Trend Analysis UPSC CSE Prelims 2018

PAPER I

Introduction on the preliminary examination and evaluation:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the Civil Services preliminary examination
rd
on 3 June 2018. The preliminary examination is conducted in two sessions, Paper I on General Studies
and Paper II is General Aptitude (commonly called as CSAT). Both the papers are for a duration of two
hours and the questions are objective in nature. Paper I consists of 100 questions carrying 2 marks each.
Paper II consists of 80 questions carrying 2.5 marks each.

Paper I has negative marking of 33% or 0.66 marks. Paper II has a negative marking of 33% or 0.83
marks. Decision making section doesn't have any negative marking. Paper II is only qualifying in nature
with a minimum of 33% or 66 marks to be secured. There is no negative marking for the questions which
are not attempted in both Paper I and Paper II.

Exam Trend Analysis:

This year, on a superficial level the paper seemed to have restored the balance between static
and current affairs portion. But there is a catch here, the pattern is still unusual and different. Firstly,
compared to previous year which had a peculiar focus on direct and recent current affairs, this year
current affair questions were broader in terms of time frame and analytical. Secondly, the range of
questions relating to current affairs could be better solved from more commonsensical and strong
understanding of the issues. This means, candidates need to be aware about interrelatedness of current
affairs to the core concepts and how it is connected to the logic of the policies of the government. Thirdly,
candidates need to realise that each year preliminary examination is becoming challenging for obvious
reasons such as low vacancies and brutal competition. This year, the UPSC has notified the lowest
vacancies compared to many previous years. Therefore, they are deviating from historical pattern of
questions which were conceptual and predictable.

Despite this shift in nature of exam pattern and difficulty level, one fundamental way to approach
the exam is to trace the application based questions to basic portions in core subjects like History, Polity,
Economics, Geography and Environmental Science which enables candidates to eliminate wrong options
wisely. This is a skill which needs to be developed by many practice sessions and mock tests. Another well-
known strategy to prepare for a preliminary examination will be to start simultaneous preparation on
Mains Examination. These will give in-depth understanding and coverage of topics. This also gives
confidence to attempt the preliminary exam.

Finally, with the advent of smart technology and internet availability there are many sources
which are available for UPSC exam preparation. But, candidates need to be selective on one reliable
source and strategy. Refer to more Government Sources like All India Radio and Press Information
Bureau.
An overview of subject-wise topic coverage and question breakup is given as follows:

SUBJECTS TOPICS ANALYSIS NUMBER OF QUESTIONS

HISTORY, ART AND There is increase in questions on Modern History. 19

CULTURE Those who have prepared well on Ancient and
Medieval History can score well, as they were
straight forward and chronology based
questions.

Questions on Literature, Indian Religion, Festival,

Dance, Painting, Crafts were tricky as usual, they
are rare and difficult to answer.

ECONOMICS Number of questions on Indian Economy has 17

increased compared to last year.

Factual questions covered concepts like GNP,

Human Capital and Savings Economy. Basics in
Economics needs to be strong and must read
everything concepts/schemes related to RBI –
Very definite questions were asked on Public
Sector Banking, Treasury bills, FRMB, Capital
Adequacy Ratio

Current affairs questions related to NSSO, BHIM

app, GST.
POLITY Direct questions on Rule of Law, Money Bill. 14
Analytical questions on Fundamental Rights,
President Election, Speaker, Governor
Lok Sabha

Questions pertaining to Legislations - RTE Act,

Food Security Act were asked.
These were not difficult and one cannot ignore
supreme court judgements and new legislations
ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE, More focus on Current Conventions and 14
AGRICULTURE Agreement on Environment such as GACSA, PAGE

Other biodiversity related questions were on

Coral reefs, Carbon fertilization, NGT,
identification of Wildlife Sanctuary

On Agriculture - Questions on MSP, Organic

Farming, Conservation Agriculture and Soils, GM
Mustard, FSSAI were asked. This was not difficult
but confusing nevertheless
GEOGRAPHY More questions on world geography compared to 12
last year which were Identification based
questions such as on locations (map specific)
mentioned in daily news

Indian Geography Minerals location is a must

read
SCIENCE AND Application based questions: cyber-attacks, GPS, 24
TECHNOLOGY, Internet of Things, 3D printing, schemes such -
Aadhar, Digital India

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, International Organizations - ASEAN, NSG, IAEA,

TRADE AND ILO. Daily newspaper read and treaty’s signed,
ORGANIZATIONS, official visits of the head of states to other
OTHERS countries and vice versa must be noted
PAPER II

The number of questions in the Verbal (English) section were fewer as compared to the past few years.
There was a total of only 26 English questions – all of which were Reading Comprehension questions. No
Verbal Logic questions were asked in the exam.

A gist of question breakup is given as follows:

SUBJECTS TOPICS NUMBER OF QUESTIONS

REASONING Analytical Reasoning 10

Directions, Coding Decoding, 4

Cubes

Visual Reasoning 6

Comparison 3

QUANT Numbers / Fractions 4

Averages / Percentages 1

Profit-Loss, Simple Interest, 3

Compound Interest
Ratios, Mixtures 2

Time, Speed, Distance & Work 2

Algebra 1

Geometry, Mensuration 3

Permutation & Combination, 4

Problem Sets

VERBAL Critical Reasoning / Single 14

Question RC

Two/Three Question - RC ( 15
Inference Based )

Three/Four Question RC ( 3 7
Passages )

Logical Consistency 1