UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 GS Paper 1 Analysis: UPSC asks aspirants to examine Akbar’s religious syncretism; echoes a Bihar PCS Mains question. Geography takes the spotlight.

#1 Art & Culture and History: Neither a cakewalk nor a mountain — A mix of easy and moderate questions

Q. Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.

Nothing could be easier than this question — simple, straightforward, and factual, something even a sixth grader could answer. It was also highly expected, as September, 2024, marked the centenary of the announcement of the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Being a 10-marker, it just requires you to list key features: urban planning and grid pattern, division into citadel and lower town, use of baked and sun-dried bricks, advanced drainage system, Great Bath, granaries, assembly halls, fortification and city walls, water management systems, and standardization of weights and measures. Don’t waste time over-explaining. There are plenty of other questions that will demand your analytical skills.

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

An interesting question that should have reminded you of the Khajuraho temples. While you could have started with examples of such temples, the main focus needed to be on the general features of the sculptures. Poses like Tribhanga and other asanas, facial features and human emotions, depiction of everyday life, erotic sculptures were supposed to be at the centre of your answer. Aspirants could have especially emphasised on how sculptures were integral to temple architecture (and not just meant for decoration) and telling stories from mythology to court life and more. A 10 marker had a scope of details but within the word limit.

Q. Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism.

It isn’t a difficult question, but rather a reminder that—regardless of the political debates of the times—some topics are too important to overlook. What is interesting in this 10 marker is the use of the keyword ‘examine’, which means to look at something closely, usually with the intent to make a judgment. The question doesn’t ask you to simply ‘explain’ or ‘discuss’. Even if you are familiar with ‘Sulh-i-Kul’, the inclusion of Hindus in Akbar’s court, ‘Din-i Ilahi’, or his interfaith dialogues, aspirants are expected to highlight the historical background, the motives behind these policies, their outcomes, and the reactions they provoked. Remember since it is a 10 marker, so just write a paragraph to examine after listing the key features. Aspirants remember, some personalities are historically significant and must be studied thoroughly, even if they were Mughals.

Q. Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.

UPSC picks up another important personality from modern Indian history — Jyotirao Phule. Very soon, the 200th birth anniversary of the great social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule will be observed, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address to the nation, announced that the anniversary will be commemorated with events aimed at transforming lives.

Jyotirao Phule dedicated his life to the upliftment of subaltern classes and, through his writings and various efforts, laid the foundation for the anti-caste movement in India. He inspired generations of social justice activists, including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Works like Gulamgiri, Shetkaryacha Asud, and Tritiya Ratna, along with initiatives such as the establishment of the first girls’ school in Pune, the formation of the Satyashodhak Samaj, and advocacy for women’s rights and widow remarriage, deserve mention.

A paragraph on his impact and legacy would have earned you brownie points. It wasn’t a difficult question — and for a 15-marker, it was definitely easy and scoring.

Q. Trace India’s consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations. 

A lengthy question from the post-independence period which demands full justice to the 15-mark allotment. Basically, four paragraphs in the body that simply ask you to trace or list down. 

IR – NAM, Panchsheel, support to anti-colonial movements etc. , Education – Establishment of institutions, UGC, Nai Talim, basic education, focus on scientific temper, Polity – Integration of princely states, linguistic reorganisation of states, Constitution, etc, Economy – Planning, Green Revolution, land reforms, etc.

There is so much to write that a point format would have been a great approach.

Q. The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain.

A 15 marker world history question from one of the most expected topic is defintely a cause of joy. But wait you have to relate it contemporary world. That is how UPSC makes this somewhat easy topic challenging. While focussing on its ideals, challenges and outcomes reflect a bit how the revolution echoes even in 21st century. For example as the Revolution emphasized abolition of feudal privileges, advocating a more egalitarian society, the contemporary struggles against economic inequality, caste discrimination, and racism reflect those same principles of social equality and justice. Be wise in approaching this question. 

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

This might have surprised you, as it might appear to be an Ethics question. As a part of GS Paper 1, it might push you to think about how to approach it. We will consider it from a historical perspective, highlighting how it has evolved over time from colonial legacy to the present-day context. Aspirants could answer by categorising the response into the colonial era (professionalism without national consciousness), the freedom struggle (wave of nationalism, taking examples of Surendranath Banerjee, Gandhi’s vision of civil services), and the post-colonial period (importance of constitutional ideals, Patel’s vision, UPSC, steel frame of India, etc.). This could have been an answer where your wit needed a touch of creativity. This 15 marker question becomes highly relevant as UPSC enters its centenary year.

