UPSC Prelims Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The UPSC is a commission that chooses candidates for important government jobs such as IAS, IPS, and IFS. They conduct an exam called the Civil Services Examination (CSE) every year, which has three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Interview. we will talk about the first stage, which is the Preliminary exam, and answer some commonly asked questions about it.

Q1:What is the UPSC Prelims Exam, and what is its format?

Ans:The UPSC Prelims Exam is the first stage of the CSE, and it consists of two papers – General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (also known as Civil Services Aptitude Test or CSAT). The General Studies Paper I is objective in nature and tests the candidate’s knowledge on various subjects such as History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Science, and Technology. The General Studies Paper II tests the candidate’s aptitude and comprehension skills.

Q2:When is the UPSC Prelims Exam conducted?

Ans:The UPSC Prelims Exam is usually conducted in June every year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the exam dates for 2020 and 2021 were postponed to October.

Q3:What is the eligibility criteria for the UPSC Prelims Exam?

Ans:The eligibility criteria for the UPSC Prelims Exam are as follows:

The candidate must be a citizen of India.

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.

The candidate must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of August 1 of the year in which he/she is appearing for the exam.

The candidate belonging to the reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) gets relaxation in the upper age limit.

Q4:How many times can a candidate appear for the UPSC Prelims Exam?

Ans:There is no limit to the number of attempts a candidate can make for the UPSC Prelims Exam. However, the age limit criteria apply.

Q5:What is the syllabus for the UPSC Prelims Exam?

Ans:The syllabus for the UPSC Prelims Exam is divided into two papers – General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II. The topics covered in each paper are as follows:

General Studies Paper I covers various subjects like Indian Polity, Economy, History, Geography, Environment and Ecology, Science and Technology, Current Affairs, and others. It has 100 questions of 2 marks each, making a total of 200 marks.

General Studies Paper II (CSAT) tests the candidate’s aptitude, comprehension, and decision-making abilities. It has 80 questions of 2.5 marks each, making a total of 200 marks.

Q6:What is the marking scheme for the UPSC Prelims Exam?

Ans:The UPSC Prelims Exam is objective in nature and consists of multiple-choice questions. Each question carries two marks, and there is a negative marking of one-third of the marks assigned to the question for each incorrect answer. The General Studies Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, and the candidate has to score a minimum of 33% marks to qualify for the Mains Exam.

Q7:Is there any provision for reservation of seats in the UPSC Prelims Exam?

Ans:Yes, the UPSC follows the reservation policy of the Government of India. The reserved categories are SC (Scheduled Castes), ST (Scheduled Tribes), OBC (Other Backward Classes), and PwD (Persons with Disabilities). The percentage of reservation for each category is as follows:

SC – 15%

ST – 7.5

Q8:How to prepare for UPSC Prelims Examination?

Ans:Preparing for UPSC Prelims can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and guidance, it can be manageable. Here are some tips that can help you in your preparation for UPSC Prelims:

Know the syllabus: Before starting your preparation, it is essential to understand the UPSC Prelims syllabus thoroughly. Go through the syllabus and make a list of all the topics and subtopics that you need to cover.

Make a study plan: Once you know the syllabus, make a study plan that suits your schedule and needs. Divide your time according to the subjects and topics and allocate enough time for revision.

Read newspapers regularly: Reading newspapers is an essential part of UPSC preparation. It helps you stay updated with current affairs and also improves your reading and comprehension skills.

Follow standard textbooks: NCERT textbooks are an excellent source of information for UPSC preparation. They provide a basic understanding of the subject, and you can build your knowledge from there.

Take mock tests: Mock tests help you evaluate your preparation and identify your strengths and weaknesses. It also helps you in managing your time effectively during the actual exam.

Solve previous years’ question papers: Solving previous years’ question papers gives you an idea of the type of questions asked in the exam and helps you in understanding the exam pattern and difficulty level.

Revise regularly: Revision is crucial for retaining what you have learned. Make a habit of revising regularly, especially before the exam.

Join a coaching institute: Joining a coaching institute can be helpful in getting guidance and support from experts. It also provides a structured approach to your preparation.

Stay motivated: UPSC preparation is a long and challenging process, and it’s essential to stay motivated throughout. Set achievable goals, celebrate small victories, and stay positive.

In conclusion, UPSC Prelims preparation requires hard work, dedication, and a well-planned approach. With the right mindset and guidance, you can crack the exam and achieve your dream of becoming a civil servant.

Q9:How to calculate UPSC prelims marks

Ans:To calculate UPSC Prelims marks, add one mark for each correct answer and deduct one-third (0.33) of a mark for each incorrect answer. There is no penalty for unanswered questions. The total score for Paper 1 and Paper 2 are calculated separately, and the sum of both papers’ scores gives the Prelims exam’s total score. However, the UPSC follows a normalization process to determine the cutoff marks for each year, taking into account the difficulty level of the exam and the performance of all candidates.

Q10:What questions are asked in UPSC Prelims?

Ans:The UPSC Prelims exam consists of two papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). The General Studies Paper I contains questions on current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics, environment and ecology, science and technology, and culture. The General Studies Paper II (CSAT) contains questions on comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Q11:Is UPSC Prelims very difficult?

Ans:UPSC Prelims exam challenging,but its difficulty level varies from candidate to candidate.it require dedication preparation a good grap on the basics of each subjects and high level accuracy and time management skills.

Q12:How many questions do you need to get right on UPSC Prelims?

Ans:To qualify for the next stage of UPSC Prelims, there is no specific number of questions that one needs to answer correctly. The marks of all candidates are normalized based on the paper’s difficulty level and overall performance. The cut-off marks for each year are determined based on various factors, such as the number of vacancies and candidates. Therefore, it’s essential to aim for accuracy while attempting as many questions as possible to increase the chances of qualifying for the next stage.

Q13:Which subject is easiest in UPSC Prelims?

Ans:It is subjective to determine which subject is easiest in UPSC Prelims as it varies from candidate to candidate based on their background, interest, and preparation. However, some candidates find subjects like History, Geography, and Polity to be comparatively easier than subjects like Science and Technology or Economics. It is important to note that all subjects carry equal weightage, and a candidate should have a thorough understanding of all subjects to perform well in the exam.

Q14:Which is easy prelims or mains?

Ans:It is difficult to say which is easier, UPSC Prelims or Mains, as both exams require different skill sets and preparation. UPSC Prelims tests the candidate’s knowledge, comprehension, analytical, and decision-making abilities, whereas UPSC Mains tests their writing and presentation skills along with their understanding and analysis of various topics.

UPSC Prelims has objective-type multiple-choice questions, while UPSC Mains has subjective-type questions that require in-depth analysis and critical thinking. However, both exams are equally important and require dedicated preparation.

It is essential to note that the UPSC exam is a long and rigorous process, and each stage is equally important in determining the final outcome. Therefore, it is important to prepare thoroughly for both UPSC Prelims and Mains to increase the chances of success.

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