioning it from an urban, middle-class intellectual movement to a mass-based movement that included the rural peasantry. While the movement was localized, its success provided Gandhi with a national platform and demonstrated the efficacy of non-violent resistance.


QUESTION 2

GS

Easy

Modern History

Prelims 2018

Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India?

  1. Charter Act of 1813
  2. General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823
  3. Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy

Select the correct answer using the code given below

A. 1, 2 and 3

B. 2 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1 and 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is Correct: The Charter Act of 1813 was the first official measure by the British Parliament to sanction an annual sum of one lakh rupees for the promotion of education and modern sciences in India. Statement 2 is Correct: The General Committee of Public Instruction was established in 1823 to implement the educational grant of 1813 and to guide the educational policy of the East India Company. Statement 3 is Correct: The controversy between Orientalists (who favored traditional Indian learning) and Anglicists (who favored Western education in English) led to the adoption of English as the medium of instruction via Lord Macaulay’s Minute of 1835.


QUESTION 3

GS

Hard

Modern History

Prelims 2018

After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government?

  1. The territories called `Santhal Paraganas' were created.
  2. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

  • Santhals were the agricultural people settled in Rajmahal Hills of Jharkhand.
  • They are native to the Indian states of predominantly Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.

Creation of Santhal Paraganas: A separate administrative unit called the Santhal Paraganas was established in 1855. This aimed to isolate the Santhal community from the rest of the population and potentially prevent further uprisings.

Restriction on Land Transfer: The Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act was passed in 1876. This act made it illegal for a Santhal to sell or transfer land to a non-Santhal. This aimed to protect the Santhal community's economic interests and prevent further exploitation by outsiders called 'Dikus'.


QUESTION 4

GS

Easy

Modern History

Prelims 2018

In the federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935, residuary power was given to the

A. Federal Legislature

B. Governor General

C. Provincial Legislature

D. Provincial Governors

Explanation

Under the Government of India Act of 1935, the legislative powers were divided into three lists: the Federal List (for the center), the Provincial List (for the provinces), and the Concurrent List (for both).

Residuary Powers: The subjects that were not included in any of these three lists were known as residuary powers. According to the Act, these residuary powers were vested in the Governor-General of India. He had the authority to decide whether the Federal or the Provincial Legislature would exercise power over such subjects.

Note: In the modern Constitution of India, residuary powers are vested in the Union Parliament (Article 248), which is a departure from the 1935 Act.


QUESTION 5

GS

Medium

Modern History

Prelims 2018

With reference to educational institutes during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs :

InstitutionFounder
1. Sanskrit College at BenarasWilliam Jones
2. Calcutta MadrasaWarren Hastings
3. Fort William CollegeArthur Wellesley

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct ?

A. 1 and 2

B. 2 only

C. 1 and 3

D. 3 only

Explanation

Pair 1 is not correct. Sanskrit College at Benaras: This college was established by Jonathan Duncan in 1791, not William Jones.

Pair 2 is correct. Calcutta Madrasa: Warren Hastings established the Calcutta Madrasa in 1781 for the study of Islamic subjects like Arabic and Persian.

Pair 3 is not correct. Fort William College: This college was founded by Lord Wellesley in 1800, primarily to train British civil servants in Indian languages and customs.


QUESTION 6

GS

Medium

Modern History

Prelims 2018

Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley?

A. To maintain a large standing army at other's expense

B. To secure a fixed income for the Company

C. To keep India safe from Napoleonic danger

D. To establish British paramountcy over the Indian States

Explanation

The Subsidiary Alliance was a strategic military-political system introduced by Lord Wellesley (1798–1805) to expand British influence in India.

Option A applies: A key feature was that the allied Indian state had to maintain a permanent British force within its territory and pay a subsidy for its maintenance, allowing the British to maintain a large standing army at the expense of the Indian ruler. Option C applies: The system was designed to counter the 'Napoleonic danger' by requiring Indian rulers to expel all non-British Europeans (especially the French) from their service and territory. Option D applies: By controlling the external relations and defense of the states, and placing a British Resident in the court, the Company effectively established British paramountcy (supreme authority) over the Indian states. Option B does not apply: Securing a 'fixed income' for the Company was the primary objective of land revenue systems, such as the Permanent Settlement introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793, rather than the Subsidiary Alliance which focused on military and diplomatic control.


QUESTION 7

GS

Hard

Modern History

Prelims 2018

Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?

A. B. Krishna Pillai, E.M.S. Namboodiripad and K.C. George

B. Jayaprakash Narayan, Deen Day al Upadhyay and M.N. Roy

C. C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, K. Kamaraj and Veeresalingam Pantulu

D. Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam and G.G. Mehta

Explanation

The Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) wasn't founded by a single person, but by a group of socialists, Forward Bloc followers, and independent unionists in 1948.

Here's a list of some key figures involved

  • Basawon Singh (Sinha)
  • Ashok Mehta
  • R.S. Ruikar
  • Maniben Kara
  • Shibnath Banerjee
  • R.A. Khedgikar
  • T.S. Ramanujam
  • V.S. Mathur
  • G.G. Mehta

It's important to note that R.S. Ruikar was elected as the first President and Ashok Mehta became the General Secretary of the HMS.


QUESTION 8

GS

Hard

Modern History

Prelims 2018

In 1920, which of the following changed its name to “Swarajya Sabha”?

