Update: Download FREE Prelims Daily compilation – Click Here
Previous year Prelims questions have no role to play in your current IAS Prelims Preparation?
Think again.
We tend to skip a detailed analysis of previous year’s papers thinking that UPSC is a sacrosanct institution and they are never going to repeat themselves on the Prelims or the Mains Examination. But that is not entirely true. While UPSC does continue to throw surprises at you, there is some method in madness which we should all recognise.
There are enough instances where UPSC has repeated itself in letter and spirit and you would do well to practice previous years’ questions in the Prelims Daily initiative.
Myth #1: Questions do not get repeated
Look at these set questions and understand how themes and even exact questions get repeated. If you just give a good round to previous years’ questions, these would be a cakewalk
Consider the following statements [2015]
1. The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill. 2. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote the Demands for Grants.
3. The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
What is the power of Rajya Sabha regarding Money Bill ? [1979]
(a) It can amend it
(b) It can reject it
(c) It can withhold the bill for 14 days to make recommendations
(d) It has no power regarding Money Bill
Rajya Sabha can delay the Money Bill passed by the Lok Sabha for a period not exceeding [UPSC 1980]
(a) 9 days
(b) 14 days
(c) 15 days
(d) 30 days
The Government of India Act 1919 clearly defined [UPSC 2015]
(a) the separation of power between the judiciary and the legislature
(b) the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments
(c) the powers of the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy
(d) None of the above
Which of the following is/ are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act 1919? [UPSC 2012]
1. Introduction of dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces. 2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims
3. Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Myth #2: Maps are tough and impossible to do
UPSC often repeats the same map based questions. Have a look at this set of question based on Godavari:
Consider the following rivers : [UPSC 2015]
1. Vamsadhara
2. lndravati
3. Pranahita
4. Pennar
Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 2 and 3 only
Which one of the following statements is not true ? [UPSC 2000]
(a) Ghaggar’s water is utilised in the Indira Gandhi Canal
(b) Narmada rises from Amarkantak region
(c) Nizam Sagar is situated on the Manjra river
(d) Penganga is a tributary of the Godavari
Myth #3: Dynamic questions come only from this year
Many times you would see even the themes of dynamic news getting repeated. Sometimes, even the same topics!
H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases? [UPSC 2015]
(a) AIDS
(b) Bird flu
(c) Dengue
(d) Swine Flu
Consider the following statements: [UPSC 2010]
1. Every individual in the population is equally susceptible host for Swine Flu
2. Antibiotics have no role in the primary treatment of Swine Flu
3. To prevent the future spread of Swine Flu in the epidemic area, the swine (pigs) must all be culled.
Which of the statement given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3.
So, What changes in the Prelims Daily initiative?
- 5 questions from previous day current affairs (with 1 explanations on Tikdams & tidbits)
- 3 questions from previous years’ IAS Prelims papers (we will pick only relevant static questions)
This way, we will be able to cover atleast 5 years of IAS Prelims papers by the time you appear for your IAS Prelims 2017.
PS: We have already talked about the importance of “The Art of Tikdams” and how we at CD help you train on them at our mock test series – Download the FREE Pdf here
PPS: Analysis done with inputs from Shashidthakur’s compilations
