GS2 · Topic
Parliament
Structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers, privileges and committees.
129 UPSC Mains GS2 questions on Parliament that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Declining deliberation and frequent disruptions in Parliament have raised concerns about the quality of India's legislative process. Examine the causes and consequences of this trend.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Parliament
Legislative immunity should be limited to actions that have a functional relationship to the discharge of the duty of a legislator. Examine.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Parliament
This consists of multiple sub-questions on the Indian Constitution, parliamentary form of government, local governance, administration, human rights, and regulatory frameworks.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Constitution and Basic StructureParliament
Identify the issues that have contributed to a decline in the performance of Parliamentary Standing Committees. How can these issues be addressed?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Parliament
“Absoluteness of the Speaker’s decisions can also be an incentive for potential abuse of his/her powers and functions”. Discuss in light of recent controversies.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
ParliamentSeparation of Powers
The recent nomination of women parliamentarians to the panel of vice-chairpersons in the Rajya Sabha, marks a historic moment of equal gender representation but the broader issue of women's underrepresentation in Indian Parliament still remains unaddressed. Discuss. What steps can be taken to address this imbalance?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
ParliamentWomen and Gender
In the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas, the Speaker has vast powers and extensive functions. Elaborating on it, highlight the grounds on which the Office of the Speaker has been criticised and the reforms required in this regard.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
ParliamentState Legislatures
Do you agree that coalition politics in contemporary India are the result of political expediency more than an ideological synergy? Substantiate.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
ParliamentElections and Representation
There is a need to resolve the ambiguity in the disqualification provisions under section 8 of RPA 1951. Discuss. How has anti-defection law impacted relationship between pol parties and individual legislators? In light of recent incidents, also discuss unintended consequences it has on functioning of democracy in India.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Elections and RepresentationParliament
Why is the current Lok Sabha not having the post of 'Leader of Opposition' in spite of great importance of this post in the functioning of legislature?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
ParliamentTransparency and Accountability
For the success and survival of democracy, an efficient opposition is quintessential. Elaborate What do you understand by Doctrine of Severability? Why the Supreme Court struck down the 97th Constn. Amendt and how it impacts the federal structure of India?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Constitution and Basic StructureParliament
What are the checks on Parliamentary sovereignty in India? Do you think judicial activism poses a threat to the free working of Parliament? Justify your answer.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Separation of PowersJudiciary
15 "The Indian Parliament is not a sovereign legislature; it has vast but not unlimited powers." Comment on the statement.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
ParliamentConstitution and Basic Structure
Art 82 of Constitution mandates delimitation of seats at a fixed interval, based on data from census.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
ParliamentElections and Representation
The legislative dysfunction can be seen by PRS legislative data whereby only 37% conduct of question hour and increased adjournment motion impacted quality of deliberation. Evolving role of Judicial activism
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Separation of PowersJudiciary
List the parliamentary mechanisms available for the scrutiny of regulators. Also, discuss major steps through which parliamentary oversight of regulators can be strengthened.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesParliament
“Parliament should be a space for Policy and not for Politics”. Comment. Also, suggest reforms needed to make Parliament more productive, efficient and responsive.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Parliament
The role of opposition parties is critical in determining the level of parliamentary accountability. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
ParliamentTransparency and Accountability
Discuss the significance of the pre-legislative consultation policy in a diverse country like India. Also, analyse the pre-legislative policy of 2014 as an instrument to enhance participative democracy.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
ParliamentTransparency and Accountability
Woodrow Wilson, wrote in 1885: "It is not far from the truth to say that Congress in session is Congress on public exhibition, whilst Congress in its committee rooms is Congress at work." In this context discuss the role played by Department related standing committees (DRSC) in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Parliament
Debate on the suitability of the idea of “one nation, one election” to Indian polity.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Elections and RepresentationParliament
"Parliament is for constructive policy making and not for political manoeuvres". Comment. Also, suggest reforms needed to make Parliament more productive, efficient and responsive.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Parliament
Compare the position of the Speaker in Indian and British parliamentary system? Also, discuss various controversies related to functioning of Office of Speaker in Indian context and suggest corresponding reforms.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
ParliamentComparative Constitutions
Compare and contrast the role of speaker in the Indian Lok Sabha and British House of Commons.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Comparative ConstitutionsParliament
Parliamentary committees serve as vital tools for legislative oversight, ensuring accountability and governance processes. In light of the statement, examine the role of the Public Accounts Committee in establishing financial accountability of the executive.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
ParliamentTransparency and Accountability
Though the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) aims to address the inequity in development in India, there are a number of issues which plague the scheme. Discuss.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Policy Design and ImplementationWelfare Schemes
Discuss the significance of India's Arctic Policy in the context of its foreign policy and domestic development goals. Also, explain the differences between the Ethics Committee and the Privileges Committee in Parliament, highlighting their complementary roles in ensuring accountability.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Global Commons and TreatiesParliament
What do you understand by delimitation? Underlining the significance of delimitation exercise, throw light on the associated challenges.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
ParliamentElections and Representation
The Speaker's inclination to cater to party loyalties often undermines the dignity and impartiality of the office, eroding public trust in the legislative process. Analyse with the help of recent examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
ParliamentJudiciary
Judicial legislation violates the doctrine of separation of power and creates a third chamber for legislation. Discuss.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Separation of PowersJudiciary