40+ Questions in UPSC Mains 2025 from StudyIQ Mains Program

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The recently-concluded UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2025, conducted between August 22nd and August 31st, offered a batch of tricky and subtle questions that gauged the test-takers’ in-depth knowledge and analytical reasoning abilities. For the many candidates who studied using the StudyIQ Mains Program, a considerable proportion of these questions—more than 40, as it happens—came directly or indirectly within the purview of the course material, answer-writing classes, and practice tests.

This incredible overlap is a testament to the effectiveness of the StudyIQ Mains Program in keeping pace with the volatile trends of the UPSC exam. This article presents a detailed study of these questions, illustrating how the targeted and strategic preparation provided by StudyIQ enabled aspirants to approach confidently a wide variety of topics across all four General Studies papers.

UPSC MAINS 2025

GS-PAPER – II

DIRECT HITS FROM STUDYIQ MAINS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM (9 Questions)

Q1. Discuss the ‘corrupt practices’ for the purpose of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Analyze whether the increase in the assets of the legislators and/or their associates, disproportionate to their known sources of income, would constitute ‘undue influence’ and consequently a corrupt practice. (Answer in 150 words, 10 Marks)
DIRECT HIT	“There is a need for simplification of procedure for disqualification of persons found guilty of corrupt practices under the Representation of Peoples Act”. Comment. (10 Marks, 150 words)	Polity DAW Test – 5

Q2. Comment on the need of administrative tribunals as compared to the court system. Assess the impact of the recent tribunals reforms through rationalisation of tribunals made in 2021. (10 marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Selection criteria, security of tenure and conditions of service are key determinants to ensure the independent functioning of quasi-judicial bodies. Discuss in light of the Tribunals reforms act, 2021.	Polity DAW Test -5

Q3. Compare and contrast the President’s power to pardon in India and in the USA. Are there any limits to it in both the countries? What are ‘preemptive pardons’? (10 marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT		CivilsIQ December 2024 Issue

Q9. India-Africa digital partnership in achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. (10 marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT		CivilsIQ May 2025 Issue

Q11. “Constitutional morality is the fulcrum which acts as an essential check upon the high functionaries and citizens alike…”

In view of the above observation of the Supreme Court, explain the concept of constitutional morality and its application to ensure balance between judicial independence and judicial accountability in India. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

DIRECT HIT

“Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated” – Dr B R Ambedkar. (10 marks, 150 words)

Ethics DAW Test – 4

40+ Questions in UPSC Mains 2025 from StudyIQ Mains Program_5.1

Polity MRP Notes – Page 20

Q12. Indian Constitution has conferred the amending power on the ordinary legislative institutions with a few procedural hurdles. In view of this statement, examine the procedural and substantive limitations on the amending power of the Parliament to change the Constitution. (10 marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	“On 26th of January, 1950 we are going to enter into a life of contradictions: In politics, we will have equality, and in social and economic life we will have inequality”. What provisions have been incorporated in the Indian Constitution to amend this contradiction? Critically analyse the extent to which we have been able to resolve this contradiction about which Dr. Ambedkar was worried. (15 Marks, 250 Words)	CivilsIQ May 2025 Issue

Q13. Discuss the evolution of the collegium system in India. Critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the system of appointment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India and that of the USA. (Answer in 250 words)
DIRECT HIT	Compare the process of appointments of Judges to the Supreme court of India and the United States.	Polity Sectional Test – 5
	In what ways does the opaque and confidential functioning of the collegium system impact the assessment of a judicial candidate’s suitability for appointment, and how does this influence judicial independence?	Polity DAW Test- 3

Q14. Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India? (15 Marks,250 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Critically examine the constitutional provisions on Union-State financial relations. Assess their effectiveness in promoting fiscal federalism and suggest necessary reforms. (15 Marks, 250 Words)	Polity DAW Test – 4
	What role does the Finance Commission play in embodying the spirit of fiscal federalism? Examine the implications of conferring permanent status to the Finance Commission. (15 Marks, 250 Words)	Polity DAW Test – 6

