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Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025, Check Subject Wise Topics

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 must be revised multiple times to fetch good marks. Subject-wise important topics for UPSC Mains 2025 are discussed here.
authorImageAnil Solonki3 Jun, 2025
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Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025

 

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025: The UPSC Civil Services Mains examination is one of the most important stages due to the significant weightage of 1750 in the final results. However, due to the vast syllabus of UPSC Mains, it becomes difficult to cover each subject in detail. This is where knowing important topics for UPSC Mains 2025 can help.

As time runs out for the UPSC Mains 2025 exam, it is high time to ensure that you have revised all important topics listed here. A strategic approach to studying these topics will enable you to tackle the examination with confidence and clarity. Keep reading for subject-wise important topics for UPSC Mains.

Important Topics For UPSC Mains Essay Paper

The Essay paper of UPSC Mains has two sections with 8 topics in total. Candidates are required to write two essays, one from each section. Since the syllabus is not fixed, candidates must identify repeating themes and practice them for the exam. A list of important topics for the UPSC Mains Essay paper is given below:
Important Topics For UPSC Essay Paper 2025
Topics Sub-Topics
Administration
  • Federalism
  • Bureaucracy and Civil Service
  • E-Governance
  • Judiciary
Science and Technology
  • Cyberspace and Internet
  • Advent of OTT Platforms
  • Innovation
  • AI and Challenges
Women Empowerment
  • Gender Equality
  • Gender Justice
  • Quote Based
Indian Culture & Society
  • Modernism and Our Traditional Values
  • Composite Culture of Indian Society
  • Diversity and Unity
Philosophical and Psychological Themes
  • Social Justice
  • Quotes By Great Personalities
  • Attitude & Emotional Intelligence
Education
  • Inclusivity in Education
  • Challenges and Reforms
  • Value-Based Education
  • Role of Education in Society
Economic Growth
  • Environment vs Growth
  • Digital Economy
  • Importance of Skilling the Youth
  • $5 Trillion Economy
 Current Affairs and Global Issues
  • Digital Transformation in India
  • Internal Security
  • India's Role in Global Diplomacy
  • Data Privacy and the Digital Citizen

Important Topics For UPSC Mains General Studies 1 Paper

The UPSC Mains GS 1 paper covers Indian Culture, Society, Indian and World History, and Geography of India and the World. Each subject has its own high-yield themes, which can give an edge in the exam. Subject-wise important topics for UPSC Mains GS 1 are as follows:
Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS I Paper
Subject Topics
History
  • Ancient India - Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, Mauryas, Guptas
  • Medieval India - Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Vijayanagar Empire
  • Modern India - British rule, Revolt of 1857, Nationalist Movement
  • World History - French Revolution, Russian Revolution, World Wars
Art & Culture
  • Literature - Vedic, Jain, Buddhist, Sangam, etc.
  • Architecture - IVC, Mauryan, Gupta, Dravidian, Mughal, etc.
  • Culture - Classical Dance, Music, Art forms, etc.
Geography
  • Physical geography of India and the world
  • Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, and cyclones
  • Human geography - population, settlements, urbanization
  • Natural resources and their distribution in India and the World
Indian Society
  • Diversity in India - caste, religion, language, ethnicity
  • Social reforms and movements
  • Women empowerment and gender issues
  • Demographic trends and challenges
Also Read - Important Topics for UPSC Prelims

Important Topics For UPSC Mains General Studies 2 Paper

The GS 2 paper of the UPSC Mains exam is about Indian Polity, Governance, Social Justice, and International Relations. Mostly questions from current affairs-based themes are asked in this paper. This is why candidates should be familiar with important topics for UPSC Mains GS 2 paper to focus on relevant current affairs:
Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS II Paper
Topics Sub-Topics
Indian Constitution
  • Salient features of Constitution and evolution
  • Union and State executive, legislature, and judiciary
  • Federalism
  • Separation of Powers
Polity
  • Parliament and state legislatures
  • Pressure Groups
  • Election Mechanism
  • Constitutional, Statutory, and Quasi-judicial bodies
Governance
  • E-governance initiatives like Digital India, Aadhaar, MyGov
  • Transparency and accountability in governance
  • Citizen charters, RTI, and Lokpal
  • NGOs, SHGs, etc
Social Justice
  • Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections
  • Issues relating to the development and management of social sectors/services
  • Mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections
International Relations
  • Indian Diaspora
  • India's foreign policy
  • Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements

