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UPSC Mains Question Paper 2025: UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2025 is scheduled to take place from August 22 to August 31, 2025, with nine descriptive papers: two qualifying language papers (Paper-A: Indian Language and Paper-B: English), one Essay paper, four General Studies (GS) papers, and two Optional Subject papers. Question papers for UPSC Mains 2025 will be available from 22 August 2022. You can download and save the UPSC mains question paper 2025 from the IAS HUB website, and can also access UPSC Mains Paper-wise analysis on the IAS HUB YouTube channel.

Also Read: UPPSC Exam 2025

UPSC Mains Question Papers 2025 Overview

UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2025 is scheduled from August 22 to August 31, 2025.

The essay question paper will be available on 22 August 2025, followed by General Studies Paper 1 on 23 August 2025, General Studies Paper 2 on 24 August 2025, and General Studies Paper 3 and General Studies Paper 4 on the same day. You can download UPSC mains question papers 2025 from the table given below, and can watch the detailed analysis on the IAS HUB YouTube channel. UPSC Mains question papers 2025 overview is given below:

Also Read: Important Topics for UPSC Mains 2025

UPSC Mains Question Papers 2025 PDF Download

UPSC mains question paper 2025 PDF will be available to download from 22 August 2025, as UPSC mains 2025 is scheduled from 22 August to 31 August 2025. Aspirants can download the UPSC Mains question paper from the table given below:

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025 PDF Download

Download UPSC Essay 2025 question papers PDF. UPSC Mains 2025 Essay Paper has been concluded on 22 August 2025. The Aspirants can download and save the PDF directly from the table below, and can also explore the UPSC Essay Paper Analysis 2025 on the IAS HUB YouTube Channel.

Essay Trend Analysis 2021 to 2025

IAS HUB, after taking inputs from Mains appeared candidates and toppers, has noted down the essay trends over the years. Detailed essay trends analysis from 2021 to 2025 is given below:

UPSC Mains Compulsory Indian Language Papers 2025 PDFs

UPSC Mains Compulsory Indian Language Papers 2025 PDF will be made available to download once the UPSC Mains 2025 compulsory Paper concludes on 30 August 2025. The Aspirants can download and save the PDF directly from the table below, and can also explore the UPSC Essay Paper Analysis 2025 on the IAS HUB YouTube Channel.

UPSC Compulsory English Language Paper 2025 PDF

UPSC Compulsory English Language Paper 2025 is scheduled on 30 August. Aspirants can download and save the PDF directly from the table below and also explore the UPSC Essay Paper Analysis 2025 on the IAS HUB YouTube Channel.

UPSC Mains GS Papers 2025 PDFs

UPSC Mains GS Papers 2025 PDF will be made available to download once the UPSC Mains 2025 GS Papers conclude on 24 August 2025. The Aspirants can download and save the PDF directly from the table below, and can also explore the UPSC mains GS Papers Analysis 2025 on the IAS HUB YouTube Channel.

UPSC Mains GS Papers 2025 Key Trends and Analysis

IAS HUB has gone through the UPSC Mains GS Paper 2025 and observed the key trends and analysis as given below:

General Studies Paper 1

UPSC Mains 2025 – GS 1 Paper Detailed Analysis :

Section-wise Distribution
– Art and Culture: 30 Marks
– Modern Indian History: 15 Marks
– Post-Independence and World History: 30 Marks
– Society: 65 Marks (+10 marks question, which is more like a GS4 question)
– Geography: 100 marks

Difficulty Level:
– 8 questions are difficult
– 4 Medium
– 8 Easy

Analysis
– Interesting and surprising paper full of linkages to GS 2, 3 and even ethics. (Eg. Q9 is linked to ethics; many other questions have a linkage to the Environment, Economy, etc.)

– More nuanced questions with requirements to connect different themes. (eg. Q8 required linking of Smart Cities – Urban Poverty and distributive justice)

– Paper looks easy when you just glance at it. But in reality, the questions are much nuanced with the complex demands of the question. E.g.. Q.20 about Tribal Development, Q17 on distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin.

– Importance of core resources: The paper underlines the importance of revising your basic sources multiple times. E.g.. Q16 on continental drift is easy if you’ve read the 11th Geography NCERT properly.