Q18. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has to address the challenges faced by children in the digital era. Examine the existing policies and suggest measures the Commission can initiate to tackle the issue. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Examine the role of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in safeguarding children’s rights in India. Highlight the key challenges in its functioning and suggest measures to enhance its effectiveness.	Polity Sectional Test-5
	Excessive screen time and digital addiction are contributing to “brain rot” in children. Discuss the impact of this phenomenon on children and suggest preventive strategies. (10 Marks, 150 Words)	Society Sectional Test – 6
	How is social media influencing perceptions of Indian youth towards caste, gender roles and cultural traditions in Indian society? Discuss. (10 Marks, 150 Words)	Society Sectional Test DAW Test – 1

UPSC MAINS 2025

GS-PAPER – I

DIRECT HITS FROM STUDYIQ MAINS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM (11 Questions)

Q1. Discuss the salient features of the Harappan Architecture. (10 Marks, 150 Words).
PARTIALLY COVERED	Indus Valley Civilisation has a rich heritage of water conservation and management. Discuss. Also highlight what we can learn from the water management practices of IVC in contemporary times.	History Sectional Test-9

Q2. Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism. (10 Marks, 150 Words).
PARTIALLY COVERED	Enumerate how Mughal architecture represents a fusion of Indo-Islamic traditions?	History DAW-1

Q4. How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples. (10 Marks, 150 Words).
DIRECT HIT	How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples.	Geography DAW – 6

Q6. Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
PARTIALLY COVERED	Enumerate the problem and prospects of the solar manufacturing industry in India. (10 marks, 150 Words)	Geography Sectional Test – 8
PARTIALLY COVERED	To what extent do the Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) truly illuminate the path to agricultural transformation in India? Discuss. Also suggest way forward to increase the adaptation of it. (15 Marks, 250 Words)	Economy DAW-4
PARTIALLY COVERED	Discuss the key challenges in the implementation of rooftop solar projects in India. How does the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana seek to address these challenges and promote solar energy at the household level?	Geography DAW-6

Q8. How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice? (10 Marks, 150 Words)
PARTIALLY COVERED	The urban poor are most vulnerable to social and environmental shocks. Discuss the major challenges they face and suggest strategies for enabling their upward socio-economic mobility. (15 Marks, 250 Words)	Society & Social Justice DAW-6

Q9. The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Civil services serve not just as instruments of governance and welfare, but also as custodians of constitutional ethos and values. Elaborate	Polity Sectional Test -5

Q10. Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Analyze how globalization has affected the cultural values and lifestyles of urban middle-class families in India.	Polity Sectional Test -5

Q11. Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss. (10 Marks, 250 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Jyotiba Phule and Periyar represent two distinct traditions of anti-caste thought in modern India. Analyse their visions of social transformation and their legacies for backward class empowerment. (150 Words, 15 Marks)	History Sectional Test – 9

Q12. Trace India’s consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
PARTIALLY COVERED	Evaluate the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon in the political integration of India (150 Words, 15 Marks).	History Sectional Test – 9
PARTIALLY COVERED	India’s developmental strategy during the early decades of independence was dictated by pragmatic economic concerns and less by ideological concerns. Comment. (150 Words, 10 Marks).	History DAW-4

Q13. The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French Revolutions.	History DAW-4

Q18. 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. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Poor dietary habits among India’s youth are contributing to an emerging health crisis. Discuss the key factors driving these trends and suggest measures to promote healthier lifestyles. (15 Marks, 250 Words)	Society & Social Justice Sectional Test-6

UPSC MAINS 2025

GS-PAPER – III

DIRECT HITS FROM STUDYIQ MAINS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM (10 Questions)

Q6. How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology can play a crucial role in this endeavour? (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Discuss the risks climate change poses to India’s energy security. How can the transition to renewables be made climate-resilient?	Geography DAW 6
	Examine the role of biofuels in ensuring long-term energy, socio-economic, and environmental security in India. Briefly highlight the steps taken by India in this regard.	SIMULATOR TEST – 9 (GS Paper 3)