#2 Society : Not hard questions but smart ones

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

With 10 years of the Smart Cities Mission, this was an expected question where aspirants could have simply mentioned the features, aims, and objectives of smart cities. Cities followed area-based and pan-city approaches to improve infrastructure and services. All 100 cities have Integrated Command and Control Centres, using technologies like Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things for better city management. Thousands of smart roads, cycle tracks, classrooms, and health centres have been built. Initiatives like Cycles4Change and Streets4People promoted open spaces and inclusivity. Aspirants could have supported their answer with success stories of cities in this 10-marker to highlight the mission’s role in boosting economic growth and enhancing quality of life by promoting local area development and utilizing technology for smart outcomes.

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

Age old question, and one of the most simple topic from the society section. This 10 marker pushes you to ponder how globalisation has driven consumer culture due to the easy availability of goods and services, along with the rise of multinational corporations and the aggressive use of media and advertising. It creates status and peer pressure by promoting a materialistic lifestyle. This question has scope to explore the suffering of local businesses and traditional crafts (e.g., Kolhapuri chappals and the Prada controversy), while also diving into social, ethical, and environmental concerns. Leave an impressive conclusion by suggesting how and why a balance is needed. Read carefully. The word ‘only’ is there. Have a balance write up.

Q. How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience.

Check this:

1. Economic Survey highlighted that people who rarely consume ultra-processed or packaged junk food have better mental well-being than those who regularly do so.

2. With obesity on the rise — along with associated increases in lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, and some cancers — the government has been undertaking several activities to improve food habits. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to adopt an active, healthy lifestyle and reduce oil consumption by 10%.

3.  In the past, studies have cited the consumption of calorie-dense foods high in sugar, salt, and fat as a major cause of rising obesity in India. The entry of multinational food and beverage companies is also a factor.

4.  The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recently directed its affiliated schools to establish sugar boards to monitor and reduce sugar intake in children. The board noted a significant increase in type 2 diabetes among children over the past decade. It added that sugar constitutes 13% of the daily calorie intake of children between the ages of 4 and 10 years and 15% for those between the ages of 11 and 18 years, much higher than the recommended 5%.

5. The Union Health Secretary’s recent letter, quoting The Lancet medical journal’s Global Burden of Disease study, says that the number of obese and overweight adults in India is projected to increase from around 18 crores in 2021 to 44.9 crores by 2050. This will make India the country with the second-highest global burden.

6. Another representative study from India estimated that 25.4 crore people, or 28.6% of the population, live with generalised obesity. Importantly, almost 39.5% of the population (around 35.1 crore people) live with abdominal obesity. The accumulation of fats in the abdominal region makes people more prone to the ill effects of obesity even at a lower Body Mass Index (BMI). This is because the abdominal fat is stored not under the skin but around organs such as the liver and intestines, impacting their functioning. Visceral fat is linked to a higher risk of diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, and stroke.

Worry not, nobody is asking you to give data, but have a general view and contextualise the growth of fast food industries from this perspective. A general answer to this 15 marker will suffice if you address the Indian situation properly.

Q. Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment. 

A 15-marker like this is a popular debate, and hence you get the scope to address both sides of it, as it asks you to “comment”. Bring to light the conservation versus development aspect — how environmental regulations can hurt the poor through land acquisition, loss of livelihoods, and forced migration. On a promising note, talk about inclusive models of development, sustainable policies, etc. One of the best questions for smart brains which tests your real prepartion level. 

Q. Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.

Another deep, thought-provoking 15 marks question. It asks for your “opinion”, so it is open-ended—but you must structure it well. For example, from a displacement perspective, think along the lines of why displacement happens, what its impacts are, and cite some examples. Similarly, while discussing rehabilitation, highlight the issues associated with it, despite legal provisions. Remember a solid punchline: There is a need to minimise displacement and ensure dignified rehabilitation. The examiner will expect you to be solution-oriented; hence, suggest concluding pointers on inclusive tribal development. That is what a best answer would look like. But since it’s the last question in the paper—you may be excused (or maybe not).

#3 Geography: Plenty to answer but your grasp of NCERTs and basics decided your grip on this section.

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

It can’t get easier. An NCERT based question which would like to test your basic knowledge especially becomes important for 2 reasons:

1. Frequent news on tsunamis especially in context of Russia’s earthquake.

2. 20 years of 2004 Tsunami : A magnitude 9.1 earthquake in 2004 triggered a tsunami that devastated 14 countries, killing over 2,27,000 people. Survivors battled immense loss, trauma, and economic hardship.

If the content fell short for this 10 marker, add the above two pointers (especially since you have to give examples.)

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

Another basic 10-marker question, though the second part—asking to connect with physiographic features in India—could have posed a bit of a challenge. Rural and cottage industries, rural manufacturing, rural tourism, animal husbandry, and self-help groups can be some examples. When it comes to primary activities: mining, quarrying, fishing and forestry are examples. Don’t miss out on how rural youth are engaged in freelancing and digital services. With reference to physiographic regions, examples such as the Himalayan and hilly regions—known for handicrafts (e.g., wool weaving in Ladakh, wood carving in Himachal)—and coastal regions—known for fish processing, salt making, and coastal tourism—could be cited. Mining is done mostly in Peninsular plateau rich in metallic and non-metallic regions. Make sure that the focus remains on non-farm primary activities. Not too difficult, but under exam pressure, it just requires good memory.

