GS-2 Strategy UPSC Topper Ravishankar Sharma IFoS Rank 37 Study Note

Constitution

  • Indian Constitution: Historical Underpinnings, Basic Structure and Evolution: The questions coming in this section are largely case-based. It can be historical or current affairs
    • What was held in the Coelho case? In this context can you see that judicial review is a key feature of the Indian Constitution
    • Examine the scope of fundamental rights in the light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court in the Right to Privacy case
  • Features and Provisions of the Constitution of India:
    • The questions are broadly based on challenges faced in the meaningful realisation of the features of the constitution in contemporary society.
    • The question would expect you to discuss the applicability of the constitution at the grass-root level.
    • It can also be a straightforward conceptual question as the second one here. Thus, the features of the constitution through the Preamble, Fundamental Rights and DPSP are very relevant.
    • Conflict between DPSP and FR
      • Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting a Uniform Civil Code for its citizens as provided in the DPSP of the Constitution
      • Discuss each adjective to the word ‘Republic’ in the Preamble
      • What do you understand by the concept of ‘freedom of speech and expression’? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do films stand on a different plane as compared to other forms of expression? Discuss
    • Amendments to the Constitution: Not many questions have been asked with respect to amendments. Questions can be expected to analyse the fairness of the amendment and features affected- fundamental rights, federal framework, independence of judiciary etc.
      • Discuss section 66A of the IT Act with reference to alleged violation of Article 19 of the Indian Constitution
      • Discuss salient features of Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment Act). Do you think it is efficacious to remove cascading effect of taxes and provide for a common market for goods and services.
    • Comparison of Constitution with other countries: Open topic. No question so far. Try to analytically think what we have got from where.

Polity

Federalism and Local Governance

  • Functions and Responsibilities of Union and States: Questions come with a background to know the bifurcation of powers between Centre and States. Special instances like Kashmir and Delhi have found mention
    • 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 the institution of the 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?
  • Issues Pertaining to Federal Structure: One of the most favourite topic and hotbed of questions of UPSC.
    • Question can talk about the nature of federalism – cooperative and competitive- their advantages need a mention. Contemporary examples are mandatory.
      • 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
    • It can also talk about the nature of federalism mentioned in the constitution- quasi-federal or federal with unitary bias. It may talk about the need for further decentralization in contemporary times. It may also ask to analyse the constitution federalism in contemporary times.
      • 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 a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strong federalism. Discuss.
    • Inter-state issues also find mention in questions. Thus constitutional institutions to resolve the same can also be asked- inter-state council, zonal councils etc.
      • Constitutional mechanisms to resolve inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is it a structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss
    • Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges therein: The Question almost always is going to focus on the weakness of PRIs, challenges they face and the way forward in the realisation of grass root level governance
      • In the 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.
      • Q. “The local self-government system in India has not proved to be an effective instrument of governance”. Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation

Separation of Powers between Organs (Overlap with Judiciary’s structure, organization and functioning)

  • Executive- Legislature Domain: The Question that is going to be asked is going to be invariably about ordinances and the abuse of the power by the executive. Efficacy of control of legislature on executive may also be asked.
    • 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, analyse 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?
  • Judiciary – Executive
    • Question-related to appointments of judges: Study drawbacks of the collegium, need for independence of the judiciary, why delay in appointment of judges
      • Q. Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to the appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India
    • Questions can come with regard to judicial activism and its subsequent rise, the misuse of PILs, the tilting balance towards the judiciary and so on
      • Starting from inventing the ‘basic structure’ doctrine, the judiciary has played a highly proactive role in ensuring that India develops into a thriving democracy. In light of the statement, evaluate the role played by judicial activism in achieving the ideals of democracy.
    • Judiciary- Legislative:
      • The Supreme Court of India keeps a check on the arbitrary power of the Parliament in amending the Constitution. Discuss critically.

Structure, Organization and Functioning of Executive

  • Questions can relate to the size of cabinet and council of ministers: minimum government and maximum governance- rationalization of governance machinery.
    • The size of the cabinet should be as big as governmental work justifies and as big as the Prime Minister can manage as a team. How far the efficacy of a government then is inversely related to the size of the cabinet? Discuss.
  • Procedures in normal functioning, whether they need a rethink?
    • Instances of President’s delay in commuting death sentences has come under public debate as a denial of justice. Should there be a time limit specified for the President to accept/reject such petitions? Analyse.

Representation of People’s Act: Salient Features

  • Questions usually come with current affairs related electoral reform proposals viz. simultaneous elections, state funding of elections etc. Challenges to free and fair elections are of prime importance.
    • ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss.
    • 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 democracy successful?

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Parliament and State Legislatures: Structure, Functioning, Business and Privileges

  • Structure and Functioning: How the parliament works, how are bills, amendments passed, ways of control on executive etc.
    • The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding joint session of the two houses of the Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with reasons thereof.
  • Role of committees and accountability
    • Discuss the role of PAC in maintaining accountability of government to the people.
  • Loss of Parliamentary Culture: Ability of parliament to keep executive under control
    • The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result, healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a different intention?
  • Privileges of MPs and associated issues: Abuse of these privileges only possible question
    • The ‘Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and its Members’ as envisaged in Article 105 of the Constitution leave room for a large number of un-codified and un-enumerated privileges to continue. Assess the reasons for the absence of legal codification of the ‘parliamentary privileges’. How can this problem be addressed?

Constitutional Bodies and Posts

  • Appointments to various constitutional posts, powers and functions of such posts and constitutional bodies: The question is going to ask the constitutional mandate of such bodies or posts, the challenges in the meaningful realisation of them and based on current affairs.
    • 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 an audit of the Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction
    • Discuss the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission which have been a departure from the previous commissions for strengthening the local government finances
  • Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-Judicial Bodies: A bouncer as to what is a quasi-judicial body has been asked. Normal questions centre out the hindrances for meaningful realisation of the mandate of existing bodies. The theme of autonomy and authority vested in bodies important
    • Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer.
    • 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.
    • National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in India can be most effective when its tasks are adequately supported by other mechanisms that ensure the accountability of a government. In light of the above observation assess the role of NHRC as an effective complement to the judiciary and other institutions in promoting and protecting human rights standards
  • Role of Formal/ Informal Associations + Pressure Groups
    • The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes.” Discuss.

 

Governance

  • Important Aspects of Governance: Transparency and Accountability: Question is going to be of an institution or legislation that is created to ensure transparency or accountability. For example, the role of RTI in ensuring transparency or the role of parliament in ensuring accountability of the executive. The question may also ask us about the challenges to ensuring good governance.
    • Discuss the role of the Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of the government to the people.
    • In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, economic, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India.
    • “If the amendment bill to the Whistleblowers Act, 2011 tabled in the Parliament is passed, there may be no one left to protect.” Critically evaluate.
  • Citizens Charters: Straightforward question: study its purpose, effectiveness and how to improve the same
    • Through Citizen’s charters have been formulated by many public service delivery organizations, there is no corresponding improvement in the level of citizens’ satisfaction and quality of services being provided. Analyse.
  • E-Governance: Applications, Models, Successes, Limitations and Potential: Open area, biggest chance for a question.
  • Role of Civil Services in a Democracy: Question invariably about drawbacks of current structure and organization of civil services, need for reforms- lateral entry/ Specialist vs generalist debates
    • Initially, Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil services? Comment
    • Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment.

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