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: Consider the following: Aerosols Foam agents Fire retardants LubricantsIn the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocarbons used?
Consider the following:
- Aerosols
- Foam agents
- Fire retardants
- Lubricants
In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocarbons used?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrels: They build nests by making burrows in the ground. They store their food materials like nuts and seeds in the ground. They are omnivorous.How many of the above statements are correct?
Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrels:
- They build nests by making burrows in the ground.
- They store their food materials like nuts and seeds in the ground.
- They are omnivorous.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- View Answer for: Consider the following fauna: Lion-tailed Macaque Malabar Civet Sambar DeerHow many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?
Consider the following fauna:
- Lion-tailed Macaque
- Malabar Civet
- Sambar Deer
How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?
- View Answer for: Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?
Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?
- View Answer for: Consider the following heavy industries : Fertilizer plants Oil refineries Steel plantsGreen hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?
Consider the following heavy industries :
- Fertilizer plants
- Oil refineries
- Steel plants
Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?
- View Answer for: With reference to the role of biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture System, consider the following statements: Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed. Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate. Biofilters increase phosphorus as nutrient for fish in water.How many of the statements given above are correct?
With reference to the role of biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture System, consider the following statements:
- Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed.
- Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate.
- Biofilters increase phosphorus as nutrient for fish in water.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements:Statement I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India.Statement II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India.
Statement II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- View Answer for: Invasive species Specialist Group' (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?
Invasive species Specialist Group' (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements :Statement-I : According to the United Nation's 'World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year.Statement-II :India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I : According to the United Nation's 'World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement-II :India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- View Answer for: Consider the following activities : Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated watersHow many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?
Consider the following activities :
- Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively
- Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime
- Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters
How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change. Statement-II: Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the State.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change. Statement-II: Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the State.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution: Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.How many of the above statements are correct?
Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:
- Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
- Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
- There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- View Answer for: Which of the following organisms perform waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food?
Which of the following organisms perform waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements : In India, the Biodiversity Management committees are key to the realization of the objectives of Nagoya Protocol. The Biodiversity Management committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following statements :
- In India, the Biodiversity Management committees are key to the realization of the objectives of Nagoya Protocol.
- The Biodiversity Management committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- View Answer for: Consider the following statements:Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest hunting is not allowed in such area people of such area are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce people of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practicesHow many of the above statements are correct?
Consider the following statements:
Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve'
- The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest
- hunting is not allowed in such area
- people of such area are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce
- people of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practices
How many of the above statements are correct?
- View Answer for: With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements : It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.How many of the above statements are correct?
With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements :
- It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.
- It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.
- It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.
How many of the above statements are correct?
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