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

141–160 of 160
  1. Q141 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: Some rare earth elements are used in the manufacture of flat television screens and computer monitors. Statement II: Some rare earth elements have phosphorescent properties. 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 and Statement II explains Statement I Certain rare earth elements possess phosphorescent (light-emitting) properties (Statement II), which is precisely why they are used as phosphors in the…

    Rare earth elementsScience and technology
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  2. Q142 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a 'future ready' railway system by 2028. II. 'Kavach' is an Automatic Train Protection system developed in collaboration with Germany. III. 'Kavach' system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in the station section. Which of the statements given above are not correct?

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

    I and II only Indian Railways' National Rail Plan targets creating a future-ready railway system by 2030, not 2028, making Statement I incorrect.…

    Indian railwaysKavachScience and technology
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  3. Q143 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following space missions: I. Axiom-4 II. SpaDeX III. Gaganyaan. How many of the above space missions encourage and support microgravity research?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. All the three✓
    4. None
    Answer explanation

    All the three Axiom-4 (a commercial crewed mission to the ISS involving an Indian astronaut), SpaDeX (ISRO's Space Docking Experiment, a precursor to future in-orbit/space station activities), and Gaganyaan (India's human spaceflight…

    IsroScience and technologySpace missions
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  4. Q144 2025 Prelims GS

    With reference to India's defence, consider the following pairs (Aircraft type : Description): I. Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraft II. IL-76 : Supersonic combat aircraft III. C-17 Globemaster III : Military transport aircraft. How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two✓
    3. All the three
    4. None
    Answer explanation

    Only two The Dornier-228 is indeed used as a maritime patrol/light transport aircraft (I correct), and the C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft (III correct).…

    AircraftDefenceIndian air force
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  5. Q145 2025 Prelims GS

    Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of

    1. silver iodide and potassium iodide✓
    2. silver nitrate and potassium iodide
    3. silver iodide and potassium nitrate
    4. silver nitrate and potassium chloride
    Answer explanation

    silver iodide and potassium iodide Artificial rainfall (cloud seeding) commonly uses substances such as silver iodide and potassium iodide as cloud condensation/ice nuclei, which promote the formation of raindrops or ice crystals in…

    Air pollutionCloud seedingScience and technology
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  6. Q146 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements with regard to the pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected to limited judicial review. II. The President can exercise this power without the advice of the Central Government. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. Only I✓
    2. Only II
    3. I and II both
    4. Neither I nor II
    Answer explanation

    Only I The Supreme Court has held that the exercise of the President's pardoning power under Article 72 is subject to limited judicial review, e.g., for arbitrariness or mala fide exercise (Statement I correct).…

    Article 72Pardoning powerPolity
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  7. Q147 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: I. On the dissolution of the House of the People, the Speaker shall not vacate his/her office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People after the dissolution. II. According to the provisions of the Constitution of India, a Member of the House of the People, on being elected as Speaker, will immediately resign from his/her political party. III. The Speaker of the House of the People may be removed from his/her office by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then Members of the House, provided that no resolution shall be moved unless at least fourteen days' notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

    I and III only Under Article 94, the Speaker does not vacate office upon dissolution of the House until immediately before the first meeting of the newly constituted House (Statement I correct).…

    Article 94PolitySpeaker of lok sabha
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  8. Q148 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under the 10th Schedule, then the decision of the President, in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers, shall be final. II. There is no mention of the word 'political party' in the Constitution of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. Only I
    2. Only II
    3. I and II both
    4. Neither I nor II✓
    Answer explanation

    Neither I nor II Under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law), the decision on disqualification of a Member of the House of the People is taken by the Speaker of the House (not the President based on Council of Ministers' advice), making…

    Anti-defection lawPolityTenth schedule
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  9. Q149 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: In India, State Governments have no power for making rules for grant of concessions in respect of extraction of minor minerals even though such minerals are located in their own territories. Statement II: In India, the Central Government has the power to notify minor minerals under the relevant law. 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 not correct but Statement II is correct Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, State Governments do have the power to make rules for the grant of concessions in respect of minor minerals located in…

    EconomyMiningMinor minerals
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  10. Q150 2025 Prelims GS

    Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?

    1. The European Union✓
    2. The World Bank
    3. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
    4. The Food and Agriculture Organization
    Answer explanation

    The European Union The European Union enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) as a landmark legislative measure aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems across its member states, addressing both climate change and biodiversity loss.

