UPSC Prelims 2019 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, Science & Technology carried the highest weightage, together accounting for 54% of the paper.
- The paper strongly favoured statement-based questions — multi-statement and assertion-reasoning questions together made up 51% of the paper, making careful reading and elimination especially important.
- The paper was largely easy to moderate in difficulty, with 69% of questions falling in the easy or medium range and only 31% classified as hard.
- Questions were spread across 13 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 49% of questions being direct, while most required evaluating multiple statements or reasoning through assertions.
PYQs with Detailed Answers
- View Answer for: With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar? Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.Select the correct answer using the code given below:
With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?
- Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
- Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements: In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’. The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution. The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following statements:
- In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
- The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
- The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?
With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?
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