It was targeted in 2016 as well, especially paper 2. I myself scored 102 in IR i 2016 (69+33). I was quite satisfied with my score as i studied it for a week and half only. Many who opted IR in 2016 failed, specifically in paper 2. But it was somehow balanced as toppers scored good in IR the same year. So it was obvious those who studied conceptually and answered properly in the exam, scored good, despite the trend. But seeing the DMCs of 2017 qualifiers, this looks like an extreme. Not a single person among top qualifiers with IR? this is quite discouraging..