The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination represents the pinnacle of competitive examinations in India, and within its framework, General Studies Paper 2 (GS2) stands as a determinant of success.
Covering the domains of Polity, Governance, Social Justice, and International Relations, GS Paper 2 is not an academic exercise—it's an assessment of a candidate's readiness to navigate the machinery of governance and India's role in the global order.
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For UPSC CSE aspirants, securing 100+ marks in GS 2 paper can be a game-changer, influencing your position on the final merit list. The way to achieve this milestone is through practice with question papers, particularly the UPSC CSE Mains 2025 GS 2 paper.
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Overview of UPSC CSE Mains GS Paper 2 – 2025
The UPSC CSE Mains 2025 General Studies Paper 2 was conducted on Saturday, August 23, 2025, during the afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Understanding the examination's parameters is necessary for developing a preparation strategy.
Key Examination Details:
- Total Marks: 250 marks
- Duration: 3 hours
- Total Questions: 20 questions (no internal choice)
- Question Structure:
- Questions 1-10: 10 marks each (150-word limit)
- Questions 11-20: 15 marks each (250-word limit)
- Nature: Descriptive (essay type)
- Medium: Available in both Hindi and English
- Negative Marking: None
The paper maintained UPSC's pattern while incorporating themes and depth that reflects the commission's evaluation methodology.
Download GS Paper 2 – UPSC Mains 2025 (PDF)
For aspirants preparing for UPSC CSE 2026 and beyond, practicing with the question paper is necessary. The PDF provides insight into the examination's trends, question framing patterns, and depth expected from candidates.
Questions of UPSC CSE Mains 2025
- 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.
(Answer in 150 words) 10 - 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.
(Answer in 150 words) 10 - 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’?
(Answer in 150 words) 10 - 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.
(Answer in 150 words) 10 - “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.
(Answer in 150 words) 10 - Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain.
(Answer in 150 words) 10 - e-governance projects have a built-in bias towards technology and back-end integration than user-centric designs. Examine.
(Answer in 150 words) 10 - Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify.
(Answer in 150 words) 10 - India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate.
(Answer in 150 words) 10 - “With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate.
(Answer in 150 words) 10 - “Constitutional morality is the fulcrum which acts as an essential check upon the high functionaries and citizens alike…”
In view of the above 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.
(Answer in 250 words) 15 - 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.
(Answer in 250 words) 15 - 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.
(Answer in 250 words) 15 - 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?
(Answer in 250 words) 15 - What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India.
(Answer in 250 words) 15 - Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of ‘paradox of poverty’.
(Answer in 250 words) 15 - “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.
(Answer in 250 words) 15 - 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.
(Answer in 250 words) 15 - “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?
(Answer in 250 words) 15 - “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.
(Answer in 250 words) 15
Note: Practice with question papers to simulate exam conditions and avoid discrepancies found in sources.
Content Breakdown: Key Themes & Topics in the 2025 Paper
Overall Theme
The paper retains its character of testing a candidate’s understanding of constitutional, political, administrative, governance, and international relations issues, with an emphasis on applied concepts, recent reforms, and contemporary debates. The questions are analytical rather than descriptive, requiring both legal-constitutional grounding and evaluative ability.
Section-wise Analysis
Constitutional and Legal Framework
- Corrupt practices (RPA, 1951) and disproportionate assets highlight concerns of electoral integrity, blending law with ethical governance.
- President’s pardon power (India vs USA) and Constitutional morality vs judicial independence/accountability probe comparative constitutionalism and evolving jurisprudence.
- Amending power of Parliament and Collegium system test historical evolution, limitations, and comparative perspectives with the USA.
- These demand strong command over landmark cases (Kesavananda Bharati, Indira Nehru Gandhi case, NJAC, etc.).
Governance and Administration
- Administrative Tribunals vs Courts and Tribunal reforms (2021) link administrative efficiency with access to justice.
- Attorney General’s role is a classic governance question, now contextualized with debates on autonomy and accountability.
- e-Governance design bias asks for critical evaluation beyond technology hype, focusing on inclusiveness and citizen-centricity.
- Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) challenge candidates to balance State authority with civic participation.
Federalism and Regional Issues
- J&K Assembly post-2019 reorganization tests knowledge of constitutional changes, autonomy debates, and UT governance.
- Centre-State financial relations with recent reforms ties into fiscal federalism, GST Council dynamics, and Finance Commission shifts.
Social Issues
- Women’s social capital requires linking grassroots networks, SHGs, and institutional empowerment with gender equity.
- Paradox of poverty and inequality of resources probes distributive justice, linking Amartya Sen’s ideas with contemporary policy debates.
- Environmental pressure groups emphasize participatory democracy in climate policy.
- NCPCR in digital era highlights child protection from cyber exploitation, privacy, and regulatory gaps.
International Relations
- India-Africa digital partnership highlights South-South cooperation and digital diplomacy.
- Energy security in Middle East policy brings realpolitik into foreign policy discourse.
- UN reforms and East-West confrontation reflect multipolar geopolitics and structural deadlock in UNSC.
- Waning globalization and nationalism calls for synthesis of international economic trends with political theory.
Key Features of the Paper
- Balanced Coverage – Constitution, governance, social justice, and IR all equally represented.
- Comparative Dimension – India vs USA (pardon powers, judicial appointments) demands broader perspective.
- Contemporary Focus – Tribunal reforms 2021, J&K post-2019, UN reform stalemate, digital partnerships.
- Analytical Orientation – Most questions ask for comment, analyze, assess, critically evaluate, not mere description.
- Ethical Undercurrent – Constitutional morality, social capital, corruption, inequality—all test normative reasoning.
Difficulty Level
- Moderate to High:
- Straightforward factual questions are few.
