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 PYQs1300
Themes11
Subtopics49

Themes

Start here — subject-level view
286 Environment & Ecology PYQs · open subtopics 266 Indian Economy PYQs · open subtopics 259 Indian Polity & Governance PYQs · open subtopics 199 Science & Technology PYQs · open subtopics 190 Geography PYQs · open subtopics 190 History of India PYQs · open subtopics 128 Current Affairs PYQs · open subtopics 106 Art & Culture PYQs · open subtopics 104 Social Justice & Development PYQs · open subtopics 101 Agriculture PYQs · open subtopics 107 International Relations PYQs · open subtopics

All themes

1 Environment & Ecology 286 2 Indian Economy 266 3 Indian Polity & Governance 259 4 Science & Technology 199 5 Geography 190 6 History of India 190 7 Current Affairs 128 8 International Relations 107 9 Art & Culture 106 10 Social Justice & Development 104 11 Agriculture 101

High-yield subtopics

1 Physical & Regional Geography 133 2 Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas 91 3 Welfare Schemes & Social Policies 90 4 Biogeography & Ecosystems 81 5 Constitutional & Statutory Bodies 76 6 Flora & Fauna Dynamics 73 7 Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains 71 8 Environmental Law & Policy 70 9 Parliamentary System & Procedures 64 10 Colonial Rule & Administration 63 11 Climate Change & Conventions 62 12 Geopolitics & International Conflicts 60

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

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

  • 1

    Always check the specific year or act mentioned for definitions, as they can change over time.

  • 1

    Always consider overseas territories when counting time zones for countries like UK, Denmark, and Australia.

  • 1

    Always consider the mobility of nitrates; they are highly soluble and prone to leaching into groundwater, a c…