PSIR Optional · Paper I · Section B: Indian Government and Politics
Salient Features of the Indian Constitution Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Salient Features of the Indian Constitution (Paper I, Section B: Indian Government and Politics), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles, parliamentary system, amendment, judicial review, basic structure.
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Solved answers
1992–2026
Years covered
53
Questions listed
7
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Free notes Previous year questions Solved answers All PSIR Optional units
Paper I · Unit 03
Salient Features of the Indian Constitution notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
Free notes
Free practice
Previous year questions: Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
Every question UPSC has asked from this unit, year-wise, with a link to its solved answer.
Topic-wise question list
Year-wise question papers
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UPSC PSIR Optional Question Paper 2026
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2025
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2024
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2023
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2022
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2021
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2020
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2019
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2018
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2017
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2016
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2015
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2014
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2013
Solved answers
Solved PYQ answers: Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
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Answer in about 150 words: The Constitution of India was secular even before the word was included in the Preamble. Comment.
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Land Reforms programmes led to some constitutional amendments. Comment.
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Parliamentary Committees are a strong tool of Parliamentary Democracy. It provides for the opportunity for cross-pollination of ideas among members of the Parliament. Discuss.
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Write approximately 150 words on Constitutional morality in the Indian Constitution.
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Write approximately 150 words on Legal remedies in Part III of the Constitution of India.
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How far do you agree that the Directive Principles of State Policy are more fundamental than the Fundamental Rights in meeting socio-economic justice as mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution?
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The main goal of the fundamental duties in the Indian Constitution is to generate civic responsibility among the citizen. Explain.
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The Preamble of the Indian Constitution reflects itself as a ‘social contract’. Elucidate.
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The Doctrine of Basic Structure of the Constitution has enhanced the power of judicial review of the Supreme Court. Examine.
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Mention the founding principles that define India’s Constitution. (150 words)
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“Constitutionally reconciling the Fundamental Rights with the Directive Principles of State Policy has led to frequent amendments of the· Constitution and judicial interventions.” Comment.
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Underline the significance of the first constitutional amendment. (150 words)
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Answer in 150 words: Right to Constitutional remedies in India.
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Comment on the relevance of the Directive Principles of State Policy in an era of liberalization and globalization.
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“The basic structure doctrine is implicit in the Indian Constitution; the Supreme Court has only given it an explicit for.” Comment.
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Comment in 150 words: Indian Constitution is a ‘Lawyers’ Paradise’. – Ivor Jennings.
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Right to privacy is an intrinsic part of the right to life. Comment.
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Differentiate parliamentary supremacy from parliamentary sovereignty. Would you consider the Indian Parliament as a Sovereign Parliament, Examine.
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Critically examine the provisions made in the Constitution for the protection of Environment.
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Comment: ‘Article 368 does not enable Parliament to alter the basic structure or framework of the Constitution’.
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Comment: The purpose of the 42nd Constitutional Amendment was to make the economic and social democracy explicitly visible.
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Comment in 150 words: Secularism in the Indian Constitution.
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In the light of neo-economic policies adopted since 1991, examine the relevance of the term ‘socialist’ in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
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Discuss the ‘Right to Education’ and the concerns raised by it.
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Comment in 150 words: 99th Amendment of the Indian Constitution.
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Discuss the efficacy of judicial review in India.
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Comment in 150 words: Increasingly higher focus on Directive Principles of State Policy.
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What are the provisions for constitutional protection of right to freedom of religion and how far have they succeeded in promoting secularism in India?
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Comment in 150 words: Significance of the Preamble.
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Analyse the significance of Article 32 of the Indian Constitution.
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Examine the significance of the verdicts of the Supreme Court in the Golaknath and Kashavananda Bharati cases for an understanding of the scope of Article 368 in regard to Fundamental Rights.
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Discuss the extent to which the Indian Constitution reflects successful reconciliation of alternative perspectives.
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Comment on Doctrine of Basic Structure of the Indian Constitution. (150 words)
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Examine the significance of the Directive Principles of State Policy in achieving the goal of socio-economic justice.
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Critically examine and comment on the assertion in about 200 words: Secularism in Indian politics is a myth.
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“Minorities are the natural custodians of the secular state [ D.E. Smith] Discuss.
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In what ways do civil liberties and human rights movements influence the working of Indian democracy? Give your answer with suitable examples.
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Comment: The type of Government enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
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Comment: The Directive Principles of State Policy are not mere pious declarations but clear directions for the guidance of state policy.
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Comment: Fundamental Duties under Article 51A of the Constitution of India.
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Do you agree with the view that Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Polity constitute the ‘Core and Conscience’ of the Indian Constitution? Comment on the emerging trends in their interrelationship.
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Explain the main principles embodied in the Preamble to the Constitution of India. What is their significance? Do you think that they are the political horoscope of the country? Discuss.
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Comment: ‘Right against exploitation’ under the Indian Constitution.
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Comment: Right to Constitutional Remedies under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution and application of the principle of Res Judicata.
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Discuss the patterns of legislative-executive relationship prevalent in the world today What factors and forces have enabled the executive to overpower the legislature, in most countries?
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Comment: Kesavananda Bharathi Case.
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Comment: Reverse discrimination.
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Examine the case for formation of small states in India.
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Majority in legislatures does not necessarily contribute to the stability of the state Government in India. Discuss.
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Comment: The 42nd amendment to the Constitution of India.
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| What you get | PSIR Mains Master Kit 2027 | PSIR Complete Notes (Store) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 notes — Political Theory + Indian Government and Politics | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Paper 2 notes — Comparative Politics and India and the World | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Topic-wise PYQ bank | 1986–2026, with trend analysis and probables by Dec 2026 | 1991–2025 question papers, free with every notes pack |
| Practice question set for timed answer writing | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
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Other units in Paper I · Section B: Indian Government and Politics
- Indian Nationalism
- Making of the Indian Constitution
- Principal Organs of Government
- Grassroots Democracy
- Statutory Institutions and Commissions
- Federalism
- Planning and Economic Development
- Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics
- Party System
- Social Movements
Paper I · Section B: Indian Government and Politics — section overview · All PSIR Optional units