Mains PYQs · Paper

GS2 PYQs, year wise.

All 265 GS Paper 2 questions UPSC has set since 2013, by year, with a link to write each one.

By Gaurav Singh and Aditya Tiwari·Published ·Questions: UPSC Civil Services (Main) papers·Updated

GS2 past papers at a glance

265 questions from 2013 to 2025. GS Paper 2 covers governance, the Constitution, polity, social justice and international relations. The directives UPSC uses most in this paper: discuss (86), explain (27), examine (20), comment (18), what (18), how (10). 4 have topper answers in the writeupsc bank.

Year wise

YearQuestionsDirectives used most
202520discuss (6), examine (5), explain (2)
202420explain (4), discuss (3), suggest (3)
202320discuss (4), explain (3), comment (2)
202220discuss (9), comment (4), how (2)
202120explain (6), discuss (3), analyse (2)
202020discuss (5), highlight (3), comment (2)
201920explain (5), discuss (5), what (2)
201820discuss (4), what (3), examine (3)
201720discuss (5), examine (3), critically examine (2)
201620discuss (9), what (5), explain (2)
201520discuss (11), highlight (1), critically discuss (1)
201420discuss (10), assess (2), evaluate (1)
201325discuss (12), how (2), comment (2)

The 2025 paper

Q1 · 10 marks · 150 words · Discuss

Discuss the ‘corrupt practices’ for the purpose of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Analyze whether the increase in the assets of the legislators and/or their associates, disproportionate to their known sources of income, would constitute ‘undue influence’ and consequently a corrupt practice.

Q2 · 10 marks · 150 words · Comment

Comment on the need of administrative tribunals as compared to the court system. Assess the impact of the recent tribunal reforms through rationalization of tribunals made in 2021.

Q3 · 10 marks · 150 words · Compare

Compare and contrast the President’s power to pardon in India and in the USA. Are there any limits to it in both the countries? What are ‘preemptive pardons’?

Q4 · 10 marks · 150 words · Discuss

Discuss the nature of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. Briefly describe the powers and functions of the Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Q5 · 10 marks · 150 words · Discuss

“The Attorney General of India plays a crucial role in guiding the legal framework of the Union Government and ensuring sound governance through legal counsel.” Discuss his responsibilities, rights and limitations in this regard.

Q6 · 10 marks · 150 words · Explain

Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain.

Q7 · 10 marks · 150 words · Examine

e-governance projects have a built-in bias towards technology and back-end integration than user-centric designs. Examine.

Q8 · 10 marks · 150 words · Do You Agree

Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify.

Q9 · 10 marks · 150 words · Elaborate

India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate.

Q10 · 10 marks · 150 words · Elucidate

“With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate.

Q11 · 15 marks · 250 words · Explain

“Constitutional morality is the fulcrum which acts as an essential check upon the high functionaries and citizens alike… .” In view of the above observation of the Supreme Court, explain the concept of constitutional morality and its application to ensure balance between judicial independence and judicial accountability in India.

Q12 · 15 marks · 250 words · Examine

Indian Constitution has conferred the amending power on the ordinary legislative institutions with a few procedural hurdles. In view of this statement, examine the procedural and substantive limitations on the amending power of the Parliament to change the Constitution.

Q13 · 15 marks · 250 words · Discuss

Discuss the evolution of collegium system in India. Critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the system of appointment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India and that of the USA.

Q14 · 15 marks · 250 words · Examine

Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India?

Q15 · 15 marks · 250 words · Discuss

What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India.

Q16 · 15 marks · 250 words · Discuss

Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of ‘paradox of poverty’.

Q17 · 15 marks · 250 words · Critically Evaluate

“In contemporary development models, decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities are not located close to the source of information and execution defeating the objectives of development.” Critically evaluate.

Q18 · 15 marks · 250 words · Examine

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has to address the challenges faced by children in the digital era. Examine the existing policies and suggest measures the Commission can initiate to tackle the issue.

Q19 · 15 marks · 250 words · How

“Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India’s foreign policy, and is linked with India’s overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries.” How would you integrate energy security with India’s foreign policy trajectories in the coming years?

Q20 · 15 marks · 250 words · Examine

“The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance.” Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard.

Questions

How many GS2 questions does UPSC set?

Since 2017, 20 compulsory questions for 250 marks: ten of 10 marks (150 words) and ten of 15 marks (250 words). 2014–2016: 20 of 12.5 marks (200 words); 2013: 25 of 10 marks.

Where can I practise GS2 PYQs?

In the practice bank: every GS2 question from 2013 to 2025, with an exam-pace timer. Free to write; 1 free evaluation against topper answers.

Write one, then get it checked.

Write by hand against the clock in the practice bank, then photograph the page: writeupsc puts it beside real topper answers. 1 free evaluation.

Practise GS2 questions
Check your answer on Telegram. Send a photo of your handwritten answer to @WriteUPSCbot for marks in about a minute, or join the group for a Mains question every morning.