UPSC Mains 2025 GS-2: Decoding Our Hit Ratio from Test Series & Free Initiatives

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Q1. Discuss the ‘corrupt practices’ for the purpose of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Analyze whether the increase in the assets of the legislators and/or their associates, disproportionate to their known sources of income, would constitute undue influence and consequently a corrupt practice. (10 M)

InsightsIAS Test Question:

1. What are the key grounds for disqualification of legislators under the Representation of the People Act, 1951? Briefly discuss how they contribute to ensuring electoral integrity. (10M) ( LAMP JULY-18)

2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, in curbing electoral malpractices. What reforms are needed to strengthen the Act’s provisions? (15 M) (CORE BATCH 2025, POL- Test 1)

3. Outline the essential aspects of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and assess its role in ensuring free and fair elections in India. (SPG+, Test-13)

4. “The Representation of People’s Act serves as the backbone of India’s electoral process”. Critically analyze the Act’s strengths and limitations in the context of contemporary electoral challenges. (15 M) (SECURE- 25/10/2024)

Q2. Comment on the need of administrative tribunals as compared to the court system. Assess the impact of the recent tribunal reforms through rationalization of tribunals made in 2021. (10 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. “Tribunals were established to expedite justice delivery in specialized areas, but their functioning has sparked debates on judicial autonomy”. Evaluate this statement in light of recent judicial decisions. (10 M) (CORE BATCH 2025 POL Test-1)

2. “Tribunals were established to expedite justice delivery in specialized areas, but their functioning has sparked debates on judicial autonomy”. Evaluate this statement in light of judicial decisions. (10 M) (IPM 2025 TEST IR+SJ)

3. Dispute resolution must be swift, fair, and accessible to uphold constitutional justice. Evaluate the role of tribunals in ensuring efficient justice delivery. Discuss their constitutional limitations. (10 M) (I WIL- Test 1)

4. Examine the role of quasi-judicial bodies in strengthening India’s justice delivery system. How do they help in reducing the burden on regular courts while ensuring specialized and quicker resolutions to disputes? (10 M) (SECURE- 25/10/2024)

Q3. Compare and contrast the President’s power to pardon in India and in the USA. Are there, any limits to it in both the countries? What are preemptive pardons? (10 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. Differentiate between the constitutional and procedural aspects of the pardon powers of the President of India and the President of the United States. (10 M) (CORE BATCH-2025, FLT)

2. The absence of uniform principles in India’s clemency jurisdiction has led to judicial inconsistency and political arbitrariness. Assess the need for reforms in this context. (15) (IPM2025, GS-2 FLT)

Q5. The Attorney General of India plays a crucial role in guiding the legal framework of the Union Government and ensuring sound governance through legal counsel.” Discuss his responsibilities, rights and limitations in this regard. (10 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. Examine the constitutional duties and responsibilities of the Attorney General of India. How do they contribute to maintaining constitutional governance? (10 M) (SECURE 25/11/2024)

Q6. Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain. (10 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. Women’s self-help groups (SHGs) have emerged as powerful tools for socioeconomic empowerment, yet their integration with governance remains a challenge. Analyze the statement. ( SPG+, Test 05 )

2. How have SHGs contributed to the empowerment of marginalized communities and inclusive development in India? (10 M) (CORE BATCH-2025, SJ Test)

Q7. e-governance projects have a built-in bias towards integration than user-centric designs. Examine. (10 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. The success of e-governance initiatives lies not merely in technological adoption but in aligning with social realities. Examine with examples. (10 M) (SECURE 20/03/2025)

2. “E-governance is not just about technology; it’s about reimagining governance for the digital age”. Critically examine the transformational impact of e-governance on India’s administrative structures. (15 M) (CORE BATCH 2025, GOVERNANCE Test)

3. E-governance is widely recognized for improving effectiveness, transparency, and accountability in governance, but there are shortcomings that hinder its effectiveness. Analyse. (250 words) (SECURE 5/08/2024)

4. The success of e-governance in India depends as much on decentralization and local capacity as on technological advancement. Comment. (15 M) (I WIL, Test-1)

Q8. Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being antiState actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify. (10 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. Assess the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in ensuring social accountability in governance. How can their impact be improved while maintaining regulatory oversight? (15 M) (IPM FLT 2)

2. Civil society is not a substitute for the state but a catalyst for participatory governance. Analyse the role of civil society in bridging governance gaps. Assess how this relationship can be institutionalised in India. (10 M) (SECURE17/07/ 2025)

3. Examine the impact of civil society organizations in promoting transparency and accountability in India’s public sector. (10 M) (Core Batch 2025, Gov Test)

4. Define civil society and discuss its relationship with the state. (10M) (IPM-2025, Pol Test-4)

5. Critically examine the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in ensuring transparency and accountability in the government’s functioning and welfare programmes. (SPG+ Test 13)

