Prelims - MCQ Solving Techniques

Two-Option Fight Method

“Most UPSC questions finally narrow down to two options. Compare them word by word.”

This is one of the most powerful UPSC prelims techniques because UPSC rarely gives four equally strong options.
Usually:

• 2 options are weak,

• 2 options look close,

• and the final answer hides inside one keyword.

PYQ 1 — UPSC Prelims 2023

Question

With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements:

1. If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, it would decrease the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR).

2. If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, it would increase the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).

3. Expansionist monetary policy is adopted to stimulate economic activity.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer

B. 1 and 3 only

Analysis:

Most aspirants can identify:

• Statement 3 is correct.

Now real fight becomes:

• Is statement 2 correct or wrong?

Expansionist policy means:

• increase liquidity,

• encourage lending.

So RBI may:

• reduce CRR Correct

• reduce SLR - incorrect (not increase)

The keyword:

“increase”

kills statement 2.

In prelims:

• final selection often depends on one word.

• not entire paragraph knowledge.

PYQ 2 — UPSC Prelims 2022

Question

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

A. Department of Economic Affairs
B. Reserve Bank of India
C. Department of Revenue
D. Ministry of Finance

Correct Answer

B. Reserve Bank of India

Analysis:

Easy elimination:

• C (Wrong)

• D (Wrong)

Now fight:

• A vs B

Many aspirants become confused because:

• Economic Affairs handles economic policy.

But inflation control specifically belongs to:

• monetary policy,

• RBI.

The keyword:

“maintaining price stability”

directly points to RBI.

UPSC often tests:

• institutional precision,
  not general familiarity.

PYQ 3 — UPSC Prelims 2021

Question

Consider the following statements:

1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price (MSP) for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds.

2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.

3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 2 and 3 only

Correct Answer

C. 1, 2 and 3

Analysis:

Most aspirants reduce options to:

• A or C

Final fight:

Is statement 3 believable?

UPSC often inserts one unfamiliar but culturally realistic statement.

Tribal cooking oil usage is practically reasonable.

So instead of rejecting unfamiliar information emotionally,
topper mindset asks:

“Does it logically fit Indian tribal practices?”

Yes.

Hence C.

Do not reject statements only because they are unfamiliar.

PYQ 4 — UPSC Prelims 2020

Question

With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?

A. It is the investment through capital instruments essentially in a listed company.
B. It is largely non-debt creating capital flow.
C. It is the investment which involves debt servicing.
D. It is the investment made by foreign institutional investors in Government securities.

Correct Answer

B. It is largely non-debt creating capital flow.

Analysis:

Eliminate:

• C (incorrect) because FDI is not debt-heavy.

• D (incorrect) relates to portfolio investment.

Now fight:

• A vs B

A is too narrow:

“listed company”

FDI is broader than that.

B correctly captures core economic nature:

non-debt creating flow.

In two-option fights:

• broader conceptual accuracy often wins over narrow technical framing.

PYQ 5 — UPSC Prelims 2019

Question

Which Article of the Constitution of India safeguards one’s right to marry the person of one’s choice?

A. Article 19
B. Article 21
C. Article 25
D. Article 29

Correct Answer

B. Article 21

Analysis:

Most aspirants narrow down to:

• Article 19

• Article 21

The fight becomes:

• freedom vs personal liberty.

Supreme Court repeatedly interpreted:

right to marry
under:
Right to Life and Personal Liberty.

Thus Article 21 wins.

UPSC increasingly asks:

• constitutional interpretation,
  not just article memorization.

PYQ 6 — UPSC Prelims 2023

Question

Consider the following statements regarding carbon fibres:

1. Carbon fibres are used in the manufacture of components used in automobiles and aircrafts.

2. Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer

A. 1 only

Analysis:

Most aspirants know:

• Statement 1 looks correct.

Now final fight:

Is statement 2 too absolute?

Keyword:

“cannot”

Modern material science continuously develops recycling methods.

Absolute scientific claims are risky.

Thus statement 2 fails.