UPSC Prelims Analysis 2023 – UPSC Prelims Paper 1 Analysis, Difficulty Level
By Balaji
Updated on: May 29th, 2023
UPSC Prelims 2023 Analysis has been released for GS Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 was of moderate to difficult level. Maximum questions were asked from Environment and Geography in GS Paper 1. The candidates could not apply the elimination method to rule out the options in Paper 1. Paper 2 comprised questions of Moderate to Difficult level. Quantitative Aptitude was considered difficult by some candidates in the CSAT paper.
Checking the UPSC Prelims analysis will help candidates understand the paper’s difficulty level, the number of questions asked in each section, good attempts, the type of questions, etc. These factors will eventually determine the cut-off and the chances of the selection of candidates. We have provided the detailed subject-wise UPSC exam analysis 2023 for Prelims below which is based on the experts’ feedback and students’ responses. The UPSC Prelims 2023 analysis will also benefit aspirants preparing for the UPSC 2024 exam.
Table of content
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1.
UPSC Prelims 2023 Analysis
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2.
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2023 Highlights
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3.
UPSC Prelims Analysis for GS Paper 1
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4.
UPSC Prelims 2023 Analysis for GS Paper 2
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5.
UPSC Paper Analysis: Difficulty Level
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6.
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2023 – Good Attempts
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7.
UPSC Prelims Questions Analysis
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8.
Important Topics as per UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis
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9.
Previous Year UPSC Prelims Analysis
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10.
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2022
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11.
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2021
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12.
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2020
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13.
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2019
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14.
UPSC Paper Review with Answer Keys
UPSC Prelims 2023 Analysis
The UPSC Prelims 2023 Analysis has been released by our subject matter experts for GS Paper 1 and GS Paper 2. The detailed UPSC Prelims analysis consists of the topic-wise difficulty level, and questions asked in the exam. Both papers have been conducted according to the shifts as mentioned below-
- UPSC Prelims Paper 1: 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- UPSC Prelims Paper 2: 02:30 PM to 04:30 PM
UPSC Prelims 2023 Paper 1 is the GS Paper while Paper 2 is the CSAT exam. To better comprehend the Civil Services exam, candidates should look over the UPSC Prelims 2023 analysis. The applicants can also check the UPSC Prelims Analysis from previous years to see the trends.
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2023 Highlights
The UPSC Prelims Paper 1 has been conducted by the Union Public Service Commission at various centers across the country. As per the student’s feedback and our subject matter experts, the exam was of a moderate level of difficulty. The IAS Exam Prelims is an MCQ pen and paper test. The Prelims Paper 1 exam is a 200 marks paper with a negative marking for every incorrect answer. UPSC Prelims CSAT is a qualifying paper. Check the highlights for GS paper 1 and CSAT paper.
- In GS paper 1 the majority of the questions were from History and Economics.
- Some candidates found Paper 1 lengthy. The questions were straightforward and memory-based.
- The candidates could not apply the elimination technique in the questions of GS paper 1. A slight change in the exam pattern was reported in the GS 1 paper.
- The GS 2 paper was in the range of moderate to difficult. The Reading Comprehension segment was lengthy.
UPSC Prelims Analysis for GS Paper 1
Candidates can check the detailed UPSC Prelims 2023 analysis along with section-wise weightage. By going through the UPSC Prelims analysis, aspirants can know about the difficulty level of the exam, the number of questions asked in each section, and more. Check here the detailed UPSC Paper analysis to get an idea about the topic-wise weightage of GS Paper 1:
| UPSC Prelims Subject-wise Analysis | Number of Questions (2023) |
| Environment, Ecology, and Agriculture | 17 |
| Indian Polity and Governance | 14 |
| India and World Geography | 17 |
| Economics | 15 |
| History | 13 |
| International Relations | 6 |
| Science and Technology | 9 |
| Current Affairs/Miscellaneous | 9 |
| Total Questions | 100 |
UPSC Prelims 2023 Analysis for GS Paper 2
Candidates will be able to examine the detailed UPSC Prelims 2023 analysis for GS Paper 2 after the exam has been completed. Those who participated in the CSAT paper and the UPSC Prelims analysis evaluated the paper as moderately difficult level and time-consuming. The UPSC Paper analysis will assist the candidates in gaining an understanding of the topic-wise weightage of GS Paper 2.
| Subjects | Number of Questions |
| Reasoning Ability | 13-14 |
| Reading Comprehension | 27 |
| Basic Numeracy and Maths (Including Data Sufficiency) | 39-40 |
| Total | 80 |
UPSC Paper Analysis: Difficulty Level
Here you can find a full breakdown of the exam’s difficulty levels by subject, based on UPSC Prelims analysis. Candidates can review the tabulated data below to check the UPSC Prelims difficulty level per subject for the last session:
| Difficulty Level of GS Paper 1 as per UPSC Paper Analysis | |
| Sections | Difficulty Level |
| Current Affairs | Moderate |
| Geography | Moderate |
| Ancient History | Difficult |
| Medieval History | Difficult |
| Modern History | Moderate |
| Environment and Ecology | Moderate |
| Polity | Easy |
| Science and Technology | Moderate |
| Economy | Moderate-Difficult |
| Overall | Moderate-Difficult |
| Difficulty Level of CSAT as per UPSC Prelims Analysis | |
| Sections | Difficulty Level |
| Reasoning | Moderate |
| English Comprehension | Moderate-Difficult [Lengthy] |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Moderate-Difficult |
| Overall | Moderate-Difficult |
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2023 – Good Attempts
Good Attempts are the number of questions that must be rightly answered by the candidates to gauge the probability of clearing the exam. This is highly determined by the factors such as the level of difficulty of the exam, the performance of the candidates in the exam, and the preparation of the candidates. Check here the subject-wise estimated good attempts for Paper 1.
