The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the CSE Mains 2025 General Studies Paper-IV (GS-IV) on August 24, 2025. This paper evaluates candidates on critical aspects such as Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude, which are essential for public administration and governance. Understanding the themes and complexity of questions in GS-IV is vital for aspirants, as this paper tests their moral and ethical reasoning. Those preparing for the UPSC CSE must stay informed about the key topics that UPSC focuses on in this crucial paper.
UPSC Mains GS Paper-4 2025: Key Highlights
| UPSC Mains GS-IV Exam Date | August 24th, 2025 |
| Total Marks | 250 Marks |
| Duration | 3 Hours (2:30 PM to 5:30 PM – Afternoon Session) |
UPSC Mains 2025 GS-IV Question Paper
Section-A
1.(a) In the present digital age, social media has revolutionised our way of communication and interaction. However, it has raised several ethical issues and challenges. Describe the key ethical dilemmas in this regard. (Answer in 150 words) 10
1.(b) “Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment but a product of civil education and adherance of the rule of law.” Examine the significance of constitutional morality for public servant highlighting the role in promoting good governance and ensuring accountability in public administration. (Answer in 150 words) 10
2.(a) Carl von Clausewitz once said, “War is a diplomacy by other means.” Critically analyse the above statement in the present context of contemporary geo-political conflict. (Answer in 150 words) 10
2.(b) Keeping the national security in mind, examine the ethical dilemmas related to controversies over environmental clearance of development projects in ecologically sensitive border areas in the country. (Answer in 150 words) 10
3. Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context?
3.(a) “Those who in trouble untroubled are, Will trouble trouble itself.” – Thiruvalluvar (Answer in 150 words) 10
3.(b) “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” – William James (Answer in 150 words) 10
3.(c) “The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people.” – Swami Vivekananda (Answer in 150 words) 10
4.(a) “For any kind of social re-engineering by successfully implementing welfare schemes, a civil servant must use reason and critical thinking in an ethical framework.” Justify this statement with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10
4.(b) What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world. (Answer in 150 words) 10
5.(a) “One who is devoted to one’s duty attains highest perfection in life.” Analyse this statement with reference to sense of responsibility and personal fulfilment as a civil servant. (Answer in 150 words) 10
5.(b) To achieve holistic development goal, a civil servant acts as an enabler and active facilitator of growth rather than a regulator. What specific measures will you suggest to achieve this goal? (Answer in 150 words) 10
6.(a) It is said that for an ethical work culture, there must be code of ethics in place in every organisation. To ensure value-based and compliance-based work culture, what suitable measures would you adopt in your work place? (Answer in 150 words) 10
6.(b) India is an emerging economic power of the world as it has recently secured the status of fourth largest economy of the world as per IMF projection. However, it has been observed that in some sectors, allocated funds remain either under-utilised or misutilised. What specific measures would you recommend for ensuring accountability in this regard to stop leakages and gaining the status of third largest economy of the world in near future? (Answer in 150 words) 10
For Section B of the Question Paper, please refer to the attached PDF below.
UPSC Mains 2025 Question Paper GS-4 PDF
The UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 General Studies Paper-IV (GS-IV) has been conducted, and the Question Paper PDF is now available. This question paper serves as a collection of questions and a valuable resource for understanding the exam’s expectations. Aspirants can review the GS-IV question paper to gauge the nature and complexity of the topics covered. The link to download the PDF of the UPSC Mains 2025 GS-IV question paper is provided below for easy access.
| Also Check: |
| UPSC Mains 2025 Essay Paper PDF |
| UPSC Mains 2025 GS-I Paper PDF |
| UPSC Mains 2025 GS-II Paper PDF |
| UPSC Mains 2025 GS-III Paper PDF |
How to Download the UPSC Mains 2025 Question Paper GS-4 PDF?
The GS-IV paper PDF can be downloaded through the following steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website, which provides downloadable resources for UPSC.
- Navigate to the “Examination” section and select the relevant year (2025).
- Locate the “General Studies Paper-IV (GS-IV)” and click the download link.
- Save the PDF to your device for further study and analysis.
