The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Prelims Test is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC for recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central civil services in India. The Prelims Test is an objective-type test comprising two papers, Paper-I and Paper-II.
Papers included in UPSC Prelims Test
Paper-I (General Studies) consists of 100 questions of 2 marks each and covers subjects such as Indian history, Indian polity, Indian economy, geography, environment, and ecology, science and technology, and current affairs. The duration of Paper-I is two hours.
Mode and duration of UPSC Prelims Test
Paper-II (CSAT) consists of 80 questions of 2.5 marks each and covers subjects such as comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, data interpretation, and English language comprehension skills. The duration of Paper-II is two hours.
Screening and eligibility for UPSC Mains Exam
Both the papers are conducted in offline mode (pen and paper-based) and are conducted on the same day. The UPSC Prelims Test is a screening test and only candidates who qualify in Paper-I are eligible to have their Paper-II evaluated.
The UPSC Prelims Test is a highly competitive exam, and the cutoff marks are usually high. Candidates who score above the cutoff marks in Paper-I and meet the minimum qualifying marks in Paper-II are eligible to appear for the UPSC Mains exam.
Stages of selection process after UPSC Prelims Test
The Prelims Test is the first stage of a three-stage selection process, followed by the UPSC Mains Exam and the Personal Interview. The Mains exam is subjective in nature and consists of nine papers, and the Personal Interview is conducted to test the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and suitability for the service.
Importance of thorough preparation for UPSC Prelims Test
UPSC Prelims Test is a critical stage in the Civil Services Examination, and candidates need to prepare thoroughly for the exam to qualify and progress to the next stages of the selection process.
UPSC Prelim previous year questions for preparation along with their answers
Here are some questions along with answers
In which of the following states have black soil been formed due to volcanic activity?
- a) Maharashtra
- b) Madhya Pradesh
- c) Tamil Nadu
- d) Karnataka
Answer: b) Madhya Pradesh
Which one of the following is a water-soluble vitamin?
- a) Vitamin A
- b) Vitamin B12
- c) Vitamin D
- d) Vitamin K
Answer: b) Vitamin B12
With reference to the Indian Freedom Struggle, which one of the following events occurred earliest?
- a) Surat Split
- b) Lucknow Pact
- c) Home Rule Movement
- d) Champaran Satyagraha
Answer: d) Champaran Satyagraha
In which one of the following States is the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve located?
- a) Meghalaya
- b) Mizoram
- c) Nagaland
- d) Tripura
Answer: a) Meghalaya
Which one of the following is a rich source of methane?
- a) Coal
- b) Shale
- c) Petroleum
- d) Hydrates
Answer: d) Hydrates
Which one of the following planets has largest number of natural satellites or moons?
- a) Jupiter
- b) Mars
- c) Saturn
- d) Uranus
Answer: a) Jupiter
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acts as a banker to which one of the following?
- a) The Central Government
- b) The State Governments
- c) Scheduled Commercial Banks
- d) Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)
Answer: a) The Central Government
Which one of the following is not a site for in-situ method of conservation of flora?
- a) National Park
- b) Wildlife Sanctuary
- c) Biosphere Reserve
- d) Botanical Garden
Answer: d) Botanical Garden
With reference to the ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It is an initiative of the European Union.
- It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets.
- It is coordinated by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- a) 1 and 2 only
- b) 2 only
- c) 1 and 3 only
- d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Which one of the following is not a member of the SAARC?
- a) Bhutan
- b) Myanmar
- c) Nepal
- d) Maldives
Answer: b) Myanmar
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the UPSC Prelims Test?
The UPSC Prelims Test is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC for recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central civil services in India.
How many papers are there in the UPSC Prelims Test?
The UPSC Prelims Test comprises two papers, Paper-I and Paper-II.
What is the duration of the UPSC Prelims Test?
The duration of Paper-I is two hours, and the duration of Paper-II is two hours.
What is the mode of the UPSC Prelims Test?
The UPSC Prelims Test is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper-based).
What is the importance of the UPSC Prelims Test?
The UPSC Prelims Test is a screening test and only candidates who qualify in Paper-I are eligible to have their Paper-II evaluated. It is the first stage of a three-stage selection process, followed by the UPSC Mains Exam and the Personal Interview.
How can I prepare for the UPSC Prelims Test?
Candidates need to prepare thoroughly for the exam to qualify and progress to the next stages of the selection process. Regular practice of mock tests and previous year question papers can help in revision and improving the chances of scoring high marks.
What is the cutoff marks for the UPSC Prelims Test?
The cutoff marks for the UPSC Prelims Test are usually high, and candidates who score above the cutoff marks in Paper-I and meet the minimum qualifying marks in Paper-II are eligible to appear for the UPSC Mains exam.
What are the subjects covered in Paper-I of the UPSC Prelims Test?
Paper-I covers subjects such as Indian history, Indian polity, Indian economy, geography, environment, and ecology, science and technology, and current affairs.
What are the subjects covered in Paper-II of the UPSC Prelims Test?
Paper-II covers subjects such as comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, data interpretation, and English language comprehension skills.
What is the Personal Interview stage of the Civil Services Examination?
The Personal Interview is conducted to test the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and suitability for the service. It is the final stage of the three-stage selection process.