HOW TO PREPARE

  • Analysis of Pattern of questions in Preliminary examination

Analysis of Pattern of questions in Preliminary examination

Description

The Union Public Service Commission conducts the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination every year, which is common for the all candidates applying for Civil Services Examination and Indian Forest Service Examination.

Since the examination serves as just a screening test; the results obtained in the preliminary Examination by the candidates will not be counted for determining their final order of merit. 

However, this exam acts a primary mechanism for selection of candidates for the Civil Services (Main) Examination.

In the Civil Services examination 2018, around 3 lakh candidates appeared for this coveted examination, a total of 10,468 candidates had qualified for the UPSC main examination. For the personality test or interview 1994 candidates had qualified.

A total of 759 candidates (577 men and 182 women) have been recommended by the Commission for appointment to various services like IAS, IPS, IFS etc.

The above data clearly state the toughness of the paper. Even a slight mistake can bring aspirant out of the race.

Preliminary Examination forms the first step towards the goal of being a Civil Servant, thus thorough preparation for it is must. Right strategy and Right mindset is key to this examination.

The understanding of the pattern of questions asked in important to start the preparation with a Right Mindset.

Pattern of questions

The questions in the Preliminary examination are objective types. The reasons are:

·    The examination is meant to check the in-depth knowledge and conceptual clarity of the student related to General Studies subjects. The objective type questions provide scope for horizontally  spreading the length and breadth of the subject.

·    The examination acts as a screening test for students to qualify for the Main Examination.

The characteristics of the questions are:

1.      Core factual level question

These questions are based on facts; these check the memory retention power of the student.

Example 1 - Which among the following events happened earliest?
(a) Swami Dayanand established Arya Samaj.
(b) Dinabandhu Mitra wrote Neeldarpan.
(c) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Anandmath.
(d) Satyendranath Tagore became the first India to succeed in the Indian Civil Services Examination.

Example 2 - Consider the following pairs:
Crafts Heritage of
1. Puthukkuli shawls Tamil Nadu
2. Sujni embroidery Maharashtra
3. Uppada jamdani saris Karnataka
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2
c) 3 only
d) 2 and 3

 

2.      Core conceptual question

The questions in the preliminary examination are core conceptual in nature. These questions are asked to check the in-depth knowledge and clarity of the student.

Example 1 - If the president of India exercise his power as provided under article 356 of the constitutional in respect of a particular state, then
a) The assemble of the state is automatically dissolved.
b) The powers of the legislature of that state shall be exercisable by or under the authority of the parliament.
c) Article 19 is suspended in that state.
d) The president can make laws relating to that state.

Example 2 - Consider the following statements:
1. The Reserve Bank of India manages and services Government of India Securities but not any State Government Securities.
2. Treasury bills are issued by the Government of India and there are no treasury bills issued by the State Governments.
3. Treasury bills offer are issued at a discount from the par value.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

 

3.      Linkage between Current events and concepts

The questions are generally conceptual.  Mostly the current events are linked with concepts to design the question. For example, if the news related to Governor is in News – then question pertaining to selection, powers or comparison with the President can be asked.

Example 1 – The issue related to Aadhaar was continuously in News. Thus UPSC has asked question:

Q. Consider the following statements :

1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile. 

2. Once issued, Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the Issuing Authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Example 2 – Government has taken many steps for digitization of currency. Thus UPSc has asked question:

Q. Which one of the following best describes the term “Merchant Discount Rate” sometimes seen in news?

(a) The incentive given by a bank to a merchant for accepting payments through debit cards pertaining to that bank.

(b) The amount paid back by banks to their customers when they use debit cards for financial transactions for purchasing goods or services.

(c) The charge to a merchant by a bank for accepting payments from his customers through the bank’s debit cards.

(d) The incentive given by the Government to merchants for promoting digital payments by their customers through Point of Sale (PoS) machines and debit cards.

Above examples depict the linkage between Current events and Concepts.

Hence preparation for Preliminary examination requires thorough understanding of core concepts alongwith current events.

 

4.      In-depth nature of questions

Sometimes questions in UPSC are at micro-level. Students fail to cater such questions are they read the content superficially without understanding the core of topic.

Example 1 - According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law?
1. Gharial
2. Indian wild ass
3. Wild buffalo
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and  3

Subject – Environment

Topic – Environmental Governance

Sub-topic – detailed provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

Example 2 - With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements:
1. A high content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity.
2. Soil does not play any role in the sulphur cycle.
3. Irrigation over a period of time can contribute to the salinization of some agricultural lands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Subject – Geography

Topic – Soil

Sub-topic -  Soil characteristics

 

5.      Current based questions

The numbers of questions based on current affairs in UPSC examination are increasing year by year. Thus the thorough reading of newspapers is a must.

Example 1 - The terms ‘WannaCry, Petya and EternalBlue’ sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to
(a) Exoplanets
(b) Cryptocurrency
(c) Cyber attacks
(d) Mini satellites

Example 2 – Consider the following pairs :
Region sometimes mentioned in news country
1. Catalonia – Spain
2. Crimea – Hungary
3. Mindanao – Philippines
4. Oromia – Nigeria
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 3 and 4 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 2 and 4 only

 

Hence by analyzing the types of questions asked in the Civil Services Examination, one can understand the areas need to be concentrated while preparing for the prelims examination.


Dont miss to read the important article on : Negate the Negative Marking in Prelims Examination

IAS Helpdesk book is available on Amazon:

  • Book 1: Critical Analysis of Government Scheme (A template based guide for IAS Aspirants)
    Link to buy: https://amzn.eu/d/dtCxJG5

    Book 2: Solve IAS Ethics Case Studies using PACADI FRA