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.
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.
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.
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
QUESTION 1
MediumSocial Issues & SchemesPrelims 2021
With reference to Water Credit’, consider the following statements:
- It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector.
- It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
- It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 Only
B. 2 and 3 Only
C. 1 and 3 Only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
QUESTION 2
MediumSocial Issues & SchemesPrelims 2021
With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements:
- All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund coverage.
- All casual workers are entitled for regular working hours and overtime payment.
- The government can by a notification specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C