UPSC Prelims 2020 Analysis

2020 has been a freak and tough year and many aspirants will agree that the UPSC Preliminary examination was indeed tough and bit freakish too.  As always, let us see why it is important to analyse this Prelims paper. It is so for three reasons:

  1. To understand the exact nature of questions and the source.
  2. To get a guessing about how UPSC is changing the pattern of questions in view of coming Mains and next Prelims.
  3. To demystify Prelims to the extent possible and to understand that except a few, all questions come for a reason.

 

It is the right time to analyze what went wrong for candidates getting low scores (as per answer keys) and to understand where UPSC is moving with its questions for candidates who are expecting the opportunity to write Mains. So here is my attempt to dissect the pattern of Prelims 2020 Question paper. Friends keep in mind THIS IS NOT AN ANSWER KEY. Also the categorization of the questions is a subjective matter and can vary person to person.

 

I have followed B set. The pattern of analysis will be

No. Keyword/ Subject/ Topic/ Type

Comment.

  1. Carbon Nanotubes/SciTech/Nanotechnology/Factual

CNTs are very popular in nanotechnology. This was a classic application oriented question about emerging technologies, which is a favourite section for UPSC.

  1. Drones/SciTech/Basic Science/Factual

Relatively easy question. This was another application oriented question.

  1. Spacecraft/SciTech/Space/Current

LISA was in news because Professor Stefano Vitale, principal investigator of ESA’s LISA Pathfinder was honoured with the 2020 Tycho Brahe Medal for leading the ambitious mission that demonstrated technology to detect gravitational waves from space.

  1. Genome/SciTech/Biotechnology/Conceptual

This is a question from the basic concepts of R-DNA Technology and Biotechnology.

  1. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines/SciTech/Health/Current

PCV was in discussion recently as it was claimed to be a potential protection against Covid-19. However the findings were not encouraging as per WHO.

  1. Public Key Infrastructure/SciTech/ICT/Current

PKI appeared in Current Affairs in context of IACR International Conference on Practice and Theory of Public-Key Cryptography (PKC).

  1. Plant and Animal Cells/SciTech/Basic Science/Factual

Very basic question from Biology.

  1. Benzene Pollution/Env/Pollution/Current

Benzene Pollution featured in the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report titled “Impact of Lockdown on Ambient Air Quality”. Pollution is undoubtedly a very important section in Environment.

  1. Global crisis/Econ/Foreign Trade/Current

An application oriented question about the disastrous economic impacts of the Covid pandemic.

  1. Demand deposit account/Econ/Banking Finance/Conceptual

Based on basic concepts of Monetary policy.

  1. Paramitas/Cul/Religion/Factual

Cultural aspects of Ancient India especially Buddhism and Jainism are very important parts which get constant representation in Prelims. (This is very interesting concept that can be used in Ethics).

  1. Rakhamabai case/His/Modern/Factual

The story of first practising lady doctor of India is a landmark in Women empowerment. Social reforms in British ruled India are important from Prelim point of view.

  1. Indigo cultivation/His/Modern/Factual

Straightforward question from another important area from Indian freedom struggle appears in the paper- Colonial trade.

  1. Fort William College/His/Modern/Factual

Another straightforward dart from EIC era.

  1. Ulgulan/His/Modern/Factual

A legendary event in history of subaltern India. This straight question appears from an important part of Indian freedom struggle- Farmers’, workers’ and tribal movements.

  1. Indian scholars/His/Ancient/Factual

Factual question from scholastic traditions of ancient India.

  1. Pronuclear transfer/SciTech/Biotechnology/Current

Pronuclear transfer was under debate in recent times on context of the mitochondrial diseases and ‘three parent baby’ issue.

  1. Artificial Intelligence/SciTech/ICT/Current

Application oriented question from one of UPSC’s favourite sections.

  1. VLC/SciTech/ICT/Current

Free Space and Underwater Visible Light Communication is an emerging technology modification in VLC which has been in news.

  1. Blockchain/Econ/Banking Finance/Current

Blockchain has been in news since last few years. Conceptual clarity tested here.

  1. Parliamentary system/ Pol/Legislature/Conceptual

Very basic concept from Polity.

  1. Welfare state/Pol/Constitution/Conceptual

As basic as it can get. The concept of Welfare state is being tested here.

  1. Basic structure and Judicial review/Pol/Constitution/Current

Very basic question which can be categorized as current related as the applicant of the revolutionary Kesavananda Bharati case passed away recently. This case discussed both these concepts elaborately.

  1. Gandhism Marxism/Pol/Political Theory/Conceptual

Straightforward but tricky question.

  1. Indian bureaucracy/Pol/Executive/ Conceptual

Another tricky one line question.

  1. Preamble/Pol/Constitution/Factual

One more one line basic question from Constitution.

