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.

**Difficulty Distribution in UPSC Prelims 2022**

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.

**Question Variations in UPSC Prelims 2022**

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.

The UPSC Prelims 2022 exam balanced factual recall with analytical reasoning, focusing on Environment, Economy, and Science & Technology. It included, multi-statement questions, and interlinking static and current affairs. Strong preparation in these subjects, alongside map skills and staying updated on global developments, is essential for success

Subject-Wise Answer Key

All (100)International Relations (11)Economy (16)Environment & Ecology (18)Art & Culture (7)Indian Polity (12)Science & Technology (15)Geography (10)Modern History (3)Medieval History (5)Ancient History (1)Social Issues & Schemes (2)

QUESTION 1

HardMedieval HistoryPrelims 2022

With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:

The Dutch established their factories/werehouses on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.
Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.
The English East India Company established a factory at Madras on a plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagaraempire.

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: B

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. Next to the Portuguese, the Dutch set their feet in India. In 1602, the United East India Company of the Netherlands was formed and permitted by the Dutch government to trade in the East Indies including India. Gajapati Rule declined in 1541. The last ruler was Kakharua Deva.

Please note: Gajapati rulers only ruled in the Orissa region. But, the Dutch had their factories in many locations on the east coast of India. Hence, it is clear that they may have acquired lands from different rulers across the east coast.

Statement 2 is correct. Alfanso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur sultanate king Adil Shahis with the help of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Statement 3 is correct. The English East India Company established a factory in Madras in 1639 on land leased from representatives of the Vijayanagara Empire called the Nayakas.

QUESTION 2

HardMedieval HistoryPrelims 2022

In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to:

A. Clothing

B. Coins

C. Ornaments

D. Weapons

Answer: B

Explanation

In medieval India, the term "Fanam" referred to a unit of currency, particularly a gold coin used in South India, especially in regions like the Vijayanagara Empire, the Nayakas of Madurai, and the various states of the Deccan. The Fanam was often minted in small denominations and was widely used for trade and commerce in the region.

QUESTION 3

HardMedieval HistoryPrelims 2022

With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:

The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2

B. 2 only

C. 1 and 3

D. 3 only

Answer: B

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The first Mongol raid into India actually occurred in 1221 during the reign of Iltutmish of the Delhi Sultanate. Jalal-ud-din Khalji ruled much later (1296-1298 CE).

Statement 2 is correct. A major Mongol invasion led by Kadar did indeed reach Delhi and lay siege to the city during the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji (1296-1316 CE). However, his forces successfully repelled the invaders.

Statement 3 is incorrect. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq faced Mongol invasions during his reign, but there is no historical evidence to suggest that he temporarily lost portions of the northwest of his kingdom to the Mongols.

Therefore, the correct answer is "2 only".

QUESTION 4

HardMedieval HistoryPrelims 2022

With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “KulahDaran”?

A. Arab merchants

B. Qalandars

C. Persian calligraphists

D. Sayyids

Answer: D

Explanation

The Sayyids were claimed to descend from the Prophet through his daughter Fatima. They commanded special respect in Muslim society. Even Timur protected the life of Sayyids during his invasion of India, although his policy was one of general slaughter.

The Sayyids put on a pointed cap (kulah) and they were known as KulahDaran during the Delhi Sultanate.

QUESTION 5

HardMedieval HistoryPrelims 2022

Consider the following pairs:

King - Dynasty

Nannuka – Chandela
jayashakti –Paramara
Nagabhata II - gurjara-Prathihara
Bhoja – Rashtrakuta

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

A. Only one pair

B. Only two pairs

C. Only three pairs

D. All four pairs

Answer: B

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched. Nannuka was the founder of the Chandela dynasty.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Jayashakti belonged to the Chandel dynasty, not the Paramara dynasty.

Pair 3 is correctly matched. Nagabhata II was indeed a ruler of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched. Bhoja belonged to the Paramara dynasty, not the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

Subject-Wise Weightage

Difficulty Analysis

Variations in Question Framing

Key Learnings for Future Preparation

Subject-Wise Answer Key

UPSC Prelims 2022 Analysis

Subject-Wise Weightage

Difficulty Analysis

Variations in Question Framing

Key Learnings for Future Preparation

Subject-Wise Answer Key

QUESTION 1

QUESTION 2

QUESTION 3

QUESTION 4

QUESTION 5

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UPSC Prelims GS Paper I Answer Key