UPSC Mains Paper 2025 for GS 1 was conducted on 23rd August, 2025 between 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
This paper covered topics from Indian Heritage and Culture, Modern Indian History, World History, Indian Society, and Geography of India and the World. The paper had a mix of 10-mark (150-word limit) and 15-mark (250-word limit) questions.
Key Details of the UPSC Mains 2025 GS-I Question Paper:
| UPSC Mains GS-I Exam Date | August 23rd, 2025 |
| Total Marks | 250 Marks |
| Duration | 3 Hours (9 AM to 12 PM – Morning Session) |
| Number of Questions | 20 Questions (All questions are compulsory) |
UPSC Mains 2025 GS-I Question Paper
- 1. Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture. 150 Words (10)
- 2. Examine the main aspects of Akbar”s religious syncretism. 150 Words (10)
- 3. The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life. Elucidate. 150 Words (10)
- 4. How are climate change and sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples. 150 Words (10)
- 5. What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.150 Words (10)
- 6. Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.150 Words (10)
- 7. What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples.150 Words (10)
- 8. How does the Smart City Mission in India address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice?. 150 Words (10)
- 9. The ethos of civil service in India stands for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness. Elucidate. 150 Words (10)
- 10. Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer. 150 Words (10)
- 11. Mahatma Jotirao Phule”s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss. 250 Words (15)
- 12. Trace India”s consolidation process during the early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education, and international relations. 250 Words (15)
- 13. The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain. 250 Words (15)
- 14. Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of offshore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the onshore occurrences of oil reserves? 250 Words (15)
- 15. How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning? 250 Words (15)
- 16. Discuss how the changes in shape and sizes of continents and ocean basins of the planet take place due to tectonic movements of the crustal masses. 250 Words (15)
- 17. Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil, and water resources. 250 Words (15)
- 18. Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could connect with poor people”s needs in a country like India. Comment. 250 Words (15)
- 19. How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience. 250 Words (15)
- 20. Does tribal development in India centre around two axes—those of displacement and rehabilitation? Give your opinion. 250 Words (15)