UPSC Mains 2025 General Studies Paper-1 I Download PDF Now

The UPSC Mains exam 2025 General Studies Paper 1 was conducted on 23rd August 2025, from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm.

As the exam is now over, we are releasing the UPSC Mains 2025 General Studies Paper 1 Question paper, along with the complete list of questions in written format.

Candidates who appeared in the exam have already attempted these topics, but this question paper will also be very useful for:

• Aspirants preparing for future UPSC attempts
• Candidates who have skipped this attempt but want to familiarize themselves with the pattern and nature of essay topics

You can either download the UPSC Mains 2025 General Studies Paper 1 PDF from the link given below or simply go through the questions provided in text format here.

UPSC Mains 2025 General Studies Paper 1 Questions

1. Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture. (Answer in 150 words) 10M

2. Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism. (Answer in 150 words)  10M

3. The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life. Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words) 10M

4. How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10M

5. What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10M

6. Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10M

7. What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their Consequences? Explain with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10M

8. How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice? (Answer in 150 words) 10M

9. The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words) 10M

10. Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer. (Answer in 150 words) 10M

11. Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15M

12. Trace India’s consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations. (Answer in 250 words) 15M

13. The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain. (Answer in 250 words) 15M

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? (Answer in 250 words) 15M

15. How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning? (Answer in 250 words) 15M

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. (Answer in 250 words) 15M

17. Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources. (Answer in 250 words) 15M

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. (Answer in 250 words) 15M

19. Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could meet poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment. (Answer in 250 words) 15M

20. Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion. (Answer in 250 words) 15M

Detailed Overview of the UPSC Mains 2025 General Studies Paper 1 

Duration- 3 hours

Total Marks- 250

Number of Questions- 10 Qs of 10 Marks (150 words),  10 Qs of 15 Marks (250 Words)