UPSC Prelims Test: Previous Year Questions with Answers

UPSC Prelims Test: Previous Year Questions with Answers

The UPSC Prelims Test is a crucial stage in the Civil Services Examination, which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to various central civil services in India. The Prelims Test consists of two papers, Paper-I and Paper-II, and is a screening test for candidates to qualify for the next stages of the selection process. In this article, we will provide some previous year questions from the UPSC Prelims Test along with their answers.

Paper-I: General Studies (UPSC Prelims Test)

Paper-I consists of 100 objective-type questions of 2 marks each and covers subjects such as Indian history, Indian polity, Indian economy, geography, environment, and ecology, science and technology, and current affairs. Here are some previous year questions from Paper-I:

1. In which of the following states have black soil been formed due to volcanic activity? a) Maharashtra b) Madhya Pradesh c) Tamil Nadu d) Karnataka
   • Answer: b) Madhya Pradesh
2. With reference to the Indian Freedom Struggle, which one of the following events occurred earliest? a) Surat Split b) Lucknow Pact c) Home Rule Movement d) Champaran Satyagraha
   • Answer: d) Champaran Satyagraha
3. In which one of the following States is the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve located? a) Meghalaya b) Mizoram c) Nagaland d) Tripura
   • Answer: a) Meghalaya

Paper-II: CSAT (UPSC Prelims Test)

Paper-II consists of 80 objective-type questions of 2.5 marks each and covers subjects such as comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, data interpretation, and English language comprehension skills.

Here are some previous year questions from Paper-II:

1. Which one of the following is a water-soluble vitamin? a) Vitamin A b) Vitamin B12 c) Vitamin D d) Vitamin K
   • Answer: b) Vitamin B12
2. Which one of the following is a rich source of methane? a) Coal b) Shale c) Petroleum d) Hydrates
   • Answer: d) Hydrates
3. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acts as a banker to which one of the following? a) The Central Government b) The State Governments c) Scheduled Commercial Banks d) Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)
   • Answer: a) The Central Government

The UPSC Prelims Test is a highly competitive exam, and candidates need to prepare thoroughly for the exam to qualify and progress to the next stages of the selection process. Solving previous year questions is an essential part of exam preparation, as it helps candidates understand the exam pattern, types of questions asked, and the level of difficulty. Candidates should also refer to relevant study materials, current affairs magazines, and newspapers for their preparation.

FAQs

1. What is the UPSC Prelims Test?

The UPSC Prelims Test is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central civil services in India.

2. What are the papers included in the UPSC Prelims Test?

The UPSC Prelims Test comprises two papers, Paper-I (General Studies) and Paper-II (CSAT). Paper-I covers subjects such as Indian history, Indian polity, Indian economy, geography, environment, and ecology, science and technology, and current affairs. Paper-II covers subjects such as comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, data interpretation, and English language comprehension skills.

3. What is the mode and duration of the UPSC Prelims Test?

Both Paper-I and Paper-II are conducted in offline mode (pen and paper-based) and are conducted on the same day. The duration of Paper-I is two hours, and the duration of Paper-II is two hours.

4. What is the screening and eligibility process for the UPSC Mains Exam?

The UPSC Prelims Test is a screening test, and only candidates who qualify in Paper-I are eligible to have their Paper-II evaluated. Candidates who score above the cutoff marks in Paper-I and meet the minimum qualifying marks in Paper-II are eligible to appear for the UPSC Mains exam.

5. What are the stages of the selection process after the UPSC Prelims Test?

The Prelims Test is the first stage of a three-stage selection process, followed by the UPSC Mains Exam and the Personal Interview. The Mains exam is subjective in nature and consists of nine papers, and the Personal Interview is conducted to test the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and suitability for the service.

6. Why is thorough preparation necessary for the UPSC Prelims Test?

The UPSC Prelims Test is a highly competitive exam, and the cutoff marks are usually high. Candidates need to prepare thoroughly for the exam to qualify and progress to the next stages of the selection process.

7. Where can I find previous year questions for the UPSC Prelims Test?

Previous year questions for the UPSC Prelims Test can be found in various books and study materials available in the market. They can also be found online on various websites and forums dedicated to UPSC preparation.