2025 Current Affairs Topics for UPSC Mains : Key Issues and Themes

As of December 19, 2025, current affairs remain integral to UPSC Mains, influencing GS Papers 1-4, Essay, and the Interview. The year 2025 has feaured significant reforms in energy, governance, economy, and international relations, alongside environmental and social challenges. Drawing from research on UPSC preparation websites I’ve expanded the list to include at least 20 topics per GS paper. These are compiled from recent analyses, model answers, and predicted themes for 2025, focusing on events from January to December 2025. Topics are selected for their relevance, analytical depth, and linkage to static syllabus.

GS Paper 1 (Society, Geography, History, Culture)

Expanded from sources emphasizing Indian heritage, modern history, social issues, geography, and environment. Key trends: Integration of current events like climate impacts and cultural preservation with static topics.

1. Impact of climate change on glaciers and sea-level rise (e.g., Gangotri Glacier decline, Maldives & Lakshadweep vulnerability).
2. Urbanization challenges and waste management campaigns (e.g., Bengaluru’s initiatives).
3. Social issues: Brainstem death confusion and organ transplant system reforms.
4. Women’s empowerment and gender-related policies (ongoing from NEP and schemes).
5. Indian Heritage and Culture: Preservation of UNESCO sites amid urbanization (e.g., new additions in 2025).
6. Modern History: Reflections on 150 years of Quit India Movement and its relevance today.
7. Social Issues: Population dynamics and demographic dividend challenges in India.
8. Geography: Urban floods and disaster management (e.g., 2025 monsoon impacts in Mumbai).
9. Environment: Biodiversity loss and new Ramsar sites declared in 2025.
10. Society: Caste-based reservations and evolving judicial interpretations.
11. History & Culture: Role of art forms in promoting national unity (e.g., classical dances revival).
12. Geography: Resource distribution and industrial location shifts (e.g., semiconductor hubs).
13. Social Issues: Elderly care and senior citizens’ welfare schemes updates.
14. Environment: Mini cloudbursts trend and extreme weather patterns.
15. Society: Migration patterns post-pandemic and reverse migration effects.
16. History: Freedom fighters’ contributions in contemporary nationalism debates.
17. Geography: Geographical features and border disputes’ impact on ecology.
18. Culture: Intangible cultural heritage and digital preservation efforts.
19. Social Issues: Child rights and POCSO Act revisions in 2025.
20. Environment: Marine conservation and blue economy initiatives.
21. Society: Communal harmony and anti-discrimination laws enforcement.
22. Geography: Soil degradation and sustainable agriculture practices.
23. History & Culture: Colonial legacies in modern governance structures.

GS Paper 2 (Polity, Governance, International Relations)

Based on analyses from various newspapers focusing on bills, governance reforms, social justice, and IR. 2025 highlights: Major legislative changes and diplomatic engagements.

1. SHANTI Bill 2025: Reforms in nuclear energy sector – privatization, liability changes.
2. Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Insurance Laws Amendment) Bill 2025: Raising FDI in insurance to 100%.
3. Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 and related governance reforms.
4. Right to Disconnect Bill 2025: Work-life balance in digital era.
5. India’s foreign policy: SCO Summit 2025, India-China border talks.
6. UN reforms and India’s role in multilateralism.
7. Governor’s powers and Collegium system debates (SC advisory opinions).
8. Governance & Social Justice: Welfare schemes, e-gov, citizen charter.
9. Polity: One Nation One Election implementation challenges.
10. International Relations: India-Oman CEPA and trade pacts.
11. Social Justice: Vulnerable sections and affirmative action policies.
12. Constitution: Federalism debates amid state-Centre tensions.
13. Governance: NITI Aayog’s 10-year review and future roadmap.
14. IR: G20 legacy impacts on global south representation.
15. Polity: Electoral reforms and VVPAT controversies.
16. Social Justice: Health equity and Ayushman Bharat expansions.
17. Governance: Anti-corruption measures and Lokpal effectiveness.
18. IR: India-US relations under new Trump administration.
19. Polity: Judicial reforms and backlog reduction initiatives.
20. Social Justice: Education reforms under NEP 2020 implementation.
21. Governance: Digital India and cybersecurity laws.
22. IR: Neighborhood policy with Nepal and Bangladesh developments.
23. Polity: Reservation for economically weaker sections review.
24. Social Justice: Disability rights and inclusive policies.

GS Paper 3 (Economy, Environment, Science & Tech, Security)

Compiled from various newspapers with emphasis on economy, agriculture, tech, and security. 2025 focus: Green transition and economic resilience.

