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The UPPSC PCS Prelims 2025 exam was successfully conducted on 12th October 2025 across Uttar Pradesh. The first shift featured General Studies Paper 1, which plays a crucial role in determining the candidate’s selection for the Mains stage. Aspirants across the state reported the paper as moderately difficult, with a strong emphasis on current affairs, polity, and environment. This detailed analysis provides a comprehensive overview of subject-wise weightage, difficulty level, good attempts, and expected cutoff trends.
UPPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2025 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPPSC PCS Prelims 2025 |
| Paper Name | General Studies Paper 1 |
| Exam Date | 12th October 2025 |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Duration | 2 Hours (9:30 AM – 11:30 AM) |
| Negative Marking | ⅓ mark for each wrong answer |
| Nature of Paper | Merit-based (qualifying for Mains) |
The General Studies Paper 1 determines the merit for the UPPSC Mains examination. It covers a wide range of topics including History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, Environment, and Current Affairs.
UPPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2025 – Subject-Wise Difficulty Level
The 2025 paper was moderate to slightly difficult. Many aspirants found some questions in Polity, Environment, and Current Affairs challenging due to factual precision. The table below presents the subject-wise distribution and difficulty level based on student feedback.
| Subject | Approx. No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Observations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian History & Freedom Struggle | 20–25 | Moderate | Focus on Indian National Movement and ancient dynasties |
| Indian Polity & Governance | 18–20 | Moderate to Tough | Questions from constitutional amendments, governance, and judiciary |
| Geography (India & World) | 15–18 | Moderate | Questions on monsoon, soils, and river systems |
| Economy & Social Development | 12–15 | Moderate | Covered recent reports, budget facts, and poverty indices |
| Science & Technology | 10–12 | Moderate | Basic science, ISRO missions, and biotechnology-related questions |
| Environment & Ecology | 15–18 | Tough | Questions on biodiversity, climate treaties, and pollution |
| Current Affairs | 25–28 | Moderate to Tough | Emphasis on events from mid-2023 to mid-2025 |
| Uttar Pradesh Specific GK | 10–12 | Moderate | Questions about geography, schemes, and historical sites of UP |
| Art, Culture & Miscellaneous | 8–10 | Moderate | Covered dances, literature, and awards |
Overall Difficulty: Moderate to Slightly Difficult
Also Read: UPPSC PCS CSAT Exam Analysis 2025
Topics Asked in UPPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2025
The 2025 paper maintained a balanced coverage across static and dynamic areas. Major themes included:
Indian Polity: Questions from Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and recent Supreme Court judgments.
Modern History: Focus on freedom movements, revolutionary leaders, and British reforms.
Geography: Questions on Indian rivers, monsoon mechanisms, and soil distribution.
Economy: Budget 2025 data, economic indicators, and government schemes.
Environment: Climate change, wildlife sanctuaries, and biodiversity hotspots.
Science & Tech: ISRO missions, biotechnology, and space exploration.
Current Affairs: National and international events, awards, and government initiatives.
Uttar Pradesh GK: Schemes like ODOP, tourism, and regional geography.
These topics reflect UPPSC’s trend of blending traditional subjects with contemporary issues relevant to state and national governance.
UPPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2025 Good Attempts
Aspirants with strong command over current affairs and environment found the paper manageable. The range of good attempts varies based on accuracy and difficulty level.
| Category | Good Attempts (Out of 150) | Expected Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 105 – 120 | 140 – 160 Marks |
| Average | 90 – 105 | 120 – 140 Marks |
| Below Average | 75 – 90 | 100 – 120 Marks |
Candidates who attempted around 100–110 questions with 80–85% accuracy can be considered safe for the cutoff range.
UPPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2025 Expected Cut Off
Based on the paper’s overall difficulty and trend analysis of previous years, the expected cutoff for 2025 is as follows:
| Category | Expected Cutoff (Out of 200) |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 115 – 120 |
| OBC | 113 – 118 |
| SC | 96 – 100 |
| ST | 85 – 90 |
| PwD | 92 – 96 |
| Female (General) | 112 – 116 |
The final cutoff may vary depending on the number of applicants, normalization, and UPPSC’s evaluation process.
UPPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2025 Key Takeaways
The 2025 paper reinforced the importance of conceptual clarity and current updates. Polity, Environment, and Current Affairs had a higher weightage than usual, demanding deep understanding and consistent revision.
Balanced Paper: Static and dynamic topics were evenly mixed.
Moderate Difficulty: No out-of-syllabus surprises, but factual precision was key.
Emphasis on Uttar Pradesh GK: Increased focus on regional schemes and policies.
Conceptual Testing: Questions demanded clarity rather than rote memorization.
Preparation Strategy for Future Aspirants
Focus on Core Subjects: Revise Polity, Economy, and History thoroughly with updated facts.
Stay Updated: Cover current affairs from at least 18 months before the exam.
State-Specific Focus: Study UP government schemes, rivers, heritage, and local governance.
Mock Test Practice: Attempt regular timed tests to balance accuracy and speed.
Environment & Science: Cover static ecology concepts along with current issues.
A systematic revision plan and consistent mock practice will help aspirants score better in future UPPSC Prelims.
Conclusion
The UPPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 Exam 2025 was moderate in difficulty, testing a candidate’s depth of understanding and awareness of recent developments. Candidates with strong conceptual clarity and regular revision of current affairs stand a good chance of qualifying. With balanced subject coverage and predictable trends, the exam once again emphasized analytical preparation over rote learning.
FAQs on UPPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 Exam Analysis 2025
Q1. When was the UPPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 Exam 2025 conducted?
The UPPSC PCS Prelims 2025 GS Paper 1 was conducted on 12th October 2025 (Sunday) in the first shift from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. The exam was held across various districts in Uttar Pradesh in offline mode using OMR sheets.
Q2. What was the overall difficulty level of UPPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2025?
The overall difficulty level of the UPPSC GS Paper 1 (2025) was moderate to slightly difficult. Questions from Polity, Environment, and Current Affairs were considered trickier, while History and Geography were moderately balanced.
Q3. Which subjects carried the most weightage in UPPSC Prelims 2025 Paper 1?
Subjects like Current Affairs, Polity, Environment, and Indian History carried the highest weightage in the 2025 exam. Current events from the last 18 months and UP-specific questions were also heavily emphasized.
Q4. How many questions were asked in UPPSC GS Paper 1?
A total of 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were asked in the General Studies Paper 1, carrying 200 marks in total. Each correct answer carried approximately 1.33 marks, and ⅓ mark was deducted for every wrong answer.
Q5. What are the good attempts for UPPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper 1?
The good attempt range for the 2025 paper was around 95-110 questions, depending on accuracy. Candidates maintaining 80–85% accuracy within this range are expected to qualify for the Mains exam.
Q6. What is the expected cutoff for UPPSC Prelims 2025?
Based on the difficulty and previous trends, the expected cutoff for the General category is 115-120 marks, while OBC, SC, and ST categories are expected to have slightly lower cutoffs ranging between 85-118 marks.
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