UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023, Download PDF

PWOnlyIAS April 23, 2024 06:11 11762 0

UPSC Prelims question paper 2023 analysis will assist candidates preparing for the Civil Services Examination in understanding recent trends and overall patterns. The PDF of the question paper can be found here!

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023, Download PDF

UPSC Preliminary Examination is the initial stage of the Civil Services Examination by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. It consists of two papers: General Studies Paper I also known as GS Paper I, and General Studies Paper II (CSAT) also known as GS Paper 2. Understanding the UPSC Prelims Question Paper of 2023 provides valuable insights into exam patterns and topic weightage, aiding candidates in refining their preparation strategies. 

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023: An Overview

  • The UPSC Prelims is the first stage of the exam, which screens the candidates for the main stage. The UPSC 2023 prelims exam was organised in two shifts on May 28, 2023. 
  • General Studies Paper I has 100 questions in total, which was held in the morning session. Marks in GS Paper I are considered for Prelims cutoff  list.
  • On the other hand, Paper II, i.e., the Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT) has 80 questions and was conducted in the afternoon session. CSAT is a qualifying examination, where candidates are required to score a minimum of 33% to qualify.

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UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper Pattern

Here’s how the Preliminary Examination is structured

Type General Studies Paper 1  GS Paper II- (CSAT)
Questions 100 Objective Types 80 Objective Type
Marks 200 Marks 200 Marks
Negative Marking +2 Marks/Question and -0.66 Negative Marks/Question +2.5 Marks/Question /Question and -0.83 Negative Marks/Question
Duration Of Exam 2 Hours 2 Hours
Qualifying Marks Cut-Off List Minimum 33%
Languages English and Hindi English and Hindi.

UPSC Prelims Question Paper: Overall Analysis of Question Paper

The overall analysis of UPSC Question Paper 2023 suggests that the difficulty level was on the higher side. Here is the UPSC Prelims Question Paper Analysis 2023 for the GS paper:

UPSC Question Paper 2023 Analysis – GS Paper
Subjects Number of Questions
Polity 14
Economy 14
Modern History 3
Ancient, Medieval History and Culture 10
Science & Technology 5
Geography 9
Environment 21
Current Affairs 24

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023 Download

Candidates can download the previous year’s question paper from the link given below and follow the further analysis to supplement their preparation.

Paper  Download Link
General Studies I Paper 1
General Studies II Paper 2

After downloading the UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper PDF, candidates are advised to print it and analyse each question. 

They need to notice the pattern of questions and highlight high-weighted subjects. Physics Wallah experts have analyzed the UPSC Question Paper 2023 prelims, giving crucial insights to students.

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UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023: Section Analysis

  1. General Studies Paper I: Here is the sectional breakdown of the UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023, which will help candidates understand the most frequently asked topics and help them create a study plan to supplement their preparation.
    • Polity: There were 14 questions covering topics like Presidential Elections, Money Bills, Due Process of Law, and Emergency Provisions. 
      • The difficulty level was moderate, with some factual questions that might have been tough for aspirants.
    • Economy: The question paper was difficult, with 14 questions. Some were straightforward, but UPSC asked more questions from the banking sector, deviating from the usual pattern. 
      • Candidates who studied thoroughly should be able to answer at least 50% of these questions.
    • Science & Technology: This section had 5 questions, including current affairs and static topics. 
      • Thorough preparation should enable candidates to solve 4 questions easily, though this year’s questions were a bit tricky.
    • Geography & Environment: This section had 9 questions total, questions were simpler, but the options were complicated. 
      • Overall, experts considered both topics moderate in difficulty.
    • History: This subject had 13 questions, with an easy to moderate difficulty level. 
      • Candidates should be able to answer 10 to 11 questions easily. Unlike last year, only 3 to 4 questions were difficult.
    • Current Affairs: This part proved pivotal in clearing the 2023 prelims examination, which comprised 24 questions spanning diverse domains such as Science and Technology, Economy, Polity, and Environment. 
      • Notably, these questions weren’t exclusively tied to current affairs but were dispersed across various subjects. 
      • Hence, it underscores the significance of comprehensively covering all topics within the realm of current affairs to enhance one’s chances of success in the UPSC Prelims Examination.
  1. CSAT Paper: Like the past few years, the CSAT paper was highly difficult and dominated by mathematics
    • Analyzing the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) shows that math & basic numeracy are quite hard
    • Logical and analytical reasoning, as well as reading comprehension, are somewhat tough. Decision Making and Data Interpretation are more manageable. 
    • The paper was challenging, particularly from a time management aspect. 
    • Candidates should not ignore this paper, given its evolving nature. 

