GS2 · Topic
Judiciary
Courts, judicial review, judicial activism, appointments and independence.
227 UPSC Mains GS2 questions on Judiciary that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
The objective of the Mediation Bill, 2023 is to have a mediation first approach to civil and commercial disputes resolution, with the purpose of reducing the burden of litigation on Courts, providing alternate means of disputes resolution, and enhancing the country's reputation as an investor friendly destination. Comment, with special emphasis on the salient features of the bill.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
JudiciarySeparation of Powers
In view of the political class's inability to develop and maintain conventions relating to the appropriate use of Article 356, the Supreme Court's decision in the Bommai case provided much needed clarity. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Centre-State RelationsJudiciary
How coordinated action between government and judiciary would not only help reduce the pendency of litigation in Indian courts but also facilitate ease of doing business? Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
JudiciarySeparation of Powers
NITI Aayog has replaced the Planning Commission as an institutional reform in the federal polity of India. Discuss. 2. "Contempt of court" provisions in India are often criticized for curbing free speech. Compare the Indian and American approaches to contempt of court.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Separation of PowersFederalism
How does the principle of "bail as the rule, jail as the exception" uphold the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution? Refer to the recent judgements.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Fundamental RightsJudiciary
The tenets of independent judiciary, life-breath of constitutional democracy, stand perpetually undermined by the executive encroachment into the judicial domain. Discuss.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Separation of PowersJudiciary
Alternate Dispute Resolution mechanisms are less adversarial and can provide a better substitute to the conventional methods of resolving disputes. Discuss. What are the government's efforts to bring out a transformative shift towards it?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
JudiciarySeparation of Powers
"The anti-defection law has fallen short of achieving its intended objective." Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
ParliamentElections and Representation
How can a 'rule of law culture' contribute towards promoting individual liberty and democratic governance in a society like India? What are the challenges in fostering such a culture?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
Constitution and Basic StructureJudiciary
"The purpose of having a Constitution is to transform the society for the better and this objective is the fundamental pillar of transformative constitutionalism." Discuss with the help of recent case laws.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
Constitution and Basic StructureJudiciary
What are tribunals? How is Article 323 A different from Article 323 B of the Indian Constitution?
Answered by 1 topper
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesJudiciary
Technology has the potential to bring drastic changes in the field of law and transform the court system. In this context, discuss the need for digitization of Indian judiciary and challenges faced in this regard.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
JudiciaryE-Governance
The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 seeks to undermine the independence and autonomy of the ECI, and undo the top court's recent ruling in 'Anoop Baranwal vs. Union of India'. Examine.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Constitutional BodiesJudiciary
Discuss the need for an All-India Judicial Service (AIJS) in India, highlighting key issues and challenges
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
JudiciaryCivil Services
Recently, the Supreme Court has expanded the scope of Articles 14 and 21 to include the "right against the adverse effects of climate change". In this context, citing relevant case laws, discuss the role played by Indian judiciary in 'constitutionalization' of environmental issues.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
JudiciaryFundamental Rights
What are the factors due to which there is a strong demand of judicial accountability and transparency in higher judicial system? How can it be ensured? Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
JudiciaryTransparency and Accountability
The pace of justice is severely restricted by the poor judicial infrastructure in the country. Do you think creation of a National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India will be able to improve the quality of justice?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Judiciary
Why is a robust and efficient subordinate judiciary crucial for the effective functioning of the entire judicial system? Also, examine the role of 'All India Judicial Services' (AIJS) in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Indian judiciary.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Judiciary
Highlighting the key provisions of The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2021, discuss whether it can help in addressing the issues pertaining to tribunals in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesJudiciary
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
What do you understand by Alternate Dispute Redressal (ADR) mechanisms? What are the reasons for their low adoption as the primary mode of dispute resolution in the country? Suggest measures for improvement.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
JudiciarySeparation of Powers
Strengthening the subordinate judiciary is vital for revitalizing the entire edifice of the Indian judicial system. Discuss. Also, examine the role of 'All India Judicial Services' (AIJS) in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Indian judiciary.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Judiciary
"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
"Judicial activism is an effective way to promote democratic values and social justice, especially when the other two branches of the government fail to act." Critically examine.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
JudiciarySeparation of Powers
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
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
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
Judicial activism is a necessary tool to guard against "legislative adventurism and executive excesses". Critically discuss in the context of the doctrine of separation of powers as provided in the Constitution of India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Separation of PowersJudiciary
The doctrine of Separation of Powers is followed in US with a spirit, never followed in UK purely, and India has followed it with large exceptions. Comment.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Comparative ConstitutionsSeparation of Powers
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