UPSC Prelims 2018 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
- Economy, Environment & Ecology, Indian Polity carried the highest weightage, together accounting for 50% of the paper.
- The paper strongly favoured statement-based questions — multi-statement and assertion-reasoning questions together made up 58% of the paper, making careful reading and elimination especially important.
- The paper was largely easy to moderate in difficulty, with 71% of questions falling in the easy or medium range and only 29% 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 42% of questions being direct, while most required evaluating multiple statements or reasoning through assertions.
PYQs with Detailed Answers
- View Answer for: Which among the following events happened earliest?
Which among the following events happened earliest?
- View Answer for: 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
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
- View Answer for: Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha?
Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha?
- View Answer for: In the federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935, residuary power was given to the
In the federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935, residuary power was given to the
- View Answer for: After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government? The territories called `Santhal Paraganas' were created. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.Select the correct answer using the code given below:
After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government?
- The territories called `Santhal Paraganas' were created.
- It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- View Answer for: In 1920, which of the following changed its name to “Swarajya Sabha”?
In 1920, which of the following changed its name to “Swarajya Sabha”?
- View Answer for: Regarding Wood's Dispatch, which of the following statements are true ? Grants-in-Aid system was introduced. Establishment of universities was recommended. English as a medium of instruction at all levels of education was recommended.Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Regarding Wood's Dispatch, which of the following statements are true ?
- Grants-in-Aid system was introduced.
- Establishment of universities was recommended.
- English as a medium of instruction at all levels of education was recommended.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- View Answer for: With reference to educational institutes during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs : Institution | Founder ------------------------------|------------------- 1. Sanskrit College at Benaras | William Jones 2. Calcutta Madrasa | Warren Hastings 3. Fort William College | Arthur Wellesley Which of the pairs given above is/are correct ?
With reference to educational institutes during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs :
Institution Founder 1. Sanskrit College at Benaras William Jones 2. Calcutta Madrasa Warren Hastings 3. Fort William College Arthur Wellesley Which of the pairs given above is/are correct ?
- View Answer for: The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century were -
The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century were -
- View Answer for: Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?
Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?
- View Answer for: Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India? Charter Act of 1813 General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823 Orientalist and Anglicist ControversySelect the correct answer using the code given below
Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India?
- Charter Act of 1813
- General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823
- Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- View Answer for: Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 19th century was the -
Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 19th century was the -
- View Answer for: Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley?
Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley?
Trusted by 2L aspirants
Practice UPSC Prelims PYQs Smarter

- Track accuracy & weak areas
- See past trends & repeated themes
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these the complete UPSC Prelims 2018 questions?
Can I practise these questions before seeing the answers?
Are these answers based on the official UPSC answer key?
Crack UPSC with your
Personal AI Mentor
An AI-powered ecosystem to learn, practice, and evaluate with discipline