A. All India Home Rule League

B. Hindu Mahasabha

C. South Indian Liberal Federation

D. The Servants of India Society

Explanation

In 1920, the All India Home Rule League changed its name to Swarajya Sabha. This marked a significant shift towards the goal of achieving Swaraj (self-rule).

Hindu Mahasabha: Founded by Madan Mohan Malaviya and others, it focused on issues related to Hindu identity and rights.

South Indian Liberal Federation: Also known as the Justice Party, it was founded to represent the interests of non-Brahmins in Tamil Nadu.

The Servants of India Society: Founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, it focused on social reform, education, and service to the nation.


QUESTION 9

GS

Hard

Modern History

Prelims 2018

He wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna; stayed in America for some time, and was also elected to the Central Assembly. He was

A. Aurobindo Ghosh

B. Bipin Chandra Pal

C. Lala Lajpat Rai

D. Motilal Nehru

Explanation

Lala Lajpat Rai was a prolific nationalist leader and writer who authored biographies of Giuseppe Mazzini, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Shivaji, and Shrikrishna to inspire the Indian youth with ideals of patriotism and self-sacrifice. He stayed in the United States from 1914 to 1920, during which time he founded the Indian Home Rule League of America in New York (1917) and wrote 'Young India'. Following his return to India, he was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly in 1923 as a member of the Swaraj Party. It is a common historical distinction that while Lala Lajpat Rai was a prominent member of the Assembly, Vithalbhai Patel was the first Indian to be elected as its President (Speaker) in 1925.


QUESTION 10

GS

Easy

Modern History

Prelims 2018

Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 19th century was the -

A. increase in the export of Indian handicrafts

B. growth in the number of Indian owned factories

C. commercialization of Indian agriculture

D. rapid increase in the urban population

Explanation

The main aim of the colonisation of India by the Britishers was the economic exploitation of India. The commercialisation of Agriculture was an outcome of colonial exploitation. Various cash crops such as Indigo, Tea, and Cotton were forced on Indian farmers to meet the needs for raw materials for the Industrial Revolution in England.

On the other hand, the Handicraft of India was ruined thus exports decreased. Ruralisation of India led to a decrease in factories in the 19th century.


QUESTION 11

GS

Medium

Modern History

Prelims 2018

The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century were -

A. Raw cotton, oil-seeds and opium

B. Sugar, salt, zinc and lead

C. Copper, silver, gold, spices and tea

D. Cotton, silk, saltpetre and opium

Explanation

In the middle of the 18th century (c. 1750s), Bengal was the most prosperous province of the Mughal Empire and the primary base for the English East India Company's trade. The staple commodities exported from Bengal were:

  • Cotton and Silk: Bengal was world-renowned for its high-quality textiles, including fine muslins and silk fabrics, which were the most sought-after Indian exports in European and Asian markets.
  • Saltpetre: This was a strategic commodity used as a key ingredient in the manufacture of gunpowder. Bengal was the primary source of saltpetre for European powers during the frequent wars of the 18th century.
  • Opium: Bengal was a major producer of opium, which the East India Company exported primarily to China and Southeast Asia. While the Company's formal monopoly was established in 1773, it was already a staple export item by the mid-18th century.

Note on other options: During this period, India was a 'sink' for precious metals; therefore, copper, silver, and gold (Option C) were typically imported into India as bullion to pay for Indian goods, rather than being exported.


QUESTION 12

GS

Hard

Modern History

Prelims 2018

Which among the following events happened earliest?

A. Swami Dayanand established Arya Samaj.

B. Dinabandhu Mitra wrote Neeldarpan.

C. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Anandmath.

D. Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian to succeed in the Indian Civil Services Examination.

Explanation

The chronological order of the events is as follows:

  1. Dinabandhu Mitra wrote Neeldarpan (1858-59): This play, which depicted the oppression of indigo farmers by British planters, was published in 1858-59.
  2. Satyendranath Tagore cleared the ICS (1863): He became the first Indian to succeed in the Indian Civil Service (ICS) examination in 1863. The examination was conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners in London.
  3. Swami Dayanand established Arya Samaj (1875): This Vedic reform movement was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in Bombay in 1875.
  4. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Anandmath (1882): This famous Bengali novel, set against the backdrop of the Sannyasi Rebellion and containing the song 'Vande Mataram', was published in 1882.

Therefore, the writing of Neeldarpan is the earliest event among the choices provided.


QUESTION 13

GS

Medium

Modern History

Prelims 2018

Regarding Wood's Dispatch, which of the following statements are true ?

  1. Grants-in-Aid system was introduced.
  2. Establishment of universities was recommended.
  3. English as a medium of instruction at all levels of education was recommended.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Wood's Dispatch advocated for a Grant-in-aid system to support private schools alongside government schools. This aimed to expand educational opportunities even with limited government resources.

Statement 2 is correct: The Dispatch recommended establishing universities in major cities like Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras. These universities would follow the model of the University of London.

Statement 3 is incorrect: While Wood's Dispatch acknowledged the importance of vernacular languages in primary education, it did not recommend English as the medium of instruction at all levels.

The Dispatch proposed a tiered system

  • Primary schools - Vernacular languages
  • Secondary schools - Both English and vernacular languages
  • Colleges - Primarily English

So, statements 1 and 2 are true, while statement 3 is not entirely accurate.

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