UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper [GS Paper I & CSAT]
By Balaji
Updated on: March 22nd, 2023
UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper has been released by UPSC and it comprises two papers namely General Studies-1 and General Studies-2 (CSAT). The GS-1 is merit ranking in nature whereas CSAT is only qualifying in nature. Aspirants can check and download the UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper to evaluate their preparation level. Additionally, candidates can refer to them to comprehend the difficulty level of the UPSC exam. In this post, we will be covering the UPSC 2021 Prelims question paper for both papers.
UPSC Prelims exam 2021 was conducted on 10th October 2021 and a total of about 9,70,00 candidates applied for it, and later UPSC released the UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2021 on its official website. With only a few months left to the UPSC Prelims, 2022 candidates must check the UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper to strengthen their preparation for the upcoming Prelims exam.
Table of content
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1. UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper – Overview
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2. UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper for GS-1
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3. UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper for CSAT
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4. UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper with Answers PDF
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5. UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper in Hindi
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6. UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper Analysis
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7. UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper Weightage
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8. UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper: Points to Note
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9. Importance of Solving UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper
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10. How to Analyze the UPSC Prelims Question Paper?
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11. Right approach for solving the UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper
UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper – Overview
As we have mentioned above, UPSC 2021 Prelims question paper has two papers, and each paper carries 200 marks, and 2 hours of time duration is given to each paper. There will be ⅓ of mark deduction for every wrong answer, and no marks will be deducted for unattempted questions. That is why candidates must analyze the risk before attempting the question paper. Let’s check out the UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper for GS-1 and GS-2 below.
UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper for GS-1
The Questions asked in the GS-1 UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper were based on the topics like History, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, Economy, Polity, Ecology, and Environment. There are four sets of question papers namely A, B, C, and D.
| UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper GS-1 | |
| UPSC Question Paper 2021 Prelims GS – SET A | UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper for GS-1 SET A |
| UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper GS – SET B | UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper for GS-1 SET B |
| UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper Prelims GS – SET C | UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper PDF for GS-1 SET C |
| UPSC Question Paper 2021 Prelims GS – SET D | UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper PDF for GS-1 SET D |
UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper for CSAT
The General Studies-2 which is also called CSAT was introduced in the year 2011 to evaluate the analytical skills, aptitude, and reasoning ability of the aspirants. Even though it is qualifying in nature candidates must check out the UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper for CSAT to comprehend the question pattern, and rethink their strategy for this paper. Because no matter how much you have scored on GS-1 if you fail to qualify for CSAT, there will be no point at all. Below we have covered the UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper for CSAT.
| UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper for CSAT | |
| UPSC Question Paper 2021 for CSAT – SET A | UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper for CSAT – SET A |
| UPSC Question Paper 2021 for CSAT – SET B | __ |
| UPSC Question Paper 2021 for CSAT – SET C | __ |
| UPSC Question Paper 2021 for CSAT – SET D | UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper PDF for CSAT SET D |
UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper with Answers PDF
Candidates need to practice the UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper in order to be prepared for the upcoming IAS Exam. Practicing these previous year’s questions would help the candidates to analyze the current trends, and types of questions asked in the UPSC Exam. Below we have added the UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper with Answers PDF that can candidates refer to while practicing UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper.
UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper in Hindi
We have also added the UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper PDF in Hindi for both GS-1 and GS-2 for all the candidates who have wished to appear for the UPSC exam in the Hindi language. Candidates can download the PDF directly from the link given below.
- Download UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper PDF In Hindi for GS-1
- Download UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper PDF in Hindi for CSAT
UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper Analysis
The UPSC Prelims 2021 exam started at 9.30 in the morning shift on 10th October with Paper-1, and in the second half, Paper-2 was conducted. The aspirants found UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper to be quite balanced, unlike the past two years. The history, polity, and environmental sciences had the maximum questions. Let’s discuss the difficulty level, and question weightage of the UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper below.
UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper: Difficulty level
According to the candidates, the question paper for UPSC Prelims 2021 was moderately difficult, and some of them found this paper to be easy. The Polity was easier, and all the questions from this section were textbook knowledge-based. Questions from the economics sections were found to be application-based. The 2021 Prelims question paper for UPSC was found to be perfectly balanced, and it was one of the best things about this paper. this case doesn’t happen always so most of the candidates were very much satisfied with the UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper.
UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper Weightage
The weightage of the UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2021 was almost equal for all the subjects. The history section had the highest number of questions. Let’s see the number of questions asked from each subject.
| Subject | Number of Questions |
| History | 20 |
| Geography | 10 |
| Economics | 15 |
| Polity | 14 |
| Environmental Sciences | 15 |
| Science and Tech | 12 |
| Current Affairs / Art and Culture | 14 |
UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper: Points to Note
Following are some crucial points that every candidate must remember while appearing for UPSC Prelims
- Only the GS-1 marks will be considered for calculating the merit
- CSATis qualifying in nature and one has to score at least 33% to qualify for this paper
- Negative marking will be applicable for both papers
- Candidates must stay updated with current affairs
Importance of Solving UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper
According to IAS toppers, and experts solving UPSC Previous Year Question Papers play a crucial role in the preparation for USPC exams. Here are the following advantages you will get by attempting the UPSC 2021 Prelims question paper.
- UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper will help you comprehend the most recent exam pattern
- It would be easier for you to analyze the topics that are most important from the exam point of view
- Scrutinize the difficulty level of the UPSC Prelims exam
- Candidates will be aware of the changes and trends in the Prelims exam pattern
- Aspirants will be able to figure out their areas of difficulty and mend their preparation strategy accordingly.
How to Analyze the UPSC Prelims Question Paper?
After attempting the UPSC Prelims question paper it is crucial for you to analyze them so that you can perform better in the next attempt. It will help you to enhance your performance in the final exam, and give you confidence as well, Here are some tips that will help you to analyze the UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper.
- You need to take it as the final exam, and for that, you must set the timer
- Create an actual exam-like environment
- Attempt the questions, and calculate your marks
- If you have not scored up to your expectations then find then review your mistakes. Figure out if the mistake was due to a lack of preparation, silly mistakes, or anything else.
- Work on your mistakes and reattempt the paper again after a while
Right approach for solving the UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper
We have listed some important tips that every aspirant must remember while solving the UPSC 2021 Prelims Question Paper.
- Apply common sense and logic to eliminate the wrong options in the question paper, and make sure you never try to answer based on random guessing,
- If there is at least a 25% probability of getting the correct answer then you must go with it.
- Time is the key, so don’t lose your time by getting stuck on one question. Set your timer and make sure you are done with the test before the time.
- If the number of questions attempted is less than 80 after the 3rd round, then you can go for the 4th round
