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YEAR ASKED IN

2025

Practice UPSC 2025 previous year questions on Anantam IAS: 100 Prelims MCQs and 80 Mains Q&A with answer keys, explanations and topic-wise links.

New 596 2026 286 GPSC-2026 200 2013 194 2014 187 2015 182 2016 182 2017 182 2020 182 2018 180 2019 180 2024 180 2023 180 2022 180 2025 180 2021 180

Prelims MCQs 100

  1. Consider the following statements: Statement I: Of the two major ethanol producers in the…

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter. Statement II: Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. ABoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
    2. BBoth Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
    3. CStatement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
    4. DStatement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    Ethanol is a biofuel produced mainly by fermenting sugars found in crops like corn and sugarcane, with the USA and Brazil being the top global producers—each using a different primary feedstock.

    Statement I: Incorrect * The United States is the largest ethanol producer, not Brazil.

    Statement II: Correct * USA uses corn; Brazil uses sugarcane as the primary feedstock for ethanol.

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    Indian Economy UPSC 2025 Hard

  2. The famous female figurine known as ‘Dancing Girl’, found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of

    The famous female figurine known as 'Dancing Girl', found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of

    1. ACarnelian
    2. BClay
    3. CBronze
    4. DGold
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The 'Dancing Girl' of Mohenjo-daro is a celebrated example of Indus Valley Civilization art, reflecting high craftsmanship in metalwork.

    The Dancing Girl is made of bronze, created using the lost-wax casting method.

    ![DG](https://d39jluplm5thpx.cloudfront.net//Dancing_girl_statue_8b83edd652.png)

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    Art & Culture UPSC 2025 Easy

  3. With reference to India’s defence, consider the following pairs: Aircraft type – Description I.…

    With reference to India's defence, consider the following pairs: Aircraft type – Description I. Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraft II. IL-76 : Supersonic combat aircraft III. C-17 Globemaster III : Military transport aircraft How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. CAll the three
    4. DNone
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Pair I: Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraft — Correct Dornier-228 is used by Indian Navy & Coast Guard for maritime patrol and surveillance.

    Pair II: IL-76 : Supersonic combat aircraft — Incorrect IL-76 is a heavy military transport aircraft, not supersonic or combat.

    Pair III: C-17 Globemaster III : Military transport aircraft — Correct C-17 is a strategic military transport aircraft used by the Indian Air Force.

    Therefore, only pairs I and III are correct.

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    Science & Technology UPSC 2025 Hard

  4. Consider the following statements: I. The Reserve Bank of India mandates all the listed…

    Consider the following statements: I. The Reserve Bank of India mandates all the listed companies in India to submit a Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR). II. In India, a company submitting a BRSR makes disclosures in the report that are largely non-financial in nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. AI only
    2. BII only
    3. CBoth I and II
    4. DNeither I nor II
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    The Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) is a disclosure framework introduced by SEBI to promote transparency in a company's non-financial performance, particularly in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) areas.

    Statement I: Incorrect * SEBI, not the RBI, mandates the submission of BRSR. * It applies to the top 1,000 listed companies by market capitalization.

    Statement II: Correct * BRSR disclosures are mostly non-financial and focus on areas like environment, social responsibility, and governance.

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    Indian Economy UPSC 2025 Easy

  5. Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement: 1. The Congress declared…

    Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement: 1. The Congress declared the attainment of 'Swaraj' by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective. 2. It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if 'Swaraj' did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    * Statement 1 is correct: At the Nagpur Session of the Indian National Congress in December 1920, the Congress formally adopted the objective of attaining 'Swaraj' by all legitimate and peaceful means. This became the central political goal during the Non-Cooperation Movement.

    * Statement 2 is correct: The Non-Cooperation Movement was designed as a phased programme. The initial phase included surrender of titles, boycott of schools, courts, elections, and foreign goods. Advancement to the next phase—civil disobedience including non-payment of taxes—was to be undertaken if Swaraj was not achieved within the expected timeline and if the British Government responded with repression, with the discretion to launch the next stage resting with Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress leadership.

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    History UPSC 2025 Medium

  6. In the context of electric vehicle batteries, consider the following elements: I. Cobalt II.…

    In the context of electric vehicle batteries, consider the following elements: I. Cobalt II. Graphite III. Lithium IV. Nickel How many of the above usually make up battery cathodes?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. COnly three
    4. DAll the four
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    In lithium-ion batteries, the cathode is typically made of materials that include Cobalt, Lithium, and Nickel, depending on the chemistry used.

    * I. Cobalt: Used in cathodes like LCO and NMC. * II. Graphite: Used in the anode, not the cathode. * III. Lithium: Core element in cathode materials (like LCO, LFP). * IV. Nickel: Found in cathode types like NMC and NCA.

    Three of the four are used in cathodes.

    Alternatively, you can use mnemonic CoLiNi to remember Cathode forming materials.

