Download the Complete prelims question paper 2018 with Answer Key in PDF

General Studies (GS)

What is the primary function of the Election Commission of India?
It conducts free and fair elections in India, including Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Assemblies.

Which Indian state has the largest forest cover by area?
Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover by area in India.

Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy?
Directive Principles are covered under Articles 36 to 51.

What does ‘Minimum Support Price’ (MSP) refer to?
It is the minimum rate at which the government purchases crops from farmers.

Which river is known as the ‘Sorrow of Bihar’?
The Kosi River is called the Sorrow of Bihar due to frequent flooding.

What is the term of a member of the Rajya Sabha?
A member serves for six years, with one-third retiring every two years.

Which Indian mission aims to make cities clean and garbage-free?
Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) targets cleanliness and sanitation in urban areas.

What is the main objective of the NITI Aayog?
To foster cooperative federalism and provide policy inputs to the government.

Which organization releases the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) releases the CPI.

Which Indian state shares its borders with the maximum number of other states?
Uttar Pradesh borders nine other states.

What is the function of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)?
CAG audits all receipts and expenditures of the Government of India and states.

Which country is India’s largest trading partner in recent years?
The United States has become India’s largest trading partner.

Which body approves the Union Budget in India?
The Parliament of India approves the Union Budget.

What does ‘GDP at constant prices’ mean?
It refers to the value of goods and services produced, adjusted for inflation.

Which Indian state has the highest number of Lok Sabha constituencies?
Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of constituencies.

Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner?
The President of India appoints the Chief Election Commissioner.

What is a Money Bill, and who decides its status?
A Money Bill deals with taxation or expenditure and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides its status.

Which organization governs banking regulations in India?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governs banking regulations.

Which Indian river flows through a rift valley?
The Narmada River flows through a rift valley.

Which scheme aims to provide health insurance to poor families in India?
Ayushman Bharat is a health insurance scheme for economically vulnerable groups.

History

What was the main objective of the Swadeshi Movement?
To promote Indian goods and boycott British products as a form of protest.

Who was the Viceroy of India during the partition of Bengal in 1905?
Lord Curzon was the Viceroy during the partition.

Who wrote the book ‘Discovery of India’?
Jawaharlal Nehru wrote it during his imprisonment in 1942.

What is the significance of the Battle of Plassey?
It marked the beginning of British rule in India in 1757.

Who founded the Arya Samaj?
Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875.

Which Mughal emperor built the Red Fort in Delhi?
Shah Jahan built the Red Fort.

What was the capital of the Maurya Empire?
Pataliputra served as the capital of the Maurya Empire.

Who was the founder of the Gupta Dynasty?
Sri Gupta was the founder of the Gupta Dynasty.

What is the importance of the Dandi March in Indian history?
It was a nonviolent protest against the British salt tax, led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930.

Which ancient Indian text is known for its guidance on statecraft and diplomacy?
The Arthashastra, written by Kautilya (Chanakya).

When did India become a republic?
India became a republic on January 26, 1950.

What was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire?
Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Which ruler is associated with the construction of the Qutub Minar?
Qutb-ud-din Aibak initiated it, and Iltutmish completed it.

Who led the Revolt of 1857 in Kanpur?
Nana Saheb led the revolt in Kanpur.

What was the primary cause of the Revolt of 1857?
Discontent over British policies, economic hardship, and military grievances.

Which act formally ended the East India Company’s rule in India?
The Government of India Act of 1858.

Which freedom fighter was known as ‘Lokmanya’?
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was called Lokmanya.

Who was the first Governor-General of independent India?
Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy and first Governor-General post-independence.

What is the significance of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?
It was a turning point in India’s freedom movement after British troops killed hundreds of unarmed civilians in 1919.

Who introduced the Permanent Settlement in Bengal?
Lord Cornwallis introduced it in 1793.

Geography

Which is the longest river in India?
The Ganga is the longest river within India.

What type of climate does India have?
India has a tropical monsoon climate.

Which is the highest mountain peak in India?
Kangchenjunga is the highest peak located entirely within India.

What are Western Ghats known for?
They are a UNESCO World Heritage site and a biodiversity hotspot.

Which Indian river forms the largest delta in the world?
The Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, also called the Sundarbans Delta.

What is the primary cause of the Indian monsoon?
Differential heating of land and sea and the presence of the Himalayas.

