Indian Polity Questions in UPSC Mains GS 2

Indian Polity is an important topic in UPSC Mains GS 2 paper of the Civil Services Examination. This article will provide you with all Polity questions that have been asked in UPSC Mains from the year 2013-2023.

Candidates preparing for UPSC 2024, can check topic-wise UPSC Prelims Questions in the linked article. 

Candidates can get topic-wise GS 2 questions for CSE Exam from the links provided in the table below:

Constitution Questions for UPSC Mains Governance Questions for UPSC Mains
Social Justice Questions for UPSC Mains International Relations Questions for UPSC Mains

 

IAS 2023 results

 

GS 2 Polity Questions (Year-Wise)

The tables below will provide Polity 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

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.

Candidates can get UPSC Previous Year Question Papers and Polity Questions asked in prelims phase of UPSC exam from the linked articles below:

  1. UPSC Previous Year Question Papers
  2. India Polity Questions of UPSC Prelims [2013-2023]

For a better understanding of the depth of IAS Syllabus, candidates must carefully review the exam pattern and accordingly start off with their preparation.

Polity 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.

Also, candidates can checkout the IAS Topper list from previous year and scrutinise their preparation strategy for guidance to excel in the upcoming recruitment.

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

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