GS2 · Topic
Separation of Powers
Friction and redressal between the legislature, executive and judiciary.
97 UPSC Mains GS2 questions on Separation of Powers that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms offer a viable solution to India's overburdened judiciary. Enumerate the types of ADR mechanisms in India and analyze their advantages over conventional litigation.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
JudiciarySeparation of Powers
The Indian Constitution does not embody a strict separation of powers rather it introduces a system of checks and balances, with overlapping functions and interdependencies among the legislature, executive, and judiciary. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Separation of PowersJudiciary
Lok Adalats and Alternate Dispute Resolution mechanisms have improved access to justice but face limitations in delivering substantive justice. Discuss.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers
JudiciarySeparation of Powers
Delegated legislation is a pragmatic response to the limitations of the legislature but poses challenges to the separation of powers in India. Examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers
Separation of PowersParliament
"Extraordinary powers must be exercised with extraordinary care." Discuss in the context of Article 142 of the Indian Constitution.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017–2025
JudiciarySeparation of Powers
"Parliament is a creature of the constitution, not its master". Highlighting relevant case laws discuss how judicial intervention has shaped the balance between the Constitution and parliamentary sovereignty.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Constitution and Basic StructureJudiciary
The great contribution of Judicial activism in India has been to provide a safety valve and a hope that justice is not beyond reach. Critically analyze the statement.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
JudiciarySeparation of Powers
What do you understand by Judicial activism and overreach? Also discuss the associated concerns.
12.5 marks · 200 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Separation of PowersJudiciary
Ordinances deny legislative legitimacy to executive actions and weakens democratic accountability of elected government. Discuss the rationale behind inclusion of ordinance making power in the constitution and various safeguards against its misuse. Has the ordinance making power outlived its utility in present times? Justify.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023
ParliamentExecutive
The Supreme Court's recent invocation of Article 142 to confer 'deemed assent' to state bills raises critical questions about the separation of powers. Critically examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Separation of PowersJudiciary
Explain the concept of separation of powers. What are the provisions in the Indian Constitution, which reflect separation of powers?
12.5 marks · 200 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Separation of PowersJudiciary
In the context of persistent legislative dysfunction in India, analyse the evolving role of judicial activism in shaping public policy and governance. Using examples from landmark court cases, evaluate the effectiveness of judicial interventions in addressing governance gaps and safeguarding citizens' rights.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Separation of PowersJudiciary
Discuss the role of judicial activism in shaping public policy in India, while also highlighting its limitations.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Separation of PowersJudiciary
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
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
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
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 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
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
"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
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
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
What do you understand by Tribunalization of Justice in India? Explain the significance of tribunals in India. Highlight their major limitations in the context of Indian justice delivery system.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesJudiciary
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
Critics assert that limitless jurisdiction of basic structure doctrine rests on structural ambiguity of basic structure doctrine made judiciary more powerful than executive. Has elastic nature of judicial authority.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Constitution and Basic StructureJudiciary
"State impunity continues for acts of torture." Examine the statement in the background of India's stand on UN Convention against Torture'. Also, discuss various judicial and legislative steps taken to prevent torture in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
JudiciarySeparation of Powers
"In India, we follow a separation of functions and not of powers". Examine the statement with help of examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Separation of PowersConstitution and Basic Structure