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UPSC Prelims 2025 Answer Key (GS Paper -1)

The UPSC Prelims Exam for 2025 is set to take place on May 25th, 2025 (Sunday).

Given that the official answer key is only published by UPSC after the final results are announced, aspirants are in need of a trustworthy and accurate source to evaluate their performance in the IAS Prelims exam.

UPSC IAS Question Paper Pattern 2025

The UPSC Question Paper is conducted in offline mode. The paper carries a maximum of 400 marks, with each worth 200 marks. It is an objective test containing 180 multiple-choice questions. The medium of the paper is English and Hindi. The CSAT paper will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.

Those who qualify in the prelims exam will be called for the Civil Services (Main) Examination. The marks obtained in the prelim exam will not be counted for final selection. Check the table below for the UPSC question paper pattern.

Subject
Nature Of Paper
No. of Questions
Exam Duration
Marks
Paper I – General Studies
Merit Ranking (Marks will be counted in Final merit)
100
2 Hours
200
Paper II – General Studies (CSAT)
Qualifying in nature
80
2 Hours
200

UPSC Question Paper 2025: Key Highlights

The UPSC Prelims Exam 2025 is conducted in two shifts, i.e., GS Paper 1 in the morning shift and GS Paper 2 in the afternoon shift. Candidates will be able to download the UPSC Question Papers 2025 for GS and CSAT from here. Check the table below for UPSC Question Paper 2025 key highlights

Exam Conducting Body
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name
Civil Service Preliminary Exam 2025
Exam Date
May 25, 2025
UPSC Prelims Papers
General Studies Paper I – 9:30 to 11:30
General Studies Paper II – 2:30 to 4:30
Mode of Exam
Offline
Total Marks
400 (200 Each Paper)
Negative Marking
1/3rd for Incorrect Answers
Language
English and Hindi
Official Website

UPSC GS Question Paper 2025: PDF Download

The UPSC GS Question Paper 2025 has 100 questions for 200 marks. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. The questions were asked from different subjects such as polity, geography, history, economy, science and technology, current affairs, etc. Candidates can click on the direct link below to download the UPSC GS Question Paper 2025. 

UPSC Question Paper 2025 (Set A)
UPSC Question Paper 2025 (Set B)
UPSC Question Paper 2025 (Set C)
UPSC Question Paper 2025 (Set D)