Q9. India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and longterm institutional partnerships. Elaborate. (10 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. “India’s approach to Africa is characterized by mutual respect, capacity building, and development partnerships”. Discuss (15 M) (SECURE-8/11/2024)

2. India–Africa relations are rooted in historical solidarity, but face modern geopolitical challenges. Evaluate how India can strengthen its position in Africa in the face of rising competition. (15M) (LAMP)

3. Identify the major constraints hampering India’s development cooperation in Africa. What steps can strengthen India’s delivery and credibility as a development partner in Africa? (10 M) (STEP UP)

4. Critically analyze the effectiveness of India’s Africa strategy in building robust partnerships. How can India recalibrate its approach to address emerging challenges in Africa? (15 M) (IPM-2025, IR Test)

5. In this geopolitically fraught environment, where the African agency is looking to build viable alternative partnerships, there are some unique advantages that India could leverage. Elaborate. (150 words) (SECURE- 6/09/2024)

6. What motivates India’s renewed focus on the African Union? Examine how this engagement aligns with India’s broader strategic and multilateral aspirations. ( CBM, Test 25)

Q10. “With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate. (10 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. “As old power structures erode and global governance frameworks weaken, a new global configuration is rapidly taking shape”. Discuss the factors driving the emergence of a new world order. How is India positioning itself strategically to maximise its global influence in this transition? (I WIL TEST 3)

2. Fragmentation in the global order challenges traditional security frameworks”. Discuss the implications for global peace and security with examples from contemporary conflicts. (10) ( IPM-2025, IR Test)

Q11. “Constitutional morality is the fulcrum which acts as an essential check upon the high functionaries and citizens alike….” In view of the above observation of the Supreme Court, explain the concept of constitutional morality and its application to ensure balance between judicial independence and judicial accountability in India. (15 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. Constitutional morality is a dynamic ideal that evolves with time, but its misuse may lead to judicial overreach. Discuss this paradox in the Indian context. (15 M) (I WILL TEST 1)

2. “Judicial accountability is the cornerstone of public trust in constitutional democracies”. Why has the framework for ensuring judicial accountability remained ineffective in India? What are the broader implications of this institutional weakness? Suggest a clear roadmap to make judicial accountability credible and enforceable. (15 M) (STEP UP GS-2)

3. What is ‘constitutional morality’? Discuss its significance. Cite key case laws upholding constitutional morality in India. Also, analyze the challenges to it. (15 M) (IPM-2025, POL-3)

4. “Judicial independence is sacrosanct, but so is judicial accountability”. Examine this statement in the context of the procedural challenges in removing judges in India. Suggest reforms to make the process more effective while upholding constitutional values. (15 M) (SECURE17/12/2024)

Q12. Indian Constitution has conferred the amending power on the ordinary legislative institutions with a few procedural hurdles. In view of this statement, examine the procedural and substantive limitations on the amending power of the Parliament to change the Constitution. (15 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. The doctrine of basic structure has prevented constitutional collapse but complicated amendment processes. In the light of given statement analyse this judicial innovation. How has it affected the balance between legislative will and constitutional continuity? (10 M) (I WIL TEST 1)

2. The doctrine of basic structure is a judicial innovation to protect the Constitution’s identity. Evaluate its impact on parliamentary sovereignty. (10M) (LAMP- July 16)

3. Critically evaluate the Supreme Court’s role in preserving the Basic Structure Doctrine. How does this limit the amending power of Parliament while maintaining constitutional flexibility? (CBM. Test-5)

4. “The Indian Constitution is a living document that evolves with society”. Discuss this statement in the context of the need for constitutional flexibility to address contemporary challenges. (10 M) (SECURE-27/09/2024)

5. “The Indian Constitution provides for different types of amendments based on the nature and impact of the change”. Discuss. (10 M) (SECURE-17/10/2024)

Q13. Discuss the evolution of collegium system in India. Critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the system of appointment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India and that of the USA. (15 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. What are the systemic flaws in the current Collegium-based judicial appointments process? How have recent judicial controversies revealed structural opacity and ethical lapses? Evaluate how an Indian Judicial Service can address these issues. (15 M) (SECURE- 31/03/2025)

Q14. Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India? (15 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. Analyze the current issues in fiscal federalism in India, with an emphasis on state’s taxation powers and financial autonomy. (150 words) (SECURE- 26/07/2024)

2. “The Finance Commission has a pivotal role in shaping Centre-State financial relations”. Discuss the Constitutional mandate and contemporary challenges facing the Finance Commission. (10 M) (Core Batch-2025, Pol-2)

