The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has once again lived up to its reputation for unpredictability with the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025. While the exam consistently tests a vast syllabus, certain questions each year capture public imagination for their quirky nature and the sharp logic they demand. This year was no exception, with questions spanning from kitchen spices to global sports events leaving aspirants and the general public both intrigued and amused.
The Quirky Six: Questions That Sparked Debates
Beyond standard current affairs and static knowledge, the 2025 prelims featured several questions that ventured into fascinating, real-world intersections of science, geography, and daily life. These are the problems that ignited discussions in coaching institutes and online forums for days after the exam.
1. The Ubiquitous Plastic: Hiding in Plain Sight
One question brilliantly highlighted the pervasive nature of plastic in modern life. It asked candidates to identify how many of the following everyday items contain plastic: I. Cigarette butts, II. Eyeglass lenses, and III. Car tyres.
The options ranged from only one to all three. The amusing twist was that this seemingly simple question turned into a test of awareness about hidden plastics. Many aspirants might not revise the composition of cigarette filters or know that many eyeglass lenses are made from polycarbonate plastic. Even car tyres contain synthetic polymers. The correct answer, according to unofficial keys, was (c) All the three, serving as a subtle lesson on environmental pollution.
2. Kho Kho Goes Global: A Nod to Indigenous Sports
In a delightful shift, UPSC signaled the growing global stature of traditional Indian sports. A question was based on the first Kho Kho World Cup. It presented three statements: that the event was held in Delhi, India; that the Indian men's team beat Nepal 78-40 in the final; and that the Indian women's team also beat Nepal 54-36 to become champions.
The question caught many off-guard, transforming a familiar schoolyard sport into a matter of international current affairs. All three statements were correct, making (d) I, II and III the right choice. This question underscored how indigenous games are entering the global arena.
3. When Geography Defies the Calendar
This question was a classic brain-teaser on practical geography. It involved two cities, Anadyr in Siberia (Russia) and Nome in Alaska (USA), which are only a few kilometers apart.
The statements claimed that when people are having breakfast in these cities, it could be different days, and that when it is Monday in Anadyr, it is Tuesday in Nome. The trick lay in the International Date Line, which runs between Russia and Alaska. While the first statement about them experiencing different days is true, the specific Monday-Tuesday assertion was incorrect due to the direction of the date line shift. Thus, only statement I was correct, making (a) I only the answer.
4. Turmeric: From Kitchen Staple to Export Powerhouse
Turning a common kitchen ingredient into a complex question on agriculture and trade, UPSC asked about turmeric production for 2022-23. The statements were: India is the world's largest producer and exporter; over 30 varieties are grown in India; and the major producing states are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
This question forced aspirants to view the humble 'haldi' through the lens of economics and geography. All three facts are accurate, confirming (d) I, II and III as the correct option.
5. The Chess Conundrum: Precision Over Assumption
This question tested meticulous attention to recent sports headlines. It presented two statements about chess: that Gukesh Dommaraju became the world's youngest winner after defeating Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi in the 2024 Chess Olympiad final, and that American Abhimanyu Mishra holds the record for the world's youngest Grandmaster.
The catch was in the details. While Abhimanyu Mishra's record is factual, Gukesh did not defeat Nepomniachtchi in an Olympiad final; that was a different championship match. Hence, only the second statement was correct, making (b) II only the answer. It punished those who relied on fuzzy memory of headlines.
6. Budget Deficits: More Than Just Arithmetic
A question on government finances presented these figures: Revenue Expenditure = ₹80,000 crore, Revenue Receipts = ₹60,000 crore, Borrowings = ₹10,000 crore, and Interest Payments = ₹6,000 crore.
It asked candidates to evaluate statements on Revenue Deficit (₹20,000 cr), Fiscal Deficit (₹10,000 cr), and Primary Deficit (₹4,000 cr). Beyond simple subtraction, this tested the conceptual understanding of how these deficits are derived. All three calculations were accurate, leading to the answer (d) I, II and III, highlighting how borrowings often fund routine expenses rather than capital creation.
The UPSC Signature: Testing Applied Intelligence
These six questions exemplify the evolving nature of the UPSC Prelims. The commission continues to move beyond rote learning, favoring questions that assess analytical ability, everyday observation, and the application of basic concepts to unfamiliar scenarios.
Whether it's understanding the material world around us, recognizing the global footprint of Indian culture, or interpreting fiscal data, the exam seeks a well-rounded, perceptive civil servant. As aspirants gear up for future attempts, the lesson from 2025 is clear: connect your syllabus to the real world, question assumptions, and always read the fine print.
