UPSC Prelims 2019 Analysis

Subject wise MCQ distribution

Economy had the highest number of questions (21), with a special focus on the banking sector, making it the most important subject.
Environment & Ecology followed with 18 questions, highlighting its significance due to the Forest Service prelims merging with the Civil Services Prelims.
Science & Technology was another key area, contributing 15 questions, with a major focus on biotechnology and related current affairs.
Indian Polity remained crucial, featuring 13 questions.
Modern History had a relatively lower weightage, with only 6 questions.

**Subject-Wise Weightage in UPSC Prelims 2019**

Difficulty analysis

Medium Questions (45) formed the largest portion, requiring a blend of static and current knowledge with strong analytical abilities.
Hard Questions (31) were conceptually tricky and usually lowered the cutoff. A strategic approach involved eliminating high-risk questions and attempting only those with certainty.
Easy Questions (24) were straightforward and should have been attempted with maximum accuracy to gain easy marks.

Variations in Question framing

The paper was evenly split between multi-statement and direct questions.
Multi-statement questions held a slight majority, making the paper lengthy and increasing the risk of errors, as each statement had to be analyzed carefully.
However, multi-statement questions also allowed for option elimination, enabling candidates to answer with limited information.

Key learning for Future Preparation

Prioritize Key Subjects: Allocate more time to Polity, Economy, and Environment, as they consistently have higher weightage.
Integrate Current Affairs: Link recent developments with syllabus topics for better retention.
Develop Analytical Thinking: Focus on the why behind policies, events, and phenomena, rather than just memorizing facts.
Revise Regularly: Reinforce concepts through periodic revisions and multiple mock tests.
Master Multi-Statement Questions: Practice elimination techniques to improve accuracy in multi-statement questions.
Practice PYQs: Understand important areas from the examiner’s perspective and familiarize yourself with option elimination techniques.

The Prelims 2019 paper balanced factual recall with analytical reasoning, emphasizing Economy, Environment, and Science & Tech. Mastering multi-statement questions, integrating current affairs, and practicing mock tests were key to success.

Subject-Wise Answer Key

All (100)Science & Technology (15)Medieval History (3)Economy (21)Environment & Ecology (18)Modern History (6)Geography (8)Ancient History (2)Social Issues & Schemes (5)Indian Polity (13)Art & Culture (5)International Relations (4)

QUESTION 1

MediumSocial Issues & SchemesPrelims 2019

In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because

A. poverty rates vary from State to State

B. price levels vary from State to State

C. Gross State Product varies from State to State

D. quality of public distribution varies from State to State

Answer: B

Explanation

The poverty line is determined by the cost of a basket of essential goods and services needed for a person to meet their basic needs.

If the price of these essentials varies significantly between states, the poverty line needs to be adjusted to reflect the different costs of living.

So, even if poverty rates might be similar, states with higher prices for essential goods will have a higher official poverty line.

Therefore, the correct answer is B) Price levels vary from State to State.

QUESTION 2

MediumSocial Issues & SchemesPrelims 2019

Consider the following statements:

As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas.
As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce.
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The recent amendment to the India Forest Act,1927 does not provide for the right of forest dwellers to fell the bamboos grown on the forest areas.

Statement 2 is correct. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is classified as a minor forest produce.

Statement 3 is correct. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows forest dwellers to own, collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce which includes bamboo, tendu leaves, honey, and other forest produce.

QUESTION 3

EasySocial Issues & SchemesPrelims 2019

In the context of any country, which one of the following would be considered as part of its social capitals?

A. The proportion of literates in the population

B. The stock of its buildings, other infrastructure and machines

C. The size of population in the working age group

D. The level of mutual trust and harmony in the society

Answer: D

Explanation

Social capital refers to the intangible assets of a community or society. It's not about physical resources or demographics, but rather the quality of relationships and connections between people. Option D, the level of mutual trust and harmony, directly reflects this concept.

a) Proportion of literates in the population While education is important, it's an individual skill, not a measure of social interaction or trust. b) Stock of buildings This falls under physical capital, which refers to tangible assets like buildings and infrastructure. c) Size of population in the working age group This is a demographic factor and doesn't tell us anything about social connections or trust.

QUESTION 4

MediumSocial Issues & SchemesPrelims 2019

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017?

Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-delivery and three months post-delivery paid leave.
Enterprises with crèches must allow the mother minimum six crèche visits daily.
Women with two children get reduced entitlements.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 only

C. 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: C

Explanation

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 has made several significant changes to benefit women employees

Paid maternity leave has been increased to 26 weeks from 12 weeks.
For women expecting after having 2 children, the leave duration remains at 12 weeks.
Establishments employing 50 or more employees must provide a crche facility, and women employees should be allowed to visit the facility 4 times during the day.

QUESTION 5

HardSocial Issues & SchemesPrelims 2019

Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India :

PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
Irular and Konda Reddi Tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1, 2 and 3

B. 2, 3 and 4

C. 1, 2 and 4

D. 1, 3 and 4

Answer: C

Explanation

During the fourth Five Year Plan, a sub-category was created within Scheduled Tribes, known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, to identify groups that are considered to be at a lower level of development.

PVTGs are spread over 18 states and one Union Territory (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) in India.

The criteria for determining PVTG status include a pre-agricultural level of technology, a stagnant or declining population, extremely low literacy, and a subsistence level of economy.

As of now, there are 75 PVTGs officially notified in the country, not 95.

Both Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

So, the correct statements are 1, 2 and 4.

Subject wise MCQ distribution

Difficulty analysis

Variations in Question framing

Key learning for Future Preparation

Subject-Wise Answer Key

UPSC Prelims 2019 Analysis

Subject wise MCQ distribution

Difficulty analysis

Variations in Question framing

Key learning for Future Preparation

Subject-Wise Answer Key

QUESTION 1

QUESTION 2

QUESTION 3

QUESTION 4

QUESTION 5

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UPSC Prelims GS Paper I Answer Key