The constitution is an important topic in UPSC Mains GS 2 paper of the Civil Services Examination. This article will provide you with all Constitution questions that have been asked in UPSC Mains from the year 2013-2021.
| Candidates preparing for UPSC 2022, can check topic-wise UPSC Prelims Questions in the linked article. |
Candidates can get topic-wise GS 2 questions from the links provided in the table below:
| Polity Questions for UPSC Mains | Governance Questions for UPSC Mains |
| Social Justice Questions for UPSC Mains | International Relations Questions for UPSC Mains |
GS 2 Constitution Questions (Year-Wise)
The tables below will provide Constitution questions for UPSC Mains GS 2 from the year 2013-2021. Candidates can refer to the detailed GS 2 Structure, Syllabus and Strategy in the linked article.
2021
| Constitution Questions asked in UPSC Mains 2021 |
| ‘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. |
| Analyse the distinguishing features of the notion of the Right to Equality in the Constitutions of the USA and India. |
| Explain the constitutional provisions under which Legislative Councils are established. Review the working and current status of Legislative Councils with suitable illustrations. |
2020
|
Constitution Questions asked in UPSC Mains 2020 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Which steps are required for the 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. |
2019
| Constitution Questions for UPSC Mains |
| Q1. Do you think the Constitution of India does not accept the principle of strict separation of powers rather it is based on the principle of ‘checks and balance’? Explain |
| Q2. What can France learn from the Indian Constitution’s approach to secularism? |
2018
There were no direct questions from the topic, ‘Constitution’ in GS 2 in 2018
2017
| Constitution Questions for UPSC Mains |
| Q1. Explain the salient features of the constitution(One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016. Do you think it is efficacious enough to remove the cascading effect of taxes and provide for the common national market for goods and services? (250 words) |
| Q2. The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding joint sessions 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. (250 words) |
2016
| Constitution Questions for UPSC Mains |
| Q1. 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 the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of Indian federal politics? |
| Q2. 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. |
| Q3. Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the ‘Preamble’. Are they defendable in the present circumstances? |
| Q4. 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? |
2015
| Constitution Questions for UPSC Mains |
| Q1. 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. |
| Q2. Does the right to clean the environment entail legal regulations on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and Judgement(s) of the Apex Court in this regard. |
| Q3. “If an amendment bill to the Whistleblowers Act, 2011 tabled in the Parliament is passed, there may be no one left to protect.” Critically evaluate. |
2014
| Constitution Questions for UPSC Mains |
| Q1. 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. |
| Q2. Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, 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. |
| Q3. 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 uncodified and unenumerated privileges to continue. Assess the reasons for the absence of legal codification of the ‘parliamentary privileges’. How can this problem be addressed? |
| Q4. What do 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. |
2013
| Constitution Questions for UPSC Mains |
| Q1. Discuss Section 66A of IT Act, with reference to its alleged violation of Article 19 of the Constitution. |
| Q2. Recent directives from the 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. |
| Q3. 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. |
| Q4. What is meant by Gujral doctrine? Does it have any relevance today? Discuss. |
Candidates can get UPSC Previous Year Question Papers and previous year Polity Questions asked in IAS Prelims from the linked articles below:
Constitution Questions for UPSC Mains GS 2:- Download PDF Here
To get the topic-wise GS 2 questions for UPSC Mains in one place, check the linked article.
GS 2 Related Links:
| IAS Prelims: UPSC MCQ On Polity | Polity Notes for UPSC |
| Current Affairs | Daily News Analysis |
| International Relations Strategy for UPSC | Tips to Study Polity from Textbook ‘Laxmikanth’ for UPSC Exam |
Comments