UPSC Mains 2025 Medical Science Optional Paper I questions

49 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Medical Science Optional PYQs

Describe the formation, course and branches of ulnar nerve. Which muscles do each of the branches supply? Why is ulnar nerve called the "musician's nerve"?
Name the nerves and their branches that supply the sole of the foot stating the specific area of their distribution. Explain in brief what is
Classify jaundice according to its aetiology. Make a tabular representation of the blood, urinary and stool findings observed in different types of jaundice.
10 marks
Describe the process of generation and conduction of nerve impulses in humans. Add a note on saltatory conduction.
10 marks
With the help of a suitable diagram, explain the innervation and functions of muscle spindle.
10 marks
Using a well labelled diagram, trace the taste pathway from circumvallate papillae of tongue to the cerebral cortex.
15 marks
Enumerate any five tests for the assessment of renal tubular functions. Explain the underlying principle andtheir interpretation.
10 marks
Explain the role of biotin in intermediary metabolism with suitable examples. Add a note on the mechanism of action of any biotin-antagonist with its application in medicine.
10 marks
Define cardiac output and describe the regulation of cardiac output in normal adults. Add a note on Cardiac Index and Cardiac Reserve.
10 marks
Define Systemic Vascular Resistance and list its determinants. Briefly explain the role of its determinants.
5 marks
A 36-year-old cyclist suffered pelvic injury while riding into a pothole on the road. Following this incident, he has severe pelvic pain and is unable to pass urine. His retrograde urethrogram shows contrast limited to
What is the most likely structure and its site of involvement, which is responsible for his inability to pass urine? (ii) What are the parts of the principal structure involved? (iii) With the help of a labelled diagram, illustrate the difference in the contents of superficial perineal pouch in males and females.
20 marks
Be ala Fits Describe Selenium under the headings of 'its dietary sources', 'its biochemical roles' and 'its deficiency diseases' with their clinical manifestations.
10 marks
Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism has a number of applications in clinical medicine. Briefly state any three. apiferent & Hat SHAT at stasare fares At Peace at E With the help of suitable examples explain the second messenger mechanisms that mediate the downstream actions of hormones inside the cell.
5 marks
Give a brief account of synthesis, storage, secretion and functions of the posterior pituitary hormones.
5 marks
A 55-year-old lady visits surgery OPD with a three month old history of a painless hard swelling in her left breast. On examination, it is found that the swelling is firm, immovable and is located in upper inner quadrant, along with retraction of nipple. She is advised to undergo pre-operative sentinel lymph node biopsy and surgery. Explain the anatomical basis of pre-operative sentinel node biopsy in this case.
5 marks
FIRST A 45-year-old man presents at orthopaedic OPD with swollen and painful right knee. He gives a history of fall while playing cricket two weeks ago. On examination, his right knee has tenderness, swelling, decreased range of mobility and anterior joint instability. His MRI scan reveals damage to one of the major knee joint stabilizers. (1) Name all the ligaments and write their specific roles in stabilization of the knee joint. (II) Name the most likely structure involved in the given case and write two points to support your viewpoint.
10 marks
Explain the principle of radioimmunoassay (RIA) and outline its role in the diagnosis of thyroid disorders. Add a note on the advantages and disadvantages of this technique.
10 marks
Enumerate haematopoietic vitamins. Explain the biochemical basis of the deficiency manifestations of any 'two' of them which lead to anaemia.
10 marks
Briefly describe the development of Cell-Mediated Immunity. List the cell types involved, along with their actions.
5 marks
Briefly describe the process of Phagocytosis.
5 marks
Give an account of the formation and function of thrombocytes.
5 marks
Enumerate the topical antifungal drugs along with their indication and side effects.
5 marks
Name antihelmintic drugs used in treatment of neurocysticercosis and also mention their side effects.
5 marks
Enumerate the cells of lymphoreticular system. Schematically represent the process of B-cell maturation.
Make a schematic flowchart of pathogenesis of Salmonella causing enteric fever. Mention two important categories of drug resistance in Salmonella typhi.
What are the risk factors for lung carcinoma? Describe the morphological features of three major histological types of lung carcinoma.
10 marks
Write a note on the role of Human papilloma virus in the pathogenesis of cervical carcinoma.
10 marks
Classify poisons based on the chief symptoms. Describe the legal duties of a medical practitioner in a case of suspected poisoning.
10 marks
Describe the approach to laboratory diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia — chronic phase.
10 marks
Describe the gross and light microscopic changes evolved over two weeks duration in myocardial infarction. Add a note on the role of serum cardiac biomarkers in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.
10 marks
Explain why beta blockers should not be given to diabetes patients who are on oral hypoglycaemic agents.
Explain why folic acid is given with methotrexate.
5 marks
Fife Heat A aaa At ofshar (A) aT Ware Afar SATU ILS
A 12-year-old child developed fever with multiple crops of vesicular rash starting from the face spreading towards the trunk. (I) Mention the mode of transmission and spread of the probable viral agent. Prepare a flowchart of the course of the infection in humans. Mention three tests for laboratory diagnosis of the agent. (II) Discuss the post-exposure preventive strategies.
10 marks
Enumerate the malarial parasites prevalent in India. Of them, which species is notoriously associated with life-threatening complications? What are the different characteristic peripheral blood smear findings in different species of parasites that cause malaria?
10 marks
Define 'drowning'. Enumerate the different modes of death in a case of drowning. List the postmortem findings in a case of wet drowning.
10 marks
Describe Diatom Test and enumerate its limitations.
5 marks
Enumerate four major primary glomerulonephritides presenting with nephrotic syndrome. Describe pathogenesis, light microscopic, immunofluorescence microscopy and electron microscopic findings of post-infectious glomerulonephritis.
10 marks
Describe steps of wound healing by first intention. Enumerate factors that influence tissue repair.
10 marks
WHAT SAT ais LRAT Describe the role of nitrates, their route of administration and their side effects while being used in the management of angina pectoris.
5 marks
Discuss in brief the mechanism of action and the therapeutic uses
Enumerate the advantages of artemisinin-based combination therapies in the treatment of malaria.
5 marks
Describe the challenges of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (VDPV). Add a note on the environmental surveillance and preventive strategies for effective maintenance of Polio elimination.
10 marks
Tat FIAT Describe the mode of infection and clinical manifestation of cryptococcosis. Discuss the role of the rapid diagnostic test in comparison to conventional techniques for identifying the infection.
10 marks
Define 'Injury', 'Hurt' and 'Grievous Hurt'. Add a note on the medicolegal aspects of contusion.
10 marks
Describe the various tests prescribed for blood and seminal stains obtained during the examination of a victim of rape and their role in the investigation.
10 marks
Enumerate the drugs used in the management of hypertensive crisis. Also describe the route of administration and their side effects.
Name the drugs, doses and duration of treatment after post-exposure prophylaxis of HIV.
5 marks

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