1) Explain and distinguish between Lok Adalats And Arbitration Tribunals. Whether they entertain civil as well as criminal cases?
2) “The growth of cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalisation of the parliamentary supremacy:” Elucidate.
3) “The duty of the Comptroller and Auditor General is not merely to ensure the legality of expenditure but also its propriety.” Comment.
4) Analyse the role of local bodies in providing good governance at local level and bring out the pros and cons merging the rural local bodies with the urban local bodies.
5) Right to privacy is intrinsic to life and personal liberty and is inherently protected under Article 21 of the constitution. Explain. In this reference discuss the law relating to D.N.A. testing of child in the womb to establish its paternity.
6) What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-Stare relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.
7) Explain the reasons for the growth of public interest litigation in India. As a result of it, has the Indian Supreme Court emerged as the world’s most powerful judiciary ?
8) Discuss India as a secular state and compare with the secular principles of the US constitution.
UPSC Mains Polity - 2023
1) Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches
to Parliamentary sovereignty.(10 Marks, 150 Words)
2) Discuss the role of Presiding Officers of state
legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in conducting legislative work and in
facilitating best democratic practices.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
3) Account for the legal and political factors
responsible for the reduced frequency of using Article 356 by the Union Governments since mid
1990s.(15 Marks, 250 Words)
4) Explain the significance of the 101st Constitutional
Amendment Act. To what extent does it reflect the accommodative spirit of federalism? (15 Marks,
250 Words)
5) Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee
system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalization of Indian
Parliament? (15 Marks, 250 Words)
UPSC Mains Polity - 2022
1) “The most significant achievement of modern law in
India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this
statement with the help of relevant case laws. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
2) Indian constitution exhibits centralising tendencies
to maintain unity and integrity of the nation. Elucidate in the perspective of the Epidemic
Diseases Act, 1897; The Disaster Management Act, 2005 and recently passed Farm Acts.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
3) Judicial Legislation is antithetical to the doctrine
of separation of powers as envisaged in the Indian Constitution. In this context justify the
filing of large number of public interest petitions praying for issuing guidelines to executive
authorities.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
4) The strength sustenance of local institutions in India
has shifted from their formative phase of ‘Functions, Functionaries and Funs’ to the
contemporary stage of ‘Functionality’. Highlight the critical challenges faced by local
institutions in terms of their functionality in recent times.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
5) Rajya Sabha has been transformed from a ‘useless
stepney tyre’ to the most useful supporting organ in past few decades. Highlight the factors as
well as the areas in which this transformation could be visible. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
UPSC Mains Polity - 2021
1)‘Constitutional Morality’ is rooted in the Constitution
itself and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of ‘Constitutional Morality’
with the help of relevant judicial decisions. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
2)To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to
ensure accountability of the executive in India?
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
3) The jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) regarding lodging an FIR and conducting probe within a particular state is
being questioned by various States. However, the power of States to withhold consent to the CBI
is not absolute. Explain with special reference to the federal character of India. (15 Marks,
250 Words)
4) Though the Human Rights Commissions have contributed
immensely to the protection of human rights in India, yet they have failed to assert themselves
against the mighty and powerful. Analyzing their structural and practical limitations, suggest
remedial measures.(15 Marks, 250 Words)
5) Explain the constitutional provisions under which
Legislative Councils are established. Review the working and current status of Legislative
Councils with suitable illustrations.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
UPSC Mains Polity - 2020
1) “Recent amendments to the Right to information Act
will have profound impact on the autonomy and independence of the Information Commission”.
