06 Sep 2025 UPSC GS MAINS PAPER 2 ,TREND AND ANALYSIS
2025 UPSC GS MAINS PAPER 2 ,TREND AND ANALYSIS
1. Discuss the ‘corrupt practices’ for the purpose of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Analyze whether the increase in the assets of the legislators and/or their associates, disproportionate to their known sources of income, would constitute ‘undue influence’ and consequently a corrupt practice. (Answer in 150 words) 10
2. Comment on the need of administrative tribunals as compared to the court system. Assess the impact of the recent tribunal reforms through rationalization of tribunals made in 2021. (Answer in 150 words) 10
3. Compare and contrast the President’s power to pardon in India and in the USA. Are there any limits to it in both countries? What are ‘preemptive pardons’? (Answer in 150 words) 10
4. Discuss the nature of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. Briefly describe the powers and functions of the Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. (Answer in 150 words) 10
5. “The Attorney General of India plays a crucial role in guiding the legal framework of the Union Government and ensuring sound governance through legal counsel.” Discuss his responsibilities, rights and limitations in this regard. (Answer in 150 words) 10
6. Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain. (Answer in 150 words) 10
7. e-governance projects have a built-in bias towards technology and back-end integration than user-centric designs. Examine. (Answer in 150 words) 10
8. Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being more anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify. (Answer in 150 words) 10
9. India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate. (Answer in 150 words) 10
10. “With the waning of globalization, the post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words) 10
11. “Constitutional morality is the fulcrum which acts as an essential check upon the high functionaries and citizens alike…”
In view of the above observation of the Supreme Court, explain the concept of constitutional morality and its application to ensure balance between judicial independence and judicial accountability in India. (Answer in 250 words) 15
12. Indian Constitution has conferred the amending power on the ordinary legislative institutions with a few procedural hurdles. In view of this statement, examine the procedural and substantive limitations on the amending power of the Parliament to change the Constitution. (Answer in 250 words) 15
13. Discuss the evolution of the collegium system in India. Critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the system of appointment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India and that of the USA. (Answer in 250 words) 15
14. Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India? (Answer in 250 words) 15
15. What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India. (Answer in 250 words) 15
16. Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of ‘paradox of poverty’. (Answer in 250 words) 15
17. “In contemporary development models, decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities are not located close to the source of information and execution, defeating the objectives of development.” Critically evaluate. (Answer in 250 words) 15
18. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has to address the challenges faced by children in the digital era. Examine the existing policies and suggest measures the Commission can initiate to tackle the issue. (Answer in 250 words) 15
19. “Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India’s foreign policy, and is linked with India’s overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries.” How would you integrate energy security with India’s foreign policy trajectories in the coming years? (Answer in 250 words) 15
20. “The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance.” Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Note: Practice with question papers to simulate exam conditions and avoid discrepancies found in sources.
Content Breakdown: Key Themes & Topics in the 2025 Paper Overall Theme
The paper retains its character of testing a candidate’s understanding of constitutional, political, administrative, governance, and international relations issues, with an emphasis on applied concepts, recent reforms, and contemporary debates. The questions are analytical rather than descriptive, requiring both legal-constitutional grounding and evaluative ability.
Section-wise Analysis
Constitutional and Legal Framework
Corrupt practices (RPA, 1951) and disproportionate assets highlight concerns of electoral integrity, blending law with ethical governance.
President’s pardon power (India vs USA) and Constitutional morality vs judicial independence/accountability probe comparative constitutionalism and evolving jurisprudence.
The Amending power of Parliament and Collegium system test historical evolution, limitations, and comparative perspectives with the USA.
These demand strong command over landmark cases (Kesavananda Bharati, Indira Nehru Gandhi case, NJAC, etc.).
Governance and Administration
Administrative Tribunals vs Courts and Tribunal reforms (2021) link administrative efficiency with access to justice.
The Attorney General’s role is a classic governance question, now contextualized with debates on autonomy and accountability.
e-Governance design bias asks for critical evaluation beyond technology hype, focusing on inclusiveness and citizen-centricity.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) challenge candidates to balance State authority with civic participation.
Federalism and Regional Issues
J&K Assembly post-2019 reorganization tests knowledge of constitutional changes, autonomy debates, and UT governance.
Centre-State financial relations with recent reforms ties into fiscal federalism, GST Council dynamics, and Finance Commission shifts.
Social Issues
Women’s social capital requires linking grassroots networks, SHGs, and institutional empowerment with gender equity.
Paradox of poverty and inequality of resources probes distributive justice, linking Amartya Sen’s ideas with contemporary policy debates.
Environmental pressure groups emphasize participatory democracy in climate policy.
NCPCR in the digital era highlights child protection from cyber exploitation, privacy, and regulatory gaps.
International Relations
India-Africa digital partnership highlights South-South cooperation and digital diplomacy.
Energy security in Middle East policy brings realpolitik into foreign policy discourse.
UN reforms and East-West confrontation reflect multipolar geopolitics and structural deadlock in UNSC.
Waning globalization and nationalism calls for synthesis of international economic trends with political theory.
Key Features of the Paper
Balanced Coverage – Constitution, governance, social justice, and IR all equally represented.
Comparative Dimension – India vs USA (pardon powers, judicial appointments) demands a broader perspective.
Contemporary Focus – Tribunal reforms 2021, J&K post-2019, UN reform stalemate, digital partnerships.
Analytical Orientation – Most questions ask for comment, analyze, assess, critically evaluate, not mere description.
Ethical Undercurrent – Constitutional morality, social capital, corruption, inequality—all test normative reasoning.
Difficulty Level
Moderate to High:
Straightforward factual questions are few.
Most require linking static knowledge with current developments.
Precision in 150/250 words makes it challenging to balance breadth and depth.
Expected Approach for Candidates
Quote landmark judgments (Kesavananda, Indira Gandhi, NJAC, Shreya Singhal, etc.).
Use commissions/reports (2nd ARC, Law Commission, Punchhi Commission, Finance Commissions).
Connect current affairs (tribunal reforms, GST disputes, G20 outcomes, climate negotiations).
Provide critical evaluation instead of one-sided answers.
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