UPSC Mains PYQs on Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features (GS Paper 2)
Every UPSC Mains question on Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features between 2013 and 2025 is listed below, newest year first, with the marks it carried. Filter by microtheme to see one idea across all the years.
By Team MaargX UPSC · UPSC Mains 2013-2025
Short answer: UPSC has asked 18 questions on Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features (syllabus item 1 of GS Paper 2) between 2013 and 2025, worth 235 marks in all, about 1.6 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Fundamental Rights (7), Amendments (3), Case Laws (3), Constitutional Morality (2). The busiest year was 2016 (3 questions, 37.5 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 2, item 1: Indian Constitution-Historical underpinnings & evolution; Features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure of Constitution
Find Questions by GS Paper, Syllabus Topic and Microtheme
Step 1 paper → Step 2 syllabus topic → Step 3 subject → Step 4 microtheme. Each step opens after the one before it.
Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features: questions year-wise with marks
2025 2 questions · 30 marks
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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.
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"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.
2024 1 question · 15 marks
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Right to privacy is intrinsic to life and personal liberty and is inherently protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. Explain. In this reference discuss the law relating to D.N.A. testing of a child in the womb to establish its paternity.
2023 2 questions · 30 marks
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Explain the constitutional perspectives of Gender Justice with the help of relevant Constitutional Provisions and case laws.
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"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.
2022 2 questions · 20 marks
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The most significant achievement of modern law in India in the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court. Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws.
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Right of movement and residence throughout the territory of India are freely available to the Indian citizens, but these rights are not absolute. Comment
2021 1 question · 10 marks
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'Constitutional Morality' is rooted in the Constitution itself and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of 'Constitutional Morality' with the help of relevant judicial decisions.
2019 1 question · 15 marks
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"Parliament's power to amend the Constitution is a limited power and it cannot be enlarged into absolute power." In the light of this statement explain whether Parliament under Article 368 of the Constitution can destroy the Basic Structure of the Constitution by expanding its amending power?
2017 2 questions · 30 marks
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Explain the salient features of the constitution(One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016. Do you think it is efficacious enough 'to remove cascading effect of taxes and provide for common national market for goods and services'?
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Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy.
2016 3 questions · 37.5 marks
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What was held in the Coelho case? In this context, can you say that judicial review is of key importance amongst the basic features of the Constitution?
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Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss.
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Discuss each adjective attached to the word 'Republic' in the preamble. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?
2015 2 questions · 25 marks
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Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy.
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Does the right to clean environment entail legal regulations on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and Judgement(s) of the Apex Court in this regard.
2014 1 question · 12.5 marks
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What do you understand by the concept "freedom of speech and expression"? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films inIndia stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.
2013 1 question · 10 marks
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Discuss Section 66A of IT Act, with reference to its alleged violation of Article 19 of the Constitution.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 2, item 1 (Polity) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 18 (2013-2025), about 1.6 a year |
| Total marks | 235 marks |
| Last five years | 8 questions, 105 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 15 marks (8 questions) |
| Directive words | Discuss (8), Explain (5), Examine (2), Illustrate (1) |
| Busiest year | 2016 (3 questions, 37.5 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 30 marks |
| 2024 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2023 | 2 | 30 marks |
| 2022 | 2 | 20 marks |
| 2021 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2019 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2017 | 2 | 30 marks |
| 2016 | 3 | 37.5 marks |
| 2015 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2014 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| 2013 | 1 | 10 marks |
| Total | 18 | 235 marks |
Microthemes in Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Fundamental Rights 7 · 90 marks
- Amendments 3 · 45 marks
- Case Laws 3 · 37.5 marks
- Constitutional Morality 2 · 25 marks
- Making of the Constitution 2 · 25 marks
- DPSP 1 · 12.5 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 2
- 02. Union and States: Federal Structure 16 · 195 marks
- 03. Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal 10 · 117.5 marks
- 04. Devolution to Local Levels 8 · 97.5 marks
- 05. Comparison with Other Constitutions 9 · 115 marks
- 06. Parliament and State Legislatures 13 · 162.5 marks
- 07. Executive, Judiciary and Pressure Groups 17 · 197.5 marks
- 08. Representation of the People's Act 11 · 137.5 marks
- 09. Constitutional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies 23 · 282.5 marks
- 10. Government Policies and Interventions 9 · 112.5 marks
- 11. NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry 14 · 177.5 marks
- 12. Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections 9 · 110 marks
- 13. Health, Education and Human Resources 18 · 215 marks
- 14. Poverty and Hunger 10 · 127.5 marks
- 15. Transparency, Accountability and E-Governance 18 · 215 marks
- 16. Role of Civil Services 5 · 60 marks
- 17. India and Its Neighbourhood 7 · 75 marks
- 18. Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings 19 · 230 marks
- 19. Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora 16 · 195 marks
- 20. International Institutions and Agencies 15 · 187.5 marks
How to Use Mains PYQs Topic Wise
- Start with the microthemes. Open a topic and read its microtheme list. The ones with the most questions are the ideas UPSC returns to.
- Read the demand words. Note how questions begin: discuss, examine, critically analyse, comment. Each asks for a different answer structure.
- Write by marks. A 10-mark question needs a tight answer of about 150 words, and a 15-mark question about 250 words.
- Cover all years of a microtheme. Write the oldest and the latest question on the same microtheme, and see how the angle changed.
- Revise and rewrite. Revise the topic from the notes, and write the same question again after a week.
For the method in full, read the Mains answer writing strategy. The official papers are on our UPSC PYQs page.
Questions are shown as printed in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) General Studies papers of 2013-2025. The grouping into topics and microthemes is by Team MaargX UPSC. Check any wording against the official paper on upsc.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Mains questions have been asked on Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features?
18 questions on Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 between 2013 and 2025, worth 235 marks in all. That is about 1.6 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features are Fundamental Rights (7), Amendments (3), Case Laws (3), Constitutional Morality (2). The number in brackets is how many questions each has had since 2013. Use the microtheme filter to see all of them together, year by year, with marks.
In which year was Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features was 2016 (3 questions, 37.5 marks). The lightest was 2024 (1 questions, 15 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features questions carry?
Of the 18 questions on Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features, 8 of 15 marks, 6 of 12.5 marks, 4 of 10 marks. Plan your word limit by marks: 10-marker answers run to about 150 words and 15-marker answers to about 250 words.
What kind of questions does UPSC ask on Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features?
The directive words in the 18 questions on Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features are Discuss (8), Explain (5), Examine (2), Illustrate (1). Match your answer to the word: discuss and examine want both sides with a conclusion, while comment and critically analyse want a reasoned stand.
Is Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 8 questions on Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features, worth 105 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 9, worth 115 marks.
Which GS paper does Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features belong to?
Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features belongs to UPSC Mains GS Paper 2, titled Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations. The questions on this page are all from that paper.
How should I use these Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features PYQs?
Read the microtheme list first, then pick one and write two or three answers in the time limit. Compare each with what the question demands (discuss, examine, critically analyse). Revise the topic from the Maarg Manthan notes and write the same question again after a week.
Official Sources
These are the primary sources behind this page. Rules, dates and papers can change, so confirm them on the official pages.
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers (Archives)
- UPSC: Revised Syllabus and Scheme
- UPSC: Civil Services Examination Rules