Analysis of General Studies Paper, UPSC preliminary exam 2025

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination held on May 25, 2025, presented candidates with a General Studies Paper 1 that was notably challenging, emphasizing conceptual clarity and analytical skills.  Here's a comprehensive subject-wise breakdown:

Geography (14 Questions)

Focus Areas: Conceptual questions related to physical geography, climatic patterns, and current environmental events. 

Candidate Feedback: Many aspirants found this section particularly demanding due to its depth and the necessity to apply knowledge to new contexts.  

 History (16 Questions)

Coverage: A balanced mix from ancient, medieval, and modern history, including art and culture. 

Question Nature: Emphasis on lesser-known events and figures, requiring a comprehensive understanding beyond standard textbooks.  

Polity (13 Questions)

Themes: Constitutional provisions, governance mechanisms, and recent legislative developments. 

Complexity: Statement-based questions necessitating careful analysis and elimination techniques.  

Economy (17 Questions)

Topics: Economic policies, fiscal measures, and current economic indicators. 

Difficulty Level: Moderate; questions were application-based, testing understanding of economic concepts in real-world scenarios.  

Environment & Ecology (12 Questions)

Content: Environmental policies, biodiversity, and climate change issues. 

Observation: A slight reduction in the number of questions compared to previous years, but with increased complexity.  

Science & Technology (14 Questions)

Areas Covered: Recent technological advancements, space missions, and biotechnology. 

Question Style: Application-oriented, requiring understanding of scientific principles and their implications.  

Current Affairs & Miscellaneous (14 Questions)

Scope: International relations, societal issues, and recent events of national importance. 

Integration: Questions were interlinked with static portions, testing the ability to correlate current events with foundational knowledge.  

Overall Difficulty Distribution

Easy: 32 questions 

Moderate: 55 questions 

Difficult: 13 questions