  1. Gold tranche/Econ/Institutions/Factual

Important bit related to IMF.

  1. Part IV/Pol/Constitution/Factual

Simple question about DPSP.

  1. Minister eligibility Criminal offence disqualification/Pol/Legislature/Current

Both issues were in news recently- the first one in context of Maharashtra political situation. First statement is definitely confusing and has divided aspirants already.

  1. Parliament session/Pol/Legislature/Current

All three statements were in news in context of convening of the Parliament session in Covid19 situation.

  1. Aadhar/Pol/Policy Schemes/ Factual

Basic information tested about Aadhar.

  1. Rajya Sabha/Pol/Legislature/Factual

Very very basic question- a free hit!

  1. MPLADS/Pol/eicy Schemes/Factual

Information based question. Carrying over of funds to next financial year is a peculiarity of this scheme,

  1. Untouchability/Pol/Constitution/Factual

One more question which tests the basic knowledge about Constitution.

  1. Judiciary Executive separation/Pol/Constitution/Factual

One more question testing basics.

  1. Macro-economic framework/Econ/Survey Budget/Factual

Basic question about FRBM act.

  1. Constitutional Government/Pol/Political theory/Conceptual

Tricky concept testing question from theory of Constitutionalism.

  1. Constitution and UDHR/Pol/Constitution/Factual

Basic question examining the depth of understanding about Constitution.

  1. Legal Services Authority/Pol/Judiciary/Factual

Yet another factual dart. LSA is an important area from Prelims and Mains point of view.

  1. International agreements/IR/Conventions/Factual

This question tests knowledge about important global conventions/agreements.

  1. Aurang Banian Mirasidar/His/Modern/Factual

Factual question based on EIC era administrative system. Settlement and land Revenue system is a particularly important area.

  1. Buddhism/Cul/Religion/Factual

Another factual question on Buddhism.

  1. Industrial revolution/His/Modern/Factual.

Application oriented question focussing on impacts of global events on Colonial India.

  1. Kingdoms chronology/His/Ancient/Factual

Another factual question based on chronology.

  1. Hundi/His/Ancient/Factual

Yet another out of the textbook question. Hundi term is still used in Commerce. And Accountancy.

  1. Desher Katha/His/Modern/Factual

Very very specific question.

  1. Gandhi Irwin Pact/His/Modern/Factual

Factual but conventional textbook question. One or two questions from Gandian era will definitely appear every year.

  1. Vital Vidhvansak/His/Modern/Factual

Again a very very specific single line question. Reformist movement is a vital area.

  1. Kulayvapa Dronavapa/His/Ancient/Factual

Yet another very very specific question from administrative system of Ancient Indian kingdoms. These terms used to be typical GS two-markers in old pattern Mains.

  1. Inscription/Cul/Architecture/Factual

Edicts from the era of Ashoka are important. This question could have been logically answered given Ashoka’s policy towards religious tolerance.

  1. Fertigation/Geog/Agriculture/Current

Fertigation was an important part in Indo-Israel Agricultural Project to address Covid-19 challenges faced by farming sector.

  1. Major minerals/Geog/Resources/Factual

Tricky question about mineral resources.

  1. OMT/Geog/Physical/Current

OMT was in news after the study which highlighted OMT as an indicator to predict patterns of Indian Monsoon. Monsoon and climatic patterns of Indian subcontinent have good representation every year.

  1. Chemical fertilizers/Geog/Agriculture/Current

The issue about availability and pricing of Chemical fertilizers was discussed before Kharif season in context of Covid pandemic.

  1. Desert National Park/Env/Biodiversity/Current

Desert National park was in news in context of declaration of habitats of Great Indian Bustards as Conservation reserves.

  1. Siachen Glacier/Geog/Maps/Current

Question on expected lines. Location and map based questions are from Current affairs more often.

  1. Historic places states/Geog/Maps/Factual

Places of historic importance asked here. Can be solved using elimination.

  1. Groundwater/Geog/Resources/Current

This question has origins in Groundwater report by Niti Ayog. Government studies like this are very important sources for questions.

  1. Jet streams Cyclones/Geog/Physical/Factual

Basic facts from Climatology tested here. NCERT type question.

  1. Tiger reserve/Env/Biodiversity/Current

The report titled ‘Status of Tigers Co-predators and Prey in India’, released by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change was released recently. It discussed the issue of Critical Tiger Habitats in details. Another question from Government report on vital issues.

  1. Schedule VI/Env/Institutions-Laws/Factual

Straightforward but tough one.

  1. Ghantasala Chaul Kandura/Geog/Maps/Factual

Once again a map based question originating from Ancient History.

  1. Zero tillage/Geog/Agriculture/Conceptual

Concept from modern agricultural technology is being checked here.

  1. National Biofuel Policy/Env/Institutions-Laws/Factual

Basic fact based question. Renewable energy is one of the favourite topics for UPSC.

