UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination
General Studies Paper: GS II – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations
Year: 2026
Time: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 250
Section A (10 × 10 Marks)
Q1. Discuss how the amending power under Article 368 has been interpreted by the judiciary to balance parliamentary sovereignty with constitutional supremacy.
Learning Hint Question Type: Discuss Core Keywords: Article 368, amending power, parliamentary sovereignty, constitutional supremacy, judicial review Answer Direction: Constitutional Basis → Issues → Judicial Perspective → Recommendations Key Dimensions: Constitutional, Legal, Political Current Link: Consider recent constitutional amendment debates Enrichment Keywords: Kesavananda Bharati case, Minerva Mills case, basic structure doctrine, 24th Amendment
Q2. Examine the significant provisions of the Constitution that establish India as a Union of States rather than a federation of states.
Learning Hint Question Type: Examine Core Keywords: Union of States, indestructible union, residuary powers, Article 1, quasi-federal Answer Direction: Constitutional Basis → Issues → Way Forward Key Dimensions: Constitutional, Political, Federal Current Link: Relate to ongoing Centre-State relations debates Enrichment Keywords: Article 1, Article 3, Seventh Schedule, S.R. Bommai case
Q3. Analyse the constitutional and administrative challenges in the devolution of finances to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Learning Hint Question Type: Analyse Core Keywords: devolution, Panchayati Raj, local finances, fiscal decentralization, 73rd Amendment Answer Direction: Background → Present Status → Challenges → Way Forward Key Dimensions: Constitutional, Administrative, Economic, Governance Current Link: Link with Finance Commission recommendations on local body grants Enrichment Keywords: 73rd Amendment, State Finance Commission, own-source revenue, XV Finance Commission
Q4. Compare the separation of powers doctrine as practiced in India with the presidential model of the United States.
Learning Hint Question Type: Compare Core Keywords: separation of powers, checks and balances, parliamentary system, presidential system Answer Direction: Concept → Applications → Limitations → Future Outlook Key Dimensions: Constitutional, Comparative, Institutional Current Link: Not essential for this comparative question Enrichment Keywords: Article 50, judicial review, executive accountability, doctrine of checks and balances
Q5. Discuss the issues arising from the exercise of legislative privileges by Parliament and State legislatures in India.
Learning Hint Question Type: Discuss Core Keywords: legislative privileges, parliamentary immunity, freedom of speech, conduct of business Answer Direction: Constitutional Basis → Issues → Judicial Perspective → Recommendations Key Dimensions: Constitutional, Legal, Institutional Current Link: Consider recent privilege-related controversies in legislatures Enrichment Keywords: Article 105, Article 194, codification of privileges, contempt of house
Q6. Assess the role of pressure groups and business associations in influencing economic policymaking in India.
Learning Hint Question Type: Assess Core Keywords: pressure groups, lobbying, business associations, policy influence Answer Direction: Concept → Applications → Limitations → Future Outlook Key Dimensions: Political, Economic, Governance Current Link: Link with recent industry consultations on policy reforms Enrichment Keywords: interest groups, FICCI, CII, regulatory capture
Q7. Explain the provisions of the Representation of the People’s Act relating to the conduct of free and fair elections.
Learning Hint Question Type: Explain Core Keywords: Representation of People’s Act, model code of conduct, electoral offences, disqualification Answer Direction: Definition → Explanation → Analysis → Conclusion Key Dimensions: Legal, Constitutional, Electoral Current Link: Relate to recent Election Commission measures for electoral integrity Enrichment Keywords: RPA 1950, RPA 1951, Section 8, Election Commission of India
Q8. Examine the limitations of e-governance initiatives in bridging the digital divide in rural India.
Learning Hint Question Type: Examine Core Keywords: e-governance, digital divide, rural connectivity, service delivery Answer Direction: Background → Present Status → Challenges → Way Forward Key Dimensions: Governance, Technological, Social, Implementation Current Link: Link with recent digital infrastructure initiatives Enrichment Keywords: Digital India, CSCs, DBT, National e-Governance Plan
Q9. Discuss the structural challenges confronting India’s public health system in achieving equitable healthcare access.
Learning Hint Question Type: Discuss Core Keywords: public health, healthcare access, health infrastructure, equity Answer Direction: Background → Present Status → Challenges → Way Forward Key Dimensions: Social, Economic, Governance Current Link: Consider recent health policy and expenditure trends Enrichment Keywords: National Health Policy, Ayushman Bharat, public health expenditure, primary health centres
Q10. Analyse the contribution of the Indian diaspora to India’s soft power and economic diplomacy.
Learning Hint Question Type: Analyse Core Keywords: Indian diaspora, soft power, remittances, economic diplomacy Answer Direction: Concept → Applications → Limitations → Future Outlook Key Dimensions: Economic, International, Cultural Current Link: Relate to recent diaspora engagement events and remittance trends Enrichment Keywords: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, OCI card, remittance inflows, diaspora diplomacy
Section B (10 × 15 Marks)
Q11. “Cooperative federalism in India often gives way to competitive and confrontational federalism in practice.” Critically analyse this statement with reference to recent Centre-State disputes.
