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: Consider the following rivers: Brahmani Nagavali Subarnarekha VamsadharaWhich of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?
Consider the following rivers:
- Brahmani
- Nagavali
- Subarnarekha
- Vamsadhara
Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements: In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds. In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following statements:
- In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds.
- In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct?
With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct?
- View Answer for: With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements: The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater. The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements:
- The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater.
- The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: “Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees”. This is the most likely description of
“Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees”. This is the most likely description of
- View Answer for: With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of
With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements: Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree. Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia. In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce. India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa. Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels.Which of the statements given above are correct?
Consider the following statements:
- Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree.
- Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia.
- In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce.
- India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa.
- Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- View Answer for: The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of
The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of
- View Answer for: The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions? Burrowing animals and termites Fire Grazing herbivores Seasonal rainfall Soil propertiesSelect the correct answer using the codes given below
The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions?
- Burrowing animals and termites
- Fire
- Grazing herbivores
- Seasonal rainfall
- Soil properties
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
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 2021 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
