Introduction
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025 was conducted on 25th May 2025, marking a crucial milestone for thousands of aspirants across India. As the first gateway to the prestigious IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Group A & B services, the Prelims exam is a decisive step in every candidate’s journey. This blog post delivers a comprehensive guide to the UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper Answer Key, detailed paper analysis, expected cut-off, and essential result information—everything you need to assess your performance and plan your next steps.
Why the UPSC Prelims 2025 Answer Key Matters
The UPSC Prelims 2025 Answer Key is more than just a set of solutions—it is a critical tool for:
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Verifying your answers and estimating your probable score
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Analyzing your strengths and weaknesses across subjects
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Gauging your chances of clearing the Prelims cut-off
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Informing your strategy for the Mains examination
Leading coaching institutes release unofficial answer keys within hours of the exam, allowing candidates to quickly check their responses and get an early sense of their performance.
Also Read: BSTC Admit Card 2025: Download, Exam Details, Result Process & Complete Guide
UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper: Structure and Marking Scheme
| Paper | Subjects Covered | Total Questions | Total Marks | Negative Marking | Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies I | History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science, Current Affairs | 100 | 200 | -0.66 per wrong answer | Based on Cut-off |
| CSAT (Paper II) | Comprehension, Reasoning, Maths, Decision Making | 80 | 200 | -0.83 per wrong answer | 33% (Qualifying) |
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Each correct answer: +2 marks (GS Paper 1)
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Each incorrect answer: -0.66 marks (GS Paper 1)
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No marks for unanswered questions.
How to Download the UPSC Prelims 2025 Answer Key
Unofficial answer keys for all sets (A, B, C, D) are available from top coaching institutes:
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PDFs for GS Paper 1 and CSAT: Downloadable from trusted sources like Vajiram & Ravi, Vision IAS, InsightsIAS, StudyIQ, and IASbaba.
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Official UPSC Answer Key: Will be released only after the final results are declared.
Pro Tip: Always cross-check with multiple answer keys for maximum accuracy.
UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper 1: Subject-wise Question Distribution
| Subject | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Economy | 20 |
| History & Culture | 16 |
| Polity | 14 |
| Environment | 13 |
| Science & Technology | 13 |
| Geography | 12 |
| International Relations | 6 |
| Miscellaneous | 6 |
| Total | 100 |
This year’s paper maintained a balanced mix, with a slight emphasis on Economics and History.
UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper 1: Question Types
| Type of Question | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Single Option | 18 |
| Two Statement | 15 |
| Three Statement | 39 |
| Four Statement | 9 |
| Five or More Statement | 4 |
| Assertion/Reasoning | 7 |
| Matching Type | 8 |
| Total | 100 |
The paper tested analytical skills through an increased number of multi-statement and assertion-reasoning questions, reflecting UPSC’s focus on conceptual clarity.
UPSC Prelims 2025: Difficulty Level & Exam Analysis
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Overall Difficulty: Moderate, with some challenging questions in both GS Paper 1 and CSAT.
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GS Paper 1: Balanced, with questions mirroring previous years’ trends. The Economy and Environment sections were slightly more analytical.
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CSAT Paper: Moderate but lengthy, with a noticeable increase in comprehension-based questions. Some candidates found the reasoning section time-consuming.
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No major surprises in terms of topics or pattern, but the variety in question types required sharp analytical thinking.
UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper 1: Set-wise Answer Key (Sample for Set B)
Here’s a quick look at the answer key for Set B (provided by INSIGHT IAS):
| Q.No | Answer | Q.No | Answer | Q.No | Answer | Q.No | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | 26 | C | 51 | D | 76 | C |
| 2 | D | 27 | B | 52 | D | 77 | C |
| … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … |
| 100 | D |
Note: For the full answer key for all sets, download the PDFs from the respective coaching institute websites.
How to Calculate Your UPSC Prelims 2025 Score
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Count your correct answers and multiply by 2.
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Count your incorrect answers and multiply by -0.66.
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Sum up both to get your total score for GS Paper 1.
Total Score=(Correct Answers×2)−(Incorrect Answers×0.66)
Expected Cut-Off for UPSC Prelims 2025
Based on this year’s paper difficulty and candidate feedback, the expected cut-off for GS Paper 1 is as follows:
| Category | Expected Cut-Off (GS Paper 1) |
|---|---|
| General | 85–90 |
| OBC | 80–85 |
| SC/ST | 70–75 |
| EWS | 80–85 |
Note: The CSAT paper remains qualifying, requiring a minimum of 33% marks.
What Happens After the Prelims?
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UPSC will release the official result within a few weeks, listing roll numbers of candidates who qualify for the Mains.
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Official answer key will be published only after the final result declaration.
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Qualified candidates should immediately start preparing for the UPSC Mains, focusing on answer writing and in-depth subject knowledge.
Tips for Next Steps and Main Preparation
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Analyze your performance using the answer key and focus on weak areas.
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Start Mains preparation early, especially answer writing and current affairs.
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Join a test series for regular practice and feedback.
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Revise standard books and update notes with recent developments.
UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 – GS 1 |
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| GS Paper 1 SET | UPSC Answer Key PDF |
| GS Paper 1, Set A | Download PDF |
| GS Paper 1, Set B | Download PDF |
| GS Paper 1, Set C | Download PDF |
| GS Paper 1, Set D | Download PDF |
Note: This PDF Source is vajiramandravi.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When will the official UPSC Prelims 2025 answer key be released?
A: The official answer key will be published after the final results are declared, typically several months after the exam.
Q2. Where can I download the unofficial answer key?
A: Unofficial answer keys are available from leading coaching institutes like Vajiram & Ravi, Vision IAS, InsightsIAS, StudyIQ, and IASbaba.
Q3. Is there negative marking in the UPSC Prelims?
A: Yes, 1/3rd marks are deducted for every incorrect answer (-0.66 for GS Paper 1).
Q4. What is the qualifying mark for CSAT?
A: You must score at least 33% (66 out of 200 marks) in CSAT to qualify for the Prelims.
Conclusion
The UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper Answer Key is your immediate resource for evaluating your performance and strategizing for the next phase. With a moderate paper and a balanced subject distribution, the competition remains intense. Use the answer key to check your answers, estimate your score, and compare with the expected cut-off to gauge your chances.
Stay tuned for the official result announcement, and keep your preparation momentum high for the Mains. Remember, every mark counts in this marathon!
For all answer keys, detailed solutions, and updates, bookmark this page and check the official UPSC website regularly.