The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is all set to conduct the Civil Services Prelims Examination 2025 on Sunday, 25th May 2025. As lakhs of aspirants gear up to take one of the most competitive exams in the country, the anticipation doesn’t end with the final bell on exam day—it carries forward into the hours and days that follow, with one key element: The UPSC Prelims Answer Key.
Understanding the importance of timely and accurate information, ForumIAS, a prominent UPSC civil services coaching institution, releases the prelims answer key for GS Paper 1 and GS Paper 2 after the exam. This enables aspirants to quickly access the answer key, evaluate their performance, and estimate their chances of progressing in the examination.
The release of an accurate prelims answer key is crucial for UPSC aspirants as it allows them to gauge their performance and reduce anxiety and uncertainty while awaiting the official results. It also aids them in identifying areas that need improvement and strategizing their preparation for the Main Examination.
ForumIAS recognizes the critical need for timely and precise information for UPSC aspirants. Thus, like all previous years, this year as well, ForumIAS team is all set to release the answer key of UPSC Prelims Exam 2025 with provision of detailed, comprehensible explanations. In this manner we aim to support candidates in their preparation journey and boost their confidence.
The explanations made by ForumIAS UPSC prelims Answer Key are designed to help candidates understand the reasoning behind the correct answers, thereby enhancing their preparation and learning experience.
UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 by ForumIAS will be available on the link below
| UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 – Set A | Set B | Set C | Set D – Download PDF – With Detailed Explanations |
About UPSC CSE Prelims 2025
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, which is a highly competitive exam conducted annually by the UPSC of India. The Prelims exam serves as a screening test for candidates who aspire to join the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central services.
The Preliminary Examination comprises two compulsory papers, both of which are objective in nature (multiple-choice questions). The details of GS Paper 1 are as follows:
General Studies Paper 1 (GS Paper 1)
Duration: 2 hours
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 200
- Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for each incorrect answer
- Purpose: This paper tests the candidates’ knowledge and understanding of a wide range of subjects, including:
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
- Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
- General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization
- General Science
- Current Events of National and International Importance
General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT)
Duration: 2 hours
- Total Questions: 80
- Total Marks: 200
- Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for each incorrect answer
Purpose: This paper tests the candidates’ skills in areas such as:
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
- Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
- General Mental Ability
- Basic Numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) – Class X level
- Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.) – Class X level
The CSAT paper (GS Paper 2) is of qualifying nature, meaning candidates need to secure at least 33% marks (66 out of 200) to qualify. The marks obtained in GS Paper 1 are considered for the cut-off.
Cut-off: The cut-off for the Preliminary Examination is determined based on the marks obtained in GS Paper 1 only. Candidates need to clear the cut-off to qualify for the Main Examination.
Total Marks: The total marks for the Preliminary Examination (considering both papers) are 400.
The UPSC 2025 Prelims Answer Key will be your first reality check after months of hard work. Whether it brings confidence or a need to recalibrate, it offers clarity—and clarity is power in this exam journey.
Stay tuned with ForumIAS on 25th May 2025 for instant access to the most accurate and detailed answer key. Until then, give your best shot in the exam, and remember—every attempt makes you sharper, stronger, and closer to your goal.
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