| Subjects | Number of Good Attempts |
| Geography | 13-17 |
| Economics | 9-12 |
| History | 7-9 |
| Polity | 7-8 |
| Science and Technology | 2-3 |
| Environment | 5-6 |
| Current Affairs | 12-13 |
UPSC Prelims Questions Analysis
Some of the questions from the paper have been illustrated here. The candidates can check the questions and analyze the level of the exam. Mostly the questions have been categorized as tough by the candidates. Check the detailed prelims question analysis here.
Question: Consider the following statements: 1. Jhelum River passes through Wular Lake. [2] Krishna River directly feeds Kolleru Lake. [3] The meandering of the Gandak River formed Kanwar Lake. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None
Question: Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following? (a) Aluminum (b) Copper (c) Iron (d) Titanium
Question: Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin? (a) Cameroon (b) Nigeria (c) South Sudan (d) Uganda
Question: Which one of the following makes a tool a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood? (a) Fishing cat (b) Orangutan (c) Otter (d) Sloth bear
Important Topics as per UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis
The UPSC prelims exam analysis will help the candidates in identifying the essential sectors of the exam. You can check the question paper PDFs and analyze the important questions, and jot down the important topic. A methodical approach to preparing for the exam will help the candidates in laying out an effective strategy for the exam. Check out the list of the important topics:
- Yadava Dynasty
- Article 335
- Community Reserve
- Sambar Deer
- Marsupials in India
- Standard Size of National Flag of India
- Trade and Technology Council
Previous Year UPSC Prelims Analysis
UPSC Paper analysis from previous years will allow you to evaluate your performance and plan your preparation strategy for next year accordingly. After receiving feedback from the applicants who took the exam, our BYJU’s Exam Prep experts published the comprehensive UPSC Prelims analysis. Candidates can review the analysis, which includes the topics covered in each part as well as the number of questions, level of difficulty, number of correct answers, etc.
- UPSC Prelims 2022 Question Paper
- How Many Questions to Attempt in UPSC Prelims?
- UPSC CSE Answer Key 2023 [All Sets]
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2022
The analysis of the previous year papers will help the candidates in highlighting the important topics and structuring their preparation in the same direction. This will also provide the candidates with a complete idea of the section from where the maximum questions were asked. The analysis of the papers is based on the feedback received from the candidates taking the exam.
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2022 for GS Paper 1
In the General Science Paper 1 maximum questions were asked from the Environment and Ecology and Current Affairs. The candidates can check the comprehensive data on the subject-wise prelims analysis and mark the important topics of the syllabus.
| Subject | Number of Questions (2022) |
| Environment & Ecology (Including respective Current Affairs) | 17 |
| Indian Polity and Governance | 13 |
| India and World Geography | 12 |
| General Science and S&T (Including Current Development) | 14 |
| Economics | 17 |
| Ancient History | 1 |
| Art & Culture | 7 |
| Medieval History | 4 |
| Modern History | 4 |
| International Relations | 11 |
| Total Questions | 100 |
GS Paper 2 Analysis 2022
The analysis of the GS 2 paper will help you identify the level of the exam. You can take note of the most essential segments from where the maximum questions have been asked. The detailed knowledge of the GS paper 2 analysis will help the candidates in preparing efficiently for the exam. The majority of the questions were asked from the Reasoning Ability.
| Subjects | Number of Questions |
| Reasoning Ability | 22 |
| Reading Comprehension | 27 |
| Basic Numeracy and Maths (Including Data Sufficiency) | 31 |
| Total | 80 |
UPSC Paper Analysis 2022- Difficulty Level
The paper analysis of the GS paper 2022 suggests that the overall difficulty level of the question paper was between moderate to high. Check here the subject-wise difficulty level analysis according to the feedback received from the candidates.
| Difficulty Level of GS Paper 1 as per UPSC Paper Analysis | |
| Sections | Difficulty Level |
| Current Affairs | Moderate to Difficult |
| Geography | Difficult |
| History | Moderate to Difficult |
| Polity | Difficult |
| Science & Technology | Moderate to Difficult |
| Economy | Difficult |
| Difficulty Level of CSAT as per UPSC Prelims Analysis | |
| Sections | Difficulty Level |
| Reasoning | Difficult |
| English Comprehension | Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Difficult |
| Overall | Moderate to Difficult |
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2021
The weightage of the UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper was almost equal for all the subjects. As per the UPSC Prelims analysis, Paper 1 saw a good number of questions from Polity and Economics, and Ancient History had 3 questions. Candidates can check the subject-wise UPSC exam analysis below.
