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UPSC CSE Mains 2018 — Indian Polity & Governance Questions with Answers

All 15 Indian Polity & Governance previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2018, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Constitutional & Statutory Bodies

   In the light of the 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 in India?

2. Q2.Constitution & Rights

   Whether the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine.

3. Q3.Executive

   Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force?

4. Q4.Legislature

   Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee.

5. Q5.Constitutional & Statutory Bodies

   "The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play." Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise.

6. Q6.Policies & Schemes

   "Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate protection and prevention of degradation to the environment." Comment with relevant illustrations.

7. Q7.Policies & Schemes

   Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve 'Health for All' in India. Explain.

8. Q8.Transparency & Accountability

   E-governance is not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about the critical importance of the 'use value' of information. Explain.

9. Q9.Constitution & Rights

   A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India's joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018.

10. Q10.Judiciary

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

11. Q11.Judiciary

    How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India.

12. Q12.Constitutional & Statutory Bodies

    How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss.

13. Q13.Local Government

    Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources can the Panchayats look out for financing developmental projects?

14. Q14.Policies & Schemes

    Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case.

15. Q15.Transparency & Accountability

    The Citizen's Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen's Charters.