UPSC Mains 2022 GS-2 Question Paper

All 20 questions from this paper, with real topper answers where available.

• Q2. ‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in light of the preceding statement.10 marks · Crisis Assistance)
• Q3. "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.10 marks · Article 21 (Environmental Constitutionalism)
• Q5. “Right of movement and residence throughout the territory of India are freely available to the Indian citizens, but these rights are not absolute.” Comment.10 marks · Article 19: residence
• Q5. Critically examine the procedures through which the Presidents of India and France are elected.15 marks · President)
• Q6. “While the national political parties in India favour centralisation, the regional parties are in favour of State autonomy.” Comment.15 marks · Federalism & Party Politics
• Q6. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting an incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse.15 marks · RTE Act
• Q7. To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots?10 marks
• Q7. 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.15 marks · RPA: election petitions and void elections
• Q11. Discuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha.10 marks · Vice President (Role in Rajya Sabha)
• Q12. Discuss the essential conditions for the exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the legality of the re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature.15 marks · power
• Q13. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment.10 marks · RPWD Act
• Q14. Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of society. Discuss.15 marks · for vulnerable sections
• Q14. ‘Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international Climate Diplomacy fora in the context of geopolitics.15 marks
• Q15. 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?10 marks · BIMSTEC VS SAARC
• Q16. How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics?15 marks · I2U2
• Q19. 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.15 marks · Donor agencies vs Community Participation
• Q20. Discuss the role of the National Commission for Backward Classes in the wake of its transformation from a statutory body to a constitutional body.10 marks · NCBC
• Q20. The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss.10 marks · Gati Shakti
• Q21. Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.15 marks · Conduct)
• Q21. Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has its limitations too. Comment.10 marks · DBT