UPSC Prelims 2025 previous year paper · official paper and PYQ-pattern practice

UPSC Prelims 2025 PYQ-pattern questions

Showing 10 of the 17 PYQ-pattern questions in this set — freshly worded in that year's pattern, not the original questions. Answers and solutions open under each question.

1. Q1 · Indian Polity and Governance — Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

   With reference to the Collegium System for appointment of judges in India, consider the following statements: 1. The system originated from the Second Judges Case of 1993. 2. The Supreme Court Collegium is headed by the Chief Justice of India and includes the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. 3. The recommendation of the Collegium is binding on the Government of India. 4. The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act was struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. Which of the statements given above are correct?

   • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
   • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
   • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
   • D. 1, 3 and 4 only
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. The Collegium system emerged from the Second Judges Case (1993) and the SC Collegium comprises the CJI and four senior-most judges. The NJAC Act was indeed struck down in 2015. However, statement 3 is incorrect; while the Collegium's recommendations carry significant weight, the government can return names for reconsideration, though if the Collegium reiterates, the government typically accepts.

2. Q2 · Indian Polity and Governance — Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

   Consider the following statements regarding the 'Basic Structure Doctrine' in India: 1. The doctrine was first established in the Minerva Mills case. 2. The Parliament cannot amend the Constitution in a manner that alters its basic structure. 3. The list of features constituting the basic structure is explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • A. 1 and 2 only
   • B. 2 only
   • C. 2 and 3 only
   • D. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Statement 1 is incorrect: The basic structure doctrine was established in Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), not Minerva Mills. Statement 2 is correct: Parliament cannot amend the Constitution to destroy or damage its basic structure. Statement 3 is incorrect: The Constitution does not contain an explicit list; the Supreme Court has evolved this through judicial pronouncements.

3. Q3 · Economic and Social Development

   With reference to the 'Fiscal Deficit' in India's Union Budget, consider the following statements: 1. It represents the excess of total expenditure over total receipts excluding borrowings. 2. A higher fiscal deficit always leads to inflation in the economy. 3. The FRBM Act mandates a fiscal deficit target for the Central Government. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • A. 1 and 3 only
   • B. 2 and 3 only
   • C. 1 only
   • D. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   Statement 1 is correct: Fiscal deficit = Total expenditure – Total receipts (excluding borrowings). Statement 2 is incorrect: Higher fiscal deficit does not always lead to inflation; it depends on how the deficit is financed and the state of the economy. Statement 3 is correct: The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act sets fiscal deficit targets.

4. Q4 · Indian Polity and Governance — Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

   Consider the following statements regarding the Speaker of Lok Sabha: I. The Speaker continues in office even after dissolution of the House until a new Speaker is elected by the reconstituted House. II. A Speaker may resign by writing to the Deputy Speaker, and if the office of Deputy Speaker is vacant, to the President. III. A resolution for removal of the Speaker must be passed by a special majority of members present and voting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • A. I and II only
   • B. II only
   • C. I only
   • D. I, II and III
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   Statement I is correct: the Speaker does not vacate office upon dissolution; he continues until immediately before the first meeting of the newly elected Lok Sabha. Statement II is wrong: the Speaker resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker (not to the President even if vacant). Statement III is wrong: removal requires an absolute/effective majority of all then members of the House (majority of all members), not a special majority. Hence only I is correct.

5. Q5 · Economic and Social Development

   Consider the following statements: Statement I: The Reserve Bank of India can directly purchase government securities in the primary market under certain conditions. Statement II: Direct purchase of government securities by RBI in the primary market is known as monetization of deficit. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

   • A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
   • B. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
   • C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
   • D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   Statement I is correct - RBI can purchase government securities in the primary market under exceptional circumstances as permitted by law. Statement II is also correct and explains Statement I - when RBI directly finances government borrowing, it is called deficit monetization or printing money.

6. Q6 · Indian Polity and Governance — Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

   Consider the following statements regarding the Lok Adalat system in India: 1. Lok Adalats have jurisdiction to settle cases pending in courts and can also take up pre-litigation disputes. 2. Awards made by Lok Adalats are deemed to be decrees of a civil court and are non-appealable. 3. No court fees are charged for cases referred to Lok Adalats. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • A. 1 and 2 only
   • B. 2 and 3 only
   • C. 1 and 3 only
   • D. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer and solution

   Answer: D

   All three statements are correct. Lok Adalats can handle both pending court cases and pre-litigation matters; their awards are final, binding, and non-appealable; and they operate without court fees, making them accessible to all.

7. Q7 · Economic and Social Development

   Consider the following statements about the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF): 1. MSF is a window for banks to borrow overnight from the Reserve Bank of India against approved government securities. 2. The MSF rate is typically higher than the repo rate. 3. Banks can borrow under MSF even if they have exhausted their Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) holdings beyond a certain limit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • A. 1 only
   • B. 1 and 2 only
   • C. 2 and 3 only
   • D. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer and solution

   Answer: D

   All statements are correct. MSF allows banks to borrow overnight from RBI against government securities. It is a penal rate higher than repo. Banks can dip into their SLR holdings up to a certain percentage to borrow under MSF during liquidity crises.

8. Q8 · Economic and Social Development

   With reference to India's economic indicators, consider the following statements: 1. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) includes services in its basket, unlike the Consumer Price Index (CPI). 2. An increase in the Repo Rate by the Reserve Bank of India typically signals a contractionary monetary policy stance. 3. Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) is considered part of India's external debt obligations. How many of the above statements are correct?

   • A. Only one
   • B. Only two
   • C. All three
   • D. None
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   Only statement 2 is correct. WPI does not capture services (unlike CPI). FPI is not debt—it represents equity flows and does not create repayment obligation.

9. Q9 · General Science

   Which one of the following statements correctly describes the phenomenon of 'Optical Fibre Communication'?

   • A. It uses radio waves travelling through glass fibres for data transmission
   • B. It transmits data using light pulses through glass or plastic fibres by the principle of total internal reflection
   • C. It employs infrared radiation propagating through the atmosphere to carry signals
   • D. It uses electromagnetic waves in the microwave range conducted via metal wires
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Optical fibre communication transmits data as light pulses through glass/plastic fibres via total internal reflection, offering high-speed, low-loss transmission.

10. Q10 · Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

    Consider the following statements: Statement I: Carbon sequestration through afforestation and soil management is recognized as a key nature-based solution to climate change. Statement II: Terrestrial ecosystems can absorb more carbon dioxide than oceanic systems over the short term. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    • A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
    • B. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
    • C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
    • D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
    Answer and solution

    Answer: C

    Statement I is correct as carbon sequestration through natural ecosystems is indeed a recognized nature-based solution. Statement II is incorrect because oceanic systems typically absorb more CO2 than terrestrial ecosystems globally.