UPSC Mains PYQs on Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal (GS Paper 2)
Every UPSC Mains question on Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal 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 10 questions on Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal (syllabus item 3 of GS Paper 2) between 2013 and 2025, worth 117.5 marks in all, about 1 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Executive Vs Legislature (5), Judiciary Vs Legislature (2), Separation of Powers (2), Executive Vs Judiciary (1). The busiest year was 2024 (1 questions, 10 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 2, item 3: Separation of Powers between different organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions
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.
Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal: questions year-wise with marks
2024 1 question · 10 marks
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"The growth of cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalisation of the parliamentary supremacy." Elucidate.
2023 1 question · 10 marks
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"Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a prerequisite of democracy". Comment.
2022 1 question · 15 marks
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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.
2021 1 question · 10 marks
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To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India?
2020 1 question · 15 marks
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Judicial Legislation is antithetical to the doctrine of separation of powers as envisaged in the Indian Constitution. In this context justify the filing of large number of public interest petitions praying for issuing guidelines to executive authorities.
2019 1 question · 10 marks
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Do you think that constitution of India does not accept principle of strict separation of powers rather it is based on the principle of 'checks and balance'? Explain.
2018 1 question · 15 marks
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Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine.
2017 1 question · 10 marks
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Critically examine the Supreme Court's judgement on 'National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014' with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India.
2015 1 question · 12.5 marks
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Resorting to ordinances has always raised concern on violation of the spirit of separation of powers doctrine. While noting the rationales justifying the power to promulgate ordinances, analyze whether the decisions of the Supreme Court on the issue have further facilitated resorting to this power. Should the power to promulgate ordinances be repealed?
2013 1 question · 10 marks
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The Supreme Court of India keeps a check on arbitrary power of the Parliament in amending the Constitution. Discuss critically.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 2, item 3 (Polity) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 10 (2013-2025), about 1 a year |
| Total marks | 117.5 marks |
| Last five years | 4 questions, 45 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 10 marks (6 questions) |
| Directive words | Examine (2), Elucidate (1), Comment (1), Discuss (1) |
| Busiest year | 2024 (1 questions, 10 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2023 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2022 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2021 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2020 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2019 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2018 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2017 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2015 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| 2013 | 1 | 10 marks |
| Total | 10 | 117.5 marks |
Microthemes in Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Executive Vs Legislature 5 · 62.5 marks
- Judiciary Vs Legislature 2 · 25 marks
- Separation of Powers 2 · 20 marks
- Executive Vs Judiciary 1 · 10 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 2
- 01. Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features 18 · 235 marks
- 02. Union and States: Federal Structure 16 · 195 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 Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal?
10 questions on Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 between 2013 and 2025, worth 117.5 marks in all. That is about 1 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal are Executive Vs Legislature (5), Judiciary Vs Legislature (2), Separation of Powers (2), Executive Vs Judiciary (1). 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 Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal was 2024 (1 questions, 10 marks). The lightest was 2024 (1 questions, 10 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal questions carry?
Of the 10 questions on Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal, 3 of 15 marks, 1 of 12.5 marks, 6 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 Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal?
The directive words in the 10 questions on Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal are Examine (2), Elucidate (1), Comment (1), Discuss (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 Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 4 questions on Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal, worth 45 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 3, worth 32.5 marks.
Which GS paper does Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal belong to?
Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal 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 Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal 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