Model Answers for UPSC Mains 2025 Essay, GS Paper 1, 2, 3 & 4

The UPSC has conducted the Mains Essay exam on 22 August, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, marking the first stage of the Civil Services Examination 2025. Testbook experts have released the topic wise UPSC Mains 2025 Model Answers for candidates’ reference to provide them with a detailed analysis of the Mains Papers 2025. 

The Mains Essay Paper comprises 2 sections, each with four essay topics. It is conducted for a total of 250 marks over a total duration of 3 hours. For candidates’ reference, we will provide detailed Model Answers for each essay question asked in UPSC Essay Paper 2025. These answers will demonstrate ideal structure, relevant examples, and balanced viewpoints to help candidates understand how to frame high-scoring responses. 

UPSC Mains Model Answers 2025 

UPSC Mains is being conducted from 22nd to 31st August, 2025 in two sessions. As of today, Paper 1, Essay has concluded. Our subject experts have curated UPSC Mains Model Answers, expertly crafted sample responses reflecting the ideal structure and depth expected by examiners—spanning General Studies, Essay, Ethics, and Optional papers. These model answers illustrate the Introduction–Body–Conclusion format as well as nuanced arguments. By comparing your own writing with such answers, you can pinpoint gaps, improve presentation, and sharpen analytical depth. Go through the complete article to check the Mains Model Answers for Essay, GS 1, GS 2, GS 3 and GS 4 Papers below.

Download UPSC Mains Essay 2025 Solved Answers PDF

Download UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 2025 Solved Answers PDF

Download UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Solved Answers 2025 PDF

Check UPSC Mains Exam Analysis below.

UPSC Essay Model Answers 2025 

Expert faculty and subject experts at Testbook will soon provide the model answers to all the questions asked in the UPSC Essay Question Paper 2025. Stay tuned to this space for model answers now – 

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।

UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 Model Answers 2025

General Studies Paper 1 focuses on Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society. This comprehensive paper includes 20 questions spanning art and culture, modern Indian history, world history, Indian society, and physical/human geography. Our expert-crafted model answers will demonstrate perfect integration of historical knowledge with contemporary relevance, while maintaining the ideal balance between factual accuracy and analytical depth.

UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 Solved Answers 2025

Q1. How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning?

Q2. “The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life.” Elucidate.

Q3. Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment

Q4. 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.

Q5. Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.

Q6. Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.

Q7. Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer.

Q8. Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.

Q9. Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism.

Q10. Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.

Q11. 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?

Q12. How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples.

Q13. 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.

Q14. How does smart city in India address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice?

Q15. Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.

Q16. The ethos of civil service in India stands for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate.

Q17. The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain.

Q18. Trace India’s consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations.

Q19. What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.

Q20. What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples.

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Model Answers 2025

General Studies Paper 2 is the foundation of civil services preparation, covering constitutional provisions, governance mechanisms, policy implementation, social justice initiatives, and India's foreign policy. Our comprehensive model answers will showcase administrative thinking through integration of theoretical knowledge with practical governance challenges. Check the model answers below -

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.

Q2. “Constitutional morality is the fulcrum which acts as an essential check upon the high functionaries and citizens alike …” In view of this 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.

Q3. “Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India’s foreign policy, and is linked with India’s overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries.” How would you integrate energy security with India’s foreign policy trajectories in the coming years?

Q4. “In contemporary development models, decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities are not located close to the source of information and execution defeating the objectives of development.” Critically evaluate.

Q5. “The Attorney General of India plays a crucial role in guiding the legal framework of the Union Government and ensuring sound governance through legal counsel.” Discuss his responsibilities, rights and limitations in this regard.

Q6. “The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance.” Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard.

Q7. “With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate.

Q8. Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify.

Q9. Comment on the need of administrative tribunals as compared to the court system. Assess the impact of the recent tribunal reforms through rationalization of tribunals made in 2021.

Q10. 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?

Q11. Discuss the evolution of 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.

Q12. Discuss the nature of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. Briefly describe the powers and functions of the Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Q13. e-governance projects have a built-in bias towards technology and back-end integration than user-centric designs. Examine.

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?

Q15. India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate.

Q16. 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.

Q17. Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of ‘paradox of poverty’.

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.

Q19. What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India.

Q20. Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain.

UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 Model Answers 2025

General Studies Paper 3 is the policy-heavy paper focusing on economic development, technological applications, environmental challenges, security paradigms, and disaster management.

• Our detailed model answers will illustrate effective integration of data, statistics, government reports, and international best practices.

• The answers will demonstrate how to analyze economic policies and technological solutions while providing strategic security recommendations and environmental trade-offs with the analytical depth expected from future administrators.

📅 Model answers for GS Paper 3 will be updated as soon as the exam concludes on 24th August 2025 (morning session).

UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 Model Answers 2025

General Studies Paper 4 is the unique ethics paper that evaluates moral reasoning, ethical decision-making, character assessment through case studies, and civil service values in administrative contexts.

• Our specialized model answers will demonstrate application of ethical frameworks to complex dilemmas while showcasing comprehensive stakeholder analysis and conflict resolution approaches.

• Case study solutions will illustrate multiple approaches with clear ethical reasoning, balancing practical constraints with moral soundness.

📅 Model answers for GS Paper 4 will be updated as soon as the exam concludes on 24th August 2025 (afternoon session).

Why Practice UPSC Mains Model Answers?

UPSC Model Answers are useful for future aspirants to analyse question trends in the mains exam. Here is why all aspirants must practice with model answers – 

• Model answers exemplify the I‑B‑C (Introduction‑Body‑Conclusion) framework with logical headings, flawless flow, and clear presentation—aligning directly with UPSC’s expectations.
• They integrate precise examples, constitutional provisions, reports, flowcharts, and balanced viewpoints helping aspirants learn how to add depth and visual clarity to high-scoring responses.
• By comparing your own answers with model responses, you can identify gaps in argument depth, structure, and coherence empowering targeted improvements.
• Regularly practicing answers within time limits using model answers builds the ability to write concise, precise responses quickly an essential edge for UPSC Mains.
• Model answers illustrate how to analyze directives like “discuss” or “critically evaluate,” present balanced arguments, and conclude constructively mirroring the evaluator’s lens.

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.