UPSC CSE 2021: The UPSC (IAS) Prelims 2021 exam began at 9:30 in the morning shift on October 10, 2021, with Paper 1 that is GS-I. Check the reaction of aspirants and in-depth, subject wise analysis of the complete exam that is GS Paper I and GS Paper II here. This time the aspirants found the paper quite balanced and well prepared, unlike the past two years. The candidates who appeared in UPSC CSE Prelims 2021 are now waiting eagerly for UPSC Prelims Result 2021.
Also, check the UPSC Prelims 2021 Expected Cut-off below based on the paper analysis and the previous year's cut-offs.
Also Read|
UPSC (IAS) Prelims 2021 Expected Cut-off & Category-wise Official Cut-off of 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
UPSC Prelims 2021: Subject-wise Weightage of Questions- Paper Analysis
The weightage this year was almost equal for all the subjects. History, Polity and Environmental Sciences had the maximum questions. The polity was on the easier side with textbook knowledge-based questions while economics questions were application based.
The questions were also based on recent happenings like parasites and viruses as Covid 19 was majorly in the news since last year.
Take a look at the breakdown of subjects covered in the exam. The table shows the number of questions from each subject put up:
Subject-wise Breakup of UPSC Prelims 2021 GS Paper 1
| Subject |
Number of questions |
| Polity |
14 |
| Economics |
15 |
| Environment Sciences |
15 |
| History |
20 |
| Geography |
10 |
| Science and Tech |
12 |
| Current- Sports/ Art and Culture |
14 |
The maximum questions were from history which was an amalgamation of ancient and modern both. The candidates also got to see questions from art and culture which were based on current affairs.
To everyone’s surprise, this year UPSC put up questions from sports activities which could be understood as the Olympics took place this year.
Related| UPSC IAS Prelims 2021 Paper 2 (CSAT): Question Paper (PDF), Answer Key, Analysis
UPSC Prelims 2021: Answer Key, Expected Cut-offs
The UPSC Prelims answer key for paper 1 was made available at the earliest by Jagran Josh. One can check the answer key by clicking on the link shared below:
Since the exam was quite balanced, many experts are expecting a higher cut off than last year. The candidates who appeared can check the cut-offs compared to last years exams
UPSC Prelims 2021: Comparative Cut-offs of previous years
| Categories |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
| General |
92.51 |
98 |
98 |
105.34 |
| EWS |
77.55 |
90 |
-- |
- |
| OBC |
89.12 |
95.34 |
96.66 |
102.66 |
| SC |
74.84 |
82 |
84 |
88.66 |
| ST |
68.71 |
77.34 |
83.34 |
88.66 |
| PwBD-1 /PH1 |
70.06 |
55.34 |
73.34 |
85.34 |
| PwBD-2 / PH2 |
63.94 |
44.66 |
53.34 |
61.34 |
| PwBD-3 / PH3 |
40.82 |
40.66 |
40 |
40 |
| PwBD-5 |
42.86 |
61.34 |
45.34 |
- |
This year since the exam was a little on the easier scale, the candidates can expect an increase of +- 3 in the cut-offs. Take a look at the table below:
UPSC Prelims 2021: Expected Cut-off:
| Categories |
UPSC (CSE) Prelims Cut off 2021( Expected) |
| General |
98.46± 5 |
| EWS |
84 ± 5 |
| OBC |
96 ± 5 |
| SC |
83 ± 5 |
| ST |
80 ± 5 |
| PwBD-1 |
71.02 ± 5 |
| PwBD-2 |
55.82 ± 5 |
| PwBD-3 |
40.37 ± 5 |
| PwBD-5 |
49.84 ± 5 |
The candidates must note that in order to qualify for the Mains they need to pass the CSAT Paper of UPSC CSE 2021. The paper is just qualifying in nature with the candidates required to score 33% in the exam. This means if you have solved 27 questions correctly without any wrong answer you would qualify after crossing the cut-off score of GS Paper 1. In case that does not happen, the candidate's paper 1 would not be checked.
