UPSC Mains Law Paper Topic : Constitution and
Constitutionalism
- “The Preamble to the Constitution sets out the aims and aspirations
of the people of India.” To what extent have they been translated into
the various provisions of the Constitution? (94/I/1b/20)
- Discuss the characteristics of secularism and examine how far the Indian
Constitution is secular. (95/I/2b/30)
- “Constitution of India neither purely federal nor purely unitary but is
a combination of both.” Discuss. (95/I/1a/20)
- “Indian secularism is neither antireligious nor is it based on total
neutrality towards religion but is based on equal respect for all
religions.” Explain and illustrate. (97/I/1d/20)
- ‘Constitution of India is first and Constitutional and Administrative
Law foremost a social document.” Granville Austin. Explain. (98/I/1a/20)
- “The Indian Constitution is essentially federal in character, though it
tends to be unitary at times.” Comment. (00/I/1a/20)
- What is the nature of the Indian Constitution? Do you think it is a
Federal Constitution? Discuss. (02/I/Id/20)
- Explain the form of the Government that the Constitution of India has
adopted and which has been subject of criticism. What reforms, if any, will
you suggest in this regard? (04/I/4b/30)
- “Federalism has in recent years, witnessed a change - from the dogmatic
to dynamic - approach.” Discuss the changing approach and point out the main
deviations in the working of the Constitution of India. (04/I/1a/20)
- ’Secularism is neither anti-God not proGod. It ‘eliminates God from the
matters of State and ensures that no one shall be discriminated on the
grounds of religion.” In the light of the above observation discuss the true
import of freedom of religion guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.
(05/I/3a/30)
- “The Indian federal structure has brought in some novel provisions which
are not to be found in other federations.” Critically discuss. (05/I/1d/20).
- Are these features in the Constitution of India that are basic or
fundamental to it? Would you subscribe to the proposition that the
Parliament’s competence to amend the Constitution is subject to the basic or
fundamental features of the Constitution? Elucidate. (07/I/3a/30)
- “The Constitution of India is not true to any traditional pattern of
federation.” Comment. (07/l/1c/20)
- Differentiate between ‘Federal Constitution’ and ‘Federal Government’.
Based on judicial pronouncements and your perception of the working or our
Constitution, comment on whether India has a Federal Government or a Federal
Constitution. (09/I/1a/20)
- Constituent power to frame the constitution and the constituent power to
amend the constitution have different connotation and scope. Explain.
(11/I/1a/15)
- Secularism. (11/I/4c/15)
