The 2017 UPSC-General Studies Paper-II, also known as CSAT, followed a predictable pattern. However, the number of questions in English increased. Hence, Reading Comprehension became a significant part of the paper. Aptitude questions dominated with a total of 44 questions. The number of questions in English increased from 29 to 36 from last year.
The questions in Aptitude were slightly lengthy. However, they are not of a high level of difficulty.
Most of the RC passages came from familiar and UPSC-favoured areas like Environmental studies, Government policies, and Socio-economic studies. A few questions had confusing options. The Verbal Logic questions were tricky but not difficult to answer as the options were not close.
Detailed analysis is given in the table given below:
Subjects |
Topics |
Number of Questions |
Reasoning |
Analytical Reasoning |
8 |
Directions, Coding Decoding, Cubes |
6 |
|
Blood Relation |
2 |
|
Misc. Math Reasoning |
3 |
|
Quant |
Numbers / Fractions |
7 |
Averages / % ages |
4 |
|
Ratios, Mixtures |
2 |
|
Time, Speed, Distance & Work |
3 |
|
Algebra |
1 |
|
Geometry, Mensuration |
2 |
|
P&C, Probability, Sets |
2 |
|
Profit and Loss |
1 |
|
Clock and Calendar |
3 |
|
Verbal |
Critical Reasoning / Single Question RC |
29 |
Two Question - RC (2 Passages) |
4 |
|
Statement-Conclusion |
2 |
|
Syllogism |
1 |
Team CL