UPSC Mains 2025 GS II previous year questions

Q1 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 10 marks · Solution

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.

Representation of the People Act

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Q2 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 10 marks · Solution

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.

Governance and Policy

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Q3 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 10 marks · Solution

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'?

Indian Constitution

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Q4 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 10 marks · Solution

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.

Governance and Policy

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Q5 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 10 marks · Solution

"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.

Constitutional Bodies

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Q6 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 10 marks · Solution

Women's social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain.

Governance and Policy

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Q7 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 10 marks · Solution

e-governance projects have a built-in bias towards technology and back-end integration than user-centric designs. Examine.

Transparency and e-Governance

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Q8 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 10 marks · Solution

Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify.

Development Processes and NGOs

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Q9 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 10 marks · Solution

India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate.

India and its Neighbourhood

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Q10 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 10 marks · Solution

"With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism." Elucidate.

Governance and Policy

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Q11 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 15 marks · Solution

"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.

Executive and Judiciary

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Q12 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 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.

Parliament and State Legislatures

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Q13 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 15 marks · Solution

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.

Executive and Judiciary

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Q14 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 15 marks · Solution

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?

Federal Structure and Devolution

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Q15 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 15 marks · Solution

What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India.

Governance and Policy

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Q16 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 15 marks · Solution

Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of 'paradox of poverty'

Poverty and Hunger

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Q17 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 15 marks · Solution

"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.

Governance and Policy

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Q18 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 15 marks · Solution

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.

Governance and Policy

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Q19 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 15 marks · Solution

"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?

India and its Neighbourhood

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Q20 · UPSC 2025 · GS II · 15 marks · Solution

"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.

International Institutions

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