Most Repeated Questions in UPSC Prelims, Themes of Last 5 Years

Most Repeated Questions in UPSC Prelims: The Prelims stage of the UPSC Civil Services exam is known for its unpredictability. However, certain areas are frequently repeated in the exam. Questions on certain topics, such as international organizations, FR and DPSP, Jainism, the Mauryan Empire, etc. come every alternate year in the exam.

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Subject-Wise Most Repeated Questions in UPSC Prelims

While UPSC does not directly repeat questions in the Prelims, it often revisits certain themes. In the Prelims exam, questions are frequently drawn from favored areas of the syllabus. By focusing on the most commonly asked themes, candidates can secure 20 to 30 marks in the GS paper. To prioritize their revision, candidates should be familiar with the frequently asked questions in UPSC Prelims. Below are the subject-wise repeating themes in the UPSC Prelims exam:

List of Most Asked Questions in UPSC Prelims

International Organisations

1. Consider the following statements about G-20: (2023)
2. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss international economic and financial issues.
3. Digital public infrastructure is one of India's G-20 priorities.

1. With reference to the "G20 Common Framework", consider the following statements: (2022)
2. It is an initiative endorsed by the G20 together with the Paris Club.
3. It is an initiative to support Low Income Countries with unsustainable debt.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20? (2020)

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Government Policies, Parliament Acts, and Schemes

1. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit ' (Amendment) Act, 2017? (2019)

1. Pregnant women are entitled to three months pre-delivery and three months post-delivery paid leave.
2. Enterprises with creches must allow the mother minimum six creche visits daily.
3. Women with two children get reduced entitlements.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct?

1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.
2. A specified portion of each MP’s fund must benefit SC/ST populations.
3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on a yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year.
4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: (2020)

Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, and DPSP

Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates (2021)

Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability as a form of discrimination? (2020)

Jainism and Buddhism

1. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts. (2022)
2. Nettipakarana
3. Parishishtaparvan
4. Avadanashataka
5. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts?

With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’? (2020)

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Budget and Trends in the Indian Economy

1. With reference to Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS), which of the following statements is/are correct?
2. Quantitative restrictions on imports by foreign investors are prohibited.
3. They apply to investment measures related to trade in both goods and services.
4. They are not concerned with the regulation of foreign investment.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Indian Government Bond Yields are influenced by which of the following?

1. Actions of the United States Federal Reserve
2. Actions of the Reserve Bank of India 
3. Inflation and short-term interest rates

Select the correct answer using the code given below. (2021)

Bhakti Movement

The sufi saint who maintained that devotional music was one way of coming close to God was (2021)

1. Consider the following statements. (2019)
2. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.
3. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

Indus Valley Civilization

1. Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs? (2021)

Which one of the following is not a Harappan site? (2019)

Inflation and Monetary Policy

In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining price stability by controlling inflation? (2022)

1. If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, which of the following would it not do? (2020)

1. Cut and optimize the Statutory Liquidity Ratio
2. Increase the Marginal Standing Facility Rate
3. Cut the Bank Rate and Repo Rate

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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Places in News

1. Consider the following countries: (2022)
2. Armenia
3. Azerbaijan
4. Croatia
5. Romania
6. Uzbekistan

Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States?

Siachen Glacier is situated to the (2020)

1. 1. East of Aksai Chin
   2. East of Leh
   3. North of Gilgit
   4. North of Nubra Valley

Which one among the following is India’s first ‘Mixed World Heritage Site’? (2020)

1. Kaziranga National Park
2. Khangchendzonga National Park
3. Banni grassland of Gujarat
4. Western Ghats

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in the Cauvery basin?  (2020)

1. Nagarhole National Park
2. Papikonda National Park
3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 and 4 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Species in News

Which of the following is not a bird? (2022)

Which one of the following is a filter feeder? (2021)

Personalities Associated with Freedom Struggle

1. Consider the following freedom fighters:
2. Barindra Kumar Ghosh
3. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
4. Rash Behari Bose

Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party? (2022)

The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by: (2020)

Latest Technological Developments

Consider the following: (2022)

1. Aarogya Setu
2. CoWIN
3. DigiLocker
4. DIKSHA

Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?

With reference to recent developments regarding ‘Recombinant Vector Vaccines’, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines.
2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Oceanography

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 2 and 3 only
3. c) 1 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2 and 3

With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct? (2020)

1. OMT is measured up to a depth of 26ºC isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January-March.
2. OMT collected during January-March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) Both 1 and 2
4. d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Important Reports and Index

Consider the following statements: (2023)

Statement I: According to the United Nations ‘World Water Development Report, 2022’, India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of the world's population living in its territory.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
(d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct

The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the (2019)

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UPSC Prelims Preparation Tips

• Interdisciplinary Approach: Connect topics across subjects for deeper understanding.
• Analytical Thinking : Focus on analyzing information rather than memorization.
• Integration of Current Affairs: Connect topics in news with static information in subjects like Economy and Polity.
• Effective Revision: Use concise notes and practice subject-wise questions for efficient revision.
• Multiple Practice: Solve 30 to 45 mock tests in addition to PYQs and make notes of new information.