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
In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into “Reserved” and “Transferred” subjects. Which of the following were treated as “Reserved” subjects?
- Administration of Justice
- Local Self-Government
- Land Revenue
- Police
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1, 2 and 3
B. 2, 3 and 4
C. 1, 3 and 4
D. 1, 2 and 4
QUESTION 2
Consider the following freedom fighters:
- Barindra Kumar Ghosh
- Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
- Rash Behari Bose
Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3
D. 3 only
QUESTION 3
With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements:
- The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
- Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution, would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.
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