UPSC Prelims 2021 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
- Environment & Ecology, Indian Polity, Economy carried the highest weightage, together accounting for 51% of the paper.
- The paper strongly favoured statement-based questions — multi-statement and assertion-reasoning questions together made up 60% of the paper, making careful reading and elimination especially important.
- The paper was largely easy to moderate in difficulty, with 73% of questions falling in the easy or medium range and only 27% 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 40% of questions being direct, while most required evaluating multiple statements or reasoning through assertions.
PYQs with Detailed Answers
- View Answer for: With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements: The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia. The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes. The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.Which of the statements given above are correct?
With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements:
- The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.
- The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.
- The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements: The effect of devaluation of a currency is that it necessarily:- improves the competitiveness of the domestic exports in the foreign markets. increases the foreign value of domestic currency. improves the trade balance.Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Consider the following statements: The effect of devaluation of a currency is that it necessarily:-
- improves the competitiveness of the domestic exports in the foreign markets.
- increases the foreign value of domestic currency.
- improves the trade balance.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements: Other things remaining unchanged, market demand for a good might increase if Price of its substitute increases Price of its complement increases The good is an inferior good and income of the consumers increases Its price fallsWhich of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following statements: Other things remaining unchanged, market demand for a good might increase if
- Price of its substitute increases
- Price of its complement increases
- The good is an inferior good and income of the consumers increases
- Its price falls
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: Which among the following steps is most likely to be taken at the time of an economic recession?
Which among the following steps is most likely to be taken at the time of an economic recession?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements: The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. Certain provisions in the Constitution of India give the Central Government the right to issue directions to the RBI in public interest. The Governor of the RBI draws his power from the RBI Act.Which of the above statements are correct?
Consider the following statements:
- The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government.
- Certain provisions in the Constitution of India give the Central Government the right to issue directions to the RBI in public interest.
- The Governor of the RBI draws his power from the RBI Act.
Which of the above statements are correct?
- View Answer for: Consider the following Foreign Currency convertible bonds Foreign Institutional investment with certain conditions Global depository receipts Non-resident external depositsWhich of the above can be included in Foreign Direct Investments?
Consider the following
- Foreign Currency convertible bonds
- Foreign Institutional investment with certain conditions
- Global depository receipts
- Non-resident external deposits
Which of the above can be included in Foreign Direct Investments?
- View Answer for: India Government Bond Yields are influenced by which of the following? Actions of the United States Federal Reserve. Actions of the Reserve Bank of India. Inflation and short-term interest rates.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
India Government Bond Yields are influenced by which of the following?
- Actions of the United States Federal Reserve.
- Actions of the Reserve Bank of India.
- Inflation and short-term interest rates.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: Which one of the following effects of creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the Government of India?
Which one of the following effects of creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the Government of India?
- View Answer for: With reference to Indian economy, demand pull-inflation can be caused/increased by which of the following? Expansionary policies Fiscal stimulus Inflation-indexing wages Higher - purchasing power Rising interest ratesSelect the correct answer using the codes given below.
With reference to Indian economy, demand pull-inflation can be caused/increased by which of the following?
- Expansionary policies
- Fiscal stimulus
- Inflation-indexing wages
- Higher - purchasing power
- Rising interest rates
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- View Answer for: Which one of the following is likely to be the most inflationary in its effects?
Which one of the following is likely to be the most inflationary in its effects?
- View Answer for: With reference to India, consider the following statements: Retail investors through demat account can invest in ‘Treasury Bills’ and ‘Government of India Debt Bonds’ in primary market. The ‘Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching’ is a government securities trading platform of the Reserve Bank of India. The ‘Central Depository Services Ltd.’ is jointly promoted by the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange.Which of the statements given below is/are correct?
With reference to India, consider the following statements:
- Retail investors through demat account can invest in ‘Treasury Bills’ and ‘Government of India Debt Bonds’ in primary market.
- The ‘Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching’ is a government securities trading platform of the Reserve Bank of India.
- The ‘Central Depository Services Ltd.’ is jointly promoted by the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Which of the statements given below is/are correct?
- View Answer for: In India, the central bank’s function as the ‘lender of last resort’ usually refers to which of the following? Lending to trade and industry bodies when they fail to borrow from other sources. Providing liquidity to the banks having a temporary crisis. Lending to governments to finance budgetary deficits.Select the correct answer using the code given below:
In India, the central bank’s function as the ‘lender of last resort’ usually refers to which of the following?
- Lending to trade and industry bodies when they fail to borrow from other sources.
- Providing liquidity to the banks having a temporary crisis.
- Lending to governments to finance budgetary deficits.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- View Answer for: The money multiplier in an economy increases with which one of the following?
The money multiplier in an economy increases with which one of the following?
- View Answer for: With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative Banks’ in India, consider the following statements: They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments. They can issue equity shares and preference shares. They were brought under the purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative Banks’ in India, consider the following statements:
- They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments.
- They can issue equity shares and preference shares.
- They were brought under the purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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