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UPSC Mains 2026 GS Paper 2 Hit Ratio: Question-wise Comparison | InsightsIAS

UPSC Mains 2026 General Studies Paper 2 tested candidates across Polity, Constitution, Governance, Social Justice and International Relations. This page presents a transparent question-wise comparison between the questions asked by UPSC and relevant questions previously covered through InsightsIAS programmes.

The purpose is simple. We want students to see the actual UPSC question, compare it with the earlier InsightsIAS question and understand the nature of the overlap for themselves. The comparison is presented question by question instead of relying on a standalone percentage claim.

How to read the comparison

The assessment labels in the source material include Direct, Strong Thematic, Thematic and Conceptual. These labels are retained so that a close question-level alignment is not presented in the same way as broader preparation around a related theme or concept. Where the supplied document does not list a corresponding question, that is stated clearly.

ExaminationUPSC Civil Services Mains 2026
PaperGeneral Studies Paper 2
CoveragePolity, Governance, Social Justice, IR
Contents: UPSC Mains 2026 GS Paper 2 Questions

UPSC Mains 2026 GS Paper 2 Hit Ratio: Question-wise Comparison

GS 2 Question 1Direct

Q1. Right to privacy relating to self-identity is very dear to every human being and well protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. In this context, examine the effect of the amendment in 2026, to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. (10 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. Examine the significance of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026. Assess its implications for gender identity recognition. Also highlight the concerns arising from the revised framework. (15 M) (IWIL Test-2)
  2. Outline the key features of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. Assess its implications for constitutional morality and fundamental rights. What measures are required to ensure a more rights-based framework? (15 M) (Secure 27/03/2026)
GS 2 Question 2Strong Thematic

Q2. “Women as a class neither belong to a minority group nor are they regarded as forming a backward class.” In the light of this statement, discuss the evolution of women’s reservation from local bodies to Parliament. (10 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Question
  1. How does the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 attempt to transform India’s gender-democratic architecture? Examine its necessity, and also the challenges that may dilute its intended impact. (10 M) (IPM Test-23)
GS 2 Question 3Strong Thematic

Q3. Examine whether the constitutional office of the Lok Sabha Speaker has become vulnerable to partisan politics under the current anti-defection regime. What institutional changes are required to ensure the neutrality of the Lok Sabha Speaker in managing a polarised House? (10 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. “The adjudicatory role of the Speaker under the Tenth Schedule has been a subject of persistent constitutional debate.” Examine the limitations of this arrangement. Discuss the need for an independent adjudicatory mechanism. Suggest an appropriate institutional model to ensure impartial and timely resolution of defection disputes. (15 M) (Secure 05/05/2026)
  2. Assess the effectiveness of the Tenth Schedule in curbing political defections. Should disqualification petitions be decided by an authority other than the Speaker? Give reasons. (10 M) (STEP UP -2026)
  3. Examine the constitutional powers and functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Analyse the challenges affecting the effective discharge of these responsibilities. Discuss measures to strengthen the office. (15 M) (IWIL Test-2)
GS 2 Question 4Strong Thematic

Q4. Is the right to vote a fundamental right? Discuss the position of the Election Commission of India while undertaking the revision of electoral rolls. Can it also examine the question of citizenship of voters? (10 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. Discuss the constitutional and statutory powers of the Election Commission of India in revising electoral rolls. Highlight the concerns arising from the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. (10 M) (STEP UP -2026)
  2. “The legitimacy of electoral democracy depends not only on preventing wrongful inclusion but also on avoiding wrongful exclusion.” Bring out the issues raised by the Special Intensive Revision exercise. What safeguards are necessary to balance electoral integrity with democratic inclusion? (10 M) (IWIL Test-2)
  3. Examine the constitutional provisions relating to the appointment, powers, and functions of the Election Commission of India. How does it safeguard electoral integrity? (10 M) (IWIL Day-3)
GS 2 Question 5Strong Thematic

