UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023 [GS Paper-I and II]

The UPSC Prelims for 2023 took place on 28 May 2023. The exam took place in two shifts. The first shift was from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM while the second shift took place from 2:30 AM to 4:30 AM .

The morning shift paper consists of General Studies I while the afternoon shift is devoted to CSAT (Civil Service Aptitude Test). Candidates can download the UPSC prelims 2023 question paper pdf in the below article. For now the candidates can download the GS 1 Paper of the UPSC Prelims 2023. Candidates can watch this space for more updates about the UPSC Prelims Question paper.

Candidates can access the UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper PDF using the URLs provided below.

The UPSC Prelims 2023 exam is a highly competitive and sought-after examination in India. It is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and is a gateway for aspirants to become a part of the prestigious Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, or Indian Foreign Service, among other civil services. With the exam date fast approaching, the candidates are preparing diligently to crack the exam and secure their dream job in the civil services. 

UPSC Prelims Question Paper Analysis 2023

As per experts at BYJU’S, the UPSC Prelims question paper difficulty level was on higher side than the last year; therefore, the candidates must expect the UPSC Prelims cut-off to be slightly less than the previous year. The last year’s cut-off was around 88, and this year, candidates must expect a cut-off of around 83 to 87.

Topic-wise difficulty level for UPSC Prelims 2023 question paper

As per the candidates own admission following the conclusion of the exam, the UPSC Prelims Question Paper was considered by many candidates to be marginally difficult than the 2022 exam as the questions were more factual in nature, therefore limiting the chance of elimination. Since the UPSC Paper 2023 is an OMR-based paper, this was the preferred method with which candidates used to solve the paper.

Compared to CSAT however, the GS 1 paper was moderate, while being moderate to tough in return. The numerical based questions were more difficult in comparison while the reasoning ability segment was reasonably tough. Candidates can now download the UPSC Prelims CSAT PDF as well.

Check the UPSC 2023 exam analysis in the linked article.

The Results for UPSC Prelims is tentatively expected to be released in June. For more details about UPSC Prelims Result 2023, candidates can follow the linked article.  UPSC Previous Year Question Papers might help candidates prepare for the UPSC 2024 exam.

Candidates who are preparing for the exam must be eagerly waiting for the question papers to be released. The UPSC Prelims Question Papers for General Studies Paper I and Paper II (CSAT) will be made available on BYJU’S website soon after the exam is conducted. Aspirants can download the IAS Prelims 2023 Question Papers PDF to evaluate their performance and analyze their strengths and weaknesses. These question papers are an excellent resource for candidates to prepare for the exam and gain a better understanding of the question paper pattern and difficulty level.

The IAS notification containing exam details was issued on February 1, 2023, and the commission released the UPSC Prelims Admit Card for the exam in the first week of May 2023.

The UPSC Prelims Answer Key, which is developed by CSE Experts will also be provided for the reference of candidates, allowing applicants to assess their performance and prepare for the Mains exams. 

UPSC Paper 2023 with Answer Keys will be available on the official website of the UPSC after the final results of the UPSC 2023 are released. However, candidates can check the UPSC Prelims 2023 Answer Key, prepared by our experts in BYJU’S, from the linked article.

UPSC Prelims 2023: Expected Cut Off

The UPSC CSE Prelims is the first stage of the three-tier examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select candidates for various administrative positions in the Indian civil services. The CSE Prelims cutoff can vary from year to year depending on various factors, including the difficulty level of the exam, the number of vacancies, and the overall performance of the candidates. Typically, the cutoff marks are higher for the General category compared to other reserved categories.

The UPSC Prelims 2023 was conducted on May 28, 2023. Considering the level of difficulty of the exam and taking into account the trend from previous years, it is anticipated that the expected cutoff for the Prelims 2023 may fall within the range of 83 to 87 for candidates belonging to the general category. However, it is important to note that the official cutoff for the UPSC Prelims 2023 will be announced once the exam results are officially published.

In addition to qualifying cut off for GS Paper I, candidates are required to secure a minimum score of 33% in the GS II paper, to be eligible for the UPSC Mains 2023. The category wise UPSC CSE Prelims 2023 Cut Off marks are given in the linked article.

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023

The UPSC CSE Preliminary exam, a highly competitive exam, is comprised of two papers:

• Paper 1 of the UPSC Prelims General Studies
• Paper 2 of the UPSC Prelims General Studies (CSAT)

Both the UPSC Question Paper 2023 are conducted on the same day and are of equal weightage, with each paper carrying 200 marks and exam duration of 2 hours. Negative marking is also applicable on both papers, thus emphasizing the importance of accuracy while attempting the questions. To ensure comprehensive preparation, aspirants should consult the IAS Prelims Syllabus to gain insight into the wide range of subjects covered in the exam.

UPSC Prelims 2023 General Studies Paper 1 

The UPSC 2023 Prelims Question Paper 1 is an objective paper with 100 questions and a total of 200 marks. It encompasses a wide range of subjects such as History, Economy, Politics, Geography, Science and Technology, Environment and Ecology. The scores obtained in the UPSC Prelims 2023 GS Paper 1 will determine the UPSC Prelims cut-off and serve as a criterion to determine if a candidate has successfully qualified for the next stage, i.e. UPSC Mains. To ensure accuracy, candidates must be careful while answering the questions since the paper includes negative marking, and 1/3rd of the total marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.

