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AN INITIATIVE by Dr. M.V. Duraish. PhD.
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PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS (TOPIC WISE) IN GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 2 (MAINS) 2022 TO 2025

Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure. - FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
  1. Right to privacy is intrinsic to life and personal liberty under Article 21. Discuss the law relating to DNA testing of a child in the womb to establish its paternity. (15M) (2024)
  2. Who are entitled to receive free legal aid? Assess the role of the National Legal Services Authority(NALSA) in rendering free legal aid in India. (10M) (2023)
  3. ” The Construction of India is a living instrument with capabilities of enormous dynamism. It is a constitution made for a progressive society”. Illustrate with special reference to the expanding horizons of the right to life and personal liberty. (15M) (2023)
  4. “Right of movement and residence throughout the territory of India are freely available to the Indian citizens, but these rights are not absolute. “ Comment. (10M) (2022)
Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure. - OTHERS
  1. “Constitutional morality is the fulcrum which acts as an essential check upon the high functionaries and citizens alike…” In view of the above observation of the Supreme Court, explain the concept of constitutional morality and its application to ensure balance between judicial independence and judicial accountability in India.(15 M) (2025)
  2. Indian Constitution has conferred the amending power on the ordinary legislative institutions with a few procedural hurdles. In view of this statement, examine the procedural and substantive limitations on the amending power of the Parliament to change the Constitution.(15 M) (2025)
  3. Account for the legal and political factors responsible for the reduced frequency of using Article 356 by the Union Governments since mid 1990s. (15M) (2023)
  4. “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. (10M) (2022)
Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States, Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure, Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein. (EXCEPT LOCAL BODY)
  1. Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India?(15 M) (2025)
  2. What changes has the Union Government introduced in Centre-State relations recently? Suggest measures to build trust and strengthen federalism. (15M) (2024)
  3. Explain the significance of the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act. To what extent does it reflect the accommodative spirit of federalism? (15M) (2023)
Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein. LOCAL BODY ALONE
  1. Analyze the role of local bodies in providing good governance at the local level. Discuss the pros and cons of merging rural and urban local bodies. (10M) (2024)
  2. “The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially.” Comment. (10M) (2023)
  3. To what extent, in your opinion, as the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots? (10M) (2022)
Separation of Powers between various organs Dispute Redressal Mechanisms and Institutions.
  1. The growth of the cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalization of parliamentary supremacy. Elucidate. (10M) (2024)
  2. “Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a prerequisite of democracy”. Comment. (10M) (2023)
  3. Discuss the essential conditions for exercise of the legislative powers by ne Governor. Discuss the legality of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature. (15M) (2022)
Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme with that of Other Countries.
  1. Compare and contrast the President’s power to pardon in India and in the USA. Are there any limits to it in both the countries? What are ‘preemptive pardons’? (10 M) (2025)
  2. Discuss the evolution of collegium system in India. Critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the system of appointment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India and that of the USA. (15 M) (2025)
  3. Discuss India as a secular state and compare it with the secular principles of the US Constitution. (15M) (2024)
  4. Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty. (10M) (2023)
  5. Critically examine the procedures through which the Presidents of India and France are elected of. (15M) (2022)
Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these
  1. Discuss the nature of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. Briefly describe the powers and functions of the Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. (10 M) (2025)
  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. (10M) (2023)
  3. Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalization of Indian Parliament? (15M) (2023)
Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Executive, Ministries and Departments of the Government;
  1. “The Attorney General of India plays a crucial role in guiding the legal framework of the Union Government and ensuring sound governance through legal counsel.” Discuss his responsibilities, rights and limitations in this regard. (10 M) (2025)
  2. Discuss the role of the Vice –Presidents of India as the chairman of the Rajyasabha (10M) (2022)
Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Judiciary
  1. Explain the reasons for the growth of public interest litigation (PIL) in India. Has the Indian Supreme Court emerged as the world’s most powerful judiciary as a result? (15M) (2024)
Pressure Groups and Formal/Informal Associations and their Role in the Polity.
  1. What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India.(15 M) (2025)
  2. Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women’s effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India (15M) (2023)
  3. While the national political parties in India favour centralisation, the regional parties are in favour of State autonomy.” Comment. (15M) (2022)
Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act.
  1. Discuss the ‘corrupt practices’ for the purpose of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Analyze whether the increase in the assets of the legislators and/or their associates, disproportionate to their known sources of income, would constitute ‘undue influence’ and consequently a corrupt practice. (10 M) (2025)
  2. Discuss the procedures to decide the disputes arising out of the election of a Member of the Parliament or State Legislature under The Representation of the People Act, 1951. What are the grounds on which the election of any returned candidate may be declared void? What remedy is available to the aggrieved party against the decision ? Refer to the case laws. (15M) (2022)
Appointment to various Constitutional Posts, Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
  1. Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with reference to the “one nation, one election” principle. (10M) (2024)
  2. The duty of the Comptroller and Auditor General is not merely to ensure the legality of expenditure but also its propriety. Comment. (10M) (2024)
  3. Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct. (15M) (2022)
Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies.