The analysis of the UPSC CSAT 2023 paper is provided in the table below:

UPSC Question CSAT Paper 2023 Analysis – CSAT
Subjects Number of Questions
Reasoning Ability 14
Reading Comprehension 27
Basic Numeracy/Maths/Data Sufficiency 39

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023: Cut Off

Recently, UPSC declared the result of the UPSC Civil Services 2023 and released the cut off marks for the UPSC CSE preliminary exam. 

UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2023
Category Cut off Marks
General 75.41
EWS 68.02
OBC 74.75
SC 59.25
ST 47.82
PwBD 1 40.4
PwBD 2 47.13
PwBD 3 40.4
PwBD 5 33.68

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023

How to prepare for UPSC Prelims Examination 

  • Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern
    • Download the official UPSC syllabus for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) Prelims from the UPSC website.
    • Familiarize yourself with the two papers – General Studies Paper-I (GS-I) and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT).
    • Understand the marking scheme (positive and negative marking) and the number of questions in each paper.
  • Build a Strong Foundation:
    • NCERT books are considered the gold standard for building a strong foundation in most subjects of GS-I (History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science & Technology). Start with these for core concepts.
    • Supplement NCERTs with standard reference books like Laxmikant for Polity, Ramesh Singh for Economy, etc.
  • Integrate Current Affairs
    • Current affairs are crucial for GS-I and play a significant role in all sections. Develop a habit of reading newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express.
    • Follow reliable sources for current affairs like PIB (Press Information Bureau), Yojana magazine, and websites of government ministries.

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  • Enroll in a Prelims Test Series
    • Joining a Prelims Test Series helps you:
      • Practice applying your knowledge through mock tests in an exam-like environment.
      • Identify your strengths and weaknesses in each section.
      • Analyze your performance and learn time management skills.
      • Physics Wallah OnlyIAS test series can be beneficial for preparing for the CSAT.
  • Practice Previous Year Question Papers
    • Solving previous years’ question papers familiarizes you with the question format, difficulty level, and recurring themes.
    • Numerous institutes and websites offer UPSC Prelims question papers with solutions.
  • Additional Tips
    • Focus on Selective Reading: Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many resources. Stick to standard sources and revise them thoroughly.
    • Develop Answer Writing Skills: Practice writing concise and clear answers within the word limit. Focus on underlining keywords and using flowcharts/diagrams whenever relevant.
    • Maintain Consistency: Regular revision is key. Allocate specific time slots for studying each subject and revise at regular intervals.
    • Work on Time Management: Practice mock tests to improve your time management skills. Develop a strategy to attempt questions selectively based on your strengths and confidence.

Even though the UPSC CSE preliminary paper 2023 showed changes and tougher questions, staying motivated is very important. Remember, challenges are opportunities to grow and learn. Focus on improving your skills and understanding the new pattern. Stay consistent in your preparation, seek guidance when needed, and believe in your ability to adapt and succeed. Your determination and effort will lead you towards achieving your goal of cracking the UPSC exam.

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023 FAQs

There is no such exact classification of tough and easy exams; it is the preparation and strategy of the candidate that determine the level of the exam.

For unreserved categories, 75.41 is the general cutoff.

Consistent preparation and good guidance make every tough exam easy.

To clear UPSC prelims, cut off practice PYQs and join a good test series to learn question-solving skills.

In the CSAT paper, candidates should score above 66 marks, but in GS Paper 1, they must clear the cutoff for the particular year, which varies every year. For example, the UPSC prelims 2023 cutoff is 75.41 marks.
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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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