Parliament and State Legislatures PYQ | UPSC GS II

2026

1. · Paper Q2 · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

"Women as a class neither belong to a minority group nor are they regarded as forming a backward class." In the light of this statement, discuss the evolution of women's reservation from local bodies to Parliament.

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2. · Paper Q3 · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Examine whether the constitutional office of the Lok Sabha Speaker has become vulnerable to partisan politics under the current anti-defection regime. What institutional changes are required to ensure the neutrality of the Lok Sabha Speaker in managing a polarised House?

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2025

3. · Paper Q12 · 2025 · 15 marks · Solution

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.

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2024

4. · Paper Q3 · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

"The growth of cabinet system has practkally resulted in the marginalisation of the parliamentary supremacy." Elucidate.

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2023

5. · Paper Q4 · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty.

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6. · Paper Q16 · 2023 · 15 marks · Solution

Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalization of Indian Parliament?

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2022

7. · Paper Q11 · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

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.

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2021

8. · Paper Q4 · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India?

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9. · Paper Q15 · 2021 · 15 marks · Solution

Do Department -related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such committees with suitable examples.

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2020

10. · Paper Q5 · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

"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.

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2019

11. · Paper Q12 · 2019 · 15 marks · Solution

"Parliament's power to amend the Constitution is a limited power and it cannot be enlarged into absolute power." In the 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).

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12. · Paper Q15 · 2019 · 15 marks · Solution

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.(15).

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2018

13. · Paper Q4 · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee.

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2017

14. · Paper Q3 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

'Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government's accountability to the people' Discuss.

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15. · Paper Q13 · 2017 · 15 marks · Solution

The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding joint session 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).

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2015

16. · Paper Q15 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

If amendment bill to the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2011 tabled in the Parliament is passed, there maybe no on left to protect. Critically Evaluate.

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