UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2025, Download Solved Answers!

The UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025 was conducted on 22 August 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, as the first paper of the Civil Services Mains Examination 2025. Comprising two compulsory essays—one each from Sections A and B. the Essay Paper constitutes 250 marks in the overall Mains Exam. The paper is designed to evaluate the candidates’ analytical clarity and written expression. ​

All candidates can download the official UPSC today essay Question Paper PDF through the direct download link provided in this article. 

UPSC Essay Question Paper 2025 PDF Out

The UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2025 PDF is now officially available for download. Conducted on 22 August 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, this paper carries 250 marks and sets the stage for the Mains. Aspirants can now access the official PDF directly via the Testbook platform and checkout the detailed UPSC Mains Exam Analysis 2025. Also, Candidates can refer Mains Essay Solved Question Paper 2025 using the direct link provided below –

Solved Answers for UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2025

SECTION – A Solved Answers (In English)

Q1. Truth knows no color. 

Q2. The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Q3. Thought finds a world and creates one also.

Q4. Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences.

खण्ड – A (In Hindi)

Q1. सत्य कोई रंग नहीं जानता है।

Q2. बिना लड़े हुए शत्रु को वश में करना युद्ध की सर्वोच्च कला है।

Q3. विचार एक दुनिया खोजता भी है और एक बनाता भी है।

Q4. सबसे अच्छे सबक कड़वे अनुभवों से सीखे जाते हैं।

SECTION – B

Q1. Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.

Q2. The years teach much which the days never know.

Q3. It is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination.

Q4. Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.

खण्ड – B 

Q1. गंदे पानी को अकेला छोड़ देने से ही उसे सबसे अच्छा साफ किया जा सकता है।

Q2. वर्ष बहुत कुछ सिखाते हैं, जो दिन कभी नहीं जानते।

Q3. जीवन को यात्रा के रूप में देखना सर्वोत्तम है, न कि एक गंतव्य के रूप में।

Q4. संतोष प्राकृतिक सम्पत्ति है; विलासिता कृत्रिम निर्धनता है।

Watch UPSC Essay Paper 2025 First Impressions & Expert Analysis

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025: Highlights

The UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025 was held on, 22 August 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and marks the introductory paper of the Mains stage. It comprises two sections (A & B), each offering four essay topics—candidates must attempt one essay from each section, each valued at 125 marks, totaling 250 marks. The paper is conducted to assess clarity of thought, analytical depth, and coherent expression across philosophical, social, and contemporary themes. The official question paper PDF will be available soon on the UPSC website for download. Go through important details of the UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025 below –

• Total Marks: 250 marks in total—each essay carries 125 marks
• Duration: 3 hours allotted for the entire paper
• Structure: Comprises two sections—Section A and Section B—with four distinct essay topics in each
• Required Essays: Candidates must write two essays, selecting one topic from each section
• Word Limit: Approximately 1,000–1,200 words per essay

Check details of the UPSC Essay Paper 2025 below -

How to Download UPSC Essay Question Paper 2025 PDF?

The official UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2025 PDF will be published on the UPSC website a few days after the exam (conducted on 22 August 2025). Meanwhile, aspirants can download the official question paper through the direct download link provided in the table below –

• Step 1 – Visit the UPSC Official Site
  Go to upsc.gov.in and look for the main menu.
• Step 2 – Navigate to “Examinations” → “Previous Question Papers”
  Click on the “Examinations” tab, then select “Previous Question Papers” to access the archive.
• Step 3 – Select “Civil Services (Main) — Mains Question Papers 2025”
  Once the list appears, choose the section corresponding to the 2025 Mains Exam. Look specifically for the Essay Paper (Paper 1).
• Step 4 – Download the Essay Paper PDF
  Click on the download link for the Essay Paper (Paper 1) — it’ll open in PDF format. Save it directly to your device.

Candidates can download the official UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025 using the direct link provided above in the article to check first impressions and difficulty level of the paper. 

UPSC Mains Essay Previous Year Papers 2025 PDF

For aspirants who are preparing for the next cycles of Civil Services Exam, keeping a collection of UPSC Essay Previous Year Paper PDFs handy is crucial. It offers aspirants a focused window into the essay component of Mains. Download UPSC Essay Previous Year Papers for practice using the direct links provided below –

Download more UPSC Essay Previous Year Papers now!

UPSC Mains 2025 Schedule & Shift Timings

The UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted over a period of 05 days. There will be a total of 09 descriptive papers in the Mains exam, each conducted for a total duration of 3 hours in two sessions per day – Forenoon Session (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) and Afternoon Session (2:30 PM to 5:30 PM). Check the detailed Mains Exam Schedule in the table below – 

Attempt UPSC Previous Year Papers to self-evaluate your Mains preparation. Didn’t qualify Prelims 2025? Enroll in UPSC CSE 2026 Test Series to kickstart your exam preparation now!

We hope this blog on UPSC Essay Paper PDF 2025 is useful and informative in your exam preparation. Download the Testbook App to boost your Mains Preparation with the best quality mock tests, live courses, expert coaching and study materials for the UPSC Exam.