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Governance PYQ UPSC Mains GS 2 (2022-2013)

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

Governance Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains: Governance forms an integral part of Indian Polity. Several questions have been raised on this topic in Mains GS Paper 2. Thus, candidates need to clearly understand all the topics under the Governance section of the UPSC Syllabus. The aspirants appearing in the Mains exam must know that 16 questions are asked from the Indian Polity.

Experts suggest that aspirants go through the Governance PYQ for the IAS exam. Referring to the Governance PYQ UPSC will help the students to judge the exam pattern and type of questions asked by the examiner from the Governance section. Below are the Governance Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains that were asked in the last few years.

Governance Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains

The Governance Syllabus was introduced in the syllabus to judge the candidate’s understanding of the policies framed by the government. Questions related to Parliament, Non-Government Organisations, the jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation, democracy, and its influence on common people have been raised in the previous years.

The analysis of the questions related to Governance is as follows:

  • Governance Questions UPSC Mains 2022 – Five moderate-level questions were asked related to the Disability Act 2016, Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme, etc.;
  • Governance Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains 2021: Five moderate-level questions were raised from the Governance topic;
  • Governance PYQ UPSC 2020: Only two moderate-level questions were put up;
  • Governance Mains Questions 2019: Six good-level questions were asked from the Governance portion of the syllabus.

Governance PYQ UPSC Mains PDF

Candidates must practice Governance questions after downloading Governance Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains PDF. Experts and toppers always recommend aspiring students to solve the last 10 years question papers.

Governance PYQ UPSC PDF

For your convenience, we have provided Governance PYQ for UPSC Mains beginning from 2022 till 2013. Keep this PDF handy for future reference and after revising the subject, make sure to solve these papers for a better understanding of the topics and sub-topics asked.

Governance Questions UPSC Mains 2022

In 2022, five moderate questions were raised from Person with Disability Act 2016, Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme, Management of Inflation and Unemployment, Gatishakthi Yojana, and Decentralization of Power. The Governance PYQ UPSC Mains 2022 asked were as follows.

  • Question 1: To what extent, in your opinion, as the decentralization of power in India changed the governance Landscape at the grassroots?
  • Question 2: The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss.
  • Question 3: The rights of persons with disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of Government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment.
  • Question 4: Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has limitations too. Comment.
  • Question 5: Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of society. Discuss.

Governance PYQ UPSC 2021

In 2021, five moderate-level questions were raised from the governance topic in the GS-2 Mains Exam. These questions were based on the Parliament, Non-Government Organizations, the Central Bureau of Investigation jurisdiction, etc. The Governance PYQ UPSC 2021 are as follows.

  • Question 1: To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India?
  • Question 2: “Pressure groups play a vital role in influencing public policy in making in India.” Explain how the business associations contribute to public policies.
  • Question 3: The jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding lodging an FIR and conducting a probe within a particular state is being questioned by various States. However, the power of the States to withhold consent to the CBI is not absolute. Explain with special reference to the federal character of India.
  • Question 4: Do Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such committees with suitable examples.
  • Question 5: Can civil society and Non-Government Organisations present an alternative model of public service delivery to benefit the common citizen? Discuss the challenges of this alternative method.

Governance Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains 2020

Governance topic made a small appearance in the Mains exam. As mentioned below, the examiner raised only two moderate-level questions in the GS-2 from the Governance Syllabus.

  • Question 1: “Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance”. In this context, suggest reforms in Civil Service to strengthen democracy.
  • Question 2: “The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated E-Governance as an integral part of the government”. Discuss.

Governance UPSC Mains Questions 2019

Six good-level questions were asked from the Governance section in the UPSC Mains exam. These questions were raised to evaluate an aspirant’s perspective and understanding of government policies and the influence of common people over them, along with other policies-related queries.

The Governance UPSC Mains Questions 2019 were as follows.

  • Question 1: What are the methods used by the farmer’s organizations to influence the policy-makers in India, and how effective are these methods?
  • Question 2: Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based projects/programmes usually suffers in terms of certain vital factors. Identify these factors and suggest measures for their effective implementation.
  • Question 3: On what grounds a people’s representative can be disqualified under the Representation of People Act 1951? Also, mention the remedies available to such a person against his disqualification.
  • Question 4: ‘In the context of the neo-liberal paradigm of developmental planning, multi-level planning is expected to make operations cost-effective and remove many implementation blockages’- Discuss
  • Question 5: The need for cooperation among various service sectors has been an inherent component of development discourse. Partnership bridges the gap among the sectors. It also sets in motion a culture of ‘collaboration’ and ‘team spirit’. In light of the statements above, examine India’s development process.
  • Question 6: The performance of welfare schemes that are implemented for vulnerable sections is not so effective due to the absence of their awareness and active involvement at all stages of the policy process. Discuss.

The candidates aiming to clear the UPSC Cutoff must check the UPSC Previous Year Question Papers to analyze the difficulty level of the previous year’s exam papers.

Governance PYQ UPSC Mains (2018-2013)

Governance forms an important section of the exam. A fair amount of questions are asked on this subject. Thus, candidates should prepare the Governance section thoroughly.

