UPSC Prelims 2022 Analysis
Subject-Wise Weightage
- Environment & Ecology (18 questions): The highest representation, emphasizing topics like biodiversity, climate change, and maps for environmental hotspots.
- Economy (16 questions): Focused on fiscal policies, budget trends, and government schemes.
- Science & Technology (15 questions): Covered emerging technologies, space missions, and their applications.
- Indian Polity (12 questions): Standard focus on constitutional principles, assertion-based questions, and governance issues.
- Other Notable Areas: International Relations (11), Art & Culture (7), and Geography (10 combined), with many match the following type questions.

Difficulty Analysis
- Easy (25 questions): Covered fundamental NCERT concepts and basic factual recall.
- Medium (48 questions): Required analytical abilities, conceptual clarity, and deeper reasoning.
- Hard (27 questions): Tested multi-dimensional application and assertion-reasoning skills.

Variations in Question Framing
- Multi-Statement (72 questions): Most questions were assertion-reason or "how many of the above are correct?" formats.
- Direct (28 questions): Fact-based, often sourced from NCERT and standard books.
- Match the Following: Commonly seen in Geography, Environment, and Economy questions.

Key Learnings for Future Preparation
- Leverage Easy Questions (25): Build a strong NCERT foundation to secure these marks.
- Prepare for Medium-Difficulty Questions (48): Strengthen analytical abilities to handle the majority of the paper effectively.
- Strategize for Hard Questions (27): Tackle assertion-based and multi-concept questions using elimination techniques.
- Practice Multi-Statement Questions: Since they dominate the paper, mastering them is essential.
- Focus on High-Weightage Subjects: Prioritize Environment, Economy, and Science, given their significant share in the exam.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Particularly for Economy (budget, fiscal policies), Environment, and International Relations, integrate recent developments into your preparation.
Subject-Wise Answer Key
QUESTION 1
Consider the following statements:
- Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north -western Kenya.
- Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
- Some people who fled from civil war in Somalia live in Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 only
C. 3 only
D. 2 and 3
QUESTION 2
With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements:
- It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
- It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
- It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 3 only
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 3
D. 1 and 2
QUESTION 3
With reference to the "G20 Common Framework", consider the following statements:
- It is an initiative endorsed by the G20 together with the Paris Club.
- It is an initiative to support Low Income Countries with unsustainable debt.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
QUESTION 4
Consider the following countries
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Croatia
- Romania
- Uzbekistan
Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States?
A. 1, 2 and 4
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 5
D. 3, 4 and 5
QUESTION 5
With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements:
- A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
- Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
- The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea in measure.
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
QUESTION 6
Consider the following statements:
- Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in recent years.
- Vietnam is led by a multi-party political system.
- Vietnam's economic growth is linked to its integration with global supply chains and focus on exports.
- For a long time, Vietnam's low labor costs and stable exchange rates have attracted global manufacturers.
- Vietnam has the most productive e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific region.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 2 and 4
B. 3 and 5
C. 1, 3 and 4
D. 1 and 2
QUESTION 7
Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue which Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?
A. It is generally believed that they are artifi cial islands made by a country around South China Sea.
B. China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea
C. A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.
D. Through International Courts of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.
QUESTION 8
Which one of the following statements best describes the ‘Polar Code’?
A. It is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
B. It is the agreement of the countries around the North Pole regarding the demarcation of their territories in the polar region.
C. It is a set of norms to be followed by the countries whose scientists undertake research studies in the North Pole and South Pole.
D. It is a trade and security agreement of the member countries of the Arctic Council.
QUESTION 9
Consider the following:
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
- Missile Technology Control Regime
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
India is a member of which of the above?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
QUESTION 10
Consider the following pairs:
Country - Important reason for being in the news recently
- Chad – Setting up of permanent military base by China.
- Guinea – Suspension of Constitution and Government by military
- Lebanon – Severe and prolonged economic depression
- Tunisia – Suspension of Parliament by President
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
A. Only one pair
B. Only two pairs
C. Only three pairs
D. All four pairs
QUESTION 11
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
- The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
- Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
- Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
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