GS-II UPSC PYQ 2015

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. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

“For achieving the desired objectives, it is necessary to ensure that the regulatory institutions remain independent and autonomous.” Discuss in the light of the experiences in recent past. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Increased interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically Examine.[200 Words, 12.5 Marks]

Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in UNSC. [200 Words, 12.5 Marks]

The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Programme (SBLP), which is India’s own innovation, has proved to be one of the most effective poverty alleviation and women empowerment programmes. Elucidate. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Khap Panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and the judiciary to set the things right in this regard. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Resorting to ordinances has always raised concern on violation of the spirit of separation of powers doctrine. While noting the rationales justifying the power to promulgate ordinances, analyze whether the decisions of the Supreme Court on the issue have further facilitated resorting to this power. Should the power to promulgate ordinances be repealed? How to approach this question Write a brief introduction setting context ( 1–2 lines ) Cover both sides if question says "critically discuss / examine / analyse" Use data, schemes, examples specific to CONSTITUTION AND POLITY Conclude with a forward-looking statement ( 1 line ) Practice all GS2 Mains questions Model answers + key points for every question Open App Model Answer Framework (English) Show Hide Introduction The ordinance-making power — conferred on the President by Article 123 and on Governors by Article 213 — allows the executive to legislate when the legislature is not in session. Because lawmaking is the legislature's domain, this executive power has always sat uneasily with the doctrine of separation of powers . The question is whether it is being misused, whether the Supreme Court has restrained or enabled it, and whether it should be abolished altogether. The rationale justifying the ordinance power The framers consciously retained the power for sound reasons. Parliament is not in continuous session, yet urgent situations — natural calamities, economic crises, security threats, the need to give immediate effect to a policy or to fill a sudden legal vacuum — may demand an immediate legislative response. An ordinance is a temporary, conditional law : it has the same force as an Act of Parliament, but it must be laid before the legislature within six weeks of its reassembly and ceases to operate if not approved. It is thus a contingency device, not a parallel legislature. Concern: tension with separation of powers Misuse arises when ordinances are used not for genuine emergencies but as a routine substitute for legislation — to bypass parliamentary debate, scrutiny and the possibility of defeat, or to push through measures the executive could not pass in the House. The most egregious abuse is re-promulgation — re-issuing an ordinance again and again to keep it alive without ever placing it before the legislature. easemyprep.in Have the Supreme Court's decisions facilitated this power? A close reading shows the Court has, on balance, restrained rather than facilitated the power: R.C. Cooper v. Union of India (1970): The Court held that the President's "satisfaction" in issuing an ordinance is not immune from judicial review and can be challenged on grounds such as mala fides. A.K. Roy v. Union of India (1982): The Court recognised an ordinance as "law" and ordinance-making as a legislative power. This conferred legitimacy on the instrument and, to that limited extent, can be read as *normalising* its use — but the Court simultaneously affirmed that the power is reviewable. easemyprep.in D.C. Wadhwa v. State of Bihar (1987): Confronted with Bihar's practice of re-promulgating hundreds of ordinances over years, the Court condemned re-promulgation as a "fraud on the Constitution" and a subversion of the democratic legislative process — a major restraint. Krishna Kumar Singh v. State of Bihar (2017): A seven-judge Bench decisively curbed misuse: it held that re-promulgation is unconstitutional , that the mandatory laying of an ordinance before the legislature is an essential constitutional requirement (its breach being unconstitutional), and that the President's/Governor's satisfaction is subject to judicial review for non-application of mind or mala fides. It also held that the rights and consequences created by an ordinance do not automatically survive its lapse. Taken together, the jurisprudence has tightened, not loosened , the discipline around ordinances. If anything, *A.K. Roy*'s recognition of ordinances as legitimate "law" is the only strand that could be said to have eased reliance on the power, and even that came hedged with reviewability. easemyprep.in Should the power be repealed? Repeal is neither necessary nor desirable. The power serves a real constitutional function — the State cannot be left paralysed in a genuine emergency when the legislature is not sitting. The problem is misuse, not the existence of the power . The remedy lies in reform, not abolition: The power should be confined strictly to situations of genuine, demonstrable urgency ; re-promulgation must be prohibited (as the Court has now held); ordinances must be compulsorily laid and debated ; reasons for the urgency should be placed on record and be open to judicial review ; and ordinances on matters of major policy or affecting fundamental rights should attract the closest scrutiny. Greater use of shorter inter-session gaps and special sessions can reduce the felt need for ordinances. Conclusion The ordinance power is a legitimate emergency device whose spirit is violated only when it is used to circumvent the legislature. The Supreme Court — through *Wadhwa* and *Krishna Kumar Singh* especially — has progressively constrained its misuse rather than facilitated it. The power should therefore be retained but disciplined : used sparingly, never re-promulgated, always laid before the legislature, and always subject to judicial review — preserving both executive agility in emergencies and the primacy of the legislature in lawmaking. easemyprep.in Value addition (data, comparative & current) The Wadhwa data point: in *D.C. Wadhwa (1987)* the Court was confronted with Bihar's practice of re-promulgating hundreds of ordinances over years — some kept alive for as long as fourteen years without ever being laid before the legislature — the factual basis for branding re-promulgation a 'fraud on the Constitution'. Comparative note: a standing executive power to legislate by ordinance is unusual among democracies — the US and UK have no equivalent — which is why Indian courts insist it be confined to genuine, demonstrable urgency. Live separation-of-powers debate (2025): the *State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor* episode (April 2025) and the 16th Presidential Reference (20 Nov 2025) show the same tension over executive use of constitutional 'gateway' powers (assent, reservation, ordinances) — reinforcing that such powers are legitimate only when exercised within constitutional limits and timelines of reasonableness. easemyprep.in Source: easemyprep.in Structured Mains Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View इस प्रश्न को हिंदी में पढ़ें हिंदी में पढ़ें → Structured Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View Practice All Mains GS2 — Polity, Governance & IR Questions Download App More GS2 Questions Ease My Prep Focused UPSC preparation. Daily current affairs, PYQ practice, trend analysis, and mentorship for serious CSE aspirants across India. Based in Gurugram, Haryana · Founded 2022 Product Features Pricing AI Copy Checking Courses Daily News Mentorship Books Blog Company About Us Community Contact Legal Privacy Policy Terms of Service Refund Policy 📱 Android App 🍎 iOS App 🌐 Web App © 2022 – 2026 Ease My Prep . All rights reserved. Made with dedication for UPSC aspirants across India.

Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector could help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives would you suggest? (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine. How to approach this question Write a brief introduction setting context ( 1–2 lines ) Cover both sides if question says "critically discuss / examine / analyse" Use data, schemes, examples specific to INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Conclude with a forward-looking statement ( 1 line ) Practice all GS2 Mains questions Model answers + key points for every question Open App Model Answer Framework (English) Show Hide India's Increasing Interest in Africa: A Critical Examination Africa has become central to India's foreign policy — a continent of over 1.4 billion people, abundant resources, fast-growing markets and 54 votes at the UN. India's engagement has deepened through the India–Africa Forum Summits , lines of credit, capacity-building and a large diaspora. Pros and opportunities Energy and resource security: Africa is a key source of crude oil (Nigeria, Angola), natural gas, coal and critical minerals for India's growth. Markets and investment: A young, urbanising African market offers scope for Indian pharmaceuticals, automobiles, IT and agriculture. easemyprep.in Development-partnership model: India offers concessional lines of credit, the ITEC programme, the Pan-African e-Network and capacity-building — demand-driven and without intrusive conditions, a contrast to other powers. Diaspora and goodwill: A roughly 3-million-strong Indian diaspora and a shared anti-colonial history (Gandhi, NAM) build trust. Strategic and diplomatic weight: African support strengthens India's bids at the UN, on UNSC reform and on climate; the International Solar Alliance has many African members. easemyprep.in Geo-economic balancing: Engagement offers an alternative to China's heavy footprint. Cons and challenges Competition from China: China's trade and investment in Africa dwarf India's; India risks being a junior player. Implementation gaps: Slow disbursal of credit lines, project delays and weak follow-through dent credibility. easemyprep.in Security risks: Instability, terrorism, piracy and attacks on Indian nationals and businesses in parts of Africa. Resource-dependence and image risk: Over-focus on extraction can invite "neo-colonial" criticism. Logistical and connectivity constraints: Limited direct shipping, air links and banking presence. easemyprep.in Way forward India should deliver projects on time , focus on skills, health, digital and agriculture where it has comparative advantage, leverage the diaspora , deepen maritime security cooperation , and pursue trilateral partnerships — playing to its strengths rather than competing dollar-for-dollar with China. Conclusion India's growing interest in Africa is strategically sound and mutually beneficial, rooted in solidarity rather than dominance. Its success depends on shifting from announcements to timely, people-centred delivery that makes India a genuine and preferred development partner. Value addition (2024–26 enrichment) Scale: India–Africa trade crossed $100 bn (2024–25); target $164 bn by 2030 (CII, Aug 2025); ~$12 bn+ Lines of Credit; India secured the African Union's permanent G20 membership (2023). easemyprep.in New model (pros): DPI export — UPI (Namibia MoU 2024, Ghana), Aadhaar-style ID (Togo via IIIT-B); Africa AI Skilling Initiative (2026, 1 mn youth by 2028); Vaccine Maitri; IAFS-IV (May 2026, New Delhi). Cons: China's trade (~$280 bn) and BRI dwarf India's; slow project delivery; security of workers amid Sahel instability and piracy. Source: easemyprep.in Structured Mains Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View इस प्रश्न को हिंदी में पढ़ें हिंदी में पढ़ें → Structured Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View Practice All Mains GS2 — Polity, Governance & IR Questions Download App More GS2 Questions Ease My Prep Focused UPSC preparation. Daily current affairs, PYQ practice, trend analysis, and mentorship for serious CSE aspirants across India. Based in Gurugram, Haryana · Founded 2022 Product Features Pricing AI Copy Checking Courses Daily News Mentorship Books Blog Company About Us Community Contact Legal Privacy Policy Terms of Service Refund Policy 📱 Android App 🍎 iOS App 🌐 Web App © 2022 – 2026 Ease My Prep . All rights reserved. Made with dedication for UPSC aspirants across India.

What are the major changes brought in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 through the recent Ordinance promulgated by the President? How far will it improve India’s dispute resolution mechanism? Discuss. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

How can the role of NGOs be strengthened in India for development works relating to protection of the environment? Discuss throwing light on the major constraints. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasized in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India - Pakistan relation. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and culture exchange could help generate goodwill between the two countries. Discuss with suitable examples. [200 Words,12.5 Marks]

Project “Mausam” is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian government to improve relationships with its neighbors. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss. [200 word,12.5 Marks]

The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Does the right to clean environment entail legal regulations on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and Judgement(s) of the Apex Court in this regard. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

In absence of a well-educated and organized local level government system, ‘Panchayats’ and ‘Samitis’ have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

“If amendment bill to the Whistleblowers Act, 2011 tabled in the Parliament is passed, there may be no one left to protect.” Critically evaluate. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

In the light of the Satyam Scandal (2009), discuss the changes brought in corporate governance to ensure transparency, accountability. (200 words, 12.5 marks)