UPSC Mains 2025 GS-1 Question Paper

All 20 questions from this paper, with real topper answers where available.

• Q8. Trace India’s consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations.15 marks · Post-Indepen dence Consolidation
• Q9. Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer.10 marks · Globalization & Consumer Culture
• Q12. Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment.15 marks · Environment vs Poor People’s Needs
• Q18. The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain.15 marks · French Revolution
• Q20. How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and Smart Cities & distributive justice?10 marks · Urban Poverty
• Q21. How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there Fast Food are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer Industry & with the Indian experience.15 marks · Health
• Q24. Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy Solar Energy generation in India with suitable examples.10 marks · Benefits
• Q25. 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?15 marks · Off-Shore Oil Reserves
• Q26. Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.15 marks · Ganga River Basin Resources
• Q28. How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples.10 marks · Sea Level Rise & Island Nations
• Q29. What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.10 marks · Primary Activities & Physiography
• Q30. What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples.10 marks · Tsunamis
• Q31. Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.10 marks · Harappan Architecture
• Q31. How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning?15 marks · GIS/RS & AI in Locational Planning
• Q32. Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism.10 marks · Akbar's Religious Policy
• Q32. Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.15 marks · Jotirao Phule
• Q32. 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 Tectonics & masses.15 marks · Plate Ocean Basins
• Q33. The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth Chandella of life.’ Elucidate.10 marks · Sculpture
• Q34. The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate.10 marks · Professionalis m & Nationalism
• Q35. Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of Displacement displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion15 marks · Tribal & Rehabilitation