UPSC 2025 Prelims General Studies (GS) Answer Key: Paper 1 CSE

QSET AQSET BQSET CQSET D
1Alternative Investment FundsB1Alternative powertrain vehiclesC1Panchayats intermediate levelD1Gandhi sedition quoteB
2RBI income sourcesA2UAV statements correctnessD2BIMSTEC membershipD2Dancing Girl materialC
3GOI Enforcement directoratesA3Battery cathode elementsC3Gandhi Peace Prize juryC3Chauri Chaura legal defenseA
4BRSR reporting mandatesB4Plastic content itemsC4GAGAN augmentationD4Harijan upliftment eventA
5Agricultural tax exemptionsD5Coal gasification productsC5AI Action Summit ParisA5Portuguese introduced fruitsB
6Minerals Security PartnershipB6CL-20 HMX LLM-105 characteristicB6International Year eventsD6Time zones countriesC
7Bondholders vs stockholdersA7Majorana chip AWSC7BRICS Summit detailsA7Anadyr Nome time diffA
8Equity options trading boomA8Monoclonal antibodies useD8Lokpal provisionsA8Self-Respect Movement founderA
9Circular economy effectsA9Virus survival statementsD9Kho Kho World Cup resultsA9Country resource-rich matchC
10Government capital receiptsA10Activated carbon usesB10Chess Olympiad winnersB10Region country matchD
11Raja Ram Mohan Roy viewsC11Cement CO2 emissionsB11Rare earth elements usesA11Fiscal vs primary deficitD
12Non-Cooperation Programme partsC12COP28 Climate & HealthA12Indian Railways ‘Kavach’A12INSTC corridor routeA
13Araghatta irrigation deviceB13Earth rotation shiftB13Space missions researchC13Ethanol producers & feedstockB
14Pallava ruler titlesA14Article 6 Paris AgreementC14Defence aircraft matchingB14Wet-bulb temperature impactC
15Faxian travel periodB15Nature Solutions Finance HubA15Cloud seeding chemicalsA15Gross primary deficit calcA
16Srivijaya military campaignC16Direct Air Capture usesC16Presidential pardoning powerA1615th Finance CommissionC
17Ancient India regions riversB17Peacock tarantula factsD17Speaker office provisionsC17IBRD functionsC
18First Gandharva MahavidyalayaD18India CO2 emissions sectorsC1810th Schedule disqualificationD18RTGS vs NEFT featuresC
19Ashokan administrative officersB19Plant description matchingB19Minor minerals powerD19UPI international acceptanceB
20Non-Cooperation Movement objectivesC20Oxygen sources EarthB20Nature Restoration Law enactorA20PM Sury Ghar Muft BijliD
21NATO member countriesB21Raja Ram Mohan Roy viewsC21Gandhi sedition quoteB21Rare earth elements usesA
22Andes mountain countriesC22Non-Cooperation Programme partsC22Dancing Girl materialC22Indian Railways ‘Kavach’A
23Equator through water bodiesD23Araghatta irrigation deviceB23Chauri Chaura legal defenseA23Space missions researchC
24Turmeric production IndiaD24Pallava ruler titlesA24Harijan upliftment eventA24Defence aircraft matchingB
25Continental drift evidenceD25Faxian travel periodB25Portuguese introduced fruitsB25Cloud seeding chemicalsA
26Atmospheric dust & windsC26Srivijaya military campaignC26Time zones countriesC26Presidential pardoning powerA
27January isotherm patternsB27Ancient India regions riversB27Anadyr Nome time diffA27Speaker office provisionsC
28Chalk vs clay permeabilityC28First Gandharva MahavidyalayaD28Self-Respect Movement founderA2810th Schedule disqualificationD
29Atmospheric greenhouse roleC29Ashokan administrative officersB29Country resource-rich matchC29Minor minerals powerD
30Rashtriya Gokul MissionC30Non-Cooperation Movement objectivesC30Region country matchD30Nature Restoration Law enactorA
31Cement CO2 emissionsB31Alternative Investment FundsB31Fiscal vs primary deficitD31Ordinance constitutional powerC
32COP28 Climate & HealthA32RBI income sourcesA32INSTC corridor routeA32State-description matchingC
33Earth rotation shiftB33GOI Enforcement directoratesA33Ethanol producers & feedstockB33Constitutional councilsA
34Article 6 Paris AgreementC34BRSR reporting mandatesB34Wet-bulb temperature impactC34Governor discretionary powersA
35Nature Solutions Finance HubA35Agricultural tax exemptionsD35Gross primary deficit calcA35Constitution provisions pairingC
36Direct Air Capture usesC36Minerals Security PartnershipB3615th Finance CommissionC36Fifth Schedule effectsD
37Peacock tarantula factsD37Bondholders vs stockholdersA37IBRD functionsC37Industry board ministriesD
38India CO2 emissions sectorsC38Equity options trading boomA38RTGS vs NEFT featuresC38Amendment ratificationA
39Plant description matchingB39Circular economy effectsA39UPI international acceptanceB39Governor immunity rulesD
40Oxygen sources EarthB40Government capital receiptsA40PM Sury Ghar Muft BijliD40PNG regulation activitiesB
41Alternative powertrain vehiclesC41NATO member countriesB41Ordinance constitutional powerC41Panchayats intermediate levelD
42UAV statements correctnessD42Andes mountain countriesC42State-description matchingC42BIMSTEC membershipD
43Battery cathode elementsC43Equator through water bodiesD43Constitutional councilsA43Gandhi Peace Prize juryC
44Plastic content itemsC44Turmeric production IndiaD44Governor discretionary powersA44GAGAN augmentationD
45Coal gasification productsC45Continental drift evidenceD45Constitution provisions pairingC45AI Action Summit ParisA
46CL-20 HMX LLM-105 characteristicB46Atmospheric dust & windsC46Fifth Schedule effectsD46International Year eventsD
47Majorana chip AWSC47January isotherm patternsB47Industry board ministriesD47BRICS Summit detailsA
48Monoclonal antibodies useD48Chalk vs clay permeabilityC48Amendment ratificationA48Lokpal provisionsA
49Virus survival statementsD49Atmospheric greenhouse roleC49Governor immunity rulesD49Kho Kho World Cup resultsA
50Activated carbon usesB50Rashtriya Gokul MissionC50PNG regulation activitiesB50Chess Olympiad winnersB
