List of Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025

Important Topics for UPSC Mains 2025 focus on high-weightage areas like Indian Polity, History, Economy, Environment, Ethics, and Governance, helping aspirants streamline their preparation. Prioritising these topics may enhance your overall score in the mains exam.

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July 22, 2025

List of Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025

Important Topics For UPSC Mains are necessary to be covered by aspirants preparing for the UPSC Mains. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) sets a detailed syllabus, but selective topics carry the highest weightage based on previous years’ analysis. 

It is important for aspirants to know about the high weightage topics as it not only helps them focus on their preparation but also ensures they don’t waste time on less relevant areas. Here, Important Topics List For UPSC Mains 2025 is provided, including paper-wise analysis, GS papers and essay topics coverage to help aspirants streamline their strategy.

Important Topics For UPSC Mains Overview

The UPSC Mains Exam consists of nine papers, out of which seven papers are counted for merit. These include four General Studies papers (GS I to GS IV), an Essay paper, and two Optional Subject papers, along with qualifying papers in English and Indian Language. The Important Topics List For UPSC Mains covers subjects like History, Polity, Economy, Environment, Ethics, which form the backbone of the syllabus. Here is Important Topics For UPSC Mains Overview:

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Important Topics For UPSC Mains Overview
Particulars Details
Exam Name UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2025
Conducting Body Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Number of Papers 9 Papers (4 GS Papers, 2 Optional Papers, Essay, 2 Language Papers)
Type of Questions Descriptive (Written)
Official Website upsc.gov.in

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 from GS Papers Analysis

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 are identified by analyzing previous year GS papers. Topics like Indian Polity, Governance, Environment, Science & Tech, Social Issues, and Economic Development are frequently repeated as they carry higher marks. Paper-wise analysis shows that GS Paper I focuses on History and Society, GS II on Polity and International Relations, GS III on Economy and Environment, and GS IV on Ethics. By focusing on these areas, you can cover nearly 70% of the scoring portion of the exam.

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper I

UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper I includes topics like Indian Heritage, History, Geography, and Culture. The important topics include Modern Indian History (from 18th century to freedom struggle), World History (18th to 20th century revolutions), Culture Developments, Post-Independence consolidation, Indian Society (diversity, women issues, globalization impact), and Physical and Economic Geography.

These topics are important as the number of questions from this Paper 1 appear more, leading aspirants to score well. This Paper also helps aspirants develop a strong factual base for Essay and GS papers. Below are the Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper I:

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper II

UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper II focuses on social justice, constitution, governance, international relations, and polity. Aspirants must focus on topics like functioning of the executive and judiciary, Indian Constitution, and various government policies. It also covers important bilateral issues,  international relations, and global issues. The table including all the Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS II Paper is given below:

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper II

1 11
2 The Constitutions of other countries like Japan, UK, USA, etc. 12 NGOs, SHGs, etc
3 13 Welfare schemes for vulnerable groups
4 Union and Statesfederalism, etc 14 Health, Education, and Human Resources
5 Government Policies 15 Poverty and Hunger issues
6 Judiciary – their structure, roles, etc 16 Governance, transparency, e-governance
7 Pressure Groups – RSS, AIKS, etc 17 Civil services
8 Voting laws, RPA 1950, 1951 etc 18 Bilateral, regional, and global partnerships
9 Constitutional Bodies – UPSC, ECI, etc 19 Indian Diaspora
10 Statutory and Quasi-judicial bodies – NHRC, etc 20 Global Institutions – UN, WTO, etc

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper III

UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper III is one of the most dynamic sections. It covers topics like Biodiversity, Agriculture, Environment, Economic Development, Security, and Disaster Management. The Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 for GS Paper III includes agricultural developments, Science and Technology, Indian Economy, and environmental conservation. 

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The Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper III are given below:

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper III

1 Indian Economy – planning, resource mobilization, employment, etc 16 IT, Computers and Space Technology
2 Growth and Development 17 Disaster Management
3 Inclusive Growth 18 Intellectual Property Rights
4 Government budgeting 19 Environment – conservation, pollution, degradation, etc
5 Major crops and cropping patterns 20 Environmental Impact Assessment
6 Irrigation types – Drip, Sprinkler, etc 21 Robotics, Nanotechnology and Biotechnology
7 Farm subsidies PMKISAN, etc 22 Internal Security
8 Food Security and MSP 23 Extremism and Role of External Actors
9 Animal Rearing 24 Communication Networks
10 Food Processing Industry 25 Cyber Security
11 Land Reforms 26 Money-Laundering
12 Liberalization and Industrial Policy 27 Border Area Security
13 Infrastructure – Road, Energy, etc 28 Organized Crime
14 Investment Models – BOT, HAM, etc 29 Terrorism
15 Science and Technology – developments 30 Security forces, agencies, etc. – BSF, NIA, CBI, etc

Important Topics For UPSC Mains GS Paper IV

UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper IV focuses on key topics like Aptitude, Ethics, and Integrity. The Important Topics For UPSC Mains in this paper include public service values, emotional intelligence, ethical theories, case studies, and probity in governance. Since this paper tests analytical and value-based understanding, you must practice case studies and real-life examples to score well in this section. 

