PYQ revision

Prelims trend analysis

  1. Theme — pick the broad subject area
  2. Subtopic — drill into the tested concept
  3. Elimination tricks — avoid traps before attempting PYQs
Total PYQs1400
Themes11
Subtopics49

Themes

Start here — subject-level view
300 Environment & Ecology PYQs · open subtopics 285 Indian Economy PYQs · open subtopics 273 Indian Polity & Governance PYQs · open subtopics 223 Science & Technology PYQs · open subtopics 206 History of India PYQs · open subtopics 204 Geography PYQs · open subtopics 148 Current Affairs PYQs · open subtopics 116 Art & Culture PYQs · open subtopics 114 Social Justice & Development PYQs · open subtopics 120 International Relations PYQs · open subtopics 103 Agriculture PYQs · open subtopics

All themes

1 Environment & Ecology 300 2 Indian Economy 285 3 Indian Polity & Governance 273 4 Science & Technology 223 5 History of India 206 6 Geography 204 7 Current Affairs 148 8 International Relations 120 9 Art & Culture 116 10 Social Justice & Development 114 11 Agriculture 103

High-yield subtopics

1 Physical & Regional Geography 142 2 Welfare Schemes & Social Policies 99 3 Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas 98 4 Biogeography & Ecosystems 86 5 Constitutional & Statutory Bodies 83 6 Flora & Fauna Dynamics 76 7 Environmental Law & Policy 75 8 Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains 73 9 Colonial Rule & Administration 68 10 Geopolitics & International Conflicts 68 11 Climate Change & Conventions 67 12 Parliamentary System & Procedures 66

Top elimination tricks (all PYQs)

12 from PYQs

Common distractors and how to eliminate wrong options in this syllabus.

  • 2

    Verify each pair independently; even if one part of a statement is correct, the entire pair must be accurate.

  • 1

    Accurately associate trade winds with tropical zones and westerlies with temperate zones for correct applicat…

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  • 1

    Accurately link specific diseases like common cold and AIDS to their respective viral families.

  • 1

    Accurately place Singapore (island south of Malay Peninsula) and Bangkok (Thailand) between Jakarta and Hanoi.

  • 1

    Accurately recall the geographical locations of both movements to eliminate options.

  • 1

    Always assess if an action increases government spending or decreases government revenue; both worsen the def…

  • 1

    Always be skeptical of absolute statements (e.g., 'No virus can...') in biological questions; they are freque…

  • 1

    Always be skeptical of statements containing absolute terms like 'All', 'Only', 'Never' in UPSC questions, as…

  • 1

    Always be wary of absolute statements like "no side effects" in medical contexts; they are usually incorrect.

  • 1

    Always begin conflict resolution with acknowledging the cultural and historical grievances of marginalized co…

  • 1

    Always check for recent policy changes, especially tax reforms, as UPSC frequently tests updated regulations.

  • 1

    Always check if the question asks for the 'correct' or 'incorrect' match before answering.