UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 Exam Analysis by Superb IAS

Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate

Key Takeaways:

• Balanced Paper: Questions across General Studies sections were well-distributed with Geography taking the lead.

• Focus on Basics: This year's paper emphasised factual knowledge and basic concepts.

• Shifting Trends: New question formats like three-column matching and increased assertion-reasoning were observed.

• CSAT: Easier than 2023 but still requires dedicated preparation.

• Cut-off Prediction: Expected to be higher than last year, possibly around 95-100 for the general category.

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Prelims 2024 offered a balanced array of questions across various sections, with Geography emerging as the dominant subject. This year, the exam aimed to test the basic understanding of the aspirants, making it relatively moderate in difficulty. Let's delve into a detailed analysis of each section.

General Studies (GS)

The General Studies paper maintained a consistent distribution of questions across sections, with Geography leading. The questions were mostly moderate to easy and fact-based, ensuring a focus on fundamental concepts without many surprises. A notable innovation was the introduction of three-column 'Match the following' questions and an increase in 'Assertion-Reason' type questions. Although the number of 'pair-type' questions was reduced, this did not add to the difficulty.

Geography: Maximum Questions, Direct and Basic

Geography had the highest number of questions, focusing on basic concepts and map-based questions. Those who had revised using an atlas and focused on foundational concepts found this section manageable. Key topics included:

- Ganga and its tributaries

- Waterfall regions

- Border questions

- Climatology

- Volcanic eruptions

- Cocoa production

- Rainfall

- Peatland

The questions were diverse but worth attempting. Over-attempting and guessing were not advisable, as negative marks could impact the overall score.

Polity and Governance: Straightforward and Basic

The Polity and Governance section had a similar number of questions as last year, testing basic knowledge without delving into complex constitutional ideals or case laws. The questions were straightforward, covering:

- Parts of the Constitution

- Writs

- Money bills

- Basics of the union budget

- Speaker of Lok Sabha

- Prorogation and dissolution of the house

- Delimitation

- Ethics committee in Lok Sabha

The section was easy, but mistakes in simple questions could be disheartening.

History, Art, and Culture: Less Modern India, Moderate Difficulty

This year saw fewer questions from Modern Indian History, with a focus on basic, easy-to-answer topics such as:

- Government of India Act 1935

- Revenue collection by Cornwallis

- Provisional presidency of the Constituent Assembly

Medieval India also saw fewer questions, with a slight emphasis on the Vijayanagar Empire. Culture and Ancient India had a respectable number of questions, particularly on Buddhism, World Heritage List, Intangible Cultural Heritage List, playwright Bhasa, and archaeological sites. The key takeaway was that specific knowledge was crucial.

Economy: Moderate Difficulty, Less NCERT-Based

The Economy section was moderate in difficulty, with questions primarily from Banking and Finance. The emphasis was on static knowledge linked to current affairs, covering:

- Digital rupee

- Total fertility rate

- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

- Types of capital

- Sectors of the Indian economy

- Corporate bonds and government securities

Current affairs topics like USA Government debt, apple imports, and greenfield projects were also included. The section required a broad understanding beyond NCERT books.

General Science and Technology: Moderate Difficulty, Consistent

The Science section was consistent with previous years, focusing on definitions, current affairs, and applications. Topics included:

- Blood vessels and blood flow

- Giant stars

- Hydrogel

- Emerging technologies

The questions tested general awareness rather than in-depth knowledge, making it essential to skip uncertain questions to avoid negative marking.

Environment: Moderate to Difficult, Fact-Based

The Environment section had moderate to difficult questions, often revolving around species and their habitats. Key topics included:

- Wildlife Protection Act

- ‘100 Million Farmers’ initiative

- SO2 emission sources

- Foreign species

The difficulty level was elevated by the question options, emphasising the importance of Previous Year Questions (PYQs).

Miscellaneous: Easier International Relations and Government Schemes, Focus on Defence

International Relations questions were predictable and sourced from current affairs, covering regions like the Sahel and the Red Sea. Defence-related questions were prominent, and government schemes were on expected lines. This section was easier and might contribute to a higher cut-off.

CSAT: Easier Than Last Year but Not Simple

The CSAT paper was easier compared to the previous year but still challenging. It featured detailed questions on the Number system, which could be tough for non-Math background students. Topics like Permutation & Combination and Probability were absent. Some English Comprehension questions had ambiguous language, putting reliance solely on this section at a disadvantage. New additions included Statement and Conclusion type questions in logical reasoning.

The Cut-off Dilemma

Given the simplicity and balanced nature of the questions in both GS and CSAT, the cut-off is expected to be higher than last year. Experts and students predict it to be around 95-100 for the general category. However, the exact cut-off remains uncertain until official announcements. Aspirants are advised to continue their preparation, taking a short break before diving into the next phase.

UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2024: IAS Paper 1

Subject	Number of Questions Asked	Good Attempts	Difficulty Level
Geography	16-18	10-13	Moderate to Difficult
Environment	12-14	6-10	Moderate to Difficult
Science and Tech	10-12	7-11	Moderate to Difficult
History	14-16	8-12	Moderate
Economics and Govt. Schemes	15-20	10-12	Easy to Moderate
Polity	14-16	9-11	Easy to Moderate
Current Affairs and Sports	6-8	3-5	Moderate

UPSC CSE Question Paper with Answer 2024

Question Paper 2024	PDF Download
GS Paper Set C with Answer	Click Here
CSAT Paper Set A	Click Here
CSAT Paper Set B	Click Here
CSAT Paper Set C	Click Here
CSAT Paper Set D	Click Here

In conclusion, the UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 was a balanced exam with a focus on fundamental concepts and factual knowledge. Aspirants who prepared thoroughly across all sections and stayed updated with current affairs had a good chance of performing well. The cut-off is anticipated to be higher, reflecting the overall ease of the paper.