UPSC solved previous year questions

UPSC 2025 PYQ with Answers

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

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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

81–100 of 160
  1. Q81 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following countries: I. Austria II. Bulgaria III. Croatia IV. Serbia V. Sweden VI. North Macedonia. How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?

    1. Only three
    2. Only four✓
    3. Only five
    4. All the six
    Answer explanation

    Only four Among the listed countries, Bulgaria, Croatia, Sweden, and North Macedonia are NATO members. Austria and Serbia are not NATO members (Austria maintains military neutrality; Serbia is not a member).…

    GeographyInternational organizationsNato
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  4. Q84 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements about turmeric during the year 2022-23: I. India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric in the world. II. More than 30 varieties of turmeric are grown in India. III. Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are major turmeric-producing States in India. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. I and III only
    2. II only
    3. II and III only
    4. I, II and III✓
    Answer explanation

    I, II and III India is indeed the world's largest producer and exporter of turmeric, over 30 varieties of turmeric are cultivated across the country, and Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are among its major producing…

    AgricultureEconomyTurmeric
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  5. Q85 2025 Prelims GS

    Which of the following are the evidences of the phenomenon of continental drift? I. The belt of ancient rocks from the Brazil coast matches with the ancient rocks of the Western Africa coast. II. The gold deposits of Ghana are derived from the Brazil plateau, when the two continents lay side by side. III. The Gondwana system of sediments from India is known to have its counterparts in six different landmasses of the Southern Hemisphere. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    1. I and III only
    2. I and II only
    3. I, II and III✓
    4. II and III only
    Answer explanation

    I, II and III All three are classic pieces of evidence cited by Alfred Wegener and later geologists in support of continental drift: matching ancient rock belts across the Atlantic (I), matching gold deposits between Ghana and the…

    Continental driftGeographyGeology
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  6. Q86 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: The amount of dust particles in the atmosphere is more in the subtropical and temperate regions than in the equatorial and polar regions. Statement II: Subtropical and temperate regions have less dry winds. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
    2. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
    3. Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct✓
    4. Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
    Answer explanation

    Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct Subtropical and temperate regions, being drier with more arid/semi-arid tracts, do have a higher concentration of dust particles than the humid equatorial regions or the largely…

    AtmosphereDustGeography
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  7. Q87 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: In January, in the Northern Hemisphere, the isotherms bend equatorward while crossing the landmasses, whereas poleward while crossing the oceans. Statement II: In January, the air over the oceans is warmer than that over the landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
    2. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I✓
    3. Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
    4. Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
    Answer explanation

    Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I In January, isotherms indeed bend equatorward over landmasses and poleward over oceans in the Northern Hemisphere because oceans retain heat better…

    ClimatologyGeographyIsotherms
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  8. Q88 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: In the context of the effect of water on rocks, chalk is known to be a very permeable rock, whereas mudstone (clay) is known to be a quite impermeable or least permeable rock. Statement II: Chalk is porous, hence can absorb water. Statement III: Mudstone (clay) is not at all porous. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
    2. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
    3. Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I✓
    4. Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
    Answer explanation

    Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I Chalk is a porous rock and readily absorbs water, which explains why it is highly permeable, making Statement II correct and explanatory of Statement I.…

    GeographyGeologyRocks
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  9. Q89 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: I. Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth's surface. II. Heat absorbed and trapped by the atmosphere maintains our planet's average temperature. III. Atmosphere's gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. I and III only
    2. I and II only
    3. I, II and III
    4. II and III only✓
    Answer explanation

    II and III only Without the atmosphere and its greenhouse gases, Earth's surface would indeed be far colder (Statement I is broadly true but not the credited combination here), while the atmosphere's heat absorption/trapping maintains…

    AtmosphereGeographyGreenhouse effect
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  10. Q90 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission: I. It is important for the upliftment of the rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers. II. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. I only
    2. II only
    3. Both I and II✓
    4. Neither I nor II
    Answer explanation

    Both I and II The Rashtriya Gokul Mission was launched for the development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds (cattle and buffalo) in a scientific and holistic manner, and since most low-yielding indigenous animals are owned by…

    AgricultureEconomyRashtriya gokul mission
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  11. Q91 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from the cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbon emissions. Statement II: Silica-bearing clay is mixed with limestone while manufacturing cement. Statement III: Limestone is converted into lime during clinker production for cement manufacturing. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
    2. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I✓
    3. Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
    4. Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
    Answer explanation

    Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I Silica-bearing clay is indeed mixed with limestone in cement manufacturing (Statement II, true), and limestone (calcium carbonate) is converted to…

    Carbon emissionsCement industryEnvironment
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  12. Q92 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the 'Declaration on Climate and Health'. Statement II: The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize the health sector. Statement III: If India's health sector is decarbonized, its resilience of health-care system may be compromised. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
    2. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
    3. Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I✓
    4. Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
    Answer explanation

    Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I India indeed did not sign the COP28 'Declaration on Climate and Health', concerned that mandatory decarbonization commitments could compromise the resilience…

    Climate policyCop28Environment
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  13. Q93 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth's rotation and axis. Statement II: Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections have bombarded the Earth's outermost atmosphere with a huge amount of energy. Statement III: As the Earth's polar ice melts, the tendency of water is to move towards the equator. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
    2. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I✓
    3. Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
    4. Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
    Answer explanation

    Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I Both solar flares/coronal mass ejections impacting the outer atmosphere (Statement II) and the redistribution of meltwater from polar ice towards the…

    Earth's rotationGeographyScience
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  14. Q94 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustainable development and climate change. Statement II: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change sets out the principles of carbon markets. Statement III: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change intends to promote inter-country non-market strategies to reach their climate targets. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I✓
    2. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
    3. Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
    4. Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
    Answer explanation

    Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I Article 6 of the Paris Agreement covers both market-based mechanisms (carbon markets, Statement II) and non-market approaches for international…

    Carbon marketsEnvironmentParis agreement
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  15. Q95 2025 Prelims GS

    Which one of the following launched the 'Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific'?

    1. Asian Development Bank (ADB)✓
    2. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
    3. New Development Bank (NDB)
    4. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
    Answer explanation

    Asian Development Bank (ADB) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched the Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific to mobilize financing for nature-based solutions addressing climate change and biodiversity loss in the region.

    Climate financeEconomyInternational organizations
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  16. Q96 2025 Prelims GS

    With reference to 'Direct Air Capture', an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration. II. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing. III. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    1. I and II only
    2. III only
    3. I, II and III✓
    4. None of the above statements is correct
    Answer explanation

    I, II and III Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology extracts CO2 directly from ambient air, which can be sequestered underground (carbon sequestration, I), used as a carbon feedstock in industrial processes such as plastics and food…

    Direct air captureEnvironmentScience and technology
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  17. Q97 2025 Prelims GS

    Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements: I. It is an omnivorous crustacean. II. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas. III. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. Only I
    2. I and III
    3. Only II
    4. II and III✓
    Answer explanation

    II and III The Peacock/Gooty tarantula is an arachnid (spider), not a crustacean, and it is carnivorous, not omnivorous, so Statement I is incorrect.…

    BiodiversityEnvironmentTarantula
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  18. Q98 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: I. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO2/capita. II. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in the Asia-Pacific region. III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO2 emissions in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. I and III only
    2. Only II
    3. II and III only✓
    4. I, II and III
    Answer explanation

    II and III only India's per-capita CO2 emissions are actually well above 0.5 t CO2/capita (closer to ~1.9 t/capita), making Statement I incorrect.…

    Carbon emissionsEnvironmentIndia
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  19. Q99 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following pairs (Plant : Description): I. Cassava : Woody shrub II. Ginger : Herb with pseudostem III. Malabar spinach : Herbaceous climber IV. Mint : Annual shrub V. Papaya : Woody shrub. How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    1. Only two
    2. Only three✓
    3. Only four
    4. All five
    Answer explanation

    Only three Cassava is indeed a woody shrub (I correct), ginger is a herb with a pseudostem-like rhizomatous growth (II correct), and Malabar spinach is a herbaceous climbing vine (III correct).…

    BotanyPlantsScience and technology
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  20. Q100 2025 Prelims GS

    With reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements: I. Rain forests produce more oxygen than that produced by oceans. II. Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50% of world's oxygen. III. Well-oxygenated surface water contains several folds higher oxygen than that in atmospheric air. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. I and II
    2. II only✓
    3. I and III
    4. None of the above statements is correct
    Answer explanation

    II only Oceans, through marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria, actually produce more oxygen than rain forests overall (roughly half of the world's oxygen), making Statement I incorrect but Statement II correct.…

    EnvironmentOceanographyOxygen production
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