Parliament and State Legislatures — PYQ Trend Intelligence

What the data shows

In the mapped 2013–2026 GS 2 dataset, 21 questions connect to parliament and state legislatures across 13 exam years. The highest observed count is 4 in 2023. These counts describe historical coverage, not the probability of a future exam question.

Method: topic hierarchy adapted from the supplied GS1–GS4 topic-map PDFs (2013–2025); questions are linked using MainsBuddy metadata term matching, restricted to GS2. Overlapping themes may include the same question. 2026 questions are mapped as a separate extension beyond the PDFs. Cross-topic matches may occur; these are provisional classifications, not verified question-level PDF mappings.

Questions by year

Answer-writing intelligence

Directives recorded for mapped questions include Examine, Elucidate, Compare, Discuss, Explain. Compare how the demand changes across years: identify the directive, split the question into its components, and practise within the stated mark allocation.

Mapped previous year questions

1. 2026 · GS2 · 10 marksExamine whether the constitutional office of the Lok Sabha Speaker has become vulnerable to partisan politics under the current anti-defection regime. What institutional changes are required to ensure the neutrality of the Lok Sabha Speaker in managing a polarised House?
2. 2025 · GS2 · 15 marksIndian 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.
3. 2024 · GS2 · 10 marks"The growth of cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalisation of the parliamentary supremacy." Elucidate.
4. 2023 · GS2 · 10 marksCompare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty.
5. 2023 · GS2 · 10 marksDiscuss the role of Presiding Officers of state legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in conducting legislative work and in facilitating best democratic practices.
6. 2023 · GS2 · 15 marksDiscuss the contribution of civil society groups for women’s effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India.
7. 2023 · GS2 · 15 marksExplain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalization of Indian Parliament?
8. 2022 · GS2 · 10 marksDiscuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
9. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marksDiscuss the essential conditions for the exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the legality of the re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature.
10. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marksTo what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India?
11. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marksDo Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such committees with suitable examples.
12. 2020 · GS2 · 10 marks‘Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker’! Do you think this practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India?
13. 2020 · GS2 · 15 marksRajya Sabha has been transformed from a ‘useless stepney tyre’ to the most useful supporting organ in past few decades. Highlight the factors as well as the areas in which this transformation could be visible.
14. 2019 · GS2 · 15 marks“Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution is a limited power and it cannot be enlarged into absolute power.” In the light of this statement explain whether Parliament under Article 368 of the Constitution can destroy the Basic Structure of the Constitution by expanding its amending power?
15. 2019 · GS2 · 15 marksIndividual Parliamentarian’s role as the national law maker is on a decline, which in turn, has adversely impacted the quality of debates and their outcome. Discuss.
16. 2018 · GS2 · 10 marksWhy do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee.
17. 2017 · GS2 · 15 marksThe Indian Constitution has provisions for holding joint session of the two Houses of the Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with reason thereof.
18. 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marksResorting to ordinances has always raised concern on violation of the spirit of separation of powers doctrine. While noting the rationales justifying the power to promulgate ordinances, analyze whether the decisions of the Supreme Court on the issue have further facilitated resorting to this power. Should the power to promulgate ordinances be repealed?
19. 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marksWhat are the major changes brought in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 through the recent Ordinance promulgated by the President? How far will it improve India’s dispute resolution mechanism? Discuss.
20. 2014 · GS2 · 12.5 marksThe Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and its Members as envisaged in Article 105 of the Constitution leave room for a large number of uncodified and unenumerated privileges to continue. Assess the reasons for the absence of legal codification of parliamentary privileges. How can this problem be addressed?
21. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marksThe role of individual MPs has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a different intention?