1. Economic reforms: Household savings replacing FII in capital markets, GST updates.
2. Energy security: National Energy Conservation Awards 2025, PM E-DRIVE Scheme for EVs.
3. Environment: New Ramsar sites, post-facto environmental clearances debate.
4. Science & Tech: GlowCas9 advancements, GNSS/GPS interference issues.
5. Agriculture & Disaster: Marine Fisheries Census 2025, cyclone/flood management.
6. Internal Security: Bhairav Commando Battalions, drone regulations.
7. Economy: MSP debate and farmer income schemes.
8. Agriculture: Crop diversification and millets movement.
9. Environment: Decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries.
10. Tech: Semiconductor strategy and indigenous chip production.
11. Economy: Inclusive growth and FHI/IHDI metrics.
12. Security: Economic security and supply chain resilience.
13. Agriculture: PM-Kisan procurement reforms.
14. Environment: Clean hydrogen economy initiatives.
15. Tech: AI ethics and regulatory frameworks.
16. Economy: Banking sector reforms and digital lending.
17. Disaster Management: Urban resilience plans post-2025 floods.
18. Security: Cyber threats and national cybersecurity policy.
19. Agriculture: Irrigation efficiency and water management.
20. Environment: Biodiversity credits and conservation finance.
21. Tech: Quantum computing advancements in India.
22. Economy: Infrastructure development under PM Gati Shakti.
23. Security: Border infrastructure and LAC developments.
24. Agriculture: Food processing industry growth.

GS Paper 4 (Ethics) & Essay

1. Ethical governance in strategic sectors (e.g., nuclear privatization transparency).
2. Work-life balance and employee rights (Right to Disconnect).
3. Human rights expansions: Digital rights, environmental justice.
4. Philosophical questions: Social media ethics and misinformation.
5. Case studies: AI and privacy concerns.
6. Integrity: Economic growth vs. justice dilemmas.
7. Emotional Intelligence: Leadership in crisis management.
8. Public Service Values: Probity in governance amid corruption cases.
9. Ethical theories: Application to environmental sustainability.
10. Moral thinkers: Relevance of Gandhi in modern conflicts.
11. Human Interface: Cyberbullying and online ethics.
12. Aptitude: Decision-making in public health crises.
13. Integrity: Data misuse and echo chambers.
14. Case studies: Economic inequality and ethical redistribution.
15. Ethics in tech: Algorithmic bias and fairness.
16. Public administration: Citizen charter implementation.
17. Emotional Intelligence: Handling vulnerable sections.
18. Probity: Anti-corruption in corporate governance.
19. Human values: Resilience in global challenges.
20. Ethics: Economic vs. environmental trade-offs.
21. Case studies: Social media’s role in democracy.
22. Integrity: Whistleblower protection reforms.

Essay

1. India’s Role in Global Governance: Opportunities and challenges.
2. Truth knows no color: Ethical dilemmas in media.
3. The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
4. Literacy and education: Bridging digital divides.
5. Modernization and Westernization in India.
6. Indian culture: Unity in Diversity.
7. Why is it best to see life as a journey?
8. When does seeing life as a destination become important?
9. Space exploration justified amidst Earth’s struggles?
10. Natural disasters revealing social disasters.
11. Manufacturing issues plaguing the sector.
12. Development: From economic growth to human development.
13. War, wealth, and wisdom.
14. Governance & Democracy: Electoral integrity.
15. Economy & Development: Sustainable models.
16. Social Issues & Education: Gender parity.
17. Environment & Climate: Net-zero pathways.
18. Border Disputes and Diplomacy.
19. Criteria for Selecting UPSC Essay Topics.
20. Socio-Political: Reservation debates.
21. Environmental: Ecological balance.
22. Philosophical: Resilience and human values.

Cross-Cutting & Emerging Themes

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Aadhaar Vision 2032.
• Electric mobility and green transition (PM E-DRIVE, UMEED Portal).
• Global events: Trump administration’s impact, BRICS 2025 outcomes.
• Health & Welfare: POCSO revisions, senior citizens updates.
• Multilateralism vs. unilateralism in IR.

Preparation Tips for UPSC Mains 2025

• Linkages: Integrate with static (e.g., SHANTI Bill with GS3 energy security)..
• Answer Writing: Use 1.5-pager notes for society topics; include diagrams, case studies.
• Revision: Focus on 2025 bills and summits; practice with model answers

This expanded list ensures comprehensive coverage. Stay updated with monthly summaries from trusted sites. Good luck!