DEMAND OF THE PAPER
– Conceptual clarity, not rote. E.g. Q13 on the French Revolution
– Multi-dimensional analysis. E.g. Q5 on physiographic influence
India-centric examples. Crucial for Q16, Q17, Q19
Schematic Presentation. Use of maps/diagrams in Geo-based questions is a must

TAKEAWAYS FOR FUTURE ASPIRANTS
– Do not ignore static portions: especially art, culture, and world history.
– Master answer structuring: intro-body-conclusion with examples and data.
– Improve map and diagram practice: crucial for scoring in geography-heavy papers.
– Focus on real-world examples: eg, Maldives (climate change), Dholavira (Harappan city), Zomato/Swiggy (fast food culture).
– Use ethical and constitutional values even in GS1 where applicable (eg, civil service question).

General Studies Paper 2

UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Detailed Analysis :

Section-wise weightage
– Polity & Constitution: 125 marks
– Governance & Social Justice: 75 Marks
– International relations: 50

Overall Impressions:
– Balanced Coverage: Questions are spread across Polity & Constitution, Governance, Social Justice, and International Relations.
– Analytical Tilt: More emphasis on conceptual clarity + contemporary application rather than pure theory.
– Static + Current Mix: Many questions originate in static constitutional provisions (e.g., AGI, Pardon, Tribunals, Collegium) but require current linkages (tribunal reforms 2021, J&K reorg, UN reforms).
– Questions are on usual lines.

Nature of Questions
– Direct Conceptual + Applied: Many questions take a constitutional concept and ask for application in today’s context (e.g., constitutional morality → judicial independence/accountability balance).
– Comparative Approach: Repeated comparisons (India–US pardon, India–US collegium/appointments, India–Africa partnership).
– Critical Evaluation Needed: Words like critically examine, assess, evaluate appear frequently → demands balanced pros & cons, not one-sided answers.
– Data & Examples Expected: For governance & IR, answers must cite current schemes, laws, reports, committees, SC judgments.

Key Takeaways for future aspirants:
– Polity must go beyond the bare Constitution → link with recent SC judgments, commissions, reforms.
– Governance → focus on applied dimensions (civil society, e-governance, NCPCR, social capital).
– IR → UPSC emphasises India’s role in a multipolar order, digital & energy diplomacy, and UN reforms.
– Writing style → Balance of theory (Article provisions, constitutional terms) + current affairs (laws, committees, policies).

General Studies Paper 3

• Economy (~85 marks, 7 questions): Focused on fiscal policy, PLI scheme effectiveness, HDI vs. IHDI, and global trade shifts. Required data (e.g., Economic Survey, TRAI 2024) and precise examples.
• Environment (~65 marks, 5 questions): Covered climate change, clean energy, CCUS, and seawater intrusion. Demanded knowledge of schemes like Panchamrit and practical solutions.
• Science & Technology (~50 marks, 4 questions): Emphasised AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and digital economy. Linked to government initiatives and societal impact.
• Agriculture (~40-50 marks, 3-4 questions): Focused on crop diversification, MSP reforms, and agri-tech. Questions were straightforward but needed policy awareness.
• Internal Security (~50 marks, 4 questions): Covered J&K terrorism, Northeast militancy, Left Wing Extremism, and online radicalisation. Required specific case studies (e.g., Pulwama 2019, Dantewada 2023).
• Disaster Management (0 marks): Surprisingly absent despite syllabus relevance.

Key Trends

• Current Affairs-Driven: Questions integrated recent developments, requiring data and case studies (e.g., PLI’s 60% telecom import substitution).
• Analytical Focus: Emphasised multidimensional solutions over rote learning.
• Interdisciplinary: Topics like AI overlapped with Geography; security linked to governance.
• Emerging Issues: New focus on cybersecurity, CCUS, and digital economy.

General Studies Paper 4

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) for 2025, held on August 24, was moderately challenging, carrying 250 marks. It assessed ethical competence, decision-making, and governance skills through 13 questions split into Section A (theory) and Section B (case studies). Key themes included:

