UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper 1 questions

20 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · Model answers · All GS Paper 1 PYQs

1. 1

   Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.

   Art & Culture · 150 words · 10 marks

2. 2

   Examine the main aspects of Akbar's religious syncretism.

   Art & Culture · 150 words · 10 marks

3. 3

   The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigour and breadth of life. Elucidate.

   Art & Culture · 150 words · 10 marks

4. 4

   How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples.

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

5. 5

   What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

6. 6

   Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

7. 7

   What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples.

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

8. 8

   How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice?

   Indian Society · 150 words · 10 marks

9. 9

   The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness. Elucidate.

   Indian Society · 150 words · 10 marks

10. 10

    Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer.

    Indian Society · 150 words · 10 marks

11. 11

    Mahatma Jotirao Phule's writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.

    Modern History · 250 words · 15 marks

12. 12

    Trace India's consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations.

    Modern History · 250 words · 15 marks

13. 13

    The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain.

    World History · 250 words · 15 marks

14. 14

    Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of off-shore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the on-shore occurrences of oil reserves?

    Geography · 250 words · 15 marks

15. 15

    How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning?

    Geography · 250 words · 15 marks

16. 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.

    Geography · 250 words · 15 marks

17. 17

    Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.

    Geography · 250 words · 15 marks

18. 18

    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.

    Indian Society · 250 words · 15 marks

19. 19

    Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment.

    Indian Society · 250 words · 15 marks

20. 20

    Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.

    Indian Society · 250 words · 15 marks