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UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2025, held on 23 August, carried 250 marks and tested Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations. UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis 2025 provided by the PWONLYIAS academic once the UPSC Mains examination is conducted.
UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis 2025 offers a structured understanding of General Studies Paper II conducted on 23 August 2025 (Saturday) from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. This paper carries 250 marks and evaluates aspirants on Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.
UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis 2025 highlights question distribution, recurring trends, and the balance between static knowledge and applied understanding. Here, we cover UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis Topic Wise 2025 to help aspirants understand how different themes were covered.
GS Paper II is carefully framed to assess conceptual clarity and application in governance-related areas. It tested both constitutional depth and awareness of contemporary policy debates. Check the table below to know the gist of the UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis 2025:
UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis 2025 | |
Particulars | Details |
Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 |
Paper | General Studies Paper II (GS 2) |
Date of Exam | 23 August 2025 (Saturday) |
Time | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM |
Total Marks | 250 |
Sections Covered | Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations |
Overall Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult |
UPSC Mains 2025 GS 2 Paper Analysis shows that the paper had a mix of static constitutional topics and dynamic issues from governance and international relations. Questions demanded analytical writing with examples from current affairs. Refer to the table below to know the difficulty level of the paper once it’s reviewed:
UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis 2025
Topics Covered
No. of Questions Asked
Difficulty Level
Indian Polity & Constitution
9
Easy to Moderate
Governance
3
Diificult
Social Justice
4
Moderate
International Relations
4
Moderate
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Once the UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2025 candidates can check the official website of the UPSC or can follow our page details. Provided here is the steps to download the UPSC Mains GS Question Paper 2 from the official website. Also, candidates can download the UPSC Mains GS Question Paper 2 by directly clicking on the link provided here once the examination is conducted.
This paper is typically made available in PDF format shortly after the examination completion.
In this section, candidates can find out questions that are asked in UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper 2:
Discuss the ‘corrupt practices’ for 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. (150 words, 10 marks)
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. (150 words, 10 marks)
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? (150 words, 10 marks)
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. (150 words, 10 marks)
e-Governance projects have a built-in bias towards technology and back-end integration than user-centric designs. Examine. (150 words, 10 marks)
“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. (150 words, 10 marks)
Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain. (150 words, 10 marks)
Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify. (150 words, 10 marks)
India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate. (150 words, 10 marks)
“With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate. (150 words, 10 marks)
“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. (250 words, 15 marks)
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. (250 words, 15 marks)
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. (250 words, 15 marks)
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? (250 words, 15 marks)
What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India. (250 words, 15 marks)
Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of ‘paradox of poverty’. (250 words, 15 marks)
“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. (250 words, 15 marks)
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. (250 words, 15 marks)
“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? (250 words, 15 marks)
“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. (250 words, 15 marks)
The subject-wise distribution reflects the balanced weightage across four core areas. Provided here is the table that carries this UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper 2025 Subject-wise Division:
UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis 2025 Subject-wise Division | |
Subject Area | Key Topics Covered |
Governance & Polity | Parliament, Judiciary, Executive, Pressure Groups, Governance mechanisms |
Constitution | Federalism, Separation of Powers, Constitutional Amendments, Emergency Provisions |
Social Justice | Welfare schemes, Education, Health, Poverty alleviation, Issues of vulnerable groups |
International Relations | India’s foreign policy, Regional groupings, Global institutions, Bilateral & multilateral relations |
UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Analysis topic wise 2025 highlights the thematic spread of questions. It shows how the UPSC balanced static portions with dynamic, issue-based questions.
UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis 2025 Topic Wise | |
Section | Topics Asked |
Governance & Polity | 9 |
Constitution | 3 |
Social Justice | 4 |
International Relations | 4 |
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It was conducted on 23 August 2025 (Saturday) from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
The paper carries a total of 250 marks.
It includes Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.
From the official UPSC website – upsc.gov.in under Previous Question Papers.
The paper was moderate to challenging, testing conceptual clarity and applied understanding.
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