51Ordinance constitutional powerC51Panchayats intermediate levelD51Alternative powertrain vehiclesC51Alternative Investment FundsB
52State-description matchingC52BIMSTEC membershipC52UAV statements correctnessD52RBI income sourcesA
53Constitutional councilsA53Gandhi Peace Prize juryC53Battery cathode elementsC53GOI Enforcement directoratesA
54Governor discretionary powersA54GAGAN augmentationD54Plastic content itemsC54BRSR reporting mandatesB
55Constitution provisions pairingC55AI Action Summit ParisA55Coal gasification productsC55Agricultural tax exemptionsD
56Fifth Schedule effectsD56International Year eventsD56CL-20 HMX LLM-105 characteristicB56Minerals Security PartnershipB
57Industry board ministriesD57BRICS Summit detailsA57Majorana chip AWSC57Bondholders vs stockholdersA
58Amendment ratificationA58Lokpal provisionsA58Monoclonal antibodies useD58Equity options trading boomA
59Governor immunity rulesD59Kho Kho World Cup resultsA59Virus survival statementsD59Circular economy effectsA
60PNG regulation activitiesB60Chess Olympiad winnersB60Activated carbon usesB60Government capital receiptsA
61Fiscal vs primary deficitD61Rare earth elements usesA61Cement CO2 emissionsB61NATO member countriesB
62INSTC corridor routeA62Indian Railways ‘Kavach’A62COP28 Climate & HealthA62Andes mountain countriesC
63Ethanol producers & feedstockB63Space missions researchC63Earth rotation shiftB63Equator through water bodiesD
64Wet-bulb temperature impactC64Defence aircraft matchingB64Article 6 Paris AgreementC64Turmeric production IndiaD
65Gross primary deficit calcA65Cloud seeding chemicalsA65Nature Solutions Finance HubA65Continental drift evidenceD
6615th Finance CommissionC66Presidential pardoning powerA66Direct Air Capture usesC66Atmospheric dust & windsC
67IBRD functionsC67Speaker office provisionsC67Peacock tarantula factsD67January isotherm patternsB
68RTGS vs NEFT featuresC6810th Schedule disqualificationD68India CO2 emissions sectorsC68Chalk vs clay permeabilityC
69UPI international acceptanceB69Minor minerals powerD69Plant description matchingB69Atmospheric greenhouse roleC
70PM Sury Ghar Muft BijliD70Nature Restoration Law enactorA70Oxygen sources EarthB70Rashtriya Gokul MissionC
71Gandhi sedition quoteB71Fiscal vs primary deficitD71NATO member countriesB71Raja Ram Mohan Roy viewsC
72Dancing Girl materialC72INSTC corridor routeA72Andes mountain countriesC72Non-Cooperation Programme partsC
73Chauri Chaura legal defenseA73Ethanol producers & feedstockB73Equator through water bodiesD73Araghatta irrigation deviceB
74Harijan upliftment eventA74Wet-bulb temperature impactC74Turmeric production IndiaD74Pallava ruler titlesA
75Portuguese introduced fruitsB75Gross primary deficit calcA75Continental drift evidenceD75Faxian travel periodB
76Time zones countriesC7615th Finance CommissionC76Atmospheric dust & windsC76Srivijaya military campaignC
77Anadyr Nome time diffA77IBRD functionsC77January isotherm patternsB77Ancient India regions riversB
78Self-Respect Movement founderA78RTGS vs NEFT featuresC78Chalk vs clay permeabilityC78First Gandharva MahavidyalayaD
79Country resource-rich matchC79UPI international acceptanceB79Atmospheric greenhouse roleC79Ashokan administrative officersB
80Region country matchD80PM Sury Ghar Muft BijliD80Rashtriya Gokul MissionC80Non-Cooperation Movement objectivesC
81Rare earth elements usesA81Ordinance constitutional powerC81Raja Ram Mohan Roy viewsC81Alternative powertrain vehiclesC
82Indian Railways ‘Kavach’A82State-description matchingC82Non-Cooperation Programme partsC82UAV statements correctnessD
83Space missions researchC83Constitutional councilsA83Araghatta irrigation deviceB83Battery cathode elementsC
84Defence aircraft matchingB84Governor discretionary powersA84Pallava ruler titlesA84Plastic content itemsC
85Cloud seeding chemicalsA85Constitution provisions pairingC85Faxian travel periodB85Coal gasification productsC
86Presidential pardoning powerA86Fifth Schedule effectsD86Srivijaya military campaignC86CL-20 HMX LLM-105 characteristicB
87Speaker office provisionsC87Industry board ministriesD87Ancient India regions riversB87Majorana chip AWSC
8810th Schedule disqualificationD88Amendment ratificationA88First Gandharva MahavidyalayaD88Monoclonal antibodies useD
89Minor minerals powerD89Governor immunity rulesD89Ashokan administrative officersB89Virus survival statementsD
90Nature Restoration Law enactorA90PNG regulation activitiesB90Non-Cooperation Movement objectivesC90Activated carbon usesB
91Panchayats intermediate levelD91Gandhi sedition quoteB91Alternative Investment FundsB91Cement CO2 emissionsB
92BIMSTEC membershipD92Dancing Girl materialC92RBI income sourcesA92COP28 Climate & HealthA
93Gandhi Peace Prize juryC93Chauri Chaura legal defenseA93GOI Enforcement directoratesA93Earth rotation shiftB
94GAGAN augmentationD94Harijan upliftment eventA94BRSR reporting mandatesB94Article 6 Paris AgreementC
95AI Action Summit ParisA95Portuguese introduced fruitsB95Agricultural tax exemptionsD95Nature Solutions Finance HubA
96International Year eventsD96Time zones countriesC96Minerals Security PartnershipB96Direct Air Capture usesC
97BRICS Summit detailsA97Anadyr Nome time diffA97Bondholders vs stockholdersA97Peacock tarantula factsD
98Lokpal provisionsA98Self-Respect Movement founderA98Equity options trading boomA98India CO2 emissions sectorsC
99Kho Kho World Cup resultsA99Country resource-rich matchC99Circular economy effectsA99Plant description matchingB
100Chess Olympiad winnersB100Region country matchD100Government capital receiptsA100Oxygen sources EarthB

