UPSC Mains 2025 Psychology Optional Paper II questions

28 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Psychology Optional PYQs

1. What are the different methods of estimating internal consistency reliability? Explain their strengths and limitations.

2. Evaluate the cognitive-behavioural model of depression.

3. Afar Explain spontaneous remission effect in the treatment of patients with mental illness.

4. Managerial effectiveness is influenced by the reasoning and decision-making abilities of a manager. Critically evaluate with the help of researches.

5. Critically evaluate the conditioning model of psychopathic personality disorder.

6. What are the factors that determine the efficacy of psychological tests? Discuss the ethical issues in the use of psychological tests.

   15 marks

7. Explain how behaviour therapy encourages assertive coping.

   15 marks

8. Describe the various effective strategies which can be incorporated in designing guidance programme for adolescents preparing for competitive examinations.

   20 marks

9. What are the personality qualities to be focused on, for preparing community members as leaders for social change?

   15 marks

10. ward Be Mad B? Can the applicability of concept of norm crystallization in an organization affect transformational leadership in that organization?

    15 marks

11. What is primary prevention? Chalk out a primary prevention programme for substance use disorder in a slum community.

    20 marks

12. Provide a community-based model for organizing services for rehabilitation of mentally challenged people.

    15 marks

13. Compare the 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' approaches to social change with specific reference to handling social problems in the Indian context.

    15 marks

14. Which form of psychological treatment is suitable for dealing with unresolved inner conflicts? Explain.

    20 marks

15. What are the cultural consequences of being disadvantaged and how can these be addressed?

16. Write a note on distance learning through IT.

17. Interactions between members of diverse groups can affect the ratings of in-group and out-group members. Discuss with the help of researches.

18. Discuss the behavioural strategies for managing pollution.

19. Critically evaluate the issues of gender discrimination in the Indian context.

20. Discuss the psychological consequences of prolonged deprivation. What strategies can be adopted to overcome these consequences?

    15 marks

21. Discuss the importance of consumer awareness in protecting consumer rights. How can consumers be empowered to make informed decisions?

    15 marks

22. What are the psychological measures to be used for social integration of the communities divided by conflicts of religion?

    20 marks

23. Explain the concepts of social facilitation and social inhibition in the context of group processes.

    15 marks

24. Prepare the psychological profile of a terrorist. What are the common characteristics, motivations and beliefs that drive individuals to terrorist activities?

    15 marks

25. Describe the psychological consequences of constructing social realities on the basis of information gained through social media. How can these be checked by psychological interventions?

    20 marks

26. What motivates entrepreneurs to start and grow their business, and how do they maintain motivation in the face of challenges and setbacks?

    15 marks

27. Discuss the concept of 'crowding', its determinants and impact on psychological health and well-being.

    15 marks

28. What are the key challenges that psychologists face when working with defence personnel in promoting positive health, and how can they be addressed?

    20 marks