UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2021: Download GS 1 & CSAT Answer Key Official PDF Set Wise

The official UPSC Prelims 2021 Answer Key PDF is available to download on the Testbook platform! The UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2021 was conducted on 10 October, 2021. Subsequently, the final UPSC Prelims 2021 Answer Key for GS Paper 1 and CSAT was released by the Union Public Service Commission on 2nd June, 2022. The set-wise official answer key is extremely resourceful for aspirants planning to appear for the future Civil Services Exam. Not only does it help candidates to estimate their performance in their practice with previous year question papers, but also helps them comprehend the nature of questions that are repeatedly asked, and thereby refine their preparation. 

If you’re an aspirant committed to clearing the upcoming UPSC Prelims 2025, download the official UPSC Prelims 2021 Answer Key PDF provided in this article to give the final boost to your preparation. 
Also Check, Official UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key & CSAT 2024 Answer Key.

UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2021

UPSC Prelims 2021 Answer Key 

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the official answer keys for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021 on May 30, 2022. These keys are available for both General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT) across all question paper sets (A, B, C, D). Candidates can download the PDFs from the official UPSC website under the 'Examinations' > 'Answer Keys' section. The answer keys provide transparency in the evaluation process and assist candidates in assessing their performance.

UPSC Prelims 2021 Answer Key Release Date

The official answer keys for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021 were released on May 30, 2022, following the declaration of the final results. This release timeline aligns with UPSC's standard practice of publishing answer keys after the entire examination process concludes. The answer keys serve as a valuable resource for candidates to verify their responses and understand the evaluation criteria.

Also find out UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage for GS 1 and CSAT.

UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 Answer Key 2021: Download PDF

GS Paper 1 of UPSC Prelims is conducted for 200 marks spread out across 100 questions, with each question carrying +2 marks. There were a total of 4 different sets in the Prelims GS 1 Question Paper. Download the set wise official answer key from the table below –

Go through year wise UPSC Answer Key to tally your responses!

CSAT 2021 Answer Key PDF

The UPSC CSAT is a qualifying paper of UPSC Prelims. Using the official CSAT 2021 Answer Key, candidates can cross verify their responses and identify whether they are able to score at least 33% marks, which is the minimum qualifying score required to clear this paper. Download the official set-wise UPSC Prelims 2021 CSAT answer key in PDF format to evaluate your answers now from the table below –

How to Download UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2021?

The UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2021 is available for download on the official website @upsc.gov.in. Candidates can download the set wise official Answer Key PDF for IAS Prelims 2021 by following the steps given below –

Step 1 – Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.

Step 2 – Navigate to the 'Examination' tab and select 'Answer Keys' from the dropdown menu.

Step 3 – Locate the link for the 'Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021' answer key.

Step 4 – Click on the link to open the PDF document.

Step 5 – Download and save the PDF for reference.

The direct link to download the official UPSC Prelims 2021 Answer Key PDF is also provided above on this page. 

How to Use UPSC Prelims 2021 Answer Key for Preparation?

Utilizing the official UPSC Prelims 2021 answer key is a strategic approach for effective UPSC Exam Preparation. By referring to the official answer key, candidates can get a clear benchmark to self-assess their performance, understand the exam pattern, and identify areas that require improvement. Here's how you can effectively leverage it – 

✔️Do a thorough Self-Evaluation

Attempt the UPSC Prelims 2021 Paper under timed conditions. Then, use the official answer key to calculate your exact score by applying the marking scheme. Identify which sections you performed poorly in. This data-driven evaluation helps in objectively checking your readiness and spotting weak areas needing focused improvement.

✔️ Analyze Question Trends & Patterns

Review the paper to identify subject-wise question distribution and frequently asked topics. Check whether questions were factual, conceptual, or analytical. This analysis will help you predict the weightage of subjects in upcoming exams and align your preparation to match UPSC’s evolving pattern.

✔️ Point Out Areas for Conceptual Understanding

Use the answer key to pinpoint topics you answered incorrectly. Refer back to NCERTs and standard books to understand the concepts behind those questions. This will strengthen your subject clarity and prevent similar mistakes in future exams.

✔️Develop Effective Elimination Techniques

Study how incorrect options were framed and why they were wrong. Practice eliminating these in similar future questions. This helps improve intelligent guessing and accuracy in high-risk questions, especially when two options seem close.

✔️Incorporate Learnings into Your Study Plan

Revise your study plan based on performance. Focus on topics with low accuracy and revise high-weightage areas thoroughly. Make use of this analysis to set short-term topic-based goals and track improvement with regular mock tests.

✔️Benchmark Against Cut-Off Trends

Compare your calculated score with the official UPSC Prelims Cut Off. This comparison will help you estimate how close you are to qualification. If below the cut-off, focus more on high-yield topics and accuracy; if above, begin Mains Preparation confidently.

Also read – 

• UPSC Prelims 2024 Question Paper
• UPSC 2022 Prelims Question Paper
• UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper
• UPSC 2021 Question Paper
• UPSC 2020 Question Paper
• UPSC 2019 Question Paper

🧮 UPSC Prelims Answer Key Marking Scheme

To estimate your Prelims marks using the official Prelims 2021 Answer Key, it is crucial to be aware of the UPSC Marking Scheme for GS Paper 1 and CSAT Papers. Check the official marking pattern for UPSC Prelims in the table below – 

Estimate your Prelims Marks with UPSC Marks Calculator & UPSC Negative Marking Calculator.

We hope you found this UPSC Prelims 2021 Answer Key useful in your exam preparation! Download the Testbook App now to get last-minute preparation tips and best-in-class study materials, test series and expert coaching for IAS Preparation!