Important Topics for UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper IV are given below:

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper IV

1 Ethics and Human Interface 16 Conscience
2 Determinants, Human Actions and its Essence, and Consequences of Ethics 17 Dimensions of Ethics in Private and Public Relationships
3 Accountability 18 Attitude
4
  • Human Values from Leaders’ Lives
  • Role of Family, Society, and Education
19
  • Influence of Attitude on thought and behavior
  • Moral, political, and social aspects of attitude
5 Ethical Governance 20 Corporate Governance
6 Ethical Issues in International Relations 21 Probity in Governance
7 Aptitude and Foundational Values 22 Transparency
8 Values for Civil Service 23 Right to Information
9 Integrity, Impartiality, Objectivity, Dedication, Empathy 24 Codes of Ethics
10 Emotional Intelligence 25 Codes of Conduct
11 Moral Thinkers from India and worldwide 26 Work Culture
12 Ethics in Public Administration 27 Quality Service
13 Public/Civil Service Values 28 Public Funds’ Utilization
14 Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas 29 Corruption Challenges
15 Ethical Guidance from Laws, Rules, etc 30 Case Studies

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 for Essay Paper

Additionally, applicants must practice writing essays every day for the IAS exam. To prepare for the essay, candidates should practice writing essays on a variety of subjects. When it comes to writing essays, the newspaper’s editorial topics can be quite helpful to applicants. Here are the Important Essay Topics for UPSC Mains in the table below:

The Essay paper requires candidates to write on social, political, environmental, and philosophical issues. The Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 for Essay Paper includes topics on women empowerment, governance, sustainable development, and technology’s role in society. It is important for candidates to practice writing essay outlines and incorporating facts, reports, and examples to score well in the essay paper.

Here are the Important Topics for UPSC Mains 2025 for Essay Paper:

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 for Essay Paper

  • World Revolution and India’s participation
  • India’s Foreign Policy 
  • Bilateral Issues in India
  • India’s relations with other countries
  • Border Security in India
  • Indian Society
  • Status and Development of Women in India
  • Indian laws regarding Child labour 
  • Changing Trend in Indian Agriculture
  • The Economic Reforms
  • The Health Infrastructure in India
  • Impact of advancement in technologies in Indian Society
  • Social fabric of Indian Society
  • Rural and urban division in India 
  • Role of technologies in rural and urban areas
  • Human Impact on Environment
  • The Effect of Technology on the Environment
  • Solution to Environmental Problems
  • Human Behavior Effects on the Environment

How To Prepare the Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025?

Aspirants are required to prepare the important topics thoroughly in order to score good marks. Preparing for the UPSC Mains requires candidates’ to follow a structured approach because of the vast syllabus. Here’s how you can prepare the important topics well for UPSC Mains 2025: 

1. Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly

The first step for a structured preparation is to understand the official UPSC syllabus thoroughly. Divide the syllabus by GS Papers (GS I, II, III, IV), Optional Papers, and Essays. This will help you identify which topics are frequently repeated and where to focus more, like History and Polity in GS I and Governance in GS II.

2. Prioritize High-Weightage Topics

Analyze the previous years’ papers to identify the repeated concepts such as Governance (GS II), Economy and Environment (GS III), and Ethics Case Studies (GS IV). Focus first on topics that are consistently repeated every year and carry higher marks.

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3. Integrate Current Affairs with Static Subjects

UPSC links many questions to current events. For example, if there’s a new law on climate change, connect it with GS III topics like Environment and Economy.

4. Practice Answer Writing Regularly

Aspirants must practice answer writing to write well-structured answers in the exam. You must focus on writing concise and structured answers. Practice writing at least 2-3 answers daily based on previous year questions. Also, focus on adding facts, reports (like NITI Aayog data), and a conclusion to make your answers stand out.

5. Make Concise Notes for Revision

Create short notes for each important topic (for example, Land Reforms in GS I, Data Protection Bill for GS II). These notes should include definitions, key points, examples, and recent developments. This will make revision easy before the exam.

6. Focus on Diagrams and Flowcharts

Use maps, diagrams, and charts, especially for GS III (Economy & Environment) and GS I (Geography) as visual representation will provide clarity to you regarding the concept.

7. Prepare Ethics (GS IV) Separately

Ethics requires a different approach with examples and real-life case studies. Practice writing short, clear answers and prepare a repository of quotes, definitions, and ethical dilemmas.

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Important Topics For UPSC Mains FAQs

Most important topics for UPSC Mains 2025 include Governance and Polity (GS II), Economy and Environment (GS III), Modern Indian History and Society (GS I), and Ethics Case.

Important topics for UPSC Mains 2025 are Indian Polity and Constitution, Science and Technology, Modern Indian History, Governance, Indian Economy, Environment and Ecology, Ethics and Integrity, Internal Security, and International Relations.

Focus first on high-weightage subjects like Polity, History, and Ethics. Prioritize dynamic areas like current affairs, economy, and international relations based on recent developments.

General Studies Paper II (Polity and Governance) and Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) are considered more scoring because of their analytical nature and direct applicability.

Identify overlapping areas between your optional subject and GS papers. For example, if your optional is Geography, it overlaps with GS Paper I.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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