Madhavi Gaur
September 27, 2023 05:00
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UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis: General Studies Paper 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam encompasses governance, constitution, polity, social justice, and international relations, as per the UPSC syllabus.
The UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 2 holds significant importance within the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Unlike the other general studies papers in the Mains, the initial paper is dedicated to key subjects such as Polity and Governance, International Relations (IR), and Social Justice. The PWOnlyIAS Team has conducted a comprehensive analysis of the UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 2 for the benefit of candidates who appeared for the UPSC Mains Examination in 2023. You can access the General Studies Paper 2 (Paper 3) UPSC Mains Question Paper in PDF format through the provided link. Delve into the detailed analysis of the UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 2 for the year 2023 below.
UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis: General Studies Paper 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam encompasses governance, constitution, polity, social justice, and international relations, as per the UPSC syllabus. With both Hindi and English versions of the question paper, this paper comprises twenty questions.
For aspiring UPSC candidates, it is essential to delve into past GS 2 mains question papers and analyze UPSC exam trends to gain insights into the nature and complexity of commonly asked questions. Hence, we have compiled a thorough analysis of Mains GS Paper 2 spanning from 2013 to 2021 to assist UPSC aspirants in their preparation.
The PDF of UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 2 for the year 2023 is now accessible to candidates. This examination was conducted by UPSC on September 16, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 2 holds a weightage of 250 marks and consists of a total of 20 questions. The duration of the exam is 3 hours. To download the UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 2 for 2023 in PDF format, please refer to the link provided below.
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UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 2023 PDF |
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| UPSC GS Paper 2 Question | PDF Download Link |
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UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis: Aspirants can benefit from analyzing previous years’ GS Paper 2 questions to gauge topic-wise difficulty levels and question types. Below is a topic-wise analysis of GS 2 questions from 2013 to 2021:
| Year | Polity | Constitution | Governance | Social Justice | International Relations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| 2014 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 2017 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| 2018 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
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For candidates who appeared for the UPSC Mains Exam in 2023, a comprehensive, question-wise detailed discussion of UPSC Mains Paper II 2023 is provided below:
| UPSC Mains GS Paper II 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Question No. | Hindi Question | English Question | Marks |
| 1 | “संवैधानिक रूप सेन्यानिक स्वतंत्रता की गारंटी लोकतंत्र की एक पूववशतवहै।” नटप्पणी कीनिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) | “Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a prerequisite of democracy.” Comment. (Answer in 150 words) |
10 |
| 2 | नि:शुल्क कािूिी सहािता प्राप्त करिेके हकदार कौि हैं? नि:शुल्क कािूिी सहािता के प्रनतपादि में राष्ट्रीि नवनध सेवा प्रानधकरण (एि.ए.एल.एस.ए.) की भूनमका का आकलि कीनिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) | Who are entitled to receive free legal aid? Assess the role of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in rendering free legal aid in India. (Answer in 150 words) | 10 |
| 3 | “भारत के राज्य शहरी स्थािीि निकािोंको कािावत्मक एवं नवत्तीि दोिोंही रूप सेसशक्त बिािेके प्रनत अनिच्छु क प्रतीत होतेहैं।” नटप्पणी कीनिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) | “The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially.” Comment. (Answer in 150 words) | 10 |
| 4 | संसदीि संप्रभुता के प्रनत निनटश एवं भारतीि दृनष्ट्कोणोंकी तुलिा करेंऔर अंतर बताएं । (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) | Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty. (Answer in 150 words) | 10 |
| 5 | नवधािी कािों के संचालि मेंव्यवस्था एवं निष्पक्षता बिाए रखिेमेंऔर सवोत्तम लोकतांनत्रक परम्पराओं को सुगम बिािेमेंराज्य नवधानिकाओं के पीठासीि अनधकाररिोंकी भूनमका की नववेचिा कीनिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
Discuss the role of Presiding Officers of state legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in conducting legislative work and in facilitating best democratic practices. (Answer in 150 words) |
10 |
| 6 | मािव संसाधि नवकास पर पिावप्त ध्याि िहींनदिा िािा भारत की नवकास प्रनििा का एक कठोर पक्ष रहा है। ऐसेउपाि सुझाइए िो इस अपिावप्तता को दू र कर सकें (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) | The crucial aspect of development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this inadequacy. (Answer in 150 words) |
10 |
| 7 | भारत मेंबहुराष्ट्रीि निगमोंके द्वारा प्रभावशाली स्थस्थनत के दुरुपिोग को रोकिेमेंभारत के प्रनतस्पधावआिोग की भूनमका पर चचावकीनिए। हाल के निणविोंका संदभवलें। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
Discuss the role of the Competition Commission of India in containing the abuse of dominant position by the Multi-National Corporations in India. Refer to the recent decisions. (Answer in 150 words) |
10 |
| 8 | भारत मेंबहुराष्ट्रीि निगमोंके द्वारा प्रभावशाली स्थस्थनत के दुरुपिोग को रोकिेमेंभारत के प्रनतस्पधावआिोग की भूनमका पर चचावकीनिए। हाल के निणविोंका संदभवलें। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
E-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features? (Answer in 150 words) |
10 |
| 9 | ‘संघषवका नवषाणुएस.सी.ओ. के कामकाि को प्रभानवत कर रहा है’ उपरोक्त कथि के आलोक मेंसमस्याओंको कम करिेमेंभारत की भूनमका बताइिे। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’ In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating the problems. (Answer in 150 words) |
10 |
| 10 | भारतीि प्रवानसिोंिेपनिम मेंिई ऊं चाइिोंको छु आ है। भारत के नलिेइसके आनथवक और राििीनतक लाभोंका वणवि करें। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India. (Answer in 150 words) |
10 |
| 11 | “भारत का संनवधाि अत्यनधक गनतशीलता की क्षमताओं के साथ एक िीवंत िंत्र है। िह प्रगनतशील समाि के नलिेबिािा गिा एक संनवधाि है।” िीिेके अनधकार तथा व्यस्थक्तगत स्वतंत्रता के अनधकार मेंहो रहे निरंतर नवस्तार के नवशेष संदभवमेंउदाहरण सनहत व्याख्या कीनिए ।(उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) | “The Constitution of India is a living instrument with capabilities of enormous dynamism. It is a constitution made for a progressive society.” Illustrate with special reference to the expanding horizons of the right to life and personal liberty. (Answer in 150 words) |
15 |
| 12 | प्रासंनगक संवैधानिक प्रावधािों और निणवि नवनधिों की मदद सेलैंनगक न्याि के संवैधानिक पररप्रेक्ष्य की व्याख्या कीनिए । (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
Explain the constitutional perspectives of Gender Justice with the help of relevant Constitutional Provisions and case laws. (Answer in 250 words) | 15 |
| 13 | संघीि सरकारोंद्वारा 1990 के दशक के मध्य सेअिुच्छे द 356 के उपिोग की कम आवृनत्त केनलिेनिम्मेदार नवनधक एवं राििीनतक कारकोंका नववरण प्रस्तुत कीनिए। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
Account for the legal and political factors responsible for the reduced frequency of using Article 356 by the Union Governments since mid 1990s. (Answer in 250 words) | 15 |
| 14 | भारत मेंराज्य नवधानिकाओंमेंमनहलाओंकी प्रभावी एवंसाथवक भागीदारी और प्रनतनिनधत्व केनलिेिागररक समाि समूहोंके िोगदाि पर नवचार कीनिए। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women’s effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India.(Answer in 250 words) | 15 |
| 15 | 101 वेंसंनवधाि संशोधि अनधनििम का महत्व समझाइए। िह नकस हद तक संघवाद के समावेशी भाविा को दशावता है? (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
Explain the significance of the 101 st Constitutional Amendment Act. To what extent does it reflect the accommodative spirit of federalism? (Answer in 250 words) | 15 |
| 16 | संसदीि सनमनत प्रणाली की संरचिा को समझाइए। भारतीि संसद के संस्थािीकरण मेंनवत्तीि सनमनतिोंिे कहााँतक मदद की ? (उत्तर 250 शब्ब्दों में दीजिए) |
Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the Institutionalisation of Indian Parliament? (Answer in 250 words) |
15 |
| 17 | “वंनचतों के नवकास और कल्याण की िोििाएं अपिी प्रकृ नत सेही दृनष्ट्कोण मेंभेदभाव करिेवाली होती हैं।” क्या आप सहमत हैं? अपिेउत्तर के पक्ष मेंकारण दीनिए। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
“Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (Answer in 250 words) |
15 |
| 18 | नवनभन्न क्षेत्रोंमेंमािव संसाधिोंकी आपूनतवमेंवृस्थि करिेमेंकौशल नवकास कािविमोंिेसफलता अनिवत की है। इस कथि के सन्दभवमेंनशक्षा, कौशल और रोिगार के मध्य संिोिि का नवश्लेषण कीनिए ।(उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए) | Skill development programmes have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyse the linkages between education, skill and employment. (Answer in 250 words) |
15 |
| 19 | ‘िाटो का नवस्तार एवं सुदृढीकरण, और एक मिबूत अमेररका-िूरोप रणिीनतक साझेदारी भारत के नलिे अच्छा काम करती है।’ इस कथि के बारेमेंआपकी क्या राि है? अपिेउत्तर के समथवि मेंकारण और उदाहरण दीनििे। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
‘The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well for India.’ What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer (Answer in 250 words) | 15 |
| 20 | ‘समुद्र िह्ांड का एक महत्वपूणवघटक है’ उपरोक्त कथि के आलोक मेंपिाववरण रक्षण और समुद्री संरक्षा एवं सुरक्षा को बढािेमेंआई.एम.ओ. (अंतरावष्ट्रीि समुद्री संगठि) की भूनमका पर चचावकरें। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए) |
‘Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos’. Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security (Answer in 250 words) | 15 |
In previous years, UPSC GS Paper 2 covered a range of topics including Indian politics, governance, social justice, the constitution, and international relations (IR). To aid aspirants in their preparation for the upcoming Civil Services examination, we offer GS 2 questions from previous years along with an analysis of this paper.
By examining the number of questions asked on each topic from 2018 to 2022, as presented below, it becomes easier to assess the level of difficulty and the types of questions encountered in UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 in previous years.
Indian Polity holds significant importance in the UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 exam, typically featuring around 4 to 8 questions. A brief analysis of the number of previous-year GS Paper 2 questions related to Polity over the last 5 years is provided in the table below for your reference.
| Year of Exam | Total Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 12 | 115 |
| 2021 | 10 | 115 |
| 2020 | 10 | 115 |
| 2019 | 9 | 125 |
| 2018 | 10 | 115 |
UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 generally includes 5–6 questions on governance, covering topics such as government policies, the Indian Parliament, policymaking, non-governmental organizations, and e-government, among others. The following table illustrates an analysis of the number of previous-year GS2 questions on governance over the past 5 years:
| Year of Exam | Total Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 15 Marks |
| 2021 | 5 | 50 Marks |
| 2020 | 2 | 30 Marks |
| 2019 | 2 | 20 Marks |
| 2018 | 2 | 25 Marks |
Within the realm of social justice, subtopics encompass gender equality, inequality, women’s empowerment, improved health conditions, human rights commissions, and education, among others. The table below indicates the number of questions related to Social Justice in GS Paper 2 from 2018 to 2022:
| Year of Exam | Total Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 60 Marks |
| 2021 | 3 | 35 Marks |
| 2020 | 3 | 55 Marks |
| 2019 | 5 | 65 Marks |
| 2018 | 5 | 60 Marks |
International Relations (IR) in GS Paper 2 typically comprises 4–5 questions in previous years. These questions delve into India’s interactions with other nations, international organizations, and global challenges like poverty, war, pandemics, etc. The table below illustrates the trend in the number of international relations questions in GS Paper 2 over the past few years:
| Year of Exam | Total Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 60 Marks |
| 2021 | 4 | 50 Marks |
| 2020 | 5 | 50 Marks |
| 2019 | 4 | 50 Marks |
| 2018 | 5 | 50 Marks |
Candidates preparing for the UPSC Exam in 2023 can download the GS Paper 2 previous year questions in PDF format for the past 5 years from the direct links provided below. These questions, when attempted after covering the UPSC syllabus for Paper 2, can enhance your chances of success.
| GS Paper 2 Previous Year Questions [2023 – 2018] | |
|---|---|
| Year of Exam | GS2 Previous Year Questions |
| 2018 | GS Paper 2 Previous Year Questions PDF |
| 2019 | GS Paper 2 Previous Year Questions PDF |
| 2020 | GS Paper 2 Previous Year Questions PDF |
| 2021 | GS Paper 2 Previous Year Questions PDF |
| 2022 | GS Paper 2 Previous Year Questions PDF |
Question 1: Discuss the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court as the most significant achievement of modern law in India, citing relevant case laws. (Answer in 150 words) [10 marks]
Question 2: Comment on the availability of the right of movement and residence throughout the territory of India for Indian citizens, emphasizing the non-absoluteness of these rights. (Answer in 150 words) [10 marks]
Question 3: Evaluate the extent to which the decentralization of power in India has reshaped governance at the grassroots level, sharing your perspective. (Answer in 150 words) [10 marks]
Question 4: Examine the role of the Vice President of India as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha. (Answer in 150 words) [10 marks]
Question 5: Analyze the role of the National Commission for Backward Classes, especially in the context of its transformation from a statutory body to a constitutional body. (Answer in 150 words) [10 marks]
Question 6: Discuss the need for meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve connectivity goals within the Gati-Shakti Yojana. (Answer in 150 words) [10 marks]
Question 7: Comment on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, emphasizing its existence as a legal document without substantial sensitization of government officials and citizens regarding disability. (Answer in 150 words) [10 marks]
Question 8: Evaluate the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme’s role in reforming the government delivery system, acknowledging its progressive aspects and limitations. (Answer in 150 words) [10 marks]
Question 9: Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka, considering the historical context of being an age-old friend to Sri Lanka. (Answer in 150 words) [10 marks]
Question 10: Analyze whether BIMSTEC functions as a parallel organization to SAARC, highlighting their similarities, differences, and how these align with Indian Foreign Policy objectives. (Answer in 250 words) [15 marks]
Question 11: Explain the procedures for resolving disputes arising from the election of a Member of Parliament or a State Legislature under the Representation of People Act 1951. Identify grounds for declaring the election of a returned candidate void and the remedies available to the aggrieved party, supported by case laws. (Answer in 250 words) [15 marks]
Question 12: Discuss the essential conditions governing the exercise of legislative powers by the Governor. Additionally, examine the legality of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature.
The General Studies Paper 2 for the UPSC 2022 Mains examination covered a wide range of topics, including Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations, as outlined in the UPSC syllabus.
The questions were designed to test the candidates’ understanding of key concepts and issues in these areas. Many questions, such as those on the National Commission for Backward Classes, Legislative Powers of the Governor, Role of the Vice President as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and Decentralization of Power, closely aligned with the keywords mentioned in the UPSC syllabus.
While some questions, like those related to I2U2, Gatishakthi Yojana, and the President and Vice President, did not have a direct connection to recent current affairs, knowledge of events over the past decade could have been beneficial for answering other questions.
One notable point was the question related to the Election Commission, which focused on the relationship between the Election Commission and the Model Code of Conduct rather than the mandate of the Election Commission itself.
Overall, the quality of the questions was deemed good, and most serious aspirants should have found the paper to be of moderate difficulty. The questions effectively assessed the understanding of future civil servants in areas such as Constitution, Polity, Governance, Social Justice, and International Relations.
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