Discuss. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
2) How far do you think cooperation, competition and
confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? Cite some recent examples to
validate your answer. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
3) “Once a speaker, Always a speaker’! Do you think the
practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What
could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
4) Indian constitution exhibits centralising tendencies
to maintain unity and integrity of the nation. Elucidate in the perspective of the Epidemic
Diseases Act, 1897; The Disaster Management Act, 2005 and recently passed Farm Acts.(15 Marks,
250 Words)
5) Judicial Legislation is antithetical to the doctrine
of separation of powers as envisaged in the Indian Constitution. In this context justify the
filing of large number of public interest petitions praying for issuing guidelines to executive
authorities.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
6) The strength sustenance of local institutions in India
has shifted from their formative phase of ‘Functions, Functionaries and Funs’ to the
contemporary stage of ‘Functionality’. Highlight the critical challenges faced by local
institutions in terms of their functionality in recent times.(15 Marks, 250 Words)
7) Rajya Sabha has been transformed from a ‘useless
stepney tyre’ to the most useful supporting organ in past few decades. Highlight the factors as
well as the areas in which this transformation could be visible.(15 Marks, 250 Words)
8) Which steps are required for constitutionalization of
a commission? Do you think imparting constitutionality to the National Commission for Women
would ensure greater gender justice and empowerment in India? Give reasons.(15 Marks, 250
Words)
UPSC Mains Polity - 2019
1) On what grounds a people’s representative can be
disqualified under the Representation of People Act,1951? Also mention the remedies available to
such person against his
disqualification.(15 Marks, 250 Words)
2)“Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution is a
limited power and it cannot be enlarged into absolute power.” In the light of this statement
explain whether Parliament under Article 368 of the Constitution can destroy the Basic Structure
of the Constitution by expanding its amending power?
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
3)“The reservation of seats for women in the institutions
of local self- government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian
Political Process.
” Comment.(15 Marks, 250 Words)
4)“The Attorney-General is the chief legal adviser and
lawyer of the Government of India.” Discuss.(15 Marks, 250 Words)
5) Do you think that constitution of India does not
accept principle of strict separation of powers rather it is based on the principle of ‘checks
and balance’? (10 Marks, 150 Words)
6)From the resolution of contentious issues regarding
distribution of legislative powers by the courts, ‘Principle of Federal Supremacy’ and
‘Harmonious Construction’ have emerged. Explain.(10 Marks, 150 Words)
7)What can France learn from the Indian Constitution’s
approach to secularism?
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
UPSC Mains Polity - 2018
1)How far do you agree with the view that tribunals
curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional
validity and competency of the tribunals in India? (15 Marks, 250 Words)
2)India and USA are the two large democracies. Examine
the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
3)How is the Finance Commission of India constituted?
What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission?
Discuss.(15 Marks, 250 Words)
4)Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India
as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can
look out for financing development projects?
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
5)Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable
sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction & duplication of
functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella human rights commission? Argue
your case (15 Marks, 250 Words)
6)In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of
Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India
to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (10 Marks, 150 Words)
7)Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)
can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the
religious minority institutions? Examine
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
8)Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be
proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remain in
force? (10 Marks, 150 Words)
9)Why do you think the committees are considered to be
useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee.(10
Marks, 150 Words)
10)“The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very
vital role to play.” Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as
well as the range of powers he can exercise.(10 Marks, 150 Words)
11)Whether the Supreme Court Judgment (July 2018) can
settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
UPSC Mains Polity - 2017
1)Explain the salient features of the constitution (One
Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016. Do you think it is efficacious enough ‘to remove
cascading effect of taxes and provide for common national market for goods and services’?
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
2)Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of
the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
3)The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding a
joint session of the two houses of the Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would
normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with reasons thereof.(15 Marks, 250
Words)
4)To enhance the quality of democracy in India the
Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested
reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful?(15 Marks, 250
Words)
5)“The local self government system in India has not
proved to be effective instrument of governance”. Critically examine the statement and give your
views to improve the situation.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
6)Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on
‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to appointment of judges of
higher judiciary in
India.(10 Marks, 150 Words)
7)‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State
Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce
the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss.(10 Marks, 150 Words)
8)How do pressure groups influence Indian political
process? Do you agree with this view that informal pressure groups have emerged as powerful as
formal pressure groups in recent
years? (10 Marks, 150 Words)
UPSC Mains Polity - 2016
1)Exercise of CAG’s powers in relation to the accounts of
the Union and the States is derived from Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether
audit of the Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG)
jurisdiction.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
2)Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’
in the ‘Preamble’. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
3)What was held in the Coelho case? In this context, can
you say that judicial review is of key importance amongst the basic features of the
Constitution?(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
4)Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a
federal constitution? Discuss.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
5)What is quasi judicial body? Explain with the help of
concrete
examples(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
6)Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional
Amendment Act and anomalies, if any, that have led to recent reported conflicts between the
elected representatives and institution of Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi.
Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of the Indian Federal
Politics?
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
7)To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian
Constitution, bearing marginal note “Temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and
Kashmir”, temporary? Discuss the future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian
polity
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
8)“The Indian party system is passing through a phase of
transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes.”
Discuss.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
UPSC Mains Polity - 2015
1)Khap panchayats have been in the news for functioning
as extra–constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights
violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and the judiciary
to set the things right in this regard.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
2)Resorting to ordinances has always raised concern on
violation of the spirit of separation of powers doctrine. While noting the rationales justifying
the power to promulgate ordinances, analyse whether the decisions of the Supreme Court on the
issue have further facilitated resorting to this power. Should the power to promulgate the
ordinances be repealed?
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
3)What are the major changes brought in the Arbitration
and Conciliation Act, 1996 through the recent Ordinance promulgated by the President? How far
will it improve India’s dispute resolution mechanism? Discuss (12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
4)Does the right to clean environment entail legal
regulation on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of Indian
Constitution and Judgement(s) of the Apex court in this regard.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
5)Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from
enacting for its citizen a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of
State Policy
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
6)The concept of cooperative federalism has been
increasingly emphasised in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and
the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.(12.5 Marks, 200
Words)
7)In absence of well–educated and organised local level
government system, ‘Panchayats’ and ‘Samitis’ have remained mainly political institutions and
not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
UPSC Mains Polity - 2014
1)What do you understand by the concept “freedom of
speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a
slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.(12.5 Marks, 200
Words)
2)Instances of President’s delay in commuting death
sentences has come under public debate as denial of justice. Should there be a time limit
specified for the President to accept/reject such petitions? Analyse.(12.5 Marks, 200
Words)
3)National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in India can be
most effective when its tasks are adequately supported by other mechanisms that ensure the
accountability of a government. In light of the above observation assess the role of NHRC as an
effective complement to the judiciary and other institutions in promoting and protecting human
rights standards.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
4)Starting from inventing the ‘basic structure’ doctrine,
the judiciary has played a highly proactive role in ensuring that India develops into a thriving
democracy. In light of the statement, evaluate the role played by judicial activism in achieving
the ideals of democracy (12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
5)Though the federal principle is dominant in our
Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that
federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong Centre, a feature that
militates against the concept of strong federalism. Discuss.
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
6)The ‘Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament
and its Members’ as envisaged in Article 105 of the Constitution leave room for a large number
of un-codified and un-enumerated privileges to continue.Assess the reasons for the absence of
legal codification of the ‘parliamentary privileges’. How can this problem be addressed?
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
UPSC Mains Polity - 2013
1)Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state
water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural
or process inadequacy or both? Discuss
(10 Marks, 200 Words)
2)Pressure group politics is sometimes seen as the
informal face of politics. With regards to the above, assess the structure and functioning of
pressure groups in India (10 Marks, 200 Words)
3)Discuss Section 66A of IT Act, with reference to its
alleged violation of Article 19 of the Constitution
(10 Marks, 200 Words)
4)Recent directives from Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas are perceived by the ‘Nagas’ as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed
by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.
(10 Marks, 200 Words)
5)‘The Supreme Court of India keeps a check on arbitrary
power of the Parliament in amending the Constitution.’
Discuss critically.(10 Marks, 200 Words)
