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 PYQs1955
Themes11
Subtopics49

Themes

Start here — subject-level view
396 Indian Polity & Governance PYQs · open subtopics 393 Indian Economy PYQs · open subtopics 348 Environment & Ecology PYQs · open subtopics 297 International Relations PYQs · open subtopics 271 Science & Technology PYQs · open subtopics 209 History of India PYQs · open subtopics 207 Geography PYQs · open subtopics 192 Social Justice & Development PYQs · open subtopics 154 Current Affairs PYQs · open subtopics 122 Art & Culture PYQs · open subtopics 118 Agriculture PYQs · open subtopics

All themes

1 Indian Polity & Governance 396 2 Indian Economy 393 3 Environment & Ecology 348 4 International Relations 297 5 Science & Technology 271 6 History of India 209 7 Geography 207 8 Social Justice & Development 192 9 Current Affairs 154 10 Art & Culture 122 11 Agriculture 118

High-yield subtopics

1 Geopolitics & International Conflicts 239 2 Welfare Schemes & Social Policies 174 3 Physical & Regional Geography 145 4 Constitutional & Statutory Bodies 128 5 Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas 110 6 Emerging Information Technologies 99 7 External Sector & Capital Flows 96 8 Environmental Law & Policy 90 9 Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains 88 10 Biogeography & Ecosystems 86 11 Climate Change & Conventions 82 12 Flora & Fauna Dynamics 82

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.