UPSC General Studies Mains – 2016 (GS Paper-2) Questions

1. 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 institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think this will give rise to a new trend in functioning of the Indian federal politics?
2. 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 context of the Indian polity.
3. “The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes”. Discuss.
4. Exercise of CAG’s powers in relations to the accounts of Union and States is derived from Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether audit of the Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.
5. Discuss each adjective attached to the word “Republic” in the Preamble. Are they defendable in present circumstances?
6. What was held in Coelho case? In this context, can you say that judicial review is of key importance amongst the basic features of the Constitution?
7. Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss.
8. What is quasi-judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.
9. Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary healthcare. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance?
10. “In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal.” Critically examine this statement.
11. “Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are inter-dependent”. Discuss their relationship in the context of India.
12. In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, economic, social and cultural factors that have caused decline of public morality in India.
13. Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatisation and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change?
14. Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-development in India. Comment.
15. Examine the main provisions of National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation.
16. “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative”. What measures have been taken by the government to enhance capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?
17. “The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiation seems doomed due to differences between the developed and developing countries.” Discuss in the Indian perspective.
18. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in context of the post Cold War International scenario.
19. “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of several member states by Pakistan are not conducive for future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples.
20. What are aims and objectives of McBride Commission of the UNESCO? What is India’s position on these?