  1. Social cost of carbon/Env/Pollution/Current

This concept has been under discussion in context of US Presidential election and the Presidential debate.

  1. Pulses/Geog/Agriculture/Factual

Yet another question from core Agriculture. This question focusses on changing trends in Indian cropping pattern, especially in rainfed area.

  1. Subtropical crop/Geog/Agriculture/Factual

A riddle like question which is straight forward. It can be cracked by elimination as well. Once again rainfed crop in focus.

  1. Solar pumps/SciTech/Energy/Current

In this year’s budget, PM KUSUM scheme for solar pumps was expanded. This is considered to be a major step in the arena of new and renewable energy. This is how UPSC asks questions on basic bits which appear in policies.

  1. Sugarcane/ Geog/Agriculture/Factual

Very specific question on a major crop.

  1. Eco-friendly agriculture? Geog/Agriculture/Current

Yet another question picked from budget. Eco-friendly agriculture and Natural farming were discussed elaborately in this budget.

  1. Public investment/Geog/Agriculture/Conceptual

A thought provoking question about agricultural inputs based on concepts from Economics. One needs understanding of public investment, subsidies and concessions to answer this. Agro-economics remains an important topic for Mains also.

  1. Interest coverage ratio/Econ/Banking Finance/Conceptual

ICR is an indicator which represents financial health of a firm. Conceptual clarity needed to attend this tricky question.

  1. Rice pricing/ Geog/Agriculture/Factual

Yet another question on Agriculture. Can be solved using basic knowledge.

  1. Trade in SAARC/Econ/Foreign trade/Current

This question attempts to check the knowledge about recent trends in India’s foreign trade in SAARC region. This is a very tricky question which needs specific knowledge.

  1. G20/IR/Institutions/Factual

Very straightforward question.

  1. KCC/Geog/Agri/Factual

KCC is a flagship scheme of Central Government aimed at reviving Agriculture through credit availability.

  1. CPI WPI/Econ/Banking Finance/Conceptual

Basic question testing conceptual knowledge about Inflation indices.

  1. Rivers/Geog/Maps/Factual

Very basic but very tricky question from Maps section. This question needs precise knowledge about expanse of seas and not merely visual memory.

  1. MSP/Geog/Agri/Conceptual

Concept of MSP is tested there.

  1. Economy terms/Econ/Basic/Conceptual

Four concepts from basic Economics being tested here.

  1. FDI/Econ/Foreign trade/Factual

Basic but tricky question.

  1. Import Export/Econ/Foreign trade/Current

Again a tricky question based on current trends in foreign trade.

  1. West Texas Intermediate/Econ/Foreign trade/Current

A well known concept in Oil Economics.

  1. Non-financial debt/Econ/Banking Finance/Conceptual

Concept check done here. Conceptual questions from Economics are assured scoring ones if there is command on these concepts.

  1. IAEA safeguards/SciTech/Energy/Factual

Nuclear safety is a very important topic and has a good representation across the years in Prelims.

  1. TRIMS/Econ/Foreign trade/Factual

International agreements about foreign trade are important source of factual questions.

  1. Expansionist monetary policy/Econ/Banking Finance/Conceptual

Another concept checking question from Economics.

  1. Economic liberalization/Econ/Development/Factual

This question tests a wide range of facts and concepts related to 1991 reforms. Not many questions from Development Economics this year but it is a vital topic for Mains.

  1. DCCBs/Econ/Banking Finance/Factual

Very specific factual question from Agro-Finance sector. You can expect a couple of questions from this sector in mains as well.

  1. Cyber insurance/SciTech/ICT/Conceptual

Concept of Cyber insurance is tested here. Cyber security is another important topic that gets representation here.

  1. Parivrajaka Shramana Upasaka/Cul/Religion/Factual

Yet another factual dart from a very important section of Culture- Buddhism.

  1. Elephants/Env/Biodiversity/Current

Elephant conservation and safety was in discussion due to Palakkad Elephant tragedy in June.

  1. National Parks in Cauvery basin/Env/Biodiversity/Current

Papikonda National Park was in news when 129 Butterfly species were recorded in the reserve and also due to Polavaram project issue. Other options were also in news recently.

  1. Ceylon Frogmouth/Env/Biodiversity/Current

This was indeed a tricky question about birds from Indian subcontinent which appeared in news for various reasons.

  1. Barasingha/ Env/Biodiversity/Current

Revival programme was started for this near-extinct species in Kanha National Park this year.

  1. Steel slag/Geog/Resources/Current

Steel slag was in news in context of Vizag steel plant and its applicability as alternative to sand.

  1. Musk deer/ Env/Biodiversity/Current

An eye-opening report about only one male Musk deer being alive in India brought back the state animal of Uttarakhand in news. Current bits from Biodiversity are very specific and challenging.