Which soil type is most suitable for cotton cultivation?
Black soil, also known as Regur soil.

Which Indian state is the largest producer of wheat?
Uttar Pradesh is the top wheat-producing state.

Which Indian lake is the largest freshwater lake?
Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India.

What is the significance of the Tropic of Cancer in India?
It passes through the middle of India, affecting climate patterns.

Which Indian city is known as the Silicon Valley of India?
Bangalore (Bengaluru) is called the Silicon Valley due to its tech industry.

Which river originates from Amarkantak Plateau?
The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau.

Which is the largest desert in India?
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert.

Which part of India receives the highest rainfall?
Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the highest annual rainfall.

Which state has the largest coastline in India?
Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states.

Which mountain range separates Kashmir from Ladakh?
The Zanskar Range separates these two regions.

What is the name of the boundary line between India and Pakistan?
The Radcliffe Line demarcates the boundary.

What is the term for seasonal migration of people in hilly areas?
It is called transhumance.

Which region in India is known as the Deccan Plateau?
It covers most of peninsular India, lying between the Western and Eastern Ghats.

What causes the formation of coral reefs in coastal areas?
Warm, shallow, and clean saline water allows coral polyps to thrive and form reefs.

Recommended Indian Books for Prelims Question Paper 2018 Preparation

1. Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth (McGraw Hill Education)
Covers Indian Constitution, governance, polity-related acts, amendments, elections, and structure of government. Includes conceptual and factual MCQs.

2. Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh (McGraw Hill Education)
Focuses on basic economic concepts, budgeting, inflation, economic reforms, and government schemes. Contains theory with practice questions.

3. General Studies Paper I Manual – Manohar Pandey (Arihant Publications)
Comprehensive coverage of current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, and environment. Includes solved previous year questions and mock tests.

4. Geography of India – Majid Husain (McGraw Hill Education)
In-depth explanation of physical, economic, and social geography of India. Useful for map-based and location-specific questions.

5. A Brief History of Modern India – Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Books Pvt. Ltd.)
Covers freedom struggle, reform movements, and major historical developments. Includes timeline summaries and topic-based MCQs.

6. Environment and Ecology – Vaishali Anand (Access Publishing)
Covers biodiversity, climate change, environmental issues, and government initiatives. Contains practice questions relevant to Prelims.

7. Science and Technology – Ravi Agrahari (McGraw Hill Education)
Focuses on current developments in science, space tech, biotech, defense, and ICT. Useful for fact-based and application-based questions.

8. 14000+ Objective Questions – General Studies (Arihant Experts)
Massive collection of MCQs across all GS topics including current affairs. Designed for revision and testing conceptual clarity.

9. India Year Book – Publication Division (Government of India)
Official government source with information on ministries, government schemes, census, and development statistics. Ideal for data-based questions.

10. Oxford School Atlas – Oxford University Press
Detailed maps and thematic coverage including physical, political, demographic, and economic data. Essential for map-based geography questions.

11. Current Affairs Yearly – Arihant Publications
Summarizes major national and international events, policies, and reports of the year. Useful for fact-based questions from recent developments.

12. UPSC Prelims CSAT Paper II – Tata McGraw Hill Team (TMH)
Focuses on comprehension, logical reasoning, decision-making, and quantitative aptitude with solved papers and mock tests.

13. Ancient and Medieval India – Poonam Dalal Dahiya (McGraw Hill Education)
Explores dynasties, art, culture, society, and early Indian history. Includes model questions based on UPSC trends.

14. Indian Art and Culture – Nitin Singhania (McGraw Hill Education)
Covers classical music, dance, architecture, literature, and heritage. Contains practice questions and detailed explanations.

15. Objective Indian History and National Movement – Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Books)
Compact book with objective-type questions focused on the Indian national movement and modern history.

16. Environment – Shankar IAS Academy (Shankar IAS Publications)
A reliable guide for ecology, environmental governance, biodiversity, and pollution. Structured theory with UPSC-type questions.

17. CSAT Manual – Arihant Experts (Arihant Publications)
Covers Paper II topics like comprehension, data interpretation, and analytical reasoning. Includes practice sets and techniques.

18. General Science – Lucent’s (Lucent Publications)
A concise book with clear explanations of biology, chemistry, and physics topics commonly asked in prelims.