  1. Comment on the need of administrative tribunals as compared to the court system. Assess the impact of the recent tribunal reforms through rationalization of tribunals made in 2021. (10 M) (2025)
  2. Explain and distinguish between Lok Adalats and Arbitration Tribunals. Do they entertain civil as well as criminal cases? (10M) (2024)
Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
  1. Discuss the role of the Competition Commission of India in containing the abuse of dominant position by the Multi-National Corporations in India. Refer to the recent decisions. (10M) (2023)
  2. The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss (10M) (2022)
Development Processes and the Development Industry — the Role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
  1. Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify.(10 M) (2025)
  2. “In contemporary development models, decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities are not located close to the source of information and execution defeating the objectives of development.” Critically evaluate.(15 M) (2025)
  3. Public charitable trusts have the potential to make India’s development more inclusive as they relate to certain vital public issues. Comment (10M) (2024)
  4. Do you agree with the view that increasing dependence on donor agencies for development reduces the importance of community participation in the development process ? Justify your answer. (15M) (2022)
Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability,
There have been no direct questions from this segment in the past four years. In other words, most questions relating to the concepts and key aspects of governance have primarily been framed around e-governance. For the sake of clarity and better understanding, we have therefore classified e-governance as a separate segment below
E-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential
  1. e-governance projects have a built-in bias towards technology and back-end integration than user-centric designs. Examine. (10 M) (2025)
  2. E-governance is not just about applying digital technology in service delivery but also ensuring transparency and accountability. Evaluate the role of the ‘Interactive Service Model.’ (15M) (2024)
  3. e-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features? (10M) (2023)
Citizens Charters, Transparency & Accountability and institutional and other measures.
  1. The Citizens’ Charter has been a landmark initiative for ensuring citizen-centric administration but has yet to reach its full potential. Discuss the factors hindering its effectiveness and suggest measures. (15M) (2024)
Role of Civil Services in a Democracy
  1. The doctrine of democratic governance makes it necessary that the public perception of civil servants’ integrity and commitment be absolutely positive. Discuss. (10M) (2024)
Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes;
  1. “Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (15M) (2023)
  2. Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has its limitations too. Comment. (10M) (2022)
Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.
  1. Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain. (10 M) (2025)
  2. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has to address the challenges faced by children in the digital era. Examine the existing policies and suggest measures the Commission can initiate to tackle the issue.(15 M) (2025)
  3. Explain the constitutional perspectives of Gender Justice with the help of relevant Constitutional Provisions and case laws. (15M) (2023)
  4. Discuss the role of the National Commission for Backward Classes in the wake of its transformation from a statutory body to a constitutional body (10M) (2022)
  5. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. (10M) (2022)
  6. Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss. (15M) (2022)
Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
  1. What are the aims and objectives of the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024? Are university and state education board exams covered under the Act? (15M) (2024)
  2. In the domain of public healthcare, the Indian state should play a vital role in mitigating the adverse impacts of marketization. Suggest measures to enhance the reach of public healthcare. (15M) (2024)
  3. The crucial aspect of development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this adequacy. (10M) (2023)
  4. Skill development programs have succeed in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyze the linkages between education, skill and employment. (15M) (2023)
  5. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse (15M) (2022)
Issues relating to Poverty and Hunger
  1. Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of ‘paradox of poverty’.(15 M) (2025)
  2. Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle that adversely affects human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle? (10M) (2024)
India and its Neighbourhood- Relations.
  1. Discuss the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of the Maldives for India, focusing on global trade and maritime security. (15M) (2024)
  2. India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (10M) (2022)
Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
  1. India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate. (10 M) (2025)
  2. “Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India’s foreign policy, and is linked with India’s overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries.” How would you integrate energy security with India’s foreign policy trajectories in the coming years? (15 M) (2025)
  3. Critically analyze India’s evolving diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations with Central Asian Republics (CARs). (10M) (2024)
  4. Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC ? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two ? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation ? (10M) (2022)
  5. How will 12U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics? (15M) (2022)
Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests.
  1. “With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate.(10 M) (2025)
  2. The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and as a strategic ally. Explain. (10M) (2024)
  3. Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (15M) (2022)
Indian Diaspora
  1. Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India. (10M) (2023)
Important International Institutions, agencies and fora - their Structure, Mandate
  1. “The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance.” Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard.(15 M) (2025)
  2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and its associated bodies in mitigating the threat of terrorism. (15M) (2024)
  3. ‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’. In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating problems. (10M) (2023)
  4. ‘The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well in India.’ What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer. (15M) (2023)
  5. ‘Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos’. Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO(International Maritime Organisation) in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security. (15M) (2023)