Learning Hint Question Type: Critically Analyse Core Keywords: cooperative federalism, competitive federalism, Centre-State relations, fiscal federalism Answer Direction: Background → Present Status → Challenges → Way Forward Key Dimensions: Constitutional, Political, Federal, Governance Current Link: Connect with recent disputes over GST compensation, governor’s role, or resource sharing Enrichment Keywords: GST Council, Article 356, Sarkaria Commission, Punchhi Commission
Q12. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing dispute redressal mechanisms in resolving conflicts between the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
Learning Hint Question Type: Evaluate Core Keywords: dispute redressal, inter-organ conflict, judicial review, constitutional balance Answer Direction: Concept → Applications → Limitations → Future Outlook Key Dimensions: Constitutional, Institutional, Legal Current Link: Consider recent instances of friction between judiciary and executive/legislature Enrichment Keywords: judicial activism, collegium system, doctrine of separation of powers, judicial overreach
Q13. Examine the concerns regarding the autonomy and accountability of statutory and quasi-judicial bodies in India, with suitable examples.
Learning Hint Question Type: Examine Core Keywords: statutory bodies, quasi-judicial bodies, autonomy, accountability, appointments Answer Direction: Background → Present Status → Challenges → Way Forward Key Dimensions: Institutional, Legal, Governance, Administrative Current Link: Link with recent debates on appointment processes to regulatory bodies Enrichment Keywords: tribunalisation, CIC, CVC, NHRC, Tribunals Reforms Act
Q14. “Policy design in India is often robust, but implementation remains the weak link.” Critically examine this observation with reference to any two sectoral government policies.
Learning Hint Question Type: Critically Analyse Core Keywords: policy design, implementation gap, sectoral policy, governance deficit Answer Direction: Causes → Impacts → Government Measures → Reforms Key Dimensions: Governance, Administrative, Policy, Implementation Current Link: Draw on recent flagship scheme implementation experiences Enrichment Keywords: Aspirational Districts Programme, outcome budgeting, third-party evaluation, NITI Aayog
Q15. Discuss the evolving role of NGOs and Self-Help Groups in India’s development process, and examine the concerns regarding regulation of the development industry.
Learning Hint Question Type: Discuss Core Keywords: NGOs, Self-Help Groups, development industry, regulation, accountability Answer Direction: Background → Present Status → Challenges → Way Forward Key Dimensions: Social, Governance, Institutional Current Link: Link with recent regulatory changes affecting NGO funding and operations Enrichment Keywords: FCRA, NRLM, DAY-NRLM, civil society organizations
Q16. Evaluate the performance of welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, and examine the adequacy of institutional mechanisms for their protection.
Learning Hint Question Type: Evaluate Core Keywords: welfare schemes, vulnerable sections, institutional mechanisms, protection laws Answer Direction: Background → Present Status → Challenges → Way Forward Key Dimensions: Social, Governance, Policy, Institutional Current Link: Consider recent performance data or audit findings on welfare schemes Enrichment Keywords: National Commission for SC/ST, POA Act, PM-JAY, social audit
Q17. “Transparency and accountability form the bedrock of good governance.” Discuss the institutional and legal measures adopted in India to strengthen these principles.
Learning Hint Question Type: Discuss Core Keywords: transparency, accountability, good governance, citizens’ charter Answer Direction: Concept → Applications → Limitations → Future Outlook Key Dimensions: Governance, Legal, Institutional, Administrative Current Link: Connect with recent developments in transparency legislation or practice Enrichment Keywords: Right to Information Act, Citizens’ Charter, Lokpal, Second ARC
Q18. Examine the challenges to maintaining political neutrality and professional efficiency among civil services in contemporary India.
Learning Hint Question Type: Examine Core Keywords: civil services, political neutrality, professional efficiency, administrative reforms Answer Direction: Background → Present Status → Challenges → Way Forward Key Dimensions: Administrative, Governance, Ethical, Institutional Current Link: Relate to ongoing debates on civil service reform and lateral entry Enrichment Keywords: Article 311, fixed tenure, Second ARC, lateral entry
Q19. “India’s relations with its neighbours must balance strategic autonomy with the imperatives of regional cooperation.” Critically examine this statement with reference to recent bilateral developments.
Learning Hint Question Type: Critically Examine Core Keywords: neighbourhood policy, strategic autonomy, regional cooperation, bilateral relations Answer Direction: Background → Present Status → Challenges → Way Forward Key Dimensions: International, Political, Strategic, Federal Current Link: Connect with recent developments in India’s relations with immediate neighbours Enrichment Keywords: Neighbourhood First Policy, SAARC, BIMSTEC, connectivity projects
Q20. Assess the role of important international institutions and regional groupings in shaping outcomes that affect India’s economic and strategic interests.
Learning Hint Question Type: Assess Core Keywords: international institutions, regional groupings, multilateralism, strategic interests Answer Direction: Concept → Applications → Limitations → Future Outlook Key Dimensions: International, Institutional, Economic, Strategic Current Link: Reference recent multilateral summits or agreements involving India Enrichment Keywords: United Nations, WTO, G20, QUAD, IMF