19. 1000+ MCQs on Indian Polity – Disha Experts (Disha Publications)
Polity-focused MCQ book useful for rapid practice, covering every aspect of the Constitution and related topics.

20. Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (for GS Paper IV reference) – Subba Rao & P.N. Roy Chowdhury (GKP)
While not for Prelims directly, it helps in conceptual clarity around governance, ethics, and decision-making relevant to general awareness.

Prelims Question Paper 2018: A Complete Guide for Smart Preparation

The prelims question paper 2018 continues to be one of the most valuable resources for UPSC aspirants. Whether you’re a first-time candidate or a seasoned aspirant, analyzing previous year papers is essential to understanding the nature of the examination. The 2018 paper stands out for its balanced mix of factual and analytical questions across all subjects. It serves not only as a practice set but also as a strategic blueprint for future attempts.

One key takeaway from the prelims question paper 2018 is the shift toward concept-based questions. Unlike earlier years where rote learning could fetch marks, the 2018 paper emphasized clarity of understanding and quick decision-making. This pattern reinforces the need for in-depth study and sharp elimination techniques.

The General Studies Paper I in 2018 tested candidates on diverse areas—history, geography, polity, economics, environment, and current affairs. Questions were framed to test not just memory, but application. For instance, in polity, instead of asking direct articles from the Constitution, the questions presented real-life governance scenarios. This approach favored those who had studied the basics thoroughly and stayed updated with real-world implications.

Geography questions in the 2018 prelims paper leaned towards environmental and climatic zones, making it important for aspirants to revise their atlas-based knowledge. In economics, concepts such as inflation, monetary policy, and basic fiscal mechanisms were asked, but with an analytical twist. This again highlighted the shift from surface-level knowledge to deeper conceptual understanding.

The paper also included several questions from science and technology, particularly related to recent developments in space, biotechnology, and environmental science. Aspirants who followed current developments in science had a clear edge.

Another highlight was the weightage given to environment and ecology. Topics like biodiversity, conservation, and international environmental conventions received considerable focus. This indicates that regular reading of environmental updates and government schemes is crucial for scoring well in upcoming prelims.

Expert educators often recommend that aspirants should solve the prelims question paper 2018 multiple times. Each round of revision helps identify gaps in understanding and improves speed and accuracy. Simultaneously, it trains the mind to eliminate incorrect options, which is a vital skill in prelims.

For best results, practice solving the paper in a simulated exam setting. Time yourself and resist the urge to check answers midway. Afterwards, review every question—right or wrong. Understand the logic behind each correct answer, and research further if the concept is unclear.

Using the 2018 prelims paper as a diagnostic tool is far more productive than using it as a mere practice set. It shows your preparedness level, your strong and weak areas, and the kind of mistakes you are likely to make under pressure.

For aspirants looking to clear prelims, revisiting this paper isn’t optional—it’s essential. It brings clarity, boosts confidence, and sharpens exam temperament in a way no mock test can.

FAQ for prelims question paper 2018

What subjects were covered in the prelims question paper 2018?
The paper included history, geography, Indian polity, economics, environment, science and technology, and current affairs.

Was the 2018 prelims paper difficult compared to other years?
Yes, many aspirants found it moderately difficult due to its conceptual and analytical nature.

How many questions came from current affairs?
Roughly 20–25 questions were directly or indirectly linked to current events of the previous year.

Were there more factual or conceptual questions in 2018?
The paper had a strong focus on conceptual understanding, especially in polity, economics, and environment.

Is the 2018 paper still relevant for current UPSC preparation?
Absolutely. It helps in understanding trends, framing of questions, and recurring topics.

Should I memorize the answers or understand the concepts?
Understanding concepts is more important as similar themes may appear with changed wording.

Can I use the 2018 paper for mock practice?
Yes, it’s an excellent mock test. Solve it in exam-like conditions to assess your readiness.

What was the cutoff for the 2018 prelims?
The general category cutoff was around 98 marks out of 200.

How much time should I spend analyzing the 2018 paper?
At least 3 to 4 hours should be spent on deep analysis, including reviewing answer explanations.

Are the topics from 2018 still being repeated in recent exams?
Yes, topics like environmental treaties, economic indicators, and Indian constitutional provisions continue to reappear.