Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment... | UPSC 2016 GS2 PYQ

MAINS 2016

GS2

12.5 marks

Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any, that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of Indian federal politics?

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9 min

200 words

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What the examiner wants

Explain the 69th Amendment's scheme for Delhi, the anomalies behind elected government-LG conflicts, and whether it signals a federal trend.

DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.

Demand-wise check

1Essentials: Articles 239AA and 239AB; Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers; police, public order and land excluded≈35 words
2Anomalies: LG may refer any difference to the President (proviso to 239AA(4)); unclear control over services and anti-corruption branch≈35 words
3Conflicts: transfers, files, ACB, appointments since 2015≈35 words
4Trend: unique UT status, but signals confrontational federalism; Puducherry similar≈35 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

69th Amendment provisionsGrey areasConflicts and court rulingsFederal implicationsConclusion

Where marks usually go

Treating Delhi as a full state
No mention of court rulings

Draw this

Table: subject → who controls (assembly, LG, Centre)

Value addition

CommitteeBalakrishnan Committee (1989) recommended an elected assembly for Delhi, leading to the 69th Amendment (1991).Balakrishnan Committee
CaseGNCTD v Union of India (2018): LG is bound by aid and advice except in excluded subjects and 'any matter' does not mean every matter.Supreme Court, 2018
UpdateSupreme Court (May 2023) gave Delhi control of services; Parliament then passed the GNCTD (Amendment) Act 2023 creating a services authority.Supreme Court and Parliament, 2023

Mapped topper copies

Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.

Alfred Thomas · Page 15 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 29 ↗Same syllabus reference
Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · Page 15 ↗Same syllabus reference
Alfred Thomas · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference

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