3. Financial centralisation weakens the spirit of decentralised governance. Analyse the constitutional limits of fiscal control by the Union. Examine its consequences for State autonomy. Suggest mechanisms to ensure equitable federal fiscal relations. (15 M) (SECURE 22/05/2025)

Q15. What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India. (15 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. In what ways do pressure groups shape public policy formulation and implementation in India? Assess the oversight mechanisms available to ensure their accountability. (10 M) (I WIL, TEST 1)

2. Analyse the role of pressure groups in influencing public policy. Examine how digital activism has transformed advocacy. Assess its implications for democratic processes.(SECURE-28/03/2025)

Q16. Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of ‘paradox of poverty’. (15 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. “Poverty in India today is less about absolute deprivation and more about capability deprivation”. Discuss. (15 M) ( I WILL TEST 3)

2. “Poverty is not merely an economic condition but a multidimensional challenge”. Discuss (15 M) (SECURE -1/11/ 2024)

3. While India has pushed back poverty, it is still home to most poor people in the world. Discuss the causes in the context of the UN’s Multidimensional Poverty Index and suggest measures for improvement. (SPG+, Test-5)

Q17. “In contemporary development models, decisionmaking and problem-solving responsibilities are not located close to the source of information and execution defeating the objectives of development.” Critically evaluate. (15 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. “People’s participation is the cornerstone of good governance”. Analyze the importance of citizen engagement in governance and the mechanisms through which it can be improved in India. (10 M)( CORE BATCH, GOVERNANCE test)

2. “Democratic decentralization in India has travelled constitutionally, but not institutionally”. Analyse this in the context of Panchayati Raj Institutions. What institutional reforms are needed to make local governance truly autonomous and accountable? (I WIL , Test-1)

3. Community participation and decentralised planning are crucial for making development policies responsive and effective. Discuss with examples how bottom-up approaches can improve policy outcomes. (15 Marks) (LAMP JULY- 19)

4. Discuss how the move toward participatory and collaborative governance is redefining decision-making and service delivery (LAMP JULY- 20)

5. What do you understand by ‘decentralisation’? How does democratic decentralisation facilitate people’s participation? Analyze the challenges it faces. (15M) (IPM-2025. Pol-3 Test)

6. India’s governance model has witnessed a shift from bureaucratic control to participatory governance. To what extent has this transition been successful? (SPG+, Test13)

Q18. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has to address the challenges faced by children in the digital era. Examine the existing policies and suggest measures the Commission can initiate to tackle the issue. (15 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. Explain the statutory mandate of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). Evaluate its effectiveness as a watchdog institution for child rights in India. (10 M) (SECURE-20/08/2025)

2. Mention the main provisions of the National Policy on Children 2013. Also, examine the effectiveness of the POCSO Act in tackling child sexual exploitation in the past decade. (10) (IPM-2025, GS 2 FLT)

Q19. “Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India’s foreign policy, and is linked with India’s overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries.” How would you integrate energy security with India’s foreign policy trajectories in the coming years? (15 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. Identify the challenges posed by West Asian tensions to India’s energy supply. (LAMP July 24)

2. Critically analyse the evolving contours of India’s energy diplomacy in light of its traditional dependence on West Asia and recent efforts towards diversification and renewable energy transition. (CBM- Test 8) strategic interests in the West Asian region. (10 M) (SECURE 1-01-2025)

3. India’s evolving relationship with West Asia has shifted from a focus on remittances to a partnership based on mutual interests. What are the key opportunities and challenges that India will face in this transformed partnership? (150 words) (SECURE- 1/08/2024)

4. Analyze how the shifting alliances and power dynamics in the Middle East are reshaping the global order. How should India recalibrate its foreign policy to safeguard its strategic interests in the region? (15 M) (CORE BATCH- 2025, FLT)

5. Analyze the potential implications of U.S.Iran tensions on India’s energy security and strategic interests in the West Asian region. (10 M) (SECURE 1-01-2025)

6. In the wake of increasing regional militarisation in West Asia, assess the challenges to India’s energy security and diaspora safety. (10 M) (SECURE -5/05/2025)

Q20. The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance.” Examine and critically evaluate the EastWest policy confrontations in this regard. (15 M)

InsightsIAS Test Questions:

1. Assess the need for reforms in the United Nations, focusing on the structure and functioning of the Security Council. What opportunities do these reforms present for India and global governance? (250 words) (SECURE-25th/07/2024)

2. The Global South needs to intensify the battle to correct the structural inequalities in America and Euro-centric international governance. Critically discuss. (SPG+, Test 5)

3. “The UN Security Council remains structurally frozen in a post-1945 order”. Critically examine the need for permanent membership expansion. Discuss the case for including India and Global South representation. Suggest steps to democratise the Council’s composition. (SECURE 14/06/2025)

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