Polity Questions in UPSC Mains GS 1
GS 2 Polity Questions (Year-Wise)
2021
Polity Questions asked in UPSC Mains 2021
How have the recommendations of the 14th France Commission of India enabled the
States to improve their fiscal position?
"Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a
necessary precondition for sustainable development."
"'Earn while you learn' scheme needs to be strengthened to make vocational education
and skill training meaningful"
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. Analysing their structural and practical limitations, suggest remedial
measures.
Has digital literacy, particularly in rural areas, coupled with lack of Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility hindered socio-economic development?
Examine with justification.
2020
Polity Questions asked in UPSC Mains 2020
“There is a need for simplification of procedure for disqualification of persons found
guilty of corrupt practices under the Representation of peoples Act” Comment
“Recent amendments to the Right to information Act will have profound impact on the
autonomy and independence of the Information Commission”. Discuss
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
“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.
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.
2019
Polity Questions for UPSC Mains
Q1. “The Central Administrative Tribunal which was established for redressal of
grievances and complaints by or against central government employees nowadays is
exercising its powers as an independent judicial authority.” Explain.
Q2. From the resolution of contentious issues regarding distribution of legislative powers
by the courts, ‘Principle of Federal Supremacy’ and ‘Harmonious Construction’ have
emerged. Explain.
Q3. “Parliament’s power to amend the constitution is limited power and it cannot be
enlarged into absolute power”. In 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)
Q4. “The reservation of seats for women in the institution of local self-government has
had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian political process”.
Comment.
Q5. “The Attorney-General is the chief legal adviser and lawyer of the Government of
India.” Discuss
Q6. Individual parliamentarian’s role as the national lawmaker is on a decline, which in
turn, has adversely impacted the quality of debates and their outcome. Discuss.
2018
Polity Questions for UPSC Mains
Q1. In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines
(EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the
trustworthiness of elections in India?
Q2. Whether the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the
implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious
minority institutions? Examine.
Q3. Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the
President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in
force? (10)
Q4. 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)
Q5. “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)
Q6. Individual parliamentarian’s role as the national lawmaker is on a decline, which in
turn, has adversely impacted the quality of debates and their outcome. Discuss.
Q7. Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle
between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine.
Q8. 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.
Q9. How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the
terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss.
Q10. 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 developmental projects?
2017
Polity Questions for UPSC Mains
Q1. “The local self-government system in India has not proved to be an effective
instrument of governance”. Critically examine the statement and give your views to
improve the situation. (150 words)
Q2. Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on ‘National Judicial
Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to the appointment of judges of
higher judiciary in India. (150 words)
Q3. Discuss the role of the Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of
the government to the people. (150 words)
Q4. Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest judgement of the
Supreme Court on Right to Privacy. (250 words)
Q5. 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? (250 words)
Q6. Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems
that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your
answer. (250 words)
2016
Polity Questions for UPSC Mains
Q1. “The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be
full of contradictions and paradoxes.” Discuss.
Q2. 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 an audit of the
Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG)
jurisdiction.
Q3. Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss.
Q4. What is a quasi-judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.
2015
Polity Questions for UPSC Mains
Q1. Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform
civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Q2. The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasized in recent
years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which
cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.
Q3. In the absence of a well-educated and organized local level government system,
`Panchayats’ and ‘Samitis’ have remained mainly political institutions and not effective
instruments of governance. Critically discuss.
Q4. 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, analyze whether the decisions of the Supreme Court on the
issue have further facilitated resorting to this power. Should the power to promulgate
ordinances be repealed?
2014
Polity Questions for UPSC Mains
Q1. Instances of the President’s delay in commuting death sentences has come under
public debate as denial of justice. Should there be a time specified for the President to
accept/reject such petitions? Analyse
Q2. The size of the cabinet should be as big as governmental work justifies and as big
as the Prime Minister can manage as a team. How far is the efficacy of a government
then inversely related to the size of the cabinet? Discuss.
2013
Polity Questions for UPSC Mains
Q1. The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years
and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed.
How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a
different intention?
Q2. The Supreme Court of India keeps a check on the arbitrary power of the Parliament
in amending the Constitution. Discuss critically.
Q3. Discuss the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission which have been a
departure from the previous commissions for strengthening the local government
finances.
Q4. ‘A national Lokpal, however strong it may be, cannot resolve the problems of
immorality in public affairs’. Discuss.
