Paper Analysis & Answer key GS Paper

1 (CSE Pre 2016)

Section No. of Questions asked

Year 2016 2015 2014

History of India and 17 15 19

Indian National
Movement

Indian and World 7 12 18

Geography Physical,
Social, Economic
Geography of India and
the World

Indian Polity and 6 12 12

Governance
Constitution, Political
System, Panchayati Raj,
Public Policy, Rights
Issues, etc

Economic and Social 28 18 10

Development
Sustainable
Development, Poverty,
Inclusion,
Demographics, Social
 Sector initiatives, etc.

General issues on 19 13 21
Environmental Ecology,
Bio-diversity and Climate
Change

General Science 13 8 13

Current events of 10* 22 7

national and (49 Questions were (37 Questions were (34 Questions were
international importance directly or indirectly directly or indirectly directly or indirectly
related to Current related to Current related to Current
Affairs but out of them Affairs but out of them Affairs but out of
10 Questions could not 22 Questions could not them 7 Questions
be categorized in any be categorized in any could not be
other section ) other section ) categorized in any
other section )

Total 100 100 100

TREND ANALYSIS

On the careful analysis of the Paper-I (General Studies) Civil Services (Prelims) Examination-
2016, following points may be observed:

MODERATE LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY AND A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD: UPSC has brought down the
difficulty level of question papers in last 2 years compared to earlier exams. This year too it
focused on testing the candidates basic understanding of the topics. This was again expected.
As the Aptitude (Paper II) is now qualifying, this is an attempt by UPSC to give a level playing
field even to fresh candidates.

INCREASING WEIGHTAGE OF CURRENT AFFAIRS ON EXPECTED LINES: The weightage of Current

Affairs increased this year further as UPSC asked a lot many direct questions from this area as
well as issues indirectly linked to Current Affairs (or having Current Affairs context). This was
again expected. As the Aptitude (Paper II ) is qualifying in nature, the real selection depends
upon the GS (Paper- I) and so to ensure a level playing field to the candidates from all the