Q9. Terrorism is a global scourge. How has it manifested in India? Elaborate with contemporary examples. What are the counter measures adopted by the State? Explain. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 has once again highlighted the divisions in the global fight against terrorism. In this context, discuss the factors contributing to the global fragmentation in counter-terrorism. Discuss its impact on India and suggest measures to deal with it.	IR & Internal Security Sectional Test – 4

Q10. The Government of India recently stated that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) will be eliminated by 2026. What do you understand by LWE and how are the people affected by it? What measures have been taken by the government to eliminate LWE? (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT I	Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context discuss various factors that led to the rise of Naxalism in India. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.	IR & Security Sectional Test -4

Q11. Explain how the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) can be used as a tool for assessing the fiscal performance of states in India. In what way would it encourage the states to adopt prudent and sustainable fiscal policies? (15 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT		CivilsIQ Monthly Magazine January 2025

Q12. Discuss the rationale of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. What are its achievements? In what way can the functioning and outcomes of the scheme be improved? (15 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Despite focused government efforts to boost manufacturing, including schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI), the sector continues to face structural challenges due the changing global landscape. In this context, critically examine the limitations of manufacturing-led growth in India and evaluate the potential of a services-led growth model as an alternative pathway for sustainable and equitable development.	Economy & Agriculture Sectional Test 7

Q13. Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater? (15 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT I	Discuss the groundwater over-extraction problem in Indian agriculture and explain how the Atal Bhujal Yojana addresses both water scarcity and encourages behavioural change among stakeholders.	Economy & Agriculture Sectional Test 7

Q14. Examine the scope of the food processing industries in India. Elaborate the measures taken by the government in the food processing industries for generating employment opportunities. (15 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Examine how India’s food processing sector contributes to driving inclusive growth and rural development. What are the challenges hindering its potential?	Economy Sectional Test – 7
	Discuss the potential of food processing as a transformative force for Indian agriculture. Also enumerate the steps taken by the Indian government to provide a strong food processing sector to connect farm and fork.	Economy – DAW – 6

Q15. How does nanotechnology offer significant advancements in the field of agriculture? How can this technology help to uplift the socio-economic status of farmers? (15 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	What do you understand about nanotechnology and what makes the nanoscale unique? How is it helping in the agriculture sector?	S&T DAW- 1

Q19. What are the major challenges to internal security and peace process in the North-Eastern States? Map the various peace accords and agreements initiated by the government in the past decade. (15 Marks, 150 Words)
PARTIALLY COVERED	The North-Eastern region of India has been facing the issue of insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region and need for the holistic approach to deal with this.	Internal Security DAW -1

Q20. Why is maritime security vital to protect India’s sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward. (15 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	In light of India’s vast coastline and its strategic maritime interests, examine the need for robust coastal security. Discuss the major challenges faced in securing the coastline. Suggest a comprehensive strategy to strengthen India’s coastal security architecture. (15 Marks, 250 Words)	IR & Internal Security Sectional Test – 4

UPSC MAINS 2025

GS-PAPER – IV

DIRECT HITS FROM STUDYIQ MAINS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM (8 Questions)

Q1(a). In the present digital age, social media has revolutionised our way of communication and interaction. However, it has raised several ethical issues and challenges. Describe the key ethical dilemmas in this regard. (10 Marks, 150 Words)

