UPSC Mains · 2013–2025

    Previous Year Questions with Model Answers

    Every General Studies question UPSC has asked since 2013, paper- and topic-wise, each with the marks and word limit from the paper and a full-marks model answer you can learn the structure from.

    Questions
    1033
    Model answers
    1033
    Years
    13
    Topics
    18

    1033 of 1033 questions

    1. 2025 · GS I · Q1Ancient History and Art & Culture10 marks · 150 wordsModel answer

      Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.

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    2. 2025 · GS I · Q2Ancient History and Art & Culture10 marks · 150 wordsModel answer

      Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism.

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    3. 2025 · GS I · Q3Ancient History and Art & Culture10 marks · 150 wordsModel answer

      ‘The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life.’ Elucidate.

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    4. 2025 · GS I · Q4Geography10 marks · 150 wordsModel answer

      How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples.

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    5. 2025 · GS I · Q5Geography10 marks · 150 wordsModel answer

      What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.

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    6. 2025 · GS I · Q6Geography10 marks · 150 wordsModel answer

      Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.

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    7. 2025 · GS I · Q7Geography10 marks · 150 wordsModel answer

      What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples.

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    8. 2025 · GS I · Q8Indian Society10 marks · 150 wordsModel answer

      How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice?

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    9. 2025 · GS I · Q9Indian Society10 marks · 150 wordsModel answer

      The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate.

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    10. 2025 · GS I · Q10Indian Society10 marks · 150 wordsModel answer

      Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer.

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    Topic-wise question counts

    • Ancient History and Art & Culture (GS I): 36 questions
    • Modern History (GS I): 35 questions
    • World History (GS I): 15 questions
    • Post-Independence India (GS I): 9 questions
    • Indian Society (GS I): 74 questions
    • Geography (GS I): 106 questions
    • Polity and Constitution (GS II): 108 questions
    • Governance (GS II): 61 questions
    • Social Justice (GS II): 39 questions
    • International Relations (GS II): 57 questions
    • Economic Development (GS III): 81 questions
    • Agriculture (GS III): 38 questions
    • Science & Technology (GS III): 45 questions
    • Environment and Ecology (GS III): 35 questions
    • Disaster Management (GS III): 16 questions
    • Internal Security (GS III): 53 questions
    • Ethics (Theory) (GS IV): 147 questions
    • Ethics (Case Studies) (GS IV): 78 questions