Candidates can check the UPSC Prelims Marking Scheme, by visiting the linked article.

UPSC Prelims 2023 General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT)

After the UPSC GS Paper 1, candidates are required to take the UPSC 2023 Prelims Question Paper 2, which is also an objective type paper. It consists of 80 questions that carry a total of 200 marks. This paper is slightly different from General Studies Paper I as it tests candidates’ reasoning abilities, including comprehension, analytical and communication skills, decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, basic numeracy, and mental ability. Like Paper 1, there is a negative marking scheme in which 1/3rd of the total marks allotted to the question are deducted for every wrong answer. However, unlike Paper 1, the nature of Paper 2 is only qualifying, and candidates only need to score 33% of the marks to be eligible for the next stage.

Candidates must go through One Week Before Prelims Exam, to check what to study and how to approach the UPSC Prelims 2023.

UPSC Prelims 2023 Paper PDF is an excellent preparation and self-assessment tool for applicants, allowing them to practise and comprehend the pattern of questions asked in prior years. 

The UPSC Question Paper 2023 is divided into two sections: General Studies-1 and General Studies-2 (CSAT). To practise the questions asked in the previous ten years, candidates can download the UPSC prelims question papers pdf with solutions from this article. UPSC prelims question papers to aid in understanding the trend of questions asked and the level of difficulty, as well as determining expected questions in the following exam.

The Commission will publish the UPSC prelims 2023 question paper pdf on its official website once the exam is successfully conducted.

Negative marking is also used on both sections of the exam, thus, applicants must ensure accuracy when answering the questions.

To thoroughly prepare and revise for the UPSC 2023 prelims, candidates can refer to the previous year’s question papers in addition to solving the current year’s paper. Analyzing the previous year’s question papers can help candidates understand the exam pattern, the type of questions asked, and the level of difficulty. This can also help them identify the important topics and focus on them accordingly. Additionally, solving previous year’s question papers can improve time management skills and build confidence in the candidates, enabling them to perform well in the actual exam.

You can access the article link to check the UPSC CSE Prelims Result, which will be released shortly after the completion of the examination. 

Significance of Solving Previous Years’ Question Paper

Solving previous years’ question papers of UPSC Prelims can be very helpful for candidates in various ways. 

• Firstly, it can help them understand the current exam pattern and identify important subjects that need more attention. 
• Secondly, candidates can evaluate the difficulty level of the exam paper and track any changes in the Prelims examination pattern. 
• Moreover, the main advantage of solving the previous year’s IAS papers is to help candidates self-evaluate and focus on their weaknesses, and then formulate a strategy based on their needs. 

Lastly, candidates can read inspiring IAS Success Stories of previous toppers to gain motivation and incorporate any helpful tips into their preparation strategy. The UPSC Prelims is the first step towards achieving the goal of passing the civil services exam, and solving previous years’ question papers can be a valuable tool to aid in this endeavor.

Candidates can check the UPSC Mains Cut Off for previous years by visiting the linked article.

 Steps to Download UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper PDF

Follow these steps to download UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper PDF from the official website.

1. Visit the official website of UPSC.
2. Click on the Examination tab and select “Active Examination” from the dropdown menu.
3. Click on Civil Services Prelims 2023 link.
4. The page opens with all important information and links related to the exam.
5. Click on the question paper link based on the medium of your choice.
6. The UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2023 pdf will open in a new window.
7. Save and download the question paper for your reference.

Candidates must note that the UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper PDF will be available to download once the exam is over. Candidates must wait till a day or two after 28th May 2023 to download the UPSC Prelims question paper.

UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper: Some Important Tips

Here are some important tips for UPSC Prelims 2023 question papers:

• Be familiar with the exam pattern and syllabus: Familiarise yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus to understand the type of questions asked and the topics that are covered.
• Practice time management: The UPSC Prelims has a strict time limit, so it is important to practice time management to ensure you can answer all the questions within the given time frame.
• Solve previous years’ question papers: Practicing previous years’ question papers will help you understand the exam pattern and gain insight into the types of questions asked.
• Focus on current affairs: Current affairs play a significant role in the UPSC Prelims. Stay updated with current events and read newspapers, magazines, and online sources to keep up with the latest news.
• Improve your analytical and reasoning abilities: The UPSC Prelims assesses analytical and reasoning abilities, so it is important to improve these skills. Practice solving puzzles, riddles, and logic-based questions to enhance your analytical and reasoning abilities. Visit Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) to learn more about the exam and get important information about the paper.
• Revise and practice regularly: Revision and practice are key to success in the UPSC Prelims. Regularly revise the topics and practice solving questions to improve your speed and accuracy.
• Stay positive and focused: Finally, stay positive and focused on your goal. Believe in yourself, stay motivated, and stay committed to your preparation strategy.

Candidates can check the Last 10 Days Prelims Strategy to perform well in the exam.

For any further assistance, the latest exam updates, study material or preparation tips, turn to BYJU’S for expert assistance.