2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Internal Security 15 marks
Why is maritime security vital to protect India’s sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Internal Security 10 marks
What are the major challenges to internal security and peace process in the North-Eastern States? Map the various peace accords and agreements initiated by the government in the past decade.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Internal Security 10 marks
The Government of India recently stated that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) will be eliminated by 2026. What do you understand by LWE and how are the people affected by it? What measures have been taken by the government to eliminate LWE?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Internal Security 10 marks
Terrorism is a global scourge. How has it manifested in India? Elaborate with contemporary examples. What are the counter measures adopted by the State? Explain.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Agriculture 15 marks
Examine the scope of the food processing industries in India. Elaborate the measures taken by the government in the food processing industries for generating employment opportunities
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Agriculture 10 marks
Elaborate the scope and significance of supply chain management of agricultural commodities in India.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Agriculture 10 marks
Explain the factors influencing the decision of the farmers on the selection of high value crops in India.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Disaster Management 15 marks
Mineral resources are fundamental to the country’s economy and these are exploited by mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard due to mining.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Environment & Ecology 15 marks
Write a review on India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution intended by India been updated in 2022?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Environment & Ecology 15 marks
Mineral resources are fundamental to the country’s economy and these are exploited by mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard due to mining.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Environment & Ecology 15 marks
Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Environment & Ecology 10 marks
Seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifers is a major concern in India. What are the causes of seawater intrusion and the remedial measures to combat this hazard?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Environment & Ecology 10 marks
What is Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)? What is the potential role of CCUS in tackling climate change?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Economy 15 marks
Discuss the rationale of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. What are its achievements? In what way can the functioning and outcomes of the scheme be improved?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Economy 15 marks
Explain how the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) can be used as a tool for assessing the fiscal performance of states in India. In what way would it encourage the states to adopt prudent and sustainable fiscal policies?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Economy 10 marks
What are the challenges before the Indian economy when the world is moving away from free trade and multilateralism to protectionism and bilateralism? How can these challenges be met?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Science and Technology 15 marks
India aims to become a semiconductor manufacturing hub. What are the challenges faced by the semiconductor industry in India? Mention the salient features of the India Semiconductor Mission.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Science and Technology 15 marks
How does nanotechnology offer significant advancements in the field of agriculture? How can this technology help to uplift the socio-economic status of farmers?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Science and Technology 15 marks
How does nanotechnology offer significant advancements in the field of agriculture? How can this technology help to uplift the socio-economic status of farmers?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Science and Technology 10 marks
How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology can play a crucial role in this endeavour?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 3 Science and Technology 10 marks
The fusion energy programme in India has steadily evolved over the past few decades. Mention India’s contributions to the international fusion energy project International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). What will be the implications of the success of this project for the future of global energy?
Model Answer Guidelines
GS Paper - 2 4 questions
2025
Mains GS Paper - 2 International Relations 15 marks
“The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance.” Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 2 International Relations 15 marks
“Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India’s foreign policy, and is linked with India’s overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries.” How would you integrate energy security with India’s foreign policy trajectories in the coming years?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 2 International Relations 10 marks
“With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 2 International Relations 10 marks
India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate. (Answer in 150 words)
Model Answer Guidelines
GS Paper - 1 43 questions
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Social Justice 15 marks
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has to address the challenges faced by children in the digital era. Examine the existing policies and suggest measures the Commission can initiate to tackle the issue.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Social Justice 15 marks
Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of ‘paradox of poverty’.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Social Justice 10 marks
Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Governance 15 marks
“In contemporary development models, decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities are not located close to the source of information and execution, defeating the objectives of development.” Critically evaluate
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Governance 15 marks
What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Governance 10 marks
Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Governance 10 marks
e-governance projects have a built-in bias towards technology and back-end integration than user-centric designs. Examine
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 15 marks
Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 15 marks
Discuss the evolution of the collegium system in India. Critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the system of appointment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India and that of the USA.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 15 marks
Indian Constitution has conferred the amending power on the ordinary legislative institutions with a few procedural hurdles. In view of this statement, examine the procedural and substantive limitations on the amending power of the Parliament to change the Constitution.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 15 marks
“Constitutional morality is the fulcrum which acts as an essential check upon the high functionaries and citizens alike…” In view of the above observation of the Supreme Court, explain the concept of constitutional morality and its application to ensure balance between judicial independence and judicial accountability in India.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 10 marks
The Attorney General of India plays a crucial role in guiding the legal framework of the Union Government and ensuring sound governance through legal counsel.” Discuss his responsibilities, rights and limitations in this regard.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 10 marks
Discuss the nature of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. Briefly describe the powers and functions of the Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 10 marks
Compare and contrast the President’s power to pardon in India and in the USA. Are there any limits to it in both the countries? What are ‘preemptive pardons’?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 10 marks
Comment on the need of administrative tribunals as compared to the court system. Assess the impact of the recent tribunal reforms through rationalization of tribunals made in 2021.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 10 marks
Discuss the ‘corrupt practices’ for the purpose of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Analyze whether the increase in the assets of the legislators and/or their associates, disproportionate to their known sources of income, would constitute ‘undue influence’ and consequently a corrupt practice.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 15 marks
Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 15 marks
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
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 15 marks
How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and aerial planning?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 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?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 10 marks
What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 10 marks
Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 10 marks
What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 10 marks
How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Indian Society 15 marks
Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Indian Society 15 marks
Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Indian Society 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.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 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.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 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.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Indian Society 10 marks
Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Indian Society 10 marks
The ethos of civil service in India stands for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Indian Society 10 marks
How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 World History 15 marks
How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially for the preservation of balance of power?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 World History 15 marks
How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially for the preservation of balance of power?
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 World History 15 marks
The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Modern India 10 marks
Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Modern India 15 marks
The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has heen a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Modern India 10 marks
Trace India’s consolidation process during the early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations. (Answer in 250 words)
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Art & Culture 15 marks
Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Art & Culture 10 marks
Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Ancient History Art & Culture 10 marks
Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Ancient History Art & Culture 10 marks
The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life. Elucidate.
Model Answer Guidelines
2025
Mains GS Paper - 1 Ancient History Art & Culture 10 marks
Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.
Practicing previous year questions is one of the most effective strategies for UPSC CSE exam preparation. This page contains 68 authentic questions from the UPSC CSE Mains 2025 examination, complete with answers and detailed explanations.
At Quintessence Classes, we believe that understanding past exam patterns is crucial for success in competitive examinations. Our curated PYQ collection helps students identify frequently tested topics, understand the difficulty level, and practice with real exam questions. Whether you are preparing for UPSC CSE, JKPSC KAS, or JKSSB exams, our previous year questions database is designed to give you an edge in your preparation.
