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.

 Public Administration Daily Answer Writing 2020