The Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 General Studies Paper-I question paper is now available for candidates who appeared in the exam as well as aspirants preparing for upcoming attempts. General Studies Paper-I plays a crucial role in the UPSC Mains as it tests a candidate’s understanding of Indian society, history, geography, and culture. Downloading the official question paper helps aspirants clearly see how UPSC frames questions and what kind of analytical depth is expected.
I am writing about the GS Paper-I question paper because this is one paper that many aspirants underestimate in the early stages of preparation. From my own experience and from discussions with fellow aspirants, GS-I often looks straightforward on paper, but answering it well requires strong conceptual clarity and the ability to link static topics with social realities. Previous year question papers are the most reliable source to understand UPSC’s thinking. They help aspirants move beyond guesswork and align preparation with actual exam demand instead of coaching predictions.
About UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – I
General Studies Paper-I in the Civil Services (Main) Examination focuses on broad foundational areas that shape Indian society and civilisation. It is designed to test awareness, understanding, and interpretation rather than rote learning.
The paper carries 250 marks and consists of descriptive questions that require well-structured answers within strict word limits.
Syllabus Coverage of GS Paper – I
The GS Paper-I syllabus broadly includes:
- Indian heritage and culture
- Modern Indian history and post-independence consolidation
- World history
- Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world
- Indian society, diversity, social issues, and role of women
The 2025 paper reflects how UPSC blends static topics with current social and cultural contexts.
Why You Should Download the 2025 GS-I Question Paper
Going through the official question paper helps aspirants:
- Understand question framing and command words
- Identify important recurring themes
- Improve answer writing structure and presentation
- Align preparation with UPSC expectations
Even beginners preparing for 2026 or later attempts should study this paper carefully.
Key Details of GS Paper – I (Mains 2025)
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 |
| Paper | General Studies Paper – I |
| Maximum Marks | 250 |
| Exam Type | Descriptive |
| Conducting Authority | UPSC |
Civil Services (Main) 2025 GS Paper – I Question Paper PDF Download
Aspirants can easily download the official GS Paper-I question paper from the UPSC website. Here’s how to do it:
- Visit the official UPSC website
- Go to the “Examinations” section
- Click on “Previous Year Question Papers”
- Select “Civil Services (Main) Examination”
- Choose the year 2025
- Click on “General Studies Paper – I”
- Download and save the PDF for reference
N.B: If you want to download the question paper without any difficulty, you can easily download it by Click here.
It is advisable to print the paper and practise writing answers under timed conditions.
