GS2 · Topic
Constitution and Basic Structure
Historical underpinnings, evolution, salient features, amendments and the basic structure doctrine.
222 UPSC Mains GS2 questions on Constitution and Basic Structure that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
"The Indian Independence Act 1947 changed the existing constitutional position, root and branch." Discuss the changes introduced by the Indian Independence Act 1947 and the immediate challenges that emerged as a result.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Constitution and Basic Structure
Sedition law, in any form, is a threat to civil liberties and presents an opportunity for its weaponization against dissenters and detractors. Should India do away with the sedition law? Justify your opinion.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Constitution and Basic StructureFundamental Rights
Answer the following questions: 1. Discuss the role of Zonal Councils in fostering cooperative federalism in India. 2. How does the Indian Constitution embody the principle of secularism? Discuss its challenges. 3. Critically analyze the impact of Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, on the criminalization of politics in India. 4. Discuss the significance of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in a parliamentary democracy. 5. Discuss the Preamble as the bedrock of the Indian Constitution, highlighting its core principles.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
FederalismCentre-State Relations
Discuss the significant challenges to the ideals and aspirations stated in the Preamble that hinder the functioning of liberal democracy.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Constitution and Basic Structure
"The moral value of fundamental duties would not be to smother rights but to establish a democratic balance by making the people conscious of their duties equally as they are conscious of their rights". Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Directive Principles and DutiesFundamental Rights
The inherent strength of the Indian constitution stems from its ability to accommodate disparate interests. Elucidate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Constitution and Basic Structure
'The Indian Constitution is structurally rooted in colonial legacy while philosophically resonates with modernity.' Comment.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Constitution and Basic Structure
The 42nd amendment to the constitution significantly changed the constitution. Illustrate with examples?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Constitution and Basic Structure
How will you explain that the Government of India Act 1935 was seminal in giving shape to the Indian constitution?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Constitution and Basic Structure
Examine the significance of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Directive Principles and DutiesConstitution and Basic Structure
In a democratic society, individual rights and freedoms are always balanced against the larger interests of society and the state. To what extent do the constitutional restrictions on fundamental rights strike a balance between individual liberty and societal interests? What factors are considered in evaluating the reasonableness of such restrictions? Refer to the case laws.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Fundamental RightsConstitution and Basic Structure
"Constitution envisages an independent judiciary, not insulated judiciary"; In the light of the given statement, discuss the issues associated with the appointment of judges in the higher judiciary and explore alternatives to the current system.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
JudiciaryConstitution and Basic Structure
The divergence between intent and impact of the tenth schedule necessitates calling into question its relevance in the present times. Analyze.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Constitution and Basic StructureParliament
There seems to be no end to the debate surrounding the nature and extent of parliamentary privileges. In this regard, assess the need for their codification. Also, highlight the judicial pronouncement in the direction of bringing clarity to parliamentary privileges.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
ParliamentJudiciary
Indian Union is a unitary state with subsidiary federal features rather than a federal state with subsidiary unitary features. Discuss various aspects of Indian federal scheme that showcases its unitary bias.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
FederalismCentre-State Relations
Indian Constitution acquires its secular character not just from the words in the Preamble but from a collective reading of many of its provisions. Illustrate with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Constitution and Basic StructureFundamental Rights
Explain the importance of the principle of 'complete justice' as outlined in the Indian constitution. Refer to key judicial rulings that have contributed to the realisation of complete justice in modern India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
JudiciaryConstitution and Basic Structure
Balancing and harmonising Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles will help reap social order and empower people. Explain
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Directive Principles and DutiesFundamental Rights
What do you mean by 'doctrine of essentiality'? How has judiciary used this doctrine to address conflict between various fundamental rights? Explain with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Constitution and Basic StructureFundamental Rights
Article 21 of the Indian Constitution broadly interprets the right to life and liberty. Elucidate with the help of relevant case laws.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Fundamental RightsJudiciary
What do you understand by 'The doctrine of separation of powers'? Do you think this doctrine is absolutely rigid as per our constitution? Justify.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Separation of PowersJudiciary
Discuss the impact of the proclamation of National Emergency on Fundamental Rights in India. Also, highlight the various Supreme Court judgements in this context.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Fundamental RightsConstitution and Basic Structure
Critics assert that limitless judicial authority rests on structural ambiguity of BSD. Has the elastic nature of Basic structure made judiciary more powerful than executive?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Constitution and Basic StructureJudiciary
Explain the significance of Judicial Review as a part of the Basic Structure Doctrine. How does it act as a check on the powers of other organs of government? 2. The status of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi is 'sui generis'. Discuss the implications of this status on the power-sharing arrangement between the Lieutenant Governor and the elected government of Delhi in light of recent judicial pronouncements and legislative changes.
Answered by 1 topper
Constitution and Basic StructureJudiciary
Section 497 of IPC will have to be struck down to uphold human life and dignity. Do you agree? Critically examine the issue of adultery law in India while suggesting potential solutions.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Fundamental RightsConstitution and Basic Structure
Despite having features borrowed from Constitution of various other countries, the Constitution of India remains unique. Discuss.
Answered by 1 topper
Constitution and Basic StructureComparative Constitutions
The Indian philosophy of secularism is 'Sarva Dharma Sambhava' that is the destination of paths followed by all religions is same. Q2. Federalism refers to the relationship between Union govt. and state govt. in a nation. The Indian constitution mentions India, that is 'Bharat' a 'Union of States'.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Constitution and Basic StructureFederalism
Critically evaluate the significance of the Basic Structure Doctrine in the five decades since its judicial pronouncement.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Constitution and Basic StructureJudiciary
Why did constitution makers prefer 'union of states' over 'federation of states' to describe India? To what extent this preference is responsible for tensions in centre-state relations?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
FederalismCentre-State Relations
Critically discuss the evolving policy on reservation in promotions in India with special focus on its ability to meet the objectives of social justice.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
SC, ST and OBCConstitution and Basic Structure