UPSC 2025 Expected Cutoff

The UPSC Prelims 2025 cutoff will depend on the following factors:

  • Difficulty level of the question paper
  • Number of vacancies

Since the number of vacancies is similar to previous years (around 1000), the cutoff will primarily depend on the difficulty level of the question paper. The UPSC expected cutoff will be released in the following format:

Category

Expected UPSC Prelims Cut off 2025

General

85 +/- 2

EWS

83 +/-2

OBC

84 +/-2

SC

76 +/-2

ST

 71+/-2

Given tougher GS + tougher CSAT, the 2025 General cutoff is most likely 85 marks — a drop of 3 points from 2024.

Anyone scoring 80 or above should start preparing seriously for Mains 2025 without waiting for the official result.

How to Download UPSC Prelims Question Paper?

 

Candidates preparing for the UPSC CSE Exam 2025 can easily download previous years’ UPSC Prelims Question Papers 2025 (GS 1 and CSAT) from the official UPSC website or follow the Steps to Download UPSC Prelims Question Paper below:

  • Step 1: Go to upsc.gov.in, the official website of the Union Public Service Commission.
  • Step 2: On the homepage, locate and click on the “Examinations” tab in the main menu.
  • Step 3: Under the “Examinations” section, find and click on the “Previous Question Papers” link.
  • Step 4: From the list of examinations, select “Civil Services (Preliminary)” to access the relevant papers.
  • Step 5: Choose the examination year (e.g., 2025) for which you want to download the question paper.
  • Step 6: Click on the links for General Studies Paper 1 (GS 1) and CSAT (Paper 2). The question papers will open in PDF format.
  • Step 7: Save the PDFs for digital use or print them out for offline practice.

UPSC Prelims Answer keys will also be available on the following InstagramTwitter and Telegram channels. For a detailed explanation of Prelims GS Paper 1, follow our YouTube channel. 

 

The “UPSC IAS Answer Key” can be used by candidates to calculate their estimated score. The marking criteria for the UPSC CSE 2023 Prelims are as follows: 2 Marks are awarded for each correct answer in Paper I, and 2.5 Marks are allotted in Paper II for each correct answer. However, for each incorrect answer, 1/3rd of the mark assigned to a question is deducted.

 

The “UPSC IAS Prelims Answer Key 2025” with explanations will assist students in identifying their correct and incorrect responses, and they can calculate the marks they are likely to score in the Prelims exam.

 

The final selection of candidates for the IAS post is based on the marks obtained in the UPSC Mains exam and Interview. While the UPSC Prelims Exam is the first step of the selection process, the marks are not considered when preparing the Final Merit List.

Explore Legacy IAS Academy’s Courses and Mentorship Programs here.

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