Q5. Do constitutional bodies like the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) possess adequate enforcement powers to secure substantive social equality? Suggest measures to enhance their institutional effectiveness. (10 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. What are the constitutional and statutory functions of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)? Critically evaluate the effectiveness of its institutional functioning in recent years. (10 M) (Secure 03/06/2025)
  2. Discuss the constitutional and legal mechanisms established for the protection and welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India. (10 Marks) (I-WIL Daily Day 4)
GS 2 Question 6Strong Thematic

Q6. Does India’s tribal development policy reflect the aspirations for a socially grounded and equity-based governance? Justify your answer. (10 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Question
  1. “Development for tribal communities must mean empowerment, not assimilation”. Substantiate this idea with India’s tribal experience. Highlight how development efforts have reshaped their social structures and affected cultural identity. (15 M) (Core Batch SJ)
GS 2 Question 7Strong Thematic

Q7. Malnutrition in India is not merely a public health concern; it is also a challenge of social equity, human development and effective welfare governance. Discuss. (10 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. “The persistence of child malnutrition reflects structural deficits in public health, nutrition and social development.” Discuss. (15 M) (Secure 09/06/2026)
  2. “India’s hunger crisis is not food-availability failure but nutrition-absorption failure.” Analyse underlying determinants. Indicate how public health and nutrition systems must converge to correct this imbalance. (10 M) (IPM Test-22)
  3. Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle, adversely affecting human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle? (10 M) (Core Batch GS-2 FLT)
  4. “Hunger in India persists due to governance deficits rather than food shortages. Evaluate whether recent welfare reforms address these structural gaps. (10 M) (Core Batch Social Justice Test)
GS 2 Question 8Direct

Q8. Analyse the advantages and limitations of the generalist structure of the Indian Civil Services in contemporary governance. (10 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. “The generalist legacy of the Indian bureaucracy is increasingly misaligned with the demands of policy complexity and sectoral depth.” Discuss. (15 M) (IPM Test-22)
  2. “Civil service reform remains the unfinished agenda of democratic deepening.” Explain past reform efforts. Identify key structural bottlenecks. Propose measures to make bureaucracy outcome-oriented. (15 M) (Secure 23/10/2025)
GS 2 Question 9

Q9. “IPMDA (Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness) bridges the gap between India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Quad’s collective Indo-Pacific strategy.” Make a critical assessment of the statement focusing on IPMDA. (10 M)

NA
GS 2 Question 10Strong Thematic

Q10. “BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South.” Explain the role of BRICS in projecting itself as an alternative to other groupings. (10 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. “BRICS today seeks not merely to reform the existing international order but to provide alternatives within it.” Examine the evolving agenda of BRICS. Evaluate the opportunities and constraints for India. (15 M) (I-WIL Test-3)
  2. Assess the implications of BRICS expansion into BRICS+ for global power distribution. Analyse how it impacts India’s role within the grouping. (10 M) (IPM Test-4)
  3. “BRICS seeks reform of global governance institutions without seeking to replace them.” Examine the significance of this approach for developing countries. (10 M) (Secure 10/06/2026)
GS 2 Question 11Strong Thematic

Q11. Discuss the position of the Governor in the federal polity of India. What is the nature of his power while giving assent to a bill passed by the State Legislature? Is he bound by the aid and advice of his Council of Ministers in all his functions? (15 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. What is the constitutional scope of the Governor’s discretionary powers in India? Analyse the key areas of friction between elected State governments and appointed Governors. Outline measures to ensure a stable and collaborative relationship between the Centre and the States. (15 M) (IPM Test-21)
  2. “The expression ‘as soon as possible’ in Article 200 has been a recurring source of constitutional controversy.” Examine the evolving judicial interpretation of the Governor’s assent to State Bills. (10 M) (Step Up 2026)
  3. “The Governor is not a mechanical signatory but a constitutional check on hasty legislation”. Analyse this statement. Evaluate its consistency with the principle of representative democracy. (10 M) (Secure 18/08/2026)
GS 2 Question 12Conceptual

