Parliament

18 UPSC Mains GS II questions on Parliament, 2013 to 2026, newest first, as UPSC set them. See also practice questions on Parliament toppers answered.

1. 2026 Q3Examine 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 ?10 marks · 150 words
2. 2025 Q12Indian 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.15 marks · 250 words
3. 2024 Q3“The growth of cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalisation of the parliamentary supremacy.” Elucidate.10 marks · 150 words
4. 2023 Q4Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty.10 marks · 150 words
5. 2023 Q16Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalisation of Indian Parliament ?15 marks · 250 words
6. 2022 Q4Discuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.10 marks · 150 words
7. 2021 Q4To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India?10 marks · 150 words
8. 2021 Q15Do 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.15 marks · 250 words
9. 2020 Q5‘Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker’ ! Do you think this 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 ?10 marks · 150 words
10. 2020 Q14Rajya Sabha has been transformed from a ‘useless stepney tyre’ to the most useful supporting organ in past few decades. Highlight the factors as well as the areas in which this transformation could be visible.15 marks · 250 words
11. 2019 Q11On what grounds a people’s representative can be disqualified under the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951 ? Also mention the remedies available to such person against his disqualification.15 marks · 250 words
12. 2019 Q12“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 marks · 250 words
13. 2019 Q15Individual Parliamentarian’s role as the national law maker is on a decline, which in turn, has adversely impacted the quality of debates and their outcome. Discuss.15 marks · 250 words
14. 2018 Q4Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee.10 marks · 150 words
15. 2017 Q5Discuss the role of Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of the government to the people.10 marks · 150 words
16. 2017 Q13The 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 reason thereof.15 marks · 250 words
17. 2014 Q3The 'Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and its Members' as envisaged in Article 105 of the Constitution leave room for a large number of un-codified and un-enumerated privileges to continue. Assess the reasons for the absence of legal codification of the 'parliamentary privileges'. How can this problem be addressed ?12.5 marks · 200 words
18. 2013 Q1The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law which was legislated but with a different intention ?10 marks · 200 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination question papers, upsc.gov.in. Topics are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.