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ISC Explained and Analyzed Question Paper: UPSC CSE Prelims 2024

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Inspiration Study Circle- Dehradun ISC Explained and Analyzed Question Paper: UPSC CSE Prelims 2024

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the Civil Services Prelims exam for 2024 yesterday (June 16). It was held in two shifts — morning and afternoon. While the morning shift for GS paper 1 started at 9:30 am, the afternoon shift for GS paper 2 (CSAT) began at 2:30 pm.

Candidates were needed to carry their admit card to the examination center, and a valid ID card (Aadhar/PAN card) with the candidate’s photograph on it.

The exam is held in three stages — prelims, mains, and the personality test to select officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Indian Police Service (IPS), and other Grade A and B posts in the central government and its departments.

UPSC CSE preliminary exam consists of objective-type questions. Candidates scoring above the cut-off marks will become eligible to register for the UPSC IAS Main examination. UPSC CSE Main will be descriptive followed by an interview round for candidates for the various services and posts.

Prelims Paper I Analysis: Difficulty Level

  1. The candidates found the paper for GS Paper I to be somewhere between moderately easy and moderately wide in comparison to the observed model of UPSC conventions. The Paper was a bit easier than the last few years.
  2. The range of areas and topics of consideration for the questions asked were wider this year and in the opinion of many “they were unexpected”.
  3. The question paper consisted of a variety of questions ranging from Lok Sabha bills to Ranks in the Indian Military system on one hand, and from the living pattern of big cats to Inlets and outlets of Seas of the world.
  4. Experts suggest that even though this year’s paper was much easier than last year’s, the candidates would have to have a knowledge bank on an extensive range of topics with not only the contemporary static GS and World Current Affairs in hand but also trivial understanding and awareness in the day to day world.

Prelims Paper I Analysis: Subject/Topic Breakage

  1. The question paper was active on the parliamentary proceedings and procedures.
  2. The paper also highlighted India’s newfound interest in Defence preparedness. It asked questions on CDS, Rafale Fighter Plane, and Military ranks which has never been done in the past.
  3. There were a few direct questions on Geography, Polity, and Economy from NCERT texts.
  4. There were about 14 questions on environment and ecology. Most of the questions were of moderate difficulty. Apart from a few, the remaining questions are either inspired by current affairs or from class notes and compasses.
  5. The Polity section comprised about 15 questions, out of which a maximum can be put into an easy-to-moderate bracket, about 2 or 3 of them were found to be comparatively challenging by the candidates, owing to the conditions that all the options were close to being correct making it confusing for the candidates at the same time.
  6. Some questions were in a way that can be identified by the candidates in the various textbooks and reference books they read and make notes from.
  7. On the first look at the UPSC Civil Services Prelims exam, it looks like there were approximately 15 questions from Polity, 18 from Economy, 11 from History, Art and Culture, 21 from Geography + Mapping, 15 from Science, 18 from Environment and Ecology, and 2 miscellaneous.
  8. The Economy section was along the expected lines in terms of overall weightage to Economy (18 Questions) and in terms of weightage to Themes like market economy, banking, finance, etc.
  9. Some candidates went on to say that a section of questions was along the lines of PCS level with the percentage of factual coherence and directness.
  10. The question paper Exam was more comfortable compared to last year. The geography section was mainly application-based. Articles and constitutional provisions for polity should have been on the tips of a candidate for accuracy in the polity section.

Paper I Analysis: Types of Questions

  1. This year’s paper saw a break in the pattern of questions from the last few years.
  2. There were more ‘statement type’ questions than the others.
  3. The number of questions for pair-wise analysis or ‘match the following pairs’ was comparatively low.
  4. What was the most surprising element in yesterday’s paper was the coming back of ‘direct questions’ which used to be a pattern for UPSC in the early 2000s.
  5. Mapping questions or the questions based on maps were reduced this year not only in number but also in their category and span level.
  6. Statement questions with relative connection between two or more statements were found to be more.
  7. The overall pattern was a perfect blend of patterns that UPSC has held in the last 15 years, with direct questions finding their way back and statement or analytical questions maintaining their stand.
  8. What impressed the candidates most was the applicative use of questions from current affairs which can be heard, read, or found anywhere around us.
  9. Basically, statement-type questions along with direct questions were found to be following the lines of general trivia and knowledge.
Download - pdf UPSC CSE 2024 GS Question Paper SET-A

Paper II Analysis: CSAT

  1. The CAST section did not see much of a change in the difficulty level as compared to the previous few years.
  2. The difficulty level of questions under the maths category proved to be a pain for the candidates, especially because of the time constraint.
  3. However, the number of comprehension-based questions increased this year, which further challenges the time management skills of candidates appearing. The passages for the comprehension were long with 1-2 questions following them that do not stand just for a 30 to 50-second-long reading (and re-reading if needed).
  4. The difficulty level in reasoning was reduced than last year but a few categories and topics were completely washed off from the paper, that have been a part of it over the previous years.
  5. The Statement questions meant to test the decision-making and observation capabilities of a candidate were found to be more in number.
  6. Analogy and verbal reasoning made most of the question paper’s weightage.
  7. Although the complaints of candidates from last year about having to solve questions from topics out of the purview of the prescribed CSAT syllabus were taken care of, the same was compensated in the form of level of questions, especially in the Mathematical category.
  8. The paper was moderately lengthy and exhaustive, with a lot to be read and solved to get one question right, in a restricted time window.
Download - pdf UPSC-PRE-2024-CSAT-SET-A.pdf

What should be expected ahead from yesterday’s paper?

In the words of candidates and experts, the question paper was critically and visibly balanced and moderate. It did follow last year’s pattern with a twist of bringing back the old and contemporary UPSC style. CSAT did make the highlight of the day with slightly more analogies than figures, but the wholesome experience and reaction of the question papers for both GS I and GS II are positively welcoming. In the outline, the paper was very relevant and focused on the new breed of future bureaucrats who are well-versed with current events and straddle both the present and future of India.

The candidates should expect the result of the UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 to be out soon on the official website of UPSC.

The expected cutoff is somewhere more than last year but less than the years before it. Since the paper was easier in all aspects, the cutoff can reach a comfortable bracket of 77 to 85 for the General category, thereby following along the same lines for the further categories.

Disclaimer: The Above article is based on the opinions and views of various candidates and experts from our institute. For the latest and most accurate information and notifications, visit the official website of UPSC regularly.

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