- Most require linking static knowledge with current developments.
- Precision in 150/250 words makes it challenging to balance breadth and depth.
Expected Approach for Candidates
- Quote landmark judgments (Kesavananda, Indira Gandhi, NJAC, Shreya Singhal, etc.).
- Use commissions/reports (2nd ARC, Law Commission, Punchhi Commission, Finance Commissions).
- Connect current affairs (tribunal reforms, GST disputes, G20 outcomes, climate negotiations).
- Provide critical evaluation instead of one-sided answers.
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Answer Writing Framework for GS Paper 2
Mastering GS Paper 2 requires more than knowledge accumulation—it demands presentation that mirrors administrative acumen.
Understanding Question Demands
- Identify Keywords: Themes like "judicial independence," "federalism," "governance"
- Recognize Directive Words:
- Discuss: Debate covering multiple facets
- Critically Evaluate: Assessment with judgment
- Examine: Analysis breaking down parts
The IBC Framework (Introduction-Body-Conclusion)
Introduction (15-20% of word limit):
- Definition-based approach for key terms
- Constitutional/legal context with articles
- Data-driven opening with statistics
- Current affairs context linking to developments
Body (60-70% of word limit):
- Use sub-headings derived from question keywords
- Present arguments in bullet points
- Include dimensions with supporting examples
- Integrate value-addition through data, judgments, and reports
Conclusion (10-15% of word limit):
- Summary of main arguments
- Perspective with suggestions
- Link to values or future implications
Content Enrichment Strategies
For Polity & Constitution:
- Quote Constitutional Articles
- Cite Supreme Court judgments
- Reference Commission recommendations
For Governance & Social Justice:
- Use data from Economic Survey, NFHS, NITI Aayog reports
- Name schemes and their implementation challenges
- Include indices and data
For International Relations:
- Reference treaties and agreements
- Include maps for geopolitical issues
- Cite foreign policy doctrines and partnerships
How to Practice Using the GS Paper 2 2025 Question Paper
Approach to Practice
- Simulate Exam Conditions
- Attempt the paper in 3 hours
- Allocate 7-8 minutes for 10-mark questions
- Reserve 11-12 minutes for 15-mark questions
- Keep buffer time for revision
- Self-Assessment
- Evaluate against the IBC structure checklist
- Assess content depth and value-addition
- Identify knowledge gaps and skill deficiencies
- Create improvement plans
- Build Content Repository
- Research questions
- Create model answers with content
- Compile data, examples, and provisions
- Develop ready-to-use content for practice
- Peer Review Process
- Engage in study group discussions
- Exchange answer evaluation with peers
- Gain perspectives on approach and content
- Identify blind spots in preparation
Key Trends (2022-2025):
- Recurring Themes: Focus on federalism, judicial independence, electoral reforms
- Analytical Shift: Move towards questions requiring analysis
- Current Affairs Integration: Integration requiring understanding of implications
- Dynamic Context: Static syllabus with dynamic question framing based on events
Expert Insights & Recommendations for UPSC 2026
Difficulty Assessment
The GS Paper 2 2025 can be characterized as Moderate to Difficult, not due to topic obscurity but because of the depth and thinking required under time constraints.
Takeaways:
- Integrated Current Affairs: Integration of developments with concepts is now standard
- Cross-Syllabus Linkages: Questions merge different syllabus areas requiring understanding
- Governance Focus: Emphasis on governance aspects over administrative models
Preparation Recommendations:
- Adopt Integrated Study: Connect newspaper articles with provisions and policy implications
- Daily Answer Writing: Develop writing skills through practice
- Value-Addition Repository: Maintain notes for judgments, data points, and recommendations
- Conceptual Clarity: Focus on understanding the 'why' behind every provision and policy
Optional Classroom Program 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What topics are covered in GS Paper 2 of UPSC Mains?
GS Paper 2 covers four subjects: (1) Constitution and Polity, (2) Governance, (3) Social Justice, and (4) International Relations. The syllabus includes the Indian Constitution, federalism, Parliament, judiciary, government policies, welfare schemes, poverty issues, and India's foreign policy.
Q. How many marks is GS Paper 2 worth and what is the pattern?
GS Paper 2 is worth 250 marks total. It consists of 20 questions: ten questions for 10 marks each (150-word limit) and ten questions for 15 marks each (250-word limit). The exam duration is 3 hours.
Q. How should one approach answer-writing for GS Paper 2?
Answer-writing involves: (1) Understanding the question by identifying keywords and directives, (2) Structuring answers using the Introduction-Body-Conclusion format, (3) Enriching content with Constitutional Articles, Supreme Court judgments, data, and examples.
Q. Is current affairs important for GS Paper 2?
Yes, current affairs are important. Paper analysis shows integration of events with syllabus topics, with portions inspired by developments from the preceding 12-18 months.
Q. What is a good score in UPSC Mains GS Paper 2?
Scoring 100+ marks is considered good and can provide advantage for both clearing Mains cutoff and securing top ranks in the final merit list.
The UPSC CSE Mains 2025 GS Paper 2 represents more than just an examination—it's a test of the mindset and administrative acumen required for governance. Success in this paper demands preparation that goes beyond memorization to develop understanding and presentation skills.
The 2025 question paper provides the blueprint for understanding UPSC's expectations. By engaging with it through practice, self-assessment, and content building, aspirants can transform their preparation from learning to skill development.
Your journey to mastering the Mains begins with the right resources and approach. Download the UPSC CSE Mains 2025 GS Paper 2 PDF today and integrate answer writing into your preparation. The path to civil services success starts with this step—take it now.
Remember: Excellence in GS Paper 2 is not about knowing everything, but about presenting what you know with precision, structure, and depth that reflects the mind of a future administrator.