UPSC solved previous year questions

UPSC 2025 PYQ with Answers

160 solved questions from the UPSC 2025 examination, each with an answer and explanation.

Questions: 160
Exam year: 2025
Subjects: 24
With answers: 160

Subjects in 2025

Economy27 Polity24 Geography23 Environment18 Science and technology18 History16 International relations8 Agriculture7 Governance6 Indian society6 Ancient india4 Climate change4 Indian history4 Internal security4 Fiscal deficit3 Judiciary3 Social reform3 Article 3682 Artificial intelligence2 Biotechnology2 Defence2 Economic geography2 Federalism2 Fiscal federalism2

UPSC 2025 PYQ with Answers

1–20 of 160

Q1 2025 Mains GS3

Distinguish between the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) with special reference to India. Why is the IHDI considered a better indicator of inclusive growth? (Answer in 150 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction HDI measures average achievements; IHDI discounts them for inequality in distribution across people. HDI versus IHDI HDI: combines life expectancy, mean and expected years of schooling, and GNI per capita.…

Development indicatorsEconomyHdi and ihdi
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Q2 2025 Mains GS3

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? (Answer in 150 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction Protectionism, supply-chain weaponisation and bilateral trade deals are weakening predictable multilateral commerce.…

EconomyInternational tradeProtectionism
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Q3 2025 Mains GS3

Explain the factors influencing the decision of the farmers on the selection of high value crops in India. (Answer in 150 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction High-value crops include horticulture, spices, plantation crops, dairy-linked fodder and other products with greater returns per unit area.…

AgricultureCropping patternFarmer decision-making
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Q4 2025 Mains GS3

Elaborate the scope and significance of supply chain management of agricultural commodities in India. (Answer in 150 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction Agricultural supply-chain management coordinates production, aggregation, storage, transport, processing and retail from farm to consumer.…

Agricultural marketingAgriculturePost-harvest management
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Q5 2025 Mains GS3

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? (Answer in 150 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction ITER seeks to demonstrate sustained deuterium-tritium fusion and scientific feasibility of fusion power. India’s contribution India joined ITER as a full partner through the Institute for Plasma Research.…

Energy securityIterNuclear fusion
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Q6 2025 Mains GS3

How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology can play a crucial role in this endeavour? (Answer in 150 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction Energy independence requires reducing imported fossil fuels while expanding domestic, reliable and affordable clean-energy systems.…

BiotechnologyClean technologyEnergy
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Q7 2025 Mains GS3

What is Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS)? What is the potential role of CCUS in tackling climate change? (Answer in 150 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction CCUS captures carbon dioxide from industrial sources or air, uses it in products or transports it for permanent geological storage. Components Capture separates CO 2 from flue gas or directly from ambient air.…

CcusClimate changeDecarbonisation
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Q8 2025 Mains GS3

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? (Answer in 150 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction Seawater intrusion occurs when saline water replaces freshwater in coastal aquifers, usually after hydraulic gradients are disturbed.…

Coastal aquifersEnvironmentSeawater intrusion
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Q9 2025 Mains GS3

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. (Answer in 150 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction Terrorism uses violence and fear for political or ideological ends, targeting civilians, institutions and critical infrastructure.…

Counter-terrorismInternal securityNational security
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Q10 2025 Mains GS3

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? (Answer in 150 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction LWE is a Maoist revolutionary movement seeking state power through armed struggle, operating mainly in forested and tribal regions.…

Internal securityLeft wing extremismSecurity and development
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Q11 2025 Mains GS3

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? (Answer in 250 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction The Fiscal Health Index is a comparative framework that evaluates the quality, sustainability and resilience of state finances rather than merely their expenditure size.…

EconomyFiscal healthPublic finance
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Q12 2025 Mains GS3

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? (Answer in 250 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction PLI provides incentives linked to incremental production and sales to overcome scale, capability and investment failures in strategic manufacturing sectors.…

EconomyIndustrial policyManufacturing
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Q13 2025 Mains GS3

Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater? (Answer in 250 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction Groundwater is India’s critical buffer for irrigation and drinking water, but extraction increasingly exceeds natural and managed recharge.…

EnvironmentGroundwater depletionWater governance
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Q14 2025 Mains GS3

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. (Answer in 250 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction Food processing converts farm output into safer, longer-lasting and higher-value products, linking agriculture with industry, trade and employment.…

Agriculture value chainsEconomyEmployment
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Q15 2025 Mains GS3

How does nanotechnology offer significant advancements in the field of agriculture? How can this technology help to uplift the socio-economic status of farmers? (Answer in 250 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction Nanotechnology manipulates materials at nanoscale to deliver nutrients, agrochemicals and sensors with greater precision and efficiency.…

AgricultureNanotechnologyPrecision farming
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Q16 2025 Mains GS3

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. (Answer in 250 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction Semiconductors underpin digital infrastructure, defence, automobiles and clean technologies; manufacturing requires an exceptionally reliable ecosystem.…

ElectronicsIndia semiconductor missionScience and technology
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Q17 2025 Mains GS3

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. (Answer in 250 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction Mining supplies energy, infrastructure and critical minerals, but excavation and processing alter landscapes and ecological cycles.…

EnvironmentEnvironmental impact assessmentMineral resources
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Q18 2025 Mains GS3

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? (Answer in 250 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction India’s climate policy combines development priorities with equity, lifestyle change, renewable expansion and a long-term transition to net zero.…

Climate changeEnvironmentIndia ndc
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Q19 2025 Mains GS3

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. (Answer in 250 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction Northeast peace processes operate amid ethnic diversity, porous borders, historical grievances, migration pressures and uneven state capacity.…

Insurgency and conflictInternal securityNorth-east india
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Q20 2025 Mains GS3

Why is maritime security vital to protect India’s sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward. (Answer in 250 words)

Answer explanation
Introduction India’s trade, energy supplies, fisheries and strategic connectivity rely heavily on secure sea lanes and resilient ports.…

Coastal securityIndian oceanInternal security
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