This article gives you a detailed analysis of the 2017 UPSC Prelims GS paper I that was held on the 18^th of June as scheduled. An analysis of this sort would help you understand why a question was asked, to which topic it belonged to and how you should solve it. This will help in your future IAS preparation.

UPSC Prelims 2017 Question Paper Analysis

UPSC Prelims 2017 GS Paper I Detailed Question Paper Analysis

Answer: d

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because any MP who is not a minister is called a Private Member. A bill introduced by a private member is called a private member’s bill. Statement 2 is also wrong because 14 private bills have been passed in the history of the Parliament.

Comment: This question was asked because the Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014 which was passed in the Rajya Sabha and is pending in the Lok Sabha was a private member’s bill.

Answer: c

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Indus Valley people did not know about iron. Statement 3 is actually contentious. While the Indus Valley people did not domesticate horses, recent studies have shown that they may have been aware of horses. However, we can take conventional wisdom and take this statement as correct. But for an official confirmation, we have to wait for the official answer key that the UPSC would release next year.

Comment: Ancient history

Answer: a

Explanation: Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme was launched to certify construction workers in five states initially, Haryana, Odisha, Telangana, Delhi and Chhattisgarh, in skills acquired through traditional channels.

Comment: Direct

Answer: a

Explanation: Here knowing the locations of the reserves and parks will help us identify the answer. We must look for the reserve which is located at the meeting of the Western and the Eastern Ghats. Sathyamangala Tiger Reserve is located in the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. It is located in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve between the Western and Eastern Ghats.

Comment: Geography. Biosphere reserves and national parks are important.

Answer: a

Explanation: Equality in society is the absence of privileges. Article 7 of the Universal declaration of Human Rights state that, “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.”

Comment: Direct

Answer: b

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because TRAFFIC is a joint program of the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Statement 2 is correct.

Comment: Ecology and conservation, IUCN are important topics.

Answer: b

Explanation: Option (b) is article 43(a) of the 42^nd amendment.

Comment: Theoretical question

Answer: c

Explanation: Options (a) and (d) are obviously incorrect. There can be a doubt between options (b) and (c). ‘b’ is incorrect because some rights are extra-constitutional and legal.

Comment: Polity

Answer: a

Explanation: This report is released by the World Economic Forum.

Comment: The report released in 2016 saw India’s position leap from 108 to 87. This improvement was seen because of the improvements made in education in this regard.

Answer: b

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because this is not related to smart cities. Statement 2 is correct and 3 is incorrect. The Smart India Hackathon was launched by the HRD ministry to provide opportunities for students across the country to give digital solutions to problems faced by people in India.

Comment: Current Affairs.

Answer: a

Explanation: The Monetary Policy Committee fixes the benchmark policy rate (repo rate) to maintain price stability with the object of growth. Statement 1 is hence, correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because there are only 6 members. Statement 3 is incorrect because the chairman is the bank’s governor.

Comment: Economy; direct question.

Answer: b

Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because apart from cymbals, drums known as pung are also used.

Comment: Art and culture question, factual.

Answer: c

Explanation: Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement system. Read and Munro introduced the Ryotwari System.

Comment: History, factual question

Answer: c

Explanation: Bioremediation is a technique in which microorganisms are used to treat pollutants in a site in which the same process of biodegradation that occurs naturally is simply enhanced. Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because heavy metals like cadmium and lead are not easily absorbed by microorganisms.

Comment: Environment.

Answer: d

Explanation: This Act provided for a ban on strikes unless a notice of one month was given. There was widespread protest against this law.

Comment: Modern History

Answer: b

Explanation: Example of local self-government is the Panchayati Raj system.

Comment: Direct and easy.

Answer: d

Explanation: DPSP are positive obligations for the State. Limitations are set by the fundamental rights

Comment: Polity

Answer: c

Explanation: The Digital Single Market strategy is an EU strategy that aims to open up digital opportunities for people and business and enhance Europe’s position as a world leader in the digital economy.

Comment: This strategy was adopted in May 2015. This was recently in news because of the Brussels Summit.

Answer: c

Explanation: Chandipur is also the location of the Ministry of Defence’s Integrated Test Range where Akash, Shaurya, Agni, Prithvi, etc. were launched.

Comment: Factual question

Answer: b

Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect.

Comment: Polity and current affairs. This Act was recently amended.

Answer: c

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct since butterflies are important for pollination. Statement 3 is correct because butterflies, a part of the food chain are predated upon by wasps, spiders and birds. Statement 2 is incorrect because there is no known correlation between butterflies and fungal infections.

Comment: Environment/Biology

Answer: b

Explanation: Statement 1 only is incorrect. Algae farming is possible in land unsuitable for growing plants and for agriculture.

Comment: Ecology/Science

Answer: c

Explanation: Only statement 3 is incorrect. National Nutrition Mission does not mention about promoting consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.

Comment: Objectives of the National Nutrition Mission mentioned in PIB release.

Answer: b

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect.

Comment: Modern History

Answer: d

Explanation: All the statements are correct.

Comment: Environment/Global warming

This is a series of articles discussing the GS paper I of UPSC 2017. The remaining questions will be discussed in the next article in the series.

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