Pratidin
GS2Governance, Constitution, polity, social justice and international relations

Constitution: evolution, features, basic structure

Syllabus: Indian Constitution: historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Current affairs on this topic 15

Background from the reference shelf

Previous-year questions 48

  1. 2026 · GS2 · 15 marks 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…
  2. 2026 · GS2 · 15 marks Can the constitutional mandate of rights-based welfare be effectively realised in the context of non-integrated governance and minimal public investment? Examine.
  3. 2026 · GS2 · 15 marks 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…
  4. 2026 · GS2 · 10 marks 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…
  5. 2026 · GS2 · 10 marks 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…
  6. 2026 · GS2 · 15 marks 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.
  7. 2025 · GS2 · 15 marks 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?
  8. 2025 · GS2 · 15 marks 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.
  9. 2025 · GS2 · 15 marks 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…
  10. 2025 · GS2 · 15 marks "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…
  11. 2024 · GS2 · 15 marks Discuss India as a secular state and compare with the secular principles of the US constitution.
  12. 2024 · GS2 · 15 marks What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for…
  13. 2024 · GS2 · 15 marks Right to privacy is intrinsic to life and personal liberty and is inherently protected under Article 21 of the constitution. Explain. In this reference discuss the law relating to D.N.A. testing of…
  14. 2024 · GS2 · 10 marks Analyse the role of local bodies in providing good governance at local level and bring out the pros and cons merging the rural local bodies with the urban local bodies.
  15. 2023 · GS2 · 15 marks "The Constitution of India is a living instrument with capabilities of enormous dynamism. It is a constitution made for a progressive society." Illustrate with special reference to the expanding…
  16. 2023 · GS2 · 10 marks "Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a prerequisite of democracy". Comment.
  17. 2023 · GS2 · 15 marks Account for the legal and political factors responsible for the reduced frequency of using Article 356 by the Union Governments since mid-1990s.
  18. 2023 · GS2 · 15 marks Explain the constitutional perspectives of Gender Justice with the help of relevant Constitutional Provisions and case laws.
  19. 2023 · GS2 · 10 marks "The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially." Comment.
  20. 2022 · GS2 · 10 marks "Right of movement and residence throughout the territory of India are freely available to the Indian citizens, but these rights are not absolute." Comment.
  21. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marks Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.
  22. 2022 · GS2 · 10 marks To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots?
  23. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marks Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss.
  24. 2022 · GS2 · 10 marks Discuss the role of the National Commission for Backward Classes in the wake of its transformation from a statutory body to a constitutional body.
  25. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marks The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system for children's education without generating awareness about the importance of…
  26. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marks 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…
  27. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marks Analyze the distinguishing features of the notion of Equality in the Constitutions of the USA and India.
  28. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marks 'Constitutional Morality' is rooted in the constitution itself and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of 'Constitutional Morality' with the help of relevant judicial decisions.
  29. 2020 · GS2 · 10 marks How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? Cite some recent examples to validate your answer.
  30. 2020 · GS2 · 15 marks The strength and 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…
  31. 2019 · GS2 · 15 marks On what grounds a people's representative can be disqualified under the Representation of People Act, 1951? Also, mention the remedies available to such a person against his disqualification.
  32. 2019 · GS2 · 15 marks "Parliament's power to amend the Constitution is a limited power and it cannot be enlarged into absolute power." In the light of this statement explain whether Parliament under Article 368 of the…
  33. 2019 · GS2 · 10 marks What can France learn from the Indian Constitution's approach to secularism?
  34. 2018 · GS2 · 10 marks In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections…
  35. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marks Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects?
  36. 2017 · GS2 · 15 marks Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy.
  37. 2017 · GS2 · 15 marks 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…
  38. 2017 · GS2 · 10 marks Critically examine the Supreme Court's judgement on 'National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014' with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India.
  39. 2017 · GS2 · 10 marks "The local self-government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance." Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation.
  40. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marks What was held in the Coelho case? In this context, can you say that judicial review is of key importance amongst the basic features of the Constitution?
  41. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marks Discuss each adjective attached to the word 'Republic' in the 'Preamble'. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?
  42. 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marks In the absence of well-educated and organised local level government system, Panchayats and Samitis have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instrument of governance. Critically…
  43. 2014 · GS2 · 12.5 marks What do you understand by the concept "freedom of speech and expression"? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of…
  44. 2014 · GS2 · 12.5 marks Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of…
  45. 2014 · GS2 · 12.5 marks Starting from inventing the 'basic structure' doctrine, the judiciary has played a highly pro active role in ensuring that India develops into a thriving democracy. In light of the statement…
  46. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marks Discuss Section 66A of IT Act, with reference to its alleged violation of Article 19 of the Constitution.
  47. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marks Recent directives from Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the 'Nagas' as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the…
  48. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marks The Supreme Court of India keeps a check on arbitrary power of the Parliament in amending the Constitution. Discuss critically.