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

Derived from current affairs, this 10 marker has been in the news for the past few years. Geography and Environment have blurred lines, as highlighted in this question. If you remember — around 300 families were relocated from the island of Gardi Sugdub in Panama’s Guna Yala province due to concerns over rising sea levels. The families were moved to a newly built housing development called Nuevo Cartí, on the mainland in Guna Yala, which is an autonomous region in the country.

Since 1880, the global sea level has risen by approximately 21–24 centimetres, with the rate of increase accelerating in recent decades. These rising levels are mainly due to global warming, with vulnerable coastal regions and countries of the Global South being the worst affected. Today, the global average temperature has increased by at least 1.1°C since 1880.

This rise is driven by several factors, including the thermal expansion of seawater as it warms and the melting of land-based ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets.

Many of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) — located in the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea — are facing existential threats due to rising oceans. 

Small islands are particularly vulnerable to these changes due to their low elevation and high dependency on marine resources, according to a 2022 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — a UN body that prepares various reports assessing the state of knowledge on climate change.

Want to get browny points, add this: One of the major initiatives under CDRI is Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 in 2021. Small island states are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. As sea levels rise, they face a threat of being wiped off the map. According to CDRI, several small island states have lost 9 per cent of their GDPs in single disasters during the last few years.

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

UPSC almost picked a BPSC Mains question from this year — strange for a Commission that hardly repeats its own questions. The only difference lies in the directive word: UPSC asks you to “explain,” while BPSC asked aspirants to “examine.” In that sense, UPSC framed an easier question compared to BPSC. There are two parts to this question : economic and ecological benefits.

Ecological could include reducing carbon emissions, lowering pollution, and overall protection of the natural ecosystem. Economic benefits could include reducing energy bills, decreasing dependence on energy imports, and thereby improving the trade balance. The key in this question was citing relevant examples like India’s Solar Mission, the PLI scheme, solar panel adoption, etc.

Remember, a 10-marker doesn’t deserve too much of your time. Move on to the next question — Geography has many more waiting.

Q. Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of off-shore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the on-shore occurrences of oil reserves? 

If you prepared well, you couldn’t have missed this 15 marker. Offshore oil fields refer to oil reserves located beneath the ocean, where production techniques may involve thermal recovery methods due to the presence of heavy crude oil and high viscosity that render conventional cold production methods ineffective. These fields are significant for their contribution to global heavy oil reserves. They  require specialised operating processes compared to onshore fields and that causes the major difference between the two. FYI UPSC didn’t ask geographical location but explanation to it. Hope you didn’t miss that.

Q. How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning?

Connect that dots instead of making assumptions: From SVAMITVA to NAKSHA, geospatial infrastructure has been the focus of the government. This year Budget launched the National Geospatial Mission to develop foundational geospatial infrastructure and data. “Using PM Gati Shakti, this Mission will facilitate modernisation of land records, urban planning, and design of infrastructure projects,” said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman. In January terming the property cards distributed under the Centre’s SVAMITVA scheme a “guarantee of economic security”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said these documents, once issued in all the villages of the country, will unlock economic activity worth over Rs 100 lakh crore.

The use of AI and drones are used to collect data for mapping the urban and rural landscape to disaster preparedness.

Some questions need indirect reference in guiding you to write an answer. This was one of those questions.

Q. Discuss how the changes in shape and sizes of continents and ocean basins of the planet take place due to tectonic movements of the crustal masses. 

Another NCERT-based question. Tectonic movements change the sizes of continents and ocean basins by causing plates to converge (collide), diverge (pull apart), or transform (slide past each other). Discuss divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries, along with a brief mention of continental drift. A conceptual question like this, as a 15-marker, should not have been very difficult — but under exam pressure, we hope your concepts were clearly presented in the answers. Diagrams could have earned you brownie points.

Q. Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.

Here’s another 15-marker testing your basics. With around 26% of India’s geographical area and coverage across 11 states, the Ganga basin is one of the most densely populated regions, including highly populated cities like Delhi, Patna, Kolkata, and Varanasi. Fertile soil, water availability, economic activities, and urbanisation can be cited as key reasons. Regional variations within the basin should not be missed. Focussing on challenges due to high density will get you additional points.

Overall, it was a lengthy paper of moderate difficulty — NCERT-heavy Geography, sharp Society questions, and popular History themes (minus the freedom struggle). Clarity trumped complexity.

Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.

Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.

For your answers, queries and suggestions write at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com