Q12. What is meant by judicial legislation? In this context, discuss the verdicts of the apex court allowing “passive euthanasia” and a “living will”. (15 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Question
  1. Judicial Legislation is antithetical to the doctrine of separation of powers as envisaged in the Indian Constitution. In this context justify the filing of large number of public interest petitions praying for issuing guidelines to executive authorities. (15 M) (I-WIL Test-14)
GS 2 Question 13Strong Thematic

Q13. How far has the Indian federal framework been successful in accommodating regional and cultural diversities? Highlight the role of asymmetric federalism and suggest measures to make dispute resolution mechanisms more effective. (15 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. How does asymmetric federalism help accommodate diverse regional demands in India? Discuss with suitable examples. (10 M) (IPM Test-21)
  2. “Asymmetrical federalism is a pragmatic tool for managing diversity, but its inconsistent application breeds resentment”. Comment. (15 M) (Secure 18/07/2026)
GS 2 Question 14Conceptual

Q14. Examine how the separation of powers is practised in India compared to the rigid presidential model of the United States of America. In this context, compare the actual authority of the Indian Prime Minister with that of the President of the USA. (15 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. Differentiate between parliamentary and presidential systems of government. Analyse why India adopted the parliamentary system despite its diversity. (10 M) (IPM Test-1)
  2. How does the Indian Constitution structure the doctrine of separation of powers? Evaluate its application in a parliamentary system. Suggest institutional mechanisms to safeguard against overreach. (15 M) (IPM Test-1)
GS 2 Question 15Strong Thematic

Q15. To what extent do pressure groups, social movements and corporate lobbies deepen pluralistic democracy in India by representing excluded interests? Analyse whether the growing convergence of corporate wealth and political power poses a threat to the autonomy of formal democratic institutions. (15 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. In recent years, pressure groups, civil society organizations, industry associations, and digital advocacy networks have significantly influenced public policy and legislative outcomes. Evaluate their role in India’s democratic process. How can the State balance participatory governance with accountability and transparency? (10 M) (I-WIL Day 2)
  2. Discuss the role of informal lobbying networks and corporate pressure groups in shaping India’s policy landscape. Evaluate the challenges they pose to democratic governance. (10 M) (IPM Test-5)
  3. Evaluate the role of pressure groups in shaping public policy in India. Discuss how their functioning differs from that of political parties. (10 M) (Secure 09/03/2026)
GS 2 Question 16Strong Thematic

Q16. “Transparency and accountability in governance are not about controlling corruption but about creating the trust of stakeholders in the policy process by following the Rule of Law and Participatory Governance.” Comment. (15 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. Participatory governance is essential for inclusive policymaking. Examine the challenges in institutionalizing participatory models in India. Propose ways to integrate people’s participation into formal governance frameworks. (10 M) (IPM Test-3)
  2. How does trust-based governance seek to transform the regulatory interface between the State and citizens? Highlight the challenges in its effective implementation. (10 M) (I-WIL Mains Test-19)
  3. “Transparency and accountability mechanisms are central to democratic governance but face erosion in practice.” Assess the role of such mechanisms and the factors leading to their weakening. Also outline measures to strengthen them. (Secure 26/03/2026)
GS 2 Question 17Conceptual

Q17. Can the constitutional mandate of rights-based welfare be effectively realised in the context of non-integrated governance and minimal public investment? Examine. (15 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. “A rights-based welfare framework seeks to empower citizens, whereas a charity-based approach merely alleviates distress.” Discuss. (15 M) (I-WIL Test-3)
  2. “The social sector in India suffers more from fragmentation than from funding scarcity.” Discuss the structural causes of such fragmentation. Suggest reforms to improve cross-sectoral service delivery. (10 M) (Core Batch Social Justice Test)
GS 2 Question 18Thematic

Q18. Should education be treated primarily as a welfare obligation of the state or as a strategic investment for building a globally competitive, knowledge-driven nation? Critically evaluate. (15 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Question
  1. Evaluate the role of public expenditure in improving the quality and accessibility of education in India. Examine the reasons for inter-State disparities in educational outcomes. What measures are required to ensure equitable and quality education across States? (15 M) (Secure 27/07/2026)
GS 2 Question 19Strong Thematic

