UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper & Analysis
Get the UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question (PYQ) Paper with subject-wise trends, difficulty analysis, and detailed model answers — including diagrams, flowcharts, and structured writing for GS.
Subject-wise MCQ Distribution
Difficulty Analysis
Type of questions
Key Insights
- Environment & Ecology, Economy, Indian Polity carried the highest weightage, together accounting for 47% of the paper.
- The paper strongly favoured statement-based questions — multi-statement and assertion-reasoning questions together made up 72% of the paper, making careful reading and elimination especially important.
- The paper was largely easy to moderate in difficulty, with 65% of questions falling in the easy or medium range and only 35% classified as hard.
- Questions were spread across 13 subject areas, making broad syllabus coverage important rather than relying on a few traditionally dominant subjects.
- The question format demanded more than direct recall, with only 28% of questions being direct, while most required evaluating multiple statements or reasoning through assertions.
PYQs with Detailed Answers
- View Answer for: "Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects." The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?
"Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects." The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?
- View Answer for: With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements: The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin. Stupa was generally a repository of relics. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.How many of the statements given above are correct?
With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:
- The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
- Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
- Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- View Answer for: In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
- View Answer for: Consider the following pairs with regard to sports awards: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award : For the most Spectacular and outstanding performance by a sportsperson over period of last four years Arujna Award : For the lifetime achievement by a sportsperson Dronacharya Award: To honour eminent coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar : To recognize the contribution made by sportspersons even after their retirementHow many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Consider the following pairs with regard to sports awards:
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award : For the most Spectacular and outstanding performance by a sportsperson over period of last four years
- Arujna Award : For the lifetime achievement by a sportsperson
- Dronacharya Award: To honour eminent coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams
- Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar : To recognize the contribution made by sportspersons even after their retirement
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- View Answer for: Which one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?
Which one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?
- View Answer for: Consider the following pairs :Site : Well known for Besnagar : Shaivite cave shrine Bhaja : Buddhist cave shrine Sittanavasal : Jain cave shrineHow many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Consider the following pairs :
Site : Well known for
- Besnagar : Shaivite cave shrine
- Bhaja : Buddhist cave shrine
- Sittanavasal : Jain cave shrine
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- View Answer for: With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:Literary work: Author Devichandragupta: Bilhana Hammira-Mahakavya: Nayachandra Suri Milinda-panha: Nagarjuna Nitivakyamrita: Somadeva SuriHow many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:
Literary work: Author
- Devichandragupta: Bilhana
- Hammira-Mahakavya: Nayachandra Suri
- Milinda-panha: Nagarjuna
- Nitivakyamrita: Somadeva Suri
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements in respect of the 44th Chess Olympiad, 2022 : It was the first time that Chess Olympiad was held in India. The official mascot was named 'Thambi'. The trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Vera Menchik Cup. The trophy for the winning team in the women's section is the Hamilton-Russell Cup.How many of the statements given above are correct?
Consider the following statements in respect of the 44th Chess Olympiad, 2022 :
- It was the first time that Chess Olympiad was held in India.
- The official mascot was named 'Thambi'.
- The trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Vera Menchik Cup.
- The trophy for the winning team in the women's section is the Hamilton-Russell Cup.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
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