  1. Rural road construction/Env/Pollution/Current

Road ecology and road constructions were in news with regards to IENE Road ecology conference.

  1. Coal ash/Env/Pollution/Factual

Straight forward question from important sector- Carbon based pollutants.

  1. Biochar/Geog/Agriculture/Current

Biochar was in news recently in context of its application in Ghana for tackling climatic changes.

Let us now see the distribution across the subjects and topics.

Culture: Like last year, this year’s prelims too had lesser representation. Out of 4 questions, 3 were from the perennial favourite section of UPSC: Religion. Even the solitary question from Architecture was related to religion. Buddhism and Jainism remain important areas for Prelims but specific questions make it tough to attempt all questions correctly. Therefore it is advisable to cover all the basics but one cannot go studying and studying given the extremely specific nature of questions. Culture was tough as expected.

Economics: Economics had its fair share of 17 questions-4 less than 2019. Banking-Finance sector had 7 questions while there were 6 from Foreign Trade. The questions covered a wide spectrum of topics like Budget, Agro-economics, Covid impact etc. Factual questions were data driven and hence tougher. However a good number of questions were conceptual testing the basic concepts. Overall Economics was average in terms of difficulty quotient.

Environment: Last year Environment had a whopping share of 20 questions, which came down to 13 this year. 10 of them were current based questions, highlighting how important newspapers are for Prelims. As expected the bigger chunk of 7 was from the extremely important topic of Biodiversity. Pollution again had good share of 4 questions while Institutions-Laws had 2 questions. Current based questions were tricky making the entire section tougher than average. Social contexts in Environment and Ecology were apparently in UPSC’s focus this time, which may be the case in upcoming Mains too.

Geography: Geography was the dominating section this year with 21 questions. It was a good mix of current based, conceptual and factual questions. This year’s Prelims will be remembered as Agriculture oriented exam. 12 questions from this section are enough to swing the outcome for any candidate. There were questions from Mapping, Resources and Physical Geography too. Current affairs based questions were challenging and Map based questions were specific. 10 factual questions and specific bits asked from Agriculture made Geography tougher than average.

History: 13 questions- all factual. 9 from Modern History and 4 from Ancient: That was all about History. This was arguably the toughest section this year. Ancient History is generally about the Kingdoms but this year Scholastic traditions and administrative systems were also asked about. Most questions from modern History were very very specific e.g. Vital Vidhvansak, Desher katha. You either know them or you don’t- There’s no guessing. History was the toughest part of 2020, yet thankfully it had less representation than 2019.

International Relations: Yet again IR and Global diplomacy had nominal representation (Not to forget Foreign trade having 6 questions though). One factual question came each from Conventions and Institutions. IR was average in terms of difficulty.

Polity: Traditionally the core topic of Prelims, Polity had 17 questions this year same as 2019. He focus was clearly on Constitution. Legislature also had 4 questions. Surprisingly in a section that has the greatest scope for Current based questions, more than half of the questions were factual. Hardness level varied from very basic (Welfare state, Rajya Sabha powers, Preamble) to very tricky (Criminal offence disqualification, Constitutional Government). Overall it was average as compared to other topics.

Science Technology: SciTech as always was a good mixture of Current, Conceptual and Factual questions across the topics. ICT was again the major focus part with 4 questions. Current based questions were very specific. As expected this section had a good share of 13 questions. Modern Technologies remains a critical area (Expect more in Mains). Generally it was average in hardness, given the scope and specificity UPSC has explored in recent years.

To sum it up, UPSC surpassed last year’s share of Factual questions from 42 to 51. Factual questions are always tricky as they need specific information and multiple bits are tested in a single question. Current based questions came down from 48 to 33. But still, we just cannot keep aside newspapers as a major source of study material. Conceptual questions had a rise from 10 to 16 which indicates the focus on Basics.

Further the emphasis on Agriculture was a shocker to most candidates. This is one topic that is important but had limited focus areas for Prelims. These 12 questions stumped a lot many candidates. Further topics with wide scope and specific data had good number of questions- Banking Finance (6), Biodiversity (7), ICT (4). These are tricky areas which can potentially reduce strike rate and speed too. Contrarily the basic topics from Economy and Geography did not have much questions which have good scoring chance. So more questions from dynamic parts and less from static areas made it really tough. Plus no topic was less than average in hardness.

Given the toughness of this paper, the cut-off must have been around 92-95 this year. The candidates who have not qualified may use this analysis to decipher what went wrong and to improve accordingly. Those who have qualified for the Mains can use this analysis to gauge the pattern UPSC might be following in this famously uncertain year 2020. While studying for Mains, focus on basics and trending issues. Study news thoroughly and write as much as you can. Prepare hard enough to be ready to face any surprise that UPSC throws. UPSC Mains is a mountain but it is your mountain and YOU have to climb it!!

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