2025 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I

Question 86: Polity and Governance

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India :

  1. IThe exercise of this power by the President can be subjected to limited judicial review.
  2. IIThe President can exercise this power without the advice of the Central Government.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

aI only
bII only
cBoth I and II
dNeither I nor II

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Article 72 gives the President the power to grant pardons, reprieves and remissions. The Supreme Court has held, in Maru Ram, Kehar Singh and Epuru Sudhakar, that the exercise of this power is open to limited judicial review, for example if it is arbitrary, mala fide or based on irrelevant grounds. Statement I is correct. The President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers under Article 74, so the power cannot be used without the advice of the Central Government. Statement II is wrong.

  • I. Courts can review the pardoning power on limited grounds such as arbitrariness.
  • II. The President is bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement I is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves I out.

    What you needed to know: Courts can review the pardoning power on limited grounds such as arbitrariness.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement II is not correct, (c) goes: it includes II.

    What you needed to know: The President is bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers.

Only (a) is left. This one needs every statement.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Right: the power is open to limited judicial review but is exercised on ministerial advice.
  • (b) Wrong: the President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
  • (c) Wrong: Statement II is incorrect.
  • (d) Wrong: Statement I is correct.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.