Federalism: Union, States & Devolution — UPSC Questions

The strength and sustenance of local institutions in India has shifted from their formative phase of ‘Functions, Functionaries and Funds’ to the contemporary stage of ‘Functionality’. Highlight the critical challenges faced by local institutions in terms of their functionality in recent times. (UPSC Mains GS2, 2020)

The provisions in the Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to (UPSC Prelims 2015) (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes (b) determine the boundaries between States (c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats (d) protect the interests of all the border States Correct Answer: (a)

Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void? (UPSC Prelims 2019) (a) Third Schedule (b) Fifth Schedule (c) Ninth Schedule (d) Twelfth Schedule Correct Answer: (b)

Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the "Ten Degree Channel"? (UPSC Prelims 2014) A) Andaman and Nicobar B) Nicobar and Sumatra C) Maldives and Lakshadweep D) Sumatra and Java Correct Answer: A Explanation: The Ten Degree Channel runs along the 10°N parallel and separates the Andaman group (Little Andaman) from the Nicobar group (Car Nicobar). It is about 150 km wide and is an important maritime route within the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? Genetic predisposition of some people Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases Using antibiotics in livestock farming Multiple chronic diseases in some people Select the correct answer using the code given below: A) 1 and 2 B) 2 and 3 only C) 1, 3 and 4 D) 2, 3 and 4 Correct Answer: B Explanation: Multi-drug resistance in pathogens is driven mainly by the misuse of antibiotics — taking incorrect doses (statement 2) and the heavy use of antibiotics in livestock farming (statement 3). Statements 1 and 4 relate to the health status of people, not to resistance developing in the pathogens, so they are not causes of multi-drug resistance. (UPSC Prelims 2019)

With reference to India, consider the following statements: There is only one citizenship and one domicile. A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State. A foreigner once granted citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 2 only C) 1 and 3 D) 2 and 3 Correct Answer: A Explanation: India recognises only single citizenship and a single domicile, so statement 1 is correct. Both a citizen by birth and a naturalised citizen are eligible to become President (Head of State), so statement 2 is wrong. Citizenship obtained by a foreigner can be lost through termination or deprivation, so statement 3 is wrong. (UPSC Prelims 2021)

With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for nuclear energy in India and in the world. (UPSC Mains GS1, 2013)

"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. (UPSC CSE Mains 2023, GS Paper II, 15 marks)

Right of movement and residence throughout the territory of India are freely available to Indian citizens, but these rights are not absolute. Comment. (UPSC CSE Mains 2022, GS Paper II, 10 marks)

“Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2018)

How are the principles followed by NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile Planning Commission in India? (UPSC CSE Mains 2018, GS Paper III, 15 marks)

UPSC CSE Mains 2019, GS Paper 2: “The performance of welfare schemes that are implemented for vulnerable sections is not so effective due to absence of their awareness and active involvement at all stages of policy process. Discuss.”

Ladakh’s proposed expansion of Autonomous Hill Development Councils highlights the distinction between administrative decentralisation and democratic self-government. Examine the constitutional, institutional and accountability challenges involved in designing a representative governance framework for Ladakh.

"In Ladakh, the tension between statutory decentralisation and constitutional safeguards reflects the larger challenge of designing asymmetric federal arrangements in strategically sensitive regions." In the light of the recent decision to create Autonomous Hill Development Councils in all seven districts of Ladakh, examine the demands for Sixth Schedule status and an Article 371-type framework for the Union Territory. (250 words)

The Island Coastal Regulation Zone framework seeks to balance ecological conservation with strategic and developmental needs in India's island territories. In light of recent proposals for infrastructure on Great Nicobar Island, critically examine the challenges of applying coastal regulation norms to ecologically sensitive island ecosystems. (250 words)

The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism shows how climate policy is increasingly becoming a trade policy instrument. Discuss its implications for India’s MSMEs and carbon-intensive export sectors. What policy response should India adopt?

Counterfeit and substandard medicines pose a serious threat to public health and worsen antimicrobial resistance. In this context, examine how a QR code-based track-and-trace system can strengthen drug safety in India, and discuss the challenges in its effective implementation. (250 words)

"In India, citizenship is a legal status determined by constitutional and statutory criteria, while documents serve only as evidence of that status." In the light of this statement, examine why no single document is treated as conclusive proof of citizenship, and discuss the challenges this poses for citizenship-verification exercises. (250 words)

India’s push for Small Modular Reactors requires balancing private-sector innovation with strict nuclear safety regulation. Discuss in the context of the SHANTI Act, 2025 and India’s clean-energy transition.

