21 questions from the UPSC 2018 examination.
21 questions
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? (250 words, 15 marks)
Indian and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.
Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (150 words, 10 marks)
E-governance is not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain. (150 words, 10 marks)
What are the Key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of “Trade War” especially keeping in mind the interest of India?. [200 Words,15 Marks].
“Policy Contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation’ to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations. (150 words, 10 marks)
The Citizens’ Charter is an ideal instrument of organizational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizens’ Charter. (250 words, 15 marks)
Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee. (150 words, 10 marks)
Whether the Supreme Court Judgment (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine. (250 words, 15 marks)
How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss. (250 words, 15 marks)
“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back” Discuss [150 Words, 10 Marks].
In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (150 words, 10 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 development projects? (250 words, 15 marks)
In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation? [200 Words, 15 Marks].
Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remain in force? (150 words, 10 marks)
“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. (150 words, 10 marks)
Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain. (150 words, 10 marks)
Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction & duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella human rights commission? Argue your case. (250 words, 15 marks)
How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? (250 words, 15 marks)
A number of outside power 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. [150 Word, 10 Marks].
How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you understand about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss. How to approach this question Write a brief introduction setting context ( 2–3 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 ( 2–3 lines ) Practice all GS2 Mains questions Model answers + key points for every question Open App Model Answer Framework (English) Show Hide Introduction The Finance Commission is the constitutional body that lies at the heart of India's fiscal federalism . Established under Article 280 , it is the principal mechanism for distributing financial resources between the Union and the States. Its terms of reference (ToR) , set by the President, critically shape its recommendations — as the experience of the Fifteenth Finance Commission , constituted in 2017 under N.K. Singh, illustrates. How the Finance Commission is constituted The Finance Commission is a quasi-judicial constitutional body constituted by the President under Article 280 , normally every fifth year or earlier as the President considers necessary. Composition: It consists of a Chairman and four other members appointed by the President. easemyprep.in Qualifications: Parliament, through the Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951 , has prescribed the qualifications. The Chairman is chosen from persons with experience in public affairs . The four members are selected from: a person who is, or is qualified to be, a judge of a High Court ; a person with special knowledge of the finances and accounts of government ; a person with wide experience in financial matters and administration ; and a person with special knowledge of economics . Functions of the Finance Commission Under Article 280, the Commission recommends: The distribution of the net proceeds of taxes between the Union and the States ( vertical devolution ) and the allocation among the States ( horizontal devolution ); the principles governing grants-in-aid to the States out of the Consolidated Fund of India (Article 275); measures to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of Panchayats and Municipalities ; and any other matter referred to it by the President in the interests of sound finance. easemyprep.in The terms of reference of the recently constituted (15th) Finance Commission The 15th Finance Commission's ToR were both significant and, in parts, controversial: Use of 2011 Census population data: The Commission was asked to use the 2011 population figures (rather than the long-used 1971 figures). This generated concern, especially among southern States , that those which had successfully controlled population growth would be penalised with a smaller share. Performance-based incentives: The ToR directed the Commission to consider performance incentives for States — for progress in population control, expansion of the tax net, ease of doing business, achievement of developmental and behavioural outcomes , and so on. easemyprep.in Control of "populist measures": The ToR asked the Commission to consider whether revenue-deficit grants should be provided and even to factor in the "control or lack of it in incurring expenditure on populist measures" — a clause criticised as intruding on the States' fiscal autonomy. Impact of GST: The Commission was to assess the impact of the Goods and Services Tax , including the compensation arrangements for revenue loss. Fiscal consolidation and debt: It was to review the fiscal position, debt levels and the path of fiscal consolidation of the Union and the States. easemyprep.in (An additional ToR later asked it to examine a separate funding mechanism for defence and internal security .) Discussion — the significance of the ToR The ToR are decisive because they steer the Commission's approach . While incentivising fiscal discipline, tax effort and good outcomes is desirable, several of the 15th FC's ToR raised genuine federalism concerns — the shift to the 2011 Census, the judging of "populist" spending, and conditionalities were seen by States as eroding their autonomy and penalising better-governed States . This underlines a key principle: the ToR of a Finance Commission should be balanced and consultative , strengthening fiscal responsibility without compromising the constitutional autonomy and equity owed to the States. Conclusion The Finance Commission, constituted under Article 280 with a Chairman and four qualified members, is the balancing wheel of Indian fiscal federalism . Its terms of reference fundamentally shape how resources are shared. The 15th Finance Commission's ToR — the 2011 Census, performance incentives, scrutiny of populist spending and the GST impact — show both the value of incentivising good fiscal behaviour and the danger of ToR that strain Centre-State trust. Framing ToR in a spirit of cooperative federalism is essential so that the Commission can fulfil its role as a fair and credible arbiter of fiscal relations. easemyprep.in Value addition (current & comparative) 16th Finance Commission (2024–26): Chaired by Arvind Panagariya, it submitted its report for the award period 2026-27 to 2030-31 to the President on 17 November 2025; the award takes effect 1 April 2026 and will be tabled with an Action Taken Report (Art. 281). Devolution trajectory: 13th FC 32% → 14th FC (Y.V. Reddy) 42% (the largest-ever single increase) → 15th FC (N.K. Singh) 41%, with a 12.5% demographic-performance weight on the 2011 Census base. Structural strain: Rising cesses and surcharges sit outside the divisible pool, so States' effective share is below the headline 41%; conditional Centrally Sponsored Schemes (Art. 282) dilute autonomy; GST subsumed States' taxing powers. easemyprep.in Comparative: Australia's Commonwealth Grants Commission, Germany's Finanzausgleich and Canada's equalisation payments are mature horizontal-equalisation models India studies for formula design. Reform: Punchhi Commission urged transparency/limits on cesses; the FRBM Review (N.K. Singh) Committee proposed a Fiscal Council; demands include a permanent FC secretariat and bringing cesses into the divisible pool. 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. 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