UPSC Prelims 2021 Analysis

Subject-Wise MCQ Distribution

Environment & Ecology (18 questions): Consistently a major component due to its relevance in both the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) prelims. Several questions required maps for identifying key environmental regions.
Indian Polity (18 questions): A high-weightage subject with several assertion-based and conceptual questions.
Economy (14 questions): Covered major economic policies, fiscal measures, and budget-related aspects.
Science & Technology (13 questions): Focused on innovations, emerging technologies, and applications in real-world scenarios.
History (24 questions total):
- Ancient History: 3 questions
- Medieval History: 4 questions
- Modern History: 7 questions
- Art & Culture: 10 questions, including match the following-based formats.
Geography (9 questions total):
- Indian Geography: 5 questions
- Physical Geography: 2 questions
- World Geography: 2 questions
Social Issues & Schemes (2 questions): Covered important government initiatives and their societal impact.
International Relations (2 questions): Focused on international organizations and global events, underlining the importance of reading newspapers and NCERT basics.

**Subject-Wise Weightage in UPSC Prelims 2021**

Difficulty Analysis

Easy (35 questions): Required fundamental NCERT knowledge and factual recall.
Medium (38 questions): Needed deeper analytical abilities and elimination techniques.
Hard (27 questions): Demanded conceptual clarity, particularly in assertion-reasoning and interdisciplinary topics.

**Difficulty-Level Distribution in UPSC Prelims 2021**

Variations in Question Framing

Multi-Statement Based Questions: A large portion of the paper tested analytical abilities by requiring candidates to determine the correctness of multiple statements.
Direct Questions: Some questions were fact-based, relying on static knowledge from textbooks and previous UPSC question papers.
Application-Based Questions: Many questions in Economy and Science & Technology assessed real-world applications of concepts.
Match the Following: Commonly seen in Art & Culture, Geography, and Environment sections.

**Variations of Questions in UPSC Prelims 2021**

Static vs Current Affairs Distribution

Static Content: Dominated the paper with key subjects like History, Polity, Geography, and Economy forming the foundation.
Current Affairs (22 questions): Focused on recent government policies, budget highlights, and global events influencing India.

Key Learnings for Future Preparation

Master Static & Current Affairs: A blend of both is necessary, especially for high-weightage subjects like Polity, Economy, and Environment.
Strengthen Analytical Abilities: Many questions required assertion-reasoning, elimination techniques, and multi-statement evaluation.
Focus on Budget & Economic Policies: Economy and budget-related topics remain crucial for UPSC preparation.
Practice Match the Following & Statement-Based MCQs: These were heavily featured in Geography, History, and Environment sections.
Utilize Maps for Geography & Environment: Many UPSC last year question papers have included map-based questions, making this an essential skill.

The UPSC Prelims 2021 exam tested both factual knowledge and analytical reasoning across diverse subjects. Environment, Polity, and Economy carried significant weight, with interdisciplinary questions integrating static and current affairs. Strong preparation in core areas like Polity, Economy, and Geography, coupled with map skills and current affairs awareness, remains essential.

Subject-Wise Answer Key

All (100)Science & Technology (13)Ancient History (3)International Relations (2)Modern History (7)Art & Culture (10)Environment & Ecology (18)Indian Polity (18)Social Issues & Schemes (2)Economy (14)Geography (9)Medieval History (4)

QUESTION 1

MediumMedieval HistoryPrelims 2021

With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?

A. Paragana- Sarkar- Suba

B. Sarkar-Paragana-Suba

C. Suba-Sarkar-Paragana

D. Paragana-Suba-Sarkar

Answer: A

Explanation

The correct sequence in ascending order of size for administrative divisions in medieval India is

Pargana
Sarkar
Suba

Pargana The smallest unit was the Pargana, which typically comprised a group of villages. It was the most basic level of administration. Sarkar A group of Parganas formed a Sarkar, which can be understood as a district or province. Suba The largest administrative division was the Suba, which encompassed several Sarkars. It was equivalent to a modern-day state or province.

QUESTION 2

HardMedieval HistoryPrelims 2021

Consider the following statements:

It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khawarezm prince.
It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus.
It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 Only

B. 1 and 2

C. 3 Only

D. 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation

During the reign of Iltutmish, the Mongol ruler Genghis Khan (Chengiz Khan) invaded the Khwarazmian Empire. While pursuing the Khwarazmian prince Jalal ad-Din, Genghis Khan's forces reached the Indus River in the early 13th century.

Taimur's invasion of Multan and crossing of the Indus occurred during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Tughlaq, not Muhammad bin Tughluq. Taimur invaded India in 1398, during the time of Sultan Mahmud Tughlaq's rule.

Vasco da Gama's arrival on the coast of Kerala occurred during the reign of Zamorin ruler of Calicut, not during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire. Vasco da Gama's historic voyage to India took place in 1498 during the reign of King Manuel I of Portugal.

Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.

QUESTION 3

HardMedieval HistoryPrelims 2021

With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct?

The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State.
The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijaynagara Empire.
Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

A. 1 and 2

B. 2 Only

C. 2 and 3

D. 3 Only

Answer: B

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect Nizamat of Arcot was established by Aurangzeb and was the legal dependency of the Nizam of Hyderabad, it did not emerge from the Hyderabad state.

Statement 2 is correct The Mysore Kingdomemerged out of Vijayanagara Empire. After Vijayanagar fell in 1565, the ruling dynasty of Wodeyars of Mysore asserted their independence.

Statement 3 is incorrect The state of Rohilakhand was felled out of the Afghan migration into India which took place in the mid-18th century. Ali Muhammad Khan took advantage of the collapse of authority in north India following Nadir Shah's invasion, to set up a petty kingdom, Rohilakhand.

QUESTION 4

HardMedieval HistoryPrelims 2021

According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert in which of the following areas?

Wrestling
Astrology
Accounting
Soothsaying

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

A. 1, 2 and 3 Only

B. 1, 3 and 4 Only

C. 2 and 4 Only

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: D

Explanation

All the statements are correct.

Being employed in a Royal Household of the Vijayanagar empire implies that women served a variety of roles and were crucial to the workings of the palace.

It was during the zenith of the Vijayanagar empire that female artists were encouraged to contribute to literature. Krishnadevaraya, besides having dominion over peninsular India, patronised female writers and poets.

According to Portuguese writer Ferno Nuniz, the women in the Vijayanagara Empire were experts in various fields, including :

Wrestling (skilled in martial arts)
Astrology (predicted celestial events)
Accounting (managed financial records)
Soothsaying (foretold the future based on signs and omens)

So the correct answer is 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Travelers during Medieval India

Subject-Wise MCQ Distribution

Difficulty Analysis

Variations in Question Framing

Static vs Current Affairs Distribution

Key Learnings for Future Preparation

Subject-Wise Answer Key

UPSC Prelims 2021 Analysis

Subject-Wise MCQ Distribution

Difficulty Analysis

Variations in Question Framing

Static vs Current Affairs Distribution

Key Learnings for Future Preparation

Subject-Wise Answer Key

QUESTION 1

QUESTION 2

QUESTION 3

QUESTION 4

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UPSC Prelims GS Paper I Answer Key