UPSC Mains 2026 GS Paper 2
Question Paper

UPSC Mains 2026 GS Paper 2 Questions

All twenty questions as they appeared in the paper. Questions 1–10 carry 10 marks each and are to be answered in 150 words; questions 11–20 carry 15 marks each in 250 words. All questions are compulsory.

1. Q1Right to privacy relating to self-identity is very dear to every human being and well protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. In this context, examine the effect of the amendment in 2026, to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.Answer in 150 words · 10 marks
2. Q2"Women as a class neither belong to a minority group nor are they regarded as forming a backward class." In the light of this statement, discuss the evolution of women's reservation from local bodies to Parliament.Answer in 150 words · 10 marks
3. Q3Examine 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 ?Answer in 150 words · 10 marks
4. Q4Is the right to vote a fundamental right ? Discuss the position of the Election Commission of India while undertaking the revision of electoral rolls. Can it also examine the question of citizenship of voters ?Answer in 150 words · 10 marks
5. Q5Do constitutional bodies like the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) possess adequate enforcement powers to secure substantive social equality ? Suggest measures to enhance their institutional effectiveness.Answer in 150 words · 10 marks
6. Q6Does India's tribal development policy reflect the aspirations for a socially grounded and equity-based governance ? Justify your answer.Answer in 150 words · 10 marks
7. Q7Malnutrition in India is not merely a public health concern; it is also a challenge of social equity, human development and effective welfare governance. Discuss.Answer in 150 words · 10 marks
8. Q8Analyse the advantages and limitations of the generalist structure of the Indian Civil Services in contemporary governance.Answer in 150 words · 10 marks
9. Q9"IPMDA (Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness) bridges the gap between India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Quad's collective Indo-Pacific strategy." Make a critical assessment of the statement focusing on IPMDA.Answer in 150 words · 10 marks
10. Q10"BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South." Explain the role of BRICS in projecting itself as an alternative to other groupings.Answer in 150 words · 10 marks

1. Q11Discuss the position of the Governor in the federal polity of India. What is the nature of his power while giving assent to a bill passed by the State Legislature ? Is he bound by the aid and advice of his Council of Ministers in all his functions ?Answer in 250 words · 15 marks
2. Q12What is meant by judicial legislation ? In this context, discuss the verdicts of the apex court allowing "passive euthanasia" and a "living will".Answer in 250 words · 15 marks
3. Q13How far has the Indian federal framework been successful in accommodating regional and cultural diversities ? Highlight the role of asymmetric federalism and suggest measures to make dispute resolution mechanisms more effective.Answer in 250 words · 15 marks
4. Q14Examine how the separation of powers is practised in India compared to the rigid presidential model of the United States of America. In this context, compare the actual authority of the Indian Prime Minister with that of the President of the USA.Answer in 250 words · 15 marks
5. Q15To what extent do pressure groups, social movements and corporate lobbies deepen pluralistic democracy in India by representing excluded interests ? Analyse whether the growing convergence of corporate wealth and political power poses a threat to the autonomy of formal democratic institutions.Answer in 250 words · 15 marks
6. Q16"Transparency and accountability in governance are not about controlling corruption but about creating the trust of stakeholders in the policy process by following the Rule of Law and Participatory Governance." Comment.Answer in 250 words · 15 marks
7. Q17Can the constitutional mandate of rights-based welfare be effectively realised in the context of non-integrated governance and minimal public investment ? Examine.Answer in 250 words · 15 marks
8. Q18Should education be treated primarily as a welfare obligation of the state or as a strategic investment for building a globally competitive, knowledge-driven nation ? Critically evaluate.Answer in 250 words · 15 marks
9. Q19"India's global diaspora acts as a living bridge, as a critical economic factor and knowledge network in transforming cultural heritage into geopolitical influence and strategic leverage worldwide." Critically examine this statement.Answer in 250 words · 15 marks
10. Q20"China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has transformed South Asia from a regional space into a theatre of great power competition." Analyse the strategic implications of the BRI for India's security and regional influence in South Asia.Answer in 250 words · 15 marks

GS Paper 2 — Official Syllabus

Reproduced as notified by the Union Public Service Commission for General Studies Paper II.

How to Approach GS Paper 2

This is the paper where general awareness is least useful. Almost every question expects an article, a body, a scheme or an agreement to be named.

1. Answer the directive, not the topic. "Examine", "critically analyse" and "comment" ask for different things. A well-informed paragraph that ignores the directive loses marks a weaker but obedient answer keeps.
2. Anchor every claim to something specific. An Article, a Supreme Court judgment, a Commission report, a scheme, a treaty. Polity answers written entirely in general language read as opinion rather than knowledge.
3. Give every answer a clear, visible structure: begin with a one-line introduction, organise the body under concise headings, and end with a short, forward-looking conclusion. The examiner reads quickly; a well-structured answer is easier to follow, evaluate and remember.

UPSC Mains 2026 Question Papers

Each paper is added here on the day it is written.

Practise with the 2025 Papers

Until the 2026 paper is out, last year's set is the closest thing to it.