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    Science & Technology UPSC 2025 Hard

  7. With reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements: I. Rain forests produce…

    With reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements: I. Rain forests produce more oxygen than that produced by oceans. II. Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50% of world's oxygen. III. Well-oxygenated surface water contains several folds higher oxygen than that in atmospheric air. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. AI and II
    2. BII only
    3. CI and III
    4. DNone of the above statements is correct
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Oxygen on Earth mainly comes from photosynthesis, especially by phytoplankton (marine organisms), and oxygen levels differ between air and water.

    Statement I is incorrect: * Oceans (phytoplankton) produce more oxygen than rainforests.

    Statement II is correct: * Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50% of the world's oxygen.

    Statement III is incorrect: * Atmospheric air has much more oxygen than surface water; water does not contain several folds higher oxygen than air.

    So, the correct answer is: B

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    Environment UPSC 2025 Medium

  8. Consider the following statements: I. Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing…

    Consider the following statements: I. Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth's surface. II. Heat absorbed and trapped by the atmosphere maintains our planet's average temperature. III. Atmosphere's gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. AI and III only
    2. BI and II only
    3. CI, II and III
    4. DII and III only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Statement I is correct: Without the atmosphere to trap heat, the Earth's surface temperature would drop to well below freezing, making it too cold to support life as we know it. In statement 1 though it's an extreme statement but from UPSC CSE point of view it's generally considered true.

    Statement II is correct: The atmosphere absorbs and retains heat (a natural greenhouse effect), which helps maintain the Earth's average temperature within a habitable range.

    Statement III is correct: Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor are particularly effective at absorbing and trapping infrared radiation, helping to warm the planet.

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    Geography UPSC 2025 Easy

  9. Consider the following statements: I. No virus can survive in ocean waters. II. No…

    Consider the following statements: I. No virus can survive in ocean waters. II. No virus can infect bacteria. III. No virus can change the cellular transcriptional activity in host cells. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. CAll the three
    4. DNone
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    Viruses can survive in oceans, infect bacteria, and alter host cell transcription.

    Statement I: False. Viruses can survive in ocean waters, and marine viruses are highly abundant.

    Statement II: False. Viruses can infect bacteria; for example, bacteriophages specifically infect bacteria.

    Statement III: False. Viruses can alter host transcription and modify host gene expression.

    None of the statements are correct.

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    Science & Technology UPSC 2025 Easy

  10. Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public…

    Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India. II. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a Member of the Parliament or a Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory, and only the Chief Justice of India, whether incumbent or retired, has to be its Chairperson. III. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a person of less than forty-five years of age on the date of assuming office as the Chairperson or Member, as the case may be. IV. Lokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. AIII only
    2. BII and III
    3. CI and IV
    4. DNone of the above statements is correct
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Statement I: Incorrect Lokpal's jurisdiction includes all Indian public servants, even those posted abroad.

    Statement II: Incorrect Chairperson need not be only the CJI; former judges or eminent persons with 25+ years' expertise can also be appointed.

    Statement III: Correct Minimum age to be Chairperson or Member is 45 years.

    Statement IV: Incorrect Lokpal can inquire against a sitting PM, but with safeguards and restrictions in sensitive areas.

    Therefore, only Statement III is correct.

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    Indian Polity UPSC 2025 Easy

Mains Q&A 80

  15. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Program, MGNREGA was earlier known as National Rural Employment Scheme, NREGA. It is an Indian Social Welfare Program that aimed at fulfilling the ‘Right to Work’ provisions made in the Constitution. MGNREGA was launched in 2006 under Rural Employment Sector by the Ministry of Rural Development. Main objective of the program is to give legal guarantee of wage employment to the adult members of rural households who are willing to do unskilled manual labour work subject to a maximum of 100 days per year for every household. Every rural household has the right to register under the scheme, job card is issued to the registered, Job Card holder can seek employment; State Government shall pay 25% of minimum wage for the first 30 days as compensatory daily unemployment allowance to the families and of wage for remaining period of the year. MGNREGA work was undertaken by various Gram Panchayats. You have been appointed as an Administrator Incharge of the District. You have been given the responsibility of monitoring MGNREGA work undertaken by various Gram Panchayats. You are also given the authority to give technical sanctions to all MGNREGA works. In one of the Panchayats in your jurisdiction, you notice that your predecessor has mismanaged the Program in terms of: (i) Money not disbursed to actual job-seekers. (ii) Muster Rolls of the Labourers not properly maintained. (iii) Mismatch between the work done and payments made. (iv) Payments made to fictitious persons. (v) Job Cards were given without looking into the need of person. (vi) Mismanagement of funds and to the extent of siphoning of funds. (vii) Approved works that never existed. (a) What is your reaction to the above situation and how do you restore the proper functioning of MGNREGA Program in this regard? (b) What actions would you initiate to solve the various issues listed above? (c) How would you deal with the above situation?

    MainsGS Paper 4