GS-II UPSC PYQ 2016

Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

“In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal.” Critically examine this statement. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

“Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance? (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any, that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and institution of Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of the Indian Federal Politics?  (200 words, 12.5 marks)

To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note “temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, temporary? Discuss the future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity.

What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of UNESCO? What is India’s position on these? [200 Words, 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?

In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

“Increase cross- border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of member - states of SAARC ( South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)” Explain with suitable examples.[200 Words, 12.5 Marks].

“Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are inter-dependent” Discuss their relationship in the context of India. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss. 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 Government of India Act, 1935 was the longest and most detailed constitutional statute enacted by the British Parliament for India, and the immediate precursor to the Constitution of 1950. It is often described as having "laid down a federal constitution" — but a careful examination shows that while it designed a federal scheme on paper, that federation never actually came into being , and even as designed it was a weak, heavily controlled federation. The federal features the Act provided On paper, the Act unmistakably adopted a federal architecture: An All-India Federation: It proposed a federation comprising the British Indian provinces and the princely states , to be a single political union. easemyprep.in A division of powers: It distributed legislative powers between the Centre and the units through three lists — the Federal List, the Provincial List and the Concurrent List — a scheme directly inherited by the present Constitution. Provincial autonomy: It abolished dyarchy in the provinces (introduced in 1919) and granted the provinces autonomy, making them self-governing units with their own legislatures and ministries — a hallmark of federalism. A Federal Court: It provided for a Federal Court (established in 1937) to adjudicate disputes between the Centre and the units and to interpret the constitution — an essential federal institution. easemyprep.in A bicameral federal legislature was also envisaged at the Centre. Why it did not, in reality, lay down a federal constitution The federal part never came into operation. The proposed All-India Federation was conditional on the accession of a sufficient number of princely states — rulers representing not less than half the population of the states and entitled to not less than half the seats in the Council of State. The required number of states never acceded, so the federal provisions remained a dead letter . Only the provincial part of the Act was implemented, from 1937. India under the 1935 Act therefore continued, in practice, to be governed by a unitary, centralised arrangement , not a functioning federation. Even on paper it was not a genuine federation. Several features made it a federation in form only: easemyprep.in A federation normally rests on an agreement among constituent units ; here the princely states would join by an Instrument of Accession dictated by the Crown, and were not equal partners. The Governor-General and Governors retained vast discretionary powers, "special responsibilities" and safeguards , and could override or veto legislatures — diluting the autonomy of the units. Residuary powers were left with the Governor-General, and there was no popular sovereignty — ultimate authority lay with the British Crown and Parliament. easemyprep.in The Act was not supreme : it could be amended only by the British Parliament , not by any Indian legislature, so it lacked the rigidity and self-contained supremacy of a true federal constitution. Its lasting influence Despite never functioning as a federation, the 1935 Act profoundly shaped the Constitution of India , which borrowed from it the federal structure, the three-list scheme, provincial (State) autonomy, the office of Governor, the Federal/Supreme Court model and emergency-type provisions — though the framers of 1950 corrected its flaws by basing the new Constitution on popular sovereignty. Conclusion The Government of India Act, 1935 designed, but did not actually lay down, a working federal constitution . Its federal scheme was real on paper — three lists, provincial autonomy, a Federal Court — but the All-India Federation never materialised, and even as drafted it was a weak federation under strong imperial control. It is therefore best described as a federal blueprint that remained largely unrealised , yet one that became the structural foundation of independent India's genuinely federal Constitution. easemyprep.in Value addition (comparative lens) Coming-together vs holding-together: Contrast the United States federation of 1787, built by an agreement among sovereign states pooling power upward, with the 1935 design — a holding-together scheme imposed from above by an imperial Parliament, with the units joining on dictated terms. This difference in origin explains why the 1935 federation was weak and Crown-controlled, whereas the 1950 Constitution, though centralised, rests on the sovereignty of We, the People. 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.

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 audit of the Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Discuss each adjective attached to the word 'Republic' in the 'Preamble'. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?

“Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable? (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Evaluate the economic and strategic dimension of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-cold war international scenario.[200 Words,12.5 Marks].

Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change? (200 words, 12.5 marks)

“The broader aims and objectives of the WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries”. Discuss in the Indian perspective.[200 Words, 12.5 Marks]

What is a quasi judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples. (200 words, 12.5 marks)