UPSC Exam Analysis 2021 for GS Paper 1
According to the UPSC Prelims analysis, candidates can check the distribution of questions for GS Paper 1 tabulated below.
| Subject | Number of Questions |
| History | 20 |
| Geography | 10 |
| Economics | 15 |
| Polity | 14 |
| Environment and Ecology | 15 |
| Science and Technology | 12 |
| Current Affairs / Art and Culture | 14 |
| Total | 100 |
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2021 for GS Paper 2
As per the UPSC Prelims analysis, the CSAT 2021 paper was of moderate difficulty level.
| Topics | Number of Questions |
| Data Sufficiency | 6 |
| Number System | 9 |
| Algebra | 5 |
| Average | 4 |
| Profit, Loss, and Discount | 1 |
| Percentage | 1 |
| Ratio | 2 |
| Time, Speed, and Distance | 1 |
| Time and Work | 1 |
| Data Interpretation | 2 |
| Selection / Combination | 2 |
| Geometry / Mensuration | 2 |
| Directions | 2 |
| Statement/ Conclusion | 3 |
| Series | 3 |
| Ranking – DS | 2 |
| Row arrangement | 1 |
| Logical Puzzle | 2 |
| Clocks and Calendar | 4 |
| Single/Two Question RCs (Critical Reasoning Based) | 27 |
| Total | 80 |
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2020
As per the UPSC Prelims analysis, a good amount of questions were asked from the Ancient History section in the UPSC Prelims 2020 Question Paper. The UPSC Prelims 2020 Paper had a good tilt toward the Current Affairs section, along with the History and Polity section.
UPSC Prelims Analysis for GS Paper 1
Check the distribution of questions in GS Paper 1 for 2020. According to the UPSC Prelims analysis, the paper had a major inclination toward Current Affairs.
| Subject | Number of Questions |
| Economy | 14 |
| Current Affairs- National and International Important Events | 19 |
| Science & Technology | 10 |
| Indian Polity | 14 |
| History & Art and Culture | 19 |
| Environment & Ecology | 11 |
| Science & Technology | 10 |
| Geography | 13 |
| Total | 100 |
UPSC Prelims Analysis for GS Paper 2
As per the UPSC Prelims analysis, the difficulty level of the 2020 question paper was moderate. According to the feedback of the aspirants and UPSC paper analysis, they struggled with questions on the number system.
| Topics | Number of Questions |
| Data Sufficiency | 5 |
| Number System | 15 |
| Algebra | 7 |
| Average | 4 |
| Profit Loss Discount | 3 |
| Percentage | 1 |
| Ratio | 1 |
| Time Speed Distance | 2 |
| Time and Work | 1 |
| Mixture | 1 |
| Data Interpretation | 1 |
| Geometry | 2 |
| Directions | 1 |
| Statement Conclusion | 2 |
| Blood Relations | 1 |
| Sequence | 2 |
| Analogy | 1 |
| Word formation | 1 |
| Row arrangement | 1 |
| Logical puzzle | 2 |
| Calendar | 1 |
| Single/Two Question RCs (Critical Reasoning Based) | 25 |
| Total | 80 |
UPSC Prelims Analysis 2019
The weightage of the UPSC Prelims 2019 Question Paper laid more emphasis on subjects like Geography, Economy, and Polity. As per the UPSC Prelims analysis, the difficulty level was the highest for the History section.
UPSC Exam Analysis for GS Paper 1
Check the distribution of questions in the Prelims Question Paper for GS Paper 1.
| Subject | Number of Questions |
| History | 15 |
| Geography | 19 |
| Economics | 17 |
| Polity | 14 |
| Environment and Ecology | 13 |
| Science and Tech | 12 |
| Art and Culture | 1 |
| Current Affair | 9 |
| Total | 100 |
UPSC Paper Analysis – GS Paper 2
According to the UPSC Prelims analysis, the CSAT paper for 2019 had a moderately difficult level as compared to the other papers.
| Topics | Number of Questions |
| Analytical Reasoning | 14 |
| Coding-Decoding, Cubes | 3 |
| Syllogism | 1 |
| Sequence and Series | 4 |
| Directions & Blood Relations | 2 |
| Numbers/Fractions | 10 |
| Profit-Loss-Discount, S.I-C.I | 1 |
| Average/ Percentage | 6 |
| Time, Speed, Distance & Work | 1 |
| Algebra | 2 |
| P&C, Prob, Sets | 3 |
| Miscellaneous | 3 |
| Single/Two Question RC (Inference Based) | 30 |
| Total | 80 |
UPSC Paper Review with Answer Keys
UPSC Prelims analysis involves the breakdown of complex topics into simpler and smaller parts. Hence, an aspirant is exposed to the UPSC Exam Pattern and the areas they need to emphasize more. We will provide the most authentic UPSC Answer Key for Prelims for all four sets.
Kindly note, that we have tried our best to avoid any error, nonetheless, it is suggested that the candidate should also refer to the official answer key mentioned on the official website.