Q19. “India’s global diaspora acts as a living bridge, as a critical economic factor and knowledge network in transforming cultural heritage into geopolitical influence and strategic leverage worldwide.” Critically examine this statement. (15 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. “India’s diaspora has evolved from being a passive cultural bridge to an active strategic asset in foreign policy.” Discuss this statement. Evaluate the challenges in leveraging the diaspora effectively. (10 M) (Secure 24/03/2026)
  2. “Diaspora diplomacy has emerged as an important instrument of contemporary statecraft.” Discuss with reference to India. (10 M) (I-WIL Mains Test-3)
  3. How does the Indian diaspora shape India’s relations with developed countries? Evaluate the policy challenges in leveraging diaspora influence. (10 M) (IPM Test-4)
GS 2 Question 20Strong Thematic

Q20. “China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has transformed South Asia from a regional space into a theatre of great power competition.” Analyse the strategic implications of the BRI for India’s security and regional influence in South Asia. (15 M)

Relevant InsightsIAS Questions
  1. “China’s expanding regional manoeuvres increasingly erode India’s traditional sphere of influence.” Identify the major geopolitical manifestations of this shift. Analyse the implications for India’s core strategic interests. Outline measures India must prioritize to mitigate China’s expanding regional imprint. (15 M) (Core Batch International Relations Test)
  2. “Managing competition with China requires India to combine strategic caution with selective economic engagement.” Assess the factors that should guide India’s approach towards China. (10 M) (Secure 30/06/2026)

What Stands Out from the GS Paper 2 Comparison

GS Paper 2 rewards preparation that connects constitutional principles with current governance debates. The paper moves quickly between rights, institutions, welfare, public administration and international relations, so knowing a topic in isolation is rarely enough.

The supplied comparison includes close question-level alignment in areas such as the 2026 Transgender Persons amendment and the generalist structure of the civil services. Many other questions are classified as strong thematic, thematic or conceptual overlaps. Keeping those distinctions visible gives students a more useful picture of what prior preparation could realistically contribute in the examination hall.

Why This Consistency Matters for Aspirants

This consistency across different parts of GS Paper 2 is not accidental. It comes from a deliberate process of studying how UPSC frames constitutional, governance, welfare and international relations questions, identifying important linkages, and converting them into demanding practice questions.

The aim is not to guess the exact wording of a future UPSC paper. It is to prepare students so thoroughly around an issue that, even when UPSC changes the framing, combines dimensions or asks for a more critical evaluation, they can still recognise the core demand and build a relevant answer within the word limit.

How Students Can Use This Comparison

  1. Read the UPSC question first and identify its directive, constitutional or governance issue, and the exact dimensions being asked.
  2. Compare it with the earlier InsightsIAS question and note which parts of your preparation were directly usable.
  3. For thematic or conceptual overlaps, identify what new dimension UPSC introduced. This is where you can improve adaptability in answer writing.
  4. After attempting the question yourself, use the GS Paper 2 synopsis to compare structure, constitutional references, examples and conclusion.
UPSC Mains 2026 GS Paper 2 Hit Ratio PDF
Download the complete question-wise comparison for quick reference.

Download GS Paper 2 Hit Ratio PDF

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A comparison is useful only when it takes you back to practice. If you are preparing for the next Mains, use these initiatives consistently to improve content recall, structure and answer-writing speed.

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UPSC Mains 2026 GS Paper 2 Hit Ratio: FAQs

What does the UPSC Mains 2026 GS Paper 2 Hit Ratio page show?

It compares the UPSC Mains 2026 GS Paper 2 questions with relevant questions listed in the InsightsIAS hit-ratio document and retains the assessment given for the nature of overlap.

Does a thematic or conceptual overlap mean that the exact UPSC question was predicted?

No. A thematic or conceptual overlap means that preparation covered the same broader issue or underlying concept. The wording and exact demand of the UPSC question can still be different.

Which areas of GS Paper 2 are covered in this comparison?

The comparison spans Polity and Constitution, Governance, Social Justice and International Relations, following the questions listed in the UPSC Mains 2026 GS Paper 2 hit-ratio document.

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