UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam 2024 Analysis: Check Topics Covered, Weightage, Expected Cut-Off

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) successfully conducted the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2024 today, June 16, across various centers in the country. The examination was held in two shifts: the first from 9.30 am to 11.30 pm, and the second from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam is the first stage in the selection process for various civil services, including the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). The exam consisted of two papers:

General Studies Paper I: This paper included questions on current events, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, and general science. The objective-type paper is designed to test a candidate's general awareness and knowledge of various subjects.

General Studies Paper II (CSAT): This paper tested candidates' aptitude, including comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. The CSAT is also an objective-type paper. 

Also Read: UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam 2024: Download Question Papers of GS Paper 1 and CSAT

Here are some reactions and analyses from students and faculty at Rau’s IAS Study Circle:

Student Reactions

“This is my third attempt for the UPSC examination. Compared to last year’s prelims, I found this paper moderate because I was taking regular mock tests. Many of the questions were tough, but I managed to tackle 92 out of 100 questions, considering that there would be some negative marking for wrong answers,” said Siddharth Sharma, a student of Rau's IAS Study Circle. 

“In my first attempt at UPSC Prelims, I found the exam challenging. The questions posed were quite demanding, but it's all part of the learning process," said another candidate, Aman Khan. 

“CSAT was not so difficult this year. The comprehension passages were lengthy, and the logical reasoning questions were doable,” said another candidate named, Arjun Singh.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 Expected Cut-Off

Jaikrit Vatsal, Head of Academic operations- Rau’s IAS Study Circle, said, "The general overview of the paper was that it was simpler as compared to last few years. The framing of the question was also simpler. Overall, our assessment is that cut-off for the prelims this year will increase. The paper is on the lines of 2021-22 and the expected cut-off should be between 95-100."

Topics Covered in UPSC CSE Prelims Exam 2024

Economy:

• Total Questions: 18
• Topics Covered:
  • Banking and Finance: 7 questions
  • Government Schemes: 3 questions
  • Taxation and Infrastructure: Remaining questions
• Question Types: Mostly from the Static/Core part with few from Current Affairs
• Focus Shift: From Monetary Policy to Capital Market/Money Market

Science & Technology:

• Total Questions: 11
• Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
• Coverage: Consistent with recent trends

Geography:

• Total Questions: 14
• Question Source: 11 questions directly from class notes
• Question Type: Concept-based

History:

• Question Nature: Moderate difficulty with some repetition of themes
• Weightage: Higher for Art and Culture compared to Modern History
• Current Affairs: Elements included, e.g., UNESCO intangible cultural heritage

Polity:

• Total Questions: 15
• Difficulty Level:
  • Easy: 10 questions
  • Medium: 2 questions
  • Tough: 3 questions
• Coverage: 13 out of 15 questions were directly from class notes
• Pattern: Predominantly predictable with some challenging questions

International Relations and Security:

• Total Questions: 9
• Focus: Increased weightage on Security
• Coverage: Fewer questions from traditional areas like international organizations and conflict areas
• Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

Environment:

• Total Questions: 14
• Difficulty Level: Mostly moderate
• Question Source: Current affairs and class notes/study materials
• Overall Ease: Easier than last year due to improved study material and pedagogy

Expert Analysis

Basava Uppin, Faculty - Economy:
“In Prelims 2024, there were 18 questions from the Indian Economy. Out of these, 7 questions were from Banking and Finance, 3 were related to Government schemes, and the rest covered themes such as Taxation and Infrastructure. Around 12 questions were considered easy to moderate. The Economy section followed expected lines, with most questions from the Static/Core part and only a few from Current Affairs. The focus within Banking and Finance has shifted from Monetary Policy to Capital Market/Money Market. An average well-read student could easily answer around 10-12 questions through the elimination method.”

Arun Bharadwaj, Faculty of Science & Technology:
“The Science and Technology questions were mostly easy to moderate. Approximately 11 questions were asked, consistent with recent trends. Students with a basic understanding of key areas should be able to answer accurately.”

Indrajeet Bariar, Faculty - Geography:
“This year’s UPSC exam is easier compared to last year’s. The questions were largely concept-based. There were 14 geography questions, with 11 directly from class notes. A basic understanding of the subject was sufficient to answer the majority of questions.”

Gajanan Dwivedi, Faculty - History:
“The history questions were moderate compared to last year, with some repetition of themes. The weightage of art and culture was higher than modern history, similar to the previous year. Elements of current affairs were evident in the culture section, such as the question on UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.”

Anubhav Sharma, Faculty of Polity:
“The Polity section comprised 15 questions. Of these, 10 were easy, 2 were of medium difficulty, and 3 were tough. Notably, the number of polity questions increased to 15 this year. Thirteen out of the 15 questions were directly covered in my classes. Although the tough questions were more challenging than in previous years, the remaining 12 followed a predictable pattern.”

Ankit Kaul, Faculty - International Relations:
“There were 9 questions from International Relations and Security. The weightage of Security increased this year. Questions from traditional areas like international organisations and conflict areas were fewer, but the overall difficulty was easy to moderate.”

Akshay Vrat, Faculty - Environment:
“There were 14 questions on environment and ecology. Most questions were moderate in difficulty. Barring two questions, the rest were either inspired by current affairs or covered in class notes and study materials. Overall, the paper seemed easier than last year, reflecting the improvements in our study material and pedagogy.”

These insights reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of both students and faculty, providing a comprehensive overview of the 2024 UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam.