UPSC MAINS 2022 GS-II PAPER ANALYSIS AND PAST YEAR TRENDS

UPSC conducted the General Studies Paper 2, as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2022 on 17-09-2022.

• There were 20 questions printed in both English and Hindi. 
• 10 questions were of 10 marks each, while the remaining 10 questions were of 15 marks each.
• Total Marks: 250 marks, Time duration: 3 hours.
• All questions were compulsory.
• The number of marks carried by a question/part was printed against it.
• Answers had to be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate which had to be stated clearly on the cover of this question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided.
• Answers to questions no. 1 to 10 were to be in 150 words, whereas answers to questions no. 11 to 20 were to be in 250 words.
• Any page or portion of the page left blank, had to be struck off clearly.

Questions:

Qn1. The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court. Discuss this statement with the help of relevant Case laws. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn2. Right of movement and residence throughout the territory of India are freely available to the Indian citizens, but these rights are not absolute. Comment (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn3. To what extent in your opinion has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots? (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn4. Discuss the role of the Vice President of India as the chairman of Rajya Sabha. (Answer in  150 words) 10 mark

Qn5. Discuss the role of National Commission for Backward Classes in the wake of its transformation from a statutory body to a constitutional body. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn6.The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss. (Answer in  150 words) 10 mark

Qn7. The rights of persons with disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of Government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. (Answer in  150 words) 10 mark

Qn8. Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has limitations too. Comment. (Answer in  150 words) 10 mark

Qn9. ‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka’. Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (Answer in  150 words) 10 mark

Qn10. Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian Foreign Policy objectives realised by forming this new organisation? (Answer in  250 words) 15 mark

Qn11. Discuss the procedures to decide the disputes arising out of the election of a Member of the Parliament or a State Legislature under the Representation of People Act 1951. What are the grounds on which the election of any returned candidate may be declared void ? What remedy is available to the aggrieved party against the decision? Refer to the case laws (Answer in  250 words) 15 mark

Qn12. Discuss the essential conditions for exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the legality of re- promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature.

Qn13. “While the national political parties in India favour centralisation, the regional parties are in favour of state autonomy.” Comment. (Answer in  250 words) 15 mark

Qn14. Critically examine the procedures through which the presidents of India and France are elected. (Answer in  250 words) 15 mark

Qn15. Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct. (Answer in  250 words) 15 mark

Qn16. Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss.  (Answer in  250 words) 15 mark

Qn17. Do you agree with the view that increasing dependence on donor agencies for development reduces the importance of community participation in the development process? Justify your answer.  (Answer in  250 words) 15 mark

Qn18. The Right of Children to green and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse.  (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn19. How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics? (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn20. ‘Clean energy is the order of the day’. Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics.  (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

ANALYSIS OF 2022 PAPER:

LEVEL OF QUESTIONS

YEAR	POLITY	GOVERNANCE	SOCIAL JUSTICE	INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
2022	Polity – 6 Constitution– 4	4	3	3

• Most of serious aspirants should find the paper easy.
• General Studies Paper 2 was a perfect mix of Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations – as mentioned in the UPSC Syllabus.
• Most of the questions had linkage to current affairs.
• Further questions demanded linking different subjects, for example, economy and governance, environment and IR etc.
• Candidates should have a good understanding of contemporary events (in a span of the last 10 years).
• Questions were mainly from expected areas.
• To think and reflect that in answers in actual examination environment is the real deal in this paper.

The major topics where questions are asked from in the GS II paper are:

Polity	Indian Constitution Features of Indian Constitution Amendments in Indian Constitution Provisions Constitutional and non-constitutional bodies
Governance	Government policies and interventions Governance Transparency Accountability E-governance applications
Social Justice	Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services Issues relating to poverty and hunger
International Relations	Bilateral Groupings Regional and global groupings  Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

ANALYSIS OF PREVIOUS YEAR PAPERS:

YEAR	POLITY	GOVERNANCE	SOCIAL JUSTICE	INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
2013	Polity – 4 Constitution– 4	5	5	7
2014	Polity – 2 Constitution– 4	6	3	5
2015	Polity – 4 Constitution– 4	4	4	4
2016	Polity – 4 Constitution– 3	5	4	4
2017	Polity – 6 Constitution– 2	5	3	4
2018	Polity – 10 Constitution– 0	3	3	4
2019	Polity – 6 Constitution– 2	6	2	4
2020	Polity – 4 Constitution– 6	3	3	4
2021	Polity – 3 Constitution– 6	2	5	4

What ultimately matters in this exam would be the quick comprehension of each question and proper answer writing skills.

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