Fundamental Rights and Preamble UPSC Mains Questions in GS Paper 2

Fundamental Rights and Preamble UPSC Mains Questions

UPSC examination is divided into various phases, out of which the two most important phases are UPSC Prelims and Mains. The candidates who are able to clear the Prelims exam move on to the next phase. The test consists of various sections and questions are raised from a variety of topics.

The UPSC Mains syllabus is a mixture of different subjects and topics based on which the candidates are evaluated. A few questions are based on the Constitution of India’s Fundamental Rights, Preamble, etc., as it forms an integral part of the GS Paper 2 syllabus. Let us look at the difficulty level and how questions were asked in previous years on this topic.

Fundamental Rights Mains Questions

Over the years, several questions have been asked in the UPSC Mains regarding the Fundamental Rights topic as it is considered one of the most important sections of Indian Polity.

• Importance and Meaning of Fundamental Rights
• Is Article 226 a Fundamental Right?
• Are Fundamental Rights Enforceable in Courts?

Candidates must go through Fundamental Rights Mains Questions to analyze the exam trend and the type of questions generally asked from this section. Let us look at the UPSC Mains Questions on Fundamental Rights asked over the years.

1. Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on the Right to Privacy.
2. What are the key differences between Fundamental rights (FR) and Directive Principles of State Policies (DPSP)? Discuss the associated cases which show the conflict between fundamental rights (FR) and Directive Principles of State Policies (DPSP).
3. Do you agree that there is a need for the codification of parliamentary privileges due to its misuse and curtailment of individual fundamental rights? (150 Words)
4. The Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution have often met with wide and varied criticism. Analyse. (150 Words)
5. Although the Fundamental Rights of the Indian Constitution and Bill of Rights of the US Constitution are similarly progressive in spirit, they have many differences too.” Comment. (150 Words)
6. “Fundamental duties are not made enforceable by a writ of court like the fundamental rights, but they are fundamental to the well being of society and individuals.” Examine. (250 words)
7. The Directive principles fundamental to the country’s governance cannot be isolated from the fundamental rights guaranteed. Examine. (250 words)
8. Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India judgement. (250 words).

Preamble UPSC Mains Questions

The Indian Constitution’s Preamble contains 73 words. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution, which is 73 words long, lays out the principles that must underpin Indian democracy. Over the years, very selective questions have been asked in reference to the Preamble. But the Preamble UPSC Mains questions asked over the years are straightforward and thought-provoking.

• Can the Preamble be Amended?
• Importance of Preamble

Let us have a look at UPSC Mains Questions on Preamble:

1. Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the ‘Preamble’. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?
2. What are the basic values enshrined in the Preamble of our Constitution? How relevant are these values in the present time?
3. The preamble is the philosophical key to the Constitution. Examine
4. How far is the preamble useful in interpreting the constitution?
5. Bring out the philosophy of the Indian polity as enshrined in the preamble of the Indian constitution. Also, discuss various changes made to the preamble since its adoption in Indian Constitution.

Constitution Related Questions in UPSC Mains

Candidates preparing for the UPSC exam need to be well aware of the syllabus & topics completely. By referring to the previous year’s Constitution UPSC Mains questions, candidates can ensure they are well prepared for any questions that may appear in the exam. Aspirants preparing for the upcoming UPSC exam must practice the Constitution UPSC mains questions given below.

1. ‘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.
2. Explain the constitutional provisions under which Legislative Councils are established. Review the working and current status of Legislative Councils with suitable illustrations.
3. Indian constitution exhibits centralising tendencies to maintain unity and integrity of the nation. Elucidate in the perspective of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897; The Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the recently passed Farm Acts.
4. Judicial Legislation is antithetical to the doctrine of separation of powers as envisaged in the Indian Constitution. In this context, justify the filing of a large number of public interest petitions praying for issuing guidelines to executive authorities.
5. Do you think the Constitution of India does not accept the principle of strict separation of powers? Rather, it is based on the principle of ‘checks and balance’? Explain
6. What can France learn from the Indian Constitution’s approach to secularism?
7. Explain the salient features of the constitution.
8. The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding joint sessions of the two houses of the Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with reasons thereof.
9. 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?
10. Does the right to clean the 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.
11. Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strong federalism.

How to Prepare Mains Questions on Fundamental Rights, Preamble and Constitution?

To master the Fundamental Rights, Preamble and Constitution UPSC Mains questions, aspirants should learn all the vital topics well and practice them using old question papers. Referring to the UPSC question papers for Mains will help the candidates get familiar with the exam pattern and develop a fair idea of how to prepare.

Here are a few simple tips that can be followed while preparing for Preamble and Fundamental Rights Mains questions:

• Get ahold of the exam pattern and the UPSC syllabus;
• Segregate the topics based on their difficulty level and importance;
• Make a proper timetable for UPSC that can cater to your needs as per the exam syllabus;
• Set practical goals;
• Form a proper UPSC preparation schedule that suits your routine and requirements;
• Don’t forget to revise your syllabus before a few days are left before the IAS exam.

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