The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) often features recurring themes in Indian Polity, especially in

the Prelims and Mains (GS Paper 2). Here's a list of repeated themes/topics that are frequently asked:

1. Constitutional Features & Philosophy

Preamble

Basic Structure Doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati case)

Fundamental Rights (especially Articles 14, 19, 21, 32)

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)

Fundamental Duties

2. Indian Federalism

Centre-State relations (legislative, administrative, financial)

Cooperative and Competitive Federalism

Inter-State Council

7th Schedule and its distribution of powers

3. Parliament and State Legislatures

Powers and functions of Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha

Parliamentary procedures (Money Bill, Zero Hour, etc.)

Role of Speaker and Chairman

Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule)

Legislative vs Executive accountability

4. Executive (Union and State)

President and Governor: Powers, pardoning powers (Article 72 & 161)

Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

Role of Cabinet Committees

5. Judiciary

Supreme Court and High Courts: Composition, jurisdiction

Judicial Review and Judicial Activism

Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

Collegium system vs NJAC

Independence of Judiciary

6. Local Governance

73rd and 74th Amendments: Panchayati Raj & Municipalities

Role of State Election Commission

Issues in decentralization and local governance

7. Constitutional Bodies

Election Commission

UPSC, Finance Commission, CAG

Roles, powers, and challenges

8. Non-Constitutional Bodies

NITI Aayog vs Planning Commission

NHRC, SHRC, CIC, CVC, Lokpal

Constitutional Amendments (e.g., 42nd, 44th, 73rd, 101st)

RTI Act, Lokpal Act, Whistleblower Protection Act

Representation of People Act

10. Current Affairs Integration

Recent SC verdicts (e.g., Article 370, electoral bonds)

Bills and Acts passed by Parliament

Issues in Centre-State relations (e.g., GST Council, Governor's role)

Electoral reforms and ECI's independence

Below is a curated list of frequently asked Indian Polity questions from the UPSC Civil Services
Examination (CSE) over the past decade, organized by key themes. These questions have appeared in
General Studies Paper 2 (Mains) and are instrumental in understanding the recurring focus areas of the
exam.

1. Constitutional Philosophy & Fundamental Rights

Right to Life & Personal Liberty (Article 21):

“The Constitution of India is a living instrument with capabilities of enormous dynamism. It is a

Illustrate with special reference to the expanding horizons of the right to life and personal liberty.

(2023, 15 Marks)

Right to Equality:

Analyze the distinguishing features of the notion of Right to Equality in the Constitutions of the USA and
India.

(2021, 15 Marks)
Freedom of Speech & Expression:

What do you understand by the concept of freedom of speech and expression? Does it cover hate
speech also? Why do films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression?

(2014, 2 Marks)

2. Federalism & Centre-State Relations

Article 356 Usage:

Account for the legal and political factors responsible for the reduced frequency of using Article 356 by
the Union Governments since the mid-1990s.

(2023, 15 Marks)

Governor's Legislative Powers:

Discuss the essential conditions for exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the
legality of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature.

(2022, 15 Marks)

Delhi's Administrative Conflicts:

Whether the Supreme Court Judgment (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt.
Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine.

(2018, 15 Marks)

3. Parliament & Legislative Functioning

Presiding Officers' Role:

Discuss the role of Presiding Officers of state legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in
conducting legislative work and in facilitating best democratic practices.

(2023, 10 Marks)
Parliamentary Committees:

Do Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and
inspire reverence for parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such committees with suitable
examples.

(2021, 15 Marks)

Joint Sessions of Parliament:

The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding a joint session of the two houses of the Parliament.
Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with
reasons thereof.

(2017, 15 Marks)

⚖️4. Judiciary & Judicial Review

Judicial Independence:

“Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a prerequisite of democracy.”

Comment.

(2023, 10 Marks)

Judicial Activism:

Starting from inventing the ‘basic structure’ doctrine, the judiciary has played a highly proactive role in
ensuring that India develops into a thriving democracy. In light of the statement, evaluate the role
played by judicial activism in achieving the ideals of democracy.

(2014, 12 Marks)

NJAC Verdict:

Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgment on the ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission
Act, 2014’ with reference to the appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India.
(2017, 10 Marks)

5. Local Governance & Panchayati Raj

Empowerment of Urban Local Bodies:

“The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as
financially.”

Comment.

(2023, 10 Marks)

Functionality of Local Institutions:

The strength sustenance of local institutions in India has shifted from their formative phase of
‘Functions, Functionaries and Funds’ to the contemporary stage of ‘Functionality’. Highlight the critical
challenges faced by local institutions in terms of their functionality in recent times.

(2020, 15 Marks) Women's Reservation Impact:

“The reservation of seats for women in the institution of local self-government has had a limited impact
on the patriarchal character of the Indian political process”.

Comment.

(2019, 15 Marks)

6. Constitutional & Statutory Bodies

Election Commission Reforms:

To enhance the quality of democracy in India, the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral
reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy
successful?

(2017, 15 Marks)
CAG's Jurisdiction:

Exercise of CAG’s powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived from Article
149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether an audit of the Government’s policy implementation
could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.

(2016, 12 Marks)

Human Rights Commissions:

Though the Human Rights Commissions have contributed immensely to the protection of human rights
in India, yet they have failed to assert themselves against the mighty and powerful. Analyzing their
structural and practical limitations, suggest remedial measures.

(2021, 15 Marks)

🧾 7. Miscellaneous & Contemporary Issues

Parliamentary Sovereignty Comparison:

Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty.

(2023, 10 Marks)

Secularism in France vs India:

What can France learn from the Indian Constitution’s approach to secularism?

(2019, 10 Marks)

Uniform Civil Code Challenges:

Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform civil code as
provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy.

(2015, 12 Marks)