1. Ethics and Human Interface:
   • Ethical implications of emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) in decision-making.
   • Dimensions of ethics (e.g., integrity, accountability, empathy) and their role in professional conduct.
2. Constitutional Morality and Governance:
   • Significance of constitutional morality for public servants in promoting good governance.
   • Ethical principles in public administration, such as maintaining integrity under bureaucratic pressure.
3. Contemporary Ethical Issues:
   • Social media ethics, including challenges like misinformation and privacy concerns.
   • Environmental ethics, focusing on sustainability and the ethical impact of technology (e.g., AI’s energy consumption).
4. Case Studies:
   • Public Administration: Dilemmas involving corruption, whistleblowing, and procurement processes (e.g., pressure to favour specific vendors).
   • Crisis Management: Scenarios like disaster management or refugee crises, testing decision-making under constraints.
   • Technology in Governance: Ethical challenges in adopting technology-driven solutions.
   • Environmental Governance: Issues like environmental approvals and sustainable practices.
5. Geopolitical and Ethical Conflicts:
   • Relevance of Clausewitz’s “War is diplomacy by other means” in modern geopolitical conflicts.
   • Ethical critique of weapon industries perpetuating wars for self-interest.

Key Trends

• Analytical Over Descriptive:
  • The paper emphasised analytical reasoning over rote memorisation, requiring candidates to apply ethical frameworks to real-world scenarios.
  • Case studies demanded structured responses with stakeholder analysis, options evaluation, and justified conclusions.
• Integration with Current Affairs:
  • Questions linked ethics to contemporary issues like AI, social media, and environmental sustainability, reflecting UPSC’s focus on dynamic topics.
  • Candidates needed to incorporate real-life examples to strengthen their answers.
• Complex Case Studies:
  • Case studies were lengthy, often without paragraph breaks, and included multiple sub-questions, testing time management and clarity in responses.
  • Scenarios mimicked real administrative challenges, requiring practical and ethical decision-making.
• Focus on Constitutional Values:
  • Emphasis on constitutional morality highlighted the importance of aligning public service with India’s constitutional ethos.
  • Questions tested how ethical principles support governance and accountability.
• Technology and Ethics:
  • A recurring theme was the ethical challenges of technology, particularly AI and social media, in governance and society.
  • Candidates were expected to balance innovation with ethical considerations like fairness and sustainability.

Download UPSC Optional Papers 2025 PDF

UPSC Optional Papers 2025 are available to download as the examination is concluded on  31 August 2025. The UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 comprises two optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII), each carrying 250 marks, totalling 500 marks out of the 1750 marks allocated for the final merit. You can download the UPSC optional paper 2025 from the table given below:

How to Download UPSC Mains Question Paper 2025?

To download the UPSC Mains Question Paper 2025, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Official UPSC Website: Go to upsc.gov.in, the official website of the Union Public Service Commission.
2. Go Examinations Section: search the “Examinations” tab in the main menu and click on it.
3. Select UPSC Mains Previous Question Papers: Under the “Examinations” section, find and click on the “Previous Question Papers” link.
4. Choose Civil Services (Main) Examination: From the list of examinations, select “Civil Services (Main) Examination” to access the relevant papers.
5. Select UPSC Mains 2025 to view the available question papers.
6. Download the PDFs: Click on the links for the papers you want, such as General Studies (GS) Papers 1 to 4, Essay, or Compulsory Language Papers (English or Indian Language). 

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UPSC Mains Question Paper 2025 FAQs

Q1. Where can I download the UPSC Mains Question Paper 2025?

You can download the UPSC Mains 2025 question papers in PDF format from the official UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in). Additionally, IAS HUB will provide these papers along with answer keys and analysis once they are released.

Q2. Are UPSC Mains 2025 optional subject papers available?

Optional subject papers (e.g., Geography, History, Public Administration) for 2025 will be available on the UPSC website and in the IAS HUB after the exam. Practising past optional papers (2014–2024) helps understand subject-specific trends.

Q3. When will the UPSC Mains 2025 question papers be available?

UPSC Mains 2025 exam is scheduled to begin on August 22, 2025. Question papers are typically released by UPSC on their official website shortly after the exam concludes. Unofficial versions may be available at the coaching institute within the hours after the exam.

Q4. Are solved UPSC Mains question papers available?

Yes, solved papers with model answers are available in IAS HUB. These include topic-wise and year-wise solutions, helping candidates understand how to structure answers, incorporate current affairs, and meet UPSC’s expectations.

Q5. What is the difficulty level of the UPSC Mains 2025?

UPSC Mains 2025 papers are moderate to difficult, with a focus on analytical and interdisciplinary questions. General Studies papers emphasise current affairs, while the Essay paper will require structured and impactful writing. Difficulty varies by paper, with GS Paper IV (Ethics) often being conceptually unique and GS Paper III (Economy, Environment) demanding application-based answers