Important Topics For UPSC Mains General Studies 3 Paper

The UPSC Mains GS 3 papers cover a range of subjects, including Indian Economic Development, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management. A good understanding of important topics for UPSC Mains 2025 GS III paper is essential as this ensures that the syllabus is thoroughly covered.
Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS III Paper
Topics Sub-Topics
Economic Development
  • Economic growth and development
  • Fiscal and monetary policies
  • Inflation and its management
  • Public finance and financial institutions
  • Inclusive growth and sustainable development
Indian Agriculture
  • Agricultural production and productivity
  • Land reforms and land management
  • Food security and public distribution system
  • Agricultural marketing and pricing
  • Agro-based industries and rural development
Technology
  • Developments in science and technology
  • Biotechnology and its applications
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
  • Space technology and its applications
  • Intellectual property rights
Environment and Biodiversity
  • Environmental pollution and its control
  • Sustainable development and environmental impact assessment
  • Conservation of natural resources
  • Biodiversity and its conservation
  • Climate change and its impact on the environment
Security
  • Challenges to internal security
  • Terrorism and its impact on society
  • Cyber security and its challenges
  • Causes of extremism and its impact on development
  • Role of government and civil society in addressing extremism
  • Strategies for inclusive development and conflict resolution
Disaster Management
  • Types of disasters and their impact
  • Disaster preparedness and mitigation
  • Role of government and non-governmental organizations
  • International cooperation in disaster management
  • Climate change and its impact on disasters

Important Topics For UPSC Mains General Studies 4 Paper

The syllabus of GS 4 papers has dynamic topics requiring the interlinking of concepts with events and case studies. Important topics for UPSC Mains 2025 Ethics papers will help highlight areas to focus on while preparing for this subject. Here is the list of topics that must be revised for the UPSC Mains ethics paper:
Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 GS IV Paper
Topics Sub-Topics
Ethics and Values
  • Ethical theories and principles
  • Integrity in public and private relationships
  • Probity in governance
  • Codes of Ethics
  • Emotional intelligence and its application in governance
Aptitude and Attitude
  • Attitude: content, structure, function
  • Influence of Attitude on thought and behaviour
  • Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world
Integrity
  • Integrity and impartiality in governance
  • Role of civil services in a democracy
  • Challenges of corruption and ethical misconduct
  • Whistleblower protection and related issues
  • Probity in Governance
Case Studies
  • Analyzing real-life case studies involving ethical dilemmas
  • Applying ethical frameworks to resolve complex issues in public administration
  • Developing ethical codes of conduct for civil servants and public institutions
  • Promoting ethical behavior through training and capacity building

How to Practice Important Topics For UPSC Mains?

Preparing for the UPSC Mains demands consistent practice, strategic planning, and focused revision of key topics. With a vast syllabus and limited time, it becomes crucial for aspirants to identify and concentrate on high-impact areas that frequently appear in the exam. Practicing important topics not only helps in reinforcing knowledge but also enhances answer writing skills, time management, and analytical thinking. At Physics Wallah, mentors nourish the answer-writing skills of candidates through exam-level questions from the list of important topics for UPSC Mains:

UPSC Mains Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Test Series Click Here
UPSC Mains Daily Answer Writing Click Here
By practicing with these test series, candidates can gain confidence and perform better in the exam.

Prepare the UPSC syllabus in detail under faculty guidance. Join PW upsc online courses for comprehensive preparation today!

Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025 FAQs

Which is the most important topic for UPSC Mains?

The most important topic for UPSC Mains varies subject-wise. This is why preparing the list of repeated themes across all subjects is crucial.

Which subject is most important for the UPSC mains exam?

Subjects like History, Polity and Governance, Economy, Environment, and Ethics are important for the UPSC mains exam.

What should I study for UPSC Mains 2025?

For UPSC Mains 2025, focus on a thorough understanding of the syllabus, regular revision of important topics, and practicing answer writing.

Which NCERT is most important for UPSC Mains?

For UPSC Mains NCERTs from class XI and XII such as Ancient History by R.S Sharma, India People and Economy, Social Change and Development in India are more important.

Which is the most important part of the UPSC Mains preparation?

Syllabus coverage and answer writing is the most important part of the UPSC Mains preparation.
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