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UPSC Mains 2025 GS 1 Question Paper (General Studies I)

All 20 questions from the UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 General Studies I paper, transcribed from the official question paper and tagged by syllabus topic. Format: 150 words (Q1–10, 10 marks) · 250 words (Q11–20, 15 marks). Download the original question paper PDF.

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Q1 Indian Culture & Heritage · 10 marks

Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.

Q2 Indian Culture & Heritage · 10 marks

Examine the main aspects of Akbar's religious syncretism.

Q3 Indian Culture & Heritage · 10 marks

'The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life.' Elucidate.

Q4 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 10 marks

How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples.

Q5 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 10 marks

What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.

Q6 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 10 marks

Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.

Q7 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 10 marks

What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples.

Q8 Indian Society · 10 marks

How does smart city in India address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice?

Q9 Post-Independence Consolidation · 10 marks

The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness — Elucidate.

Q10 Globalization · 10 marks

Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer.

Q11 Modern Indian History · 15 marks

Mahatma Jotirao Phule's writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.

Q12 Post-Independence Consolidation · 15 marks

Trace India's consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations.

Q13 World History · 15 marks

The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain.

Q14 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 15 marks

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?

Q15 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 15 marks

How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning?

Q16 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 15 marks

Discuss how the changes in shape and sizes of continents and ocean basins take place due to tectonic movements of the crustal masses.

Q17 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 15 marks

Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.

Q18 Indian Society · 15 marks

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.

Q19 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 15 marks

Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people's needs in a country like India — Comment.

Q20 Indian Society · 15 marks

Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.

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