The table shows the Governance Questions UPSC Mains from 2018 to 2013. Go through these questions, try to answer them in 100 to 150 words, and judge your preparations.

Year UPSC Mains Question
Governance Questions UPSC Mains 2018 Q1.“Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate protection and prevention of degradation to the environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations.

Q2. E-governance is not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about the critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information.

Q3. How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India?

Governance PYQ UPSC 2017 Q1. ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss. (150 words)

Q2. ‘To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes’ Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme. (150 words)

Q3. Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure an effective mechanism for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss (150 words)

Q4. Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement. (150 words)

Q5. ‘Poverty Alleviation Programmes in India remain mere show pieces until and unless they are backed by political will’. Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in India. (250 words)

Governance UPSC Mains Questions 2016 Q1. “In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal.” Critically examine this statement.

Q2. “Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are interdependent” Discuss their relationship in the context of India.

Q3. Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change?

Q4. Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation.

Governance Questions UPSC Mains 2015 Q1. Khap Panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and the judiciary to set the things right in this regard.

Q2. Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976.

Q3. The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Programme (SBLP), which is India’s own innovation has proved to be one of the most effective poverty alleviation and women empowerment programmes. Elucidate.

Q4. In the light of the Satyam Scandal (2009), discuss the changes brought in corporate governance to ensure transparency, and accountability.

Q5. “For achieving the desired objectives, it is necessary to ensure that the regulatory institutions remain independent and autonomous.” Discuss in the light of the experiences in the recent past.

Governance PYQ UPSC 2014 Q1. Though 100 percent FDI is already allowed in non-news media like a trade publication and general entertainment channel, the government is mulling over the proposal for increased FDI in news media for quite some time. What difference would an increase in FDI make? Critically evaluate the pros and cons.

Q2. The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash strapped Indian Railways to demand subsidy for obligation to operate non-profitable routes and services. Taking into account the experience in the power sector, discuss if the proposed reform is expected to benefit the consumers, the Indian Railways or the private container operators.

Q3. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in India can be most effective when its tasks are adequately supported by other mechanisms that ensure the accountability of a government. In light of above observation assess the role of NHRC as an effective complement to the judiciary and other institutions in promoting and protecting human rights standards.

Q4. Do government’s schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economies?

Q5. Has the Cadre based Civil Services Organization been the cause of slow in India? Critically examine.

Q6. Two parallel run schemes of the Government, viz the Adhar card and NPR, one of voluntary and the other as compulsory, have led to debates at national levels and also litigations. On merits , discuss whether or not both schemes need run concurrently. Analyse the potential of the schemes to achieve development benefits and equitable growth.

Governance UPSC Questions 2013 Q1. Many State Governments further bifurcate geographical administrative areas like Districts and Talukas for better governance. In light of the above, can it also be justified that more number of smaller States would bring in effective governance at the State level? Discuss.

Q2. The product diversification of financial institutions and insurance companies, resulting in overlapping of products and services strengthens the case for the a merger of the two regulatory agencies, namely SEBI and IRDA. Justify.

Q3. The concept of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme is almost a century old in India, with early beginnings in Madras Presidency in pre-independent India. The scheme has again been given impetus in most states in the last two decades. Critically examine its twin objectives, latest mandates and success.

Q4. The Central Government frequently complains about the poor performance of the State Governments in eradicating the suffering of the vulnerable sections of society. Restructuring of Centrally sponsored schemes across the sectors for ameliorating the cause of vulnerable sections of the population aims at providing flexibility to the States in better implementation. Critically evaluate.

Q5. Electronic cash transfer system for welfare schemes is an ambitious project to minimise corruption, eliminate wastage and facilitate reforms. Comment.

Governance UPSC Mains Questions Trend

The below table depicts the total number of questions asked in the Mains GS-2 between 2021-2013 from the Governance Syllabus. Usually, three to seven questions are raised from the topic.

Thus, aspirants must understand the topic thoroughly before appearing for the Mains examination. Students can also download and save the Governance Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains PDF for better practice and revision.

Year Governance Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains – Number of Questions
Governance PYQ UPSC 2022 5
Governance Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains 2021 5
Governance UPSC PYQ 2020 2
Governance UPSC Mains Questions 2019 6
Governance UPSC Previous Year Questions 2018 3
Governance Questions UPSC Mains 2017 5
Questions on Governance in UPSC 2016 4
Governance PYQ UPSC Mains 2015 5
UPSC Governance Previous Year Questions 2014 6
UPSC Mains Governance Questions 2013 5

How to Prepare Governance PYQ for UPSC Mains?

Governance and Polity are regarded as crucial topics concerning the civil services exam. Thus, candidates aiming to appear for the exam must start their preparation with a strategic approach. Here are a few tips to prepare the Governance Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains in an effective manner:

  • Get to know about the complete syllabus for Governance and segregate the syllabus into the least important and the most important topics;
  • Ensure to clarify a basic understanding of the topics by reading the NCERT books for Governance;
  • Prepare short notes as per your understanding of the topic;
  • Go through the Governance Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains to judge the difficulty level of the exam along with the UPSC Exam Pattern;
  • Read newspapers daily and have a fair knowledge of current affairs.
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