The Supreme Court has recently recognised the "right to walk on safe footpaths" as a fundamental right and placed a correlative duty on civic authorities. Examine how the judiciary's expansive interpretation of Articles 19 and 21 advances citizens' welfare, and discuss the challenges in giving effect to such rights through urban local bodies. (250 words, 15 marks)

The Assam-Nagaland oil and gas MoU reflects the intersection of energy security, cooperative federalism and constitutional safeguards in the Northeast. Discuss its significance and the challenges in implementing such resource-development agreements.

District-level economic data can transform India’s development planning from a state-level approach to a truly localised growth strategy. Discuss in the context of the recent emphasis on District Domestic Product estimates and cooperative federalism.

VB-G RAM G seeks to combine rural employment guarantee with durable asset creation and technology-enabled governance. Discuss its potential benefits and implementation challenges in the context of inclusive rural development.

"India's revised Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) framework attempts to balance the goal of attracting foreign investment with the imperative of protecting the State's sovereign policy space." In light of India's experience with investor-state arbitration, critically examine this balancing act. (15 marks, 250 words)

"India's move to mandate domestically manufactured solar cells under ALMM List-II reflects the classic tension between import substitution and cost-efficient clean energy deployment." In light of the structural mismatch between India's solar module and cell manufacturing capacities, critically examine the opportunities and risks of this localisation policy for India's renewable energy goals. (250 words, 15 marks)

India's recent breakthrough in men's 100m sprinting, exemplified by Gurindervir Singh's national record of 10.09 seconds, reflects a structural transformation in the Indian sporting ecosystem. In the light of this statement, critically examine the role of government schemes like Khelo India and TOPS, alongside public-private partnerships, in nurturing elite Indian athletes. Suggest measures to consolidate this momentum towards the LA 2028 Olympics. (250 words, 15 marks)

The recent Supreme Court verdict upholding the retrospective 28% Goods and Services Tax on online money gaming, alongside the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, marks a fundamental shift in India's approach to digital entertainment regulation. Critically examine the constitutional, federal and economic implications of this twin regulatory move. In your view, does the verdict strike an appropriate balance between revenue mobilisation, consumer protection, and the principle of regulatory certainty for investment? (15 marks, 250 words)

The Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, marks a shift from a demand-driven rural employment guarantee to a supply-driven, allocation-based model. Critically examine the implications of this shift for the right to work and for fiscal federalism in India. (250 words)

The Supreme Court's verdict on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls attempts to balance the integrity of electoral rolls with the protection of the citizen's right to vote. In this context, examine the distinction between electoral eligibility and citizenship status, and discuss the constitutional safeguards that prevent the Election Commission's roll-revision powers from becoming a citizenship-determination exercise. (250 words)

The transition to the G-RAM-G scheme highlights the challenges of reforming rural employment programmes. In this context, examine the significance of wage revision in livelihood security and discuss how the new Viksit Bharat rural employment framework can strengthen rural economy while protecting workers’ rights.

Evaluate the significance of innovative techniques like the jumpstart method in the conservation of critically endangered species such as the Great Indian Bustard, and discuss how inter-state cooperation and captive breeding programmes can support long-term population recovery in India.

Evaluate the challenges in implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission and discuss the potential impact of budget reductions on India's goal of achieving universal rural water access by 2028.

Evaluate the impact of GST implementation on state finances in India, discussing the challenges of revenue buoyancy and the need for reforms to achieve fiscal federalism.

Evaluate the contributions of judicial oversight in managing climate-exacerbated environmental risks in ecologically sensitive zones like the Himalayas, and recommend holistic approaches for aligning conservation efforts with disaster preparedness in India.

Examine the constitutional role of governors in granting assent to state bills under Article 200, and discuss the implications of the Supreme Court's observations on reasonable time and risks of fixed timelines for India's federal structure.

Evaluate the implications of GST 2.0 reforms on consumer welfare and economic growth in India, with special reference to the measures against profiteering and rate rationalization on essential commodities.