UPSC Prelims 2023 Exam Analysis

The UPSC prelims exam 2023 was conducted in two sessions with an exam duration of 2 hours in each shift. Session 1 was conducted for Paper 1, and Session 2 was conducted for Paper 2. Paper 1 comprises GS, whereas Paper 2 comprises CSAT. Going by the previous year’s analysis, the overall difficulty level of the UPSC Prelims 2023 question paper has been reported to be moderate to difficult.

Candidates can expect a cut-off of around 82 to 85 in UPSC Prelims 2024, which is less than last year’s cut-off, which was 88.

Important Updates on UPSC Prelims Question Paper Analysis

1. As per experts at BYJU’S, the UPSC Prelims question paper analysis and the difficulty level was on the higher side than the last year, and candidates stated that the question paper was difficult.
2. Science & Technology, Environment & Ecology were moderate to difficult in nature in UPSC 2023 Prelims question paper.
3. Rest all subjects were moderate in nature.

Topic-wise difficulty level – UPSC Exam Analysis 2023 (Prelims)

General Studies 1

CSAT 

As per candidates, UPSC Prelims analysis for CSAT evaluated the paper as moderately difficult level and time-consuming. 

UPSC Exam Analysis 2023 Paper 1: Good Attempts

As per the number of questions attempted by the different candidates who appeared in the prelims exam, the overall UPSC prelims 2023 attempts for GS Paper I will be updated shortly.  As per the UPSC Prelims 2023 exam analysis, the number of good attempts for all the sections in Paper I are as follows.

UPSC Prelims Question Paper Analysis Subject-wise

Polity – There were 15 questions from Polity, covering topics such as presidential elections, Money Bills, Due process of law, and emergency provisions.

The difficulty level was moderate in nature. A few purely factual questions were asked, which might have been difficult to answer by aspirants.

Economy – The question paper for the Economy section was difficult. Out of 14 questions, some were straightforward. UPSC has deviated from the traditional type of questions asked in the Indian economy. UPSC has asked a lot of questions from the banking sector. The majority of the questions in the Indian economy section are from banking, and the type of questions are very straightforward. Candidates who have studied thoroughly from books and notes should be able to answer atleast 50% of the questions in this section.

Science & Technology – From Science & Technology, there were 12 questions. A lot of questions were asked about current affairs and the static part as well. If candidates would have prepared thoroughly, they must be able to solve atleast 7 to 8 questions. This year, the questions asked were a bit tricky, and an attempt of 6 to 7 would be considered a good attempt.

Geography & Environment – From these 30 questions, geography has 16, and environment accounted for 14 questions. The questions were simpler, but the options were complicated. Overall both topics were considered moderate by experts.

History – The overall difficulty level for History was easy to moderate. There were 14 questions from History. 3 to 4 questions from Ancient history, 2 questions were from medieval history, 5 questions from art and culture and modern Indian history. This is unlike compared to last year difficulty level. Candidates must be able to answer 10 to 11 questions easily from this section. Only 3 to 4 questions from history were difficult this year.  Last year, the history paper was quite difficult. 20 marks is easily possible from this section in UPSC Prelims 2023 GS 1.

International Relations & Miscellaneous – There were 11 questions from International Relations. UPSC has given high priority to International Relations this year as well. There were a lot of map-based questions, important treaties, conventions, and questions on agreements involving India. The overall difficulty level of International Relations was moderate in nature. Some questions were straightforward, and some were a little difficult in nature. UPSC had given a lot of factual statements in the questions that could have created confusion in choosing options. 

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