    EnvironmentEuNature restoration law
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  11. Q151 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: I. Panchayats at the intermediate level exist in all States. II. To be eligible to be a Member of a Panchayat at the intermediate level, a person needs to attain the age of thirty years. III. The Chief Minister of a State constitutes a commission to review the financial position of Panchayats at intermediate levels and to make recommendations regarding the distribution of the net proceeds of taxes and duties leviable by the State, between the State and Panchayats at the intermediate level. Which of the statements given above are not correct?

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

    I, II and III The intermediate level of Panchayats does not exist in all States; smaller States (with population below a specified threshold) may not have this tier under Article 243B (Statement I incorrect).…

    73rd amendmentPanchayati rajPolity
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  12. Q152 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC: I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025. II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999. III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC. IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of 'tourism' is being led by India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

    I only BIMSTEC does have seven member states currently, making Statement I correct. However, it was established via the Bangkok Declaration (1997), not the Dhaka Declaration (Statement II incorrect); the founding members were Bangladesh…

    BimstecInternational relations
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  13. Q153 2025 Prelims GS

    Who amongst the following are members of the Jury constituted to select the recipient of the 'Gandhi Peace Prize'? I. President of India II. Prime Minister of India III. Chief Justice of India IV. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

    II, III and IV The Jury for the Gandhi Peace Prize is chaired by the Prime Minister of India and includes the Chief Justice of India, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (or Leader of the Opposition), and other eminent members, but does not…

    AwardsGandhi peace prize
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  14. Q154 2025 Prelims GS

    GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) uses a system of ground-based stations to provide necessary augmentation. Which of the following statements is/are correct in respect of GAGAN? I. It is designed to provide additional accuracy and integrity. II. It will allow more uniform and high quality air traffic management. III. Its benefits will be available only in aviation but not in other modes of transportation. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

    I and II only GAGAN, India's satellite-based augmentation system, is designed to provide enhanced accuracy and integrity to GPS signals (Statement I correct) and enables more uniform, high-quality air traffic management (Statement II…

    GaganNavigationScience and technology
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  15. Q155 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements regarding the AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025: I. Co-chaired with India, this Summit in 2025 built on the advances made at the Bletchley Park Summit in 2023 and the Seoul Summit in 2024. II. Along with other countries, the US and UK also signed the declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. Only I✓
    2. Only II
    3. I and II both
    4. Neither I nor II
    Answer explanation

    Only I The Paris AI Action Summit (February 2025) was indeed co-chaired by France and India and built on the outcomes of the earlier Bletchley Park (UK, 2023) and Seoul (2024) AI safety summits (Statement I correct).…

    Ai action summitArtificial intelligenceInternational relations
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  16. Q156 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following pairs: I. International Year of the Woman Farmer : 2026 II. International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism : 2027 III. International Year of Peace and Trust : 2025 IV. International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence : 2029. How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

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

    All the four The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism, 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, and 2029 as the…

    International relationsUn international years
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  17. Q157 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: I. The 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS. III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was 'Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

    I and II The 16th BRICS Summit was indeed held in Kazan, Russia, under Russia's chairship in 2024, and Indonesia has since become a full member of BRICS (Statements I and II correct).…

    BricsInternational relations
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  18. Q158 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India. II. No Member of Parliament or a Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory shall be its Chairperson or Member, and only the Chief Justice of India, whether incumbent or retired, has to be its Chairperson. III. Its Chairperson or Member shall not be a person of less than forty-five years of age on the date of assuming office as the Chairperson or Member. IV. Lokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

    III only Under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, the Chairperson or Member must not be less than 45 years of age on the date of assuming office, making Statement III correct.…

    Anti-corruptionLokpalPolity
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  19. Q159 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements in respect of the first Kho Kho World Cup: I. The event was held in Delhi, India. II. Indian men beat Nepal with a score of 78-40 in the final to become the World Champion in the men's category. III. Indian women beat Nepal with a score of 54-36 in the final to become the World Champion in the women's category. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

    Only I The first Kho Kho World Cup (2025) was indeed held in New Delhi, India, making Statement I correct. However, the specific score details in Statements II and III as given do not match the official results (per the credited key, only…

    Kho kho world cupSports
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  20. Q160 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements: I. In the finals of the 45th Chess Olympiad held in 2024, Gukesh Dommaraju became the world's youngest winner after defeating the Russian player Ian Nepomniachtchi. II. Abhimanyu Mishra, an American chess player, holds the record of becoming the world's youngest ever Grandmaster. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

    Only II Statement I mischaracterizes events: the 45th Chess Olympiad (2024) was a team event won by India, and it was D. Gukesh who later, separately, became the youngest World Chess Champion in 2024 by defeating Ding Liren, not Ian…

    ChessGukesh dommarajuSports
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