DIRECT HIT IN MRP

In the digital age, social media platforms have become integral to communication, entertainment, and education. However, they have also become a breeding ground for child exploitation and abuse, with predators using these platforms to target vulnerable minors. A notable case that drew widespread attention occurred in 2023 and involved a 13-year-old girl named Ananya (name changed) from Mumbai. Ananya was active on a popular video-sharing platform, frequently posting dance and lifestyle content. She was contacted by a man posing as a talent scout, promising opportunities for modeling and brand collaborations. Over weeks of manipulation, he coerced her into sending inappropriate images and videos, threatening to leak her earlier messages if she didn’t comply. The abuse came to light only when Ananya’s mother noticed behavioral changes and checked her messages. The family reported the matter to cybercrime authorities. Investigations revealed the accused had exploited multiple minors using fake profiles and was part of a larger online network involved in child grooming and blackmail. This case raised urgent concerns about the lack of stringent age verification and moderation on social media. Despite platform guidelines prohibiting such content, loopholes in content filtering and weak reporting systems allow such abuse to persist. It also underscored the importance of digital literacy among parents and children. In response, the platform in question claimed to have banned the offender’s accounts and enhanced safety features, including stricter AI moderation and easier reporting tools. However, experts argue that tech companies must go beyond reactive measures and invest in proactive monitoring and collaboration with law enforcement.

(a) What are the options available to the Government?

(b) What option should the Government adopt and why?

(d) What are the ethical issues of the case?

(e) What policy measures would you suggest to combat the menace of child abuse on social media?

Simulator Test – 5

Q1(b). “Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment but a product of civil education and adherance of the rule of law.” Examine the significance of constitutional morality for public servant highlighting the role in promoting good governance and ensuring accountability in public administration. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	“Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated” – Dr B R Ambedkar. (10 marks, 150 words).	Ethics-DAW-4

Q3(b). “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” – William James (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of human beings. How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant? (10 marks, 150 words).	Ethics DAW – 2
DIRECT HIT	Attitude is a crucial factor in building the social capital of an individual. Comment (10 marks, 150 words).	Ethics DAW – 2

Q3(c). “The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people.” – Swami Vivekananda (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	“Without ethics the world will sink in bottomless darkness”. In the light of this statement discuss how ethics contributes to social and human well-being. (10 marks, 150 words).	Ethics DAW-1

Q4(b). What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in contemporary world. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	What teachings of Mahavira are most relevant today and why? Discuss. (10 marks, 150 words).	Ethics-DAW-4

Q5(a). “One who is devoted to one’s duty attains highest perfection in life.”Analyse this statement with reference to sense of responsibility and personal fulfilment as civil servant. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	“When you are doing any work, Do it as worship, as the highest worship, and devote your whole life to it for the time being.”- Swami Vivekananda. (10 marks, 150 words).	MRP Simulator Test 5 (GS-Paper IV)

Q6(a). It is said that for an ethical work culture, there must be code of ethics in place in every organisation. To ensure value-based and compliance-based work culture, what suitable measures would you adopt in your work place? (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Work culture shapes organizational ethics. Analyze how work culture drives accountability in public and private sectors, and suggest ways private practices can uplift public ethics.	Sectional Test 2 (Ethics)

Q6(b). India is an emerging economic power of the world as it has recently secured the status of fourth largest economy of the world as per IMF projection. However, it has been observed that in some sectors, allocated funds remain either under-utilised or misutilised. What specific measures would you recommend for ensuring accountability in this regard to stop leakages and gaining the status of third largest economy of the world in near future? (10 Marks, 150 Words)
DIRECT HIT	Corruption causes misuse of government treasury, administrative inefficiency and obstruction in the path of national development. Discuss Kautilya’s views	Ethics DAW – 4

The substantial overlap between the questions covered in the UPSC Mains 2025 exam and the StudyIQ Mains Program content reflects the course’s strategic planning and breadth of coverage. By emphasising a holistic style that bridges static theory with dynamic contemporary issues, and by offering extensive practice in analytical and multidisciplinary answer writing, the program prepares its students not merely with information, but also with the ability to express intricate ideas in exam conditions.

This direct correlation is a compelling endorsement of the StudyIQ style and presents a clear blueprint for successive aspirants. The program’s success is its capacity to forecast and prepare candidates for the changing face of the UPSC exam so that they are adequately prepared to approach any question with confidence and efficiency.