JKPSC KAS Mains GS - II (2018-2024) Analysis
Syllabus Microthemes List
01. Indian Constitution-Historical underpinnings & evolution; Features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure of Constitution 02. Functions & responsibilities of the Union and the States; issues and challenges of federal structure; 03. Separation of Powers between different organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions 04. Devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein 05. Comparison of Indian constitutional scheme with other countries’ 06. Parliament and State Legislatures (structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges; issues therein) 07. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups... 08. Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. 09. Appointment to various Constitutional posts; Constitutional Bodies; Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial bodies 10. Government Policies & Interventions for development of various sectors 11. Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities. 12. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws... 13. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services (Health, Education, HR). 14. Issues relating to poverty and hunger 15. Transparency and accountability (institutional and other measures); Citizens Charter, E-Governance 16. Role of Civil Services in a democracy. 17. India and its neighborhood- relations. 18. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. 19. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. 20. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
GS 2 Year-wise PYQ Analysis (JKPSC KAS)
| Syllabus Topic | 2018 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Indian Constitution | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | - | 5 |
| 2. Functions of Union/States & Federalism | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 3. Separation of Powers | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| 4. Devolution of powers (Local Govt) | - | - | - | - | - | 0 |
| 5. Comparison of Constitution | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 |
| 6. Parliament and State Legislatures | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | 2 |
| 7. Structure of Executive and Judiciary | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 3 |
| 8. Representation of People’s Act | - | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | 3 |
| 9. Constitutional & Statutory Bodies | 1 | 1 | - | 3 | - | 5 |
| 10. Government Policies & Interventions | 1 | 1 | - | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 11. Development Industry (NGOs/SHGs) | 2 | - | - | - | - | 2 |
| 12. Welfare Schemes & Vulnerable Sections | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| 13. Social Sector (Health, Edu, HR) | - | - | - | - | - | 0 |
| 14. Poverty and Hunger | 2 | - | - | - | - | 2 |
| 15. Transparency, Accountability & E-Gov | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 16. Role of Civil Services | 2 | 2 | - | - | 1 | 5 |
| 17. India and its neighborhood | - | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 10 |
| 18. Bilateral, regional & global groupings | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 21 |
| 19. Effect of policies of other countries | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 13 |
| 20. Important International institutions | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 3 |
| Grand Total | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 100 |
Microthemes in JKPSC KAS GS-2 Mains
Polity
01. Indian Constitution-Historical underpinnings & evolution; Features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features & Amendments | Discuss the importance of amendment procedure in Indian constitution in the light of the Peoples’ Interest Litigation that challenges the first amendment of the constitution in 1951. | 2022 | 10 |
| Do you think there is a need to review and update the constitution at the present juncture? | 2021 | 10 | |
| Critically examine the statement, “India has well established principles of civic nationalism, which seek to present electoral majority in the guise of a religious majority, and monopolise political power.” | 2021 | 15 | |
| “The Supreme Court of India keeps a check on arbitrary powers of the Parliament in amending the constitution”. Discuss critically. | 2018 | 10 | |
| Fundamental Rights | What do you understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss. | 2018 | 10 |
02. Functions & responsibilities of the Union and the States; issues and challenges of federal structure
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federalism & Governor | Is India’s federal structure in jeopardy? Give your reasons in the light of Centre-State relations in India at present. | 2024 | 15 |
| Constitution, not political expediency, should guide Governor of an Indian state. Elucidate. | 2024 | 10 | |
| “In the spirit of cooperative federalism, the Centre must exercise its powers within the boundaries created by the Constitution.” Discuss. | 2023 | 15 | |
| Keeping in view the recent inter-state disputes between few Indian states, there is a clarion call for a vigorous institutional mechanism. Discuss. | 2022 | 10 | |
| What are the concerns of several state governments on Government of India’s proposed move to amend the IAS service rules? | 2021 | 15 | |
| Discuss the importance of India’s social justice paradigm amidst the recent call for an All India Federation for Social Justice. | 2021 | 10 | |
| Though the federal principle is dominant in our constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong centre... | 2018 | 10 |
03. Separation of Powers between different organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judicial Activism | Critically analyse judicial activism in the light of the eventful month of May 2023 when the Supreme Court of India, in only two weeks of time, delivered more than 100 judgments... | 2023 | 10 |
05. Comparison of Indian constitutional scheme with other countries
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison | India and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based. | 2018 | 15 |
06. Parliament and State Legislatures
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parliamentary Functioning | Critically examine how disruption of parliament has hampered the productivity of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in recent years? | 2021 | 10 |
| The role of individual MPs (Member of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed... | 2018 | 10 |
07. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judiciary | Examine the importance of Collegium system in the light of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s assertion that “the executive must show constitutional statesmanship and avoid public grandstanding.” | 2022 | 10 |
| Critically analyse the statement, ‘Civil services, judiciary and media are performing at below optimum levels.’ | 2021 | 10 | |
| Executive | The size of the cabinet be as big as governmental work justifies and as big as the Prime Minister can manage as a team. How far is the efficacy of a government then inversely related to the size of the cabinet? Discuss. | 2018 | 10 |
08. Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elections & Delimitation | "Delimitation must go beyond counting of citizens to making their voices count." Discuss. | 2024 | 10 |
| ‘Competitive elections are a necessary condition for the functioning of democracy.” Discuss the journey of India’s electoral democracy in the light of the above statement. | 2022 | 10 | |
| Highlight the main features of the draft proposals of the Jammu and Kashmir delimitation commission. | 2021 | 15 |
Governance
09. Constitutional Bodies; Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial bodies
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Bodies | “Finance Commission symbolizes Centre-State fiscal relations.” Examine this statement in the light of the constitution of 16th Finance Commission. | 2023 | 10 |
| Statutory/Regulatory Bodies | The NITI Aayog has emerged as an important institution of the Union government in the last one decade. Elucidate. | 2023 | 15 |
| Critically examine the powers of the Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a government institution which has been in the limelight in the recent times. | 2023 | 10 | |
| Discuss the importance of Lok Ayukta amidst the recent bid by Kerala government to amend the Lok Ayukta Act. | 2021 | 10 | |
| Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer. | 2018 | 15 |
10. Government Policies & Interventions for development of various sectors
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policies & Reforms | Discuss the six major provisions of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025. | 2024 | 15 |
| “The New Criminal Law Bill will discard colonial vestiges and instill an Indian spirit in India’s criminal justice system.” Discuss. | 2023 | 10 | |
| Achieving the SDGs by 2030 could be a roadmap to Viksit Bharat @ 2047. Discuss. | 2023 | 15 | |
| Aspirational districts are not only becoming accelerators of economic growth, but also are eliminating barriers to India's progress. Elaborate | 2021 | 10 | |
| Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatisation and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsible to this important change? | 2018 | 15 |
11. Development processes and the development industry (NGOs, SHGs)
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| NGOs | How can be the role of NGOs be strengthened in India for development works relating to protection of the Environment? Discuss throwing light on the major constraints. | 2018 | 10 |
| Examine critically the recent changes in the rule governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976. | 2018 | 10 |
12. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welfare & Inclusion | "Gender equality brings more inclusiveness, less violence and lasting peace." Elucidate the statement. | 2024 | 15 |
| Elucidate the statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "The foundation of Viksit Bharat rests on four key pillars - poor, farmers, youth and women." | 2024 | 15 | |
| What is caste census and what are its merits and demerits? | 2024 | 10 | |
| Examine President Droupadi Murmu’s statement that "Benefits of development should reach all sections of society, especially the disadvantaged and marginalized." | 2024 | 10 | |
| Find out the merits and demerits of caste survey in the light of the caste enumeration exercise by the provincial governments of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. | 2023 | 10 | |
| “Social justice has become a catch-all term for welfare measures.” Examine. | 2023 | 10 | |
| Critically examine how the forceful expansion of reservation in recent decades has been fed by an increasing politics of caste assertions. | 2022 | 10 |
14. Issues relating to poverty and hunger
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty & Hunger | How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies of India. | 2018 | 15 |
| “Poverty Alleviation Programmes in India remain mere showpieces until and unless they are backed by political will”. Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in India. | 2018 | 15 |
15. Transparency and accountability; E-Governance
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-Gov & Accountability | Discuss the vision, objectives and mission of the Citizen's Charter by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). | 2024 | 15 |
| Inclusive and meaningful digital access to e-governance and welfare delivery system is a fundamental right to life and liberty. Discuss. | 2024 | 10 | |
| While Bharat takes a quantum leap towards digitisation under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, prevention of cyber crimes is a key security challenge.” Examine. | 2023 | 15 | |
| “Good governance is to devise instruments to ensure hundred percent delivery of welfare measures directly to the intended beneficiaries without any pilferage.” Elucidate | 2022 | 10 | |
| In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, economic/social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India. | 2018 | 10 |
16. Role of Civil Services in a democracy
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Services | Narendra Modi’s government in the last one decade has encouraged bureaucrats to think big and break down silos. Discuss. | 2024 | 15 |
| Discuss how Mission Karmayogi has the potential to turn Indian bureaucracy into futuristic, people centric and accountable, aligned with vision of New India. | 2021 | 10 | |
| Find the difference between 'regular areas' and 'hard areas' in the AGMUT cadre. | 2021 | 10 | |
| Initially civil services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and ineffectiveness which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in civil services? Comment. | 2018 | 15 | |
| “Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India”. Comment. | 2018 | 15 |
International Relations
17. India and its neighborhood- relations
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood | Critically analyse how India’s decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance will have serious repercussions on Pakistan. | 2024 | 15 |
| Do you think Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project will be a game changer in maintaining trade and transactions in India’s Northeast? | 2024 | 10 | |
| Terrorism is the biggest threat the humanity faces today. Discuss it in the light of terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025. | 2024 | 10 | |
| Critically analyse the relationship between India and Bangladesh in the light of the recent developments in our neighbourhood. | 2024 | 10 | |
| Critically analyse the relationship between India and Maldives in the light of the recent war of words between the two countries. | 2023 | 10 | |
| Since the threat across the Line of Actual Control has not diminished, India may continue its aggressive posture towards China. Comment. | 2022 | 10 | |
| China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) encroaches upon India’s sovereignty. Elaborate | 2022 | 10 | |
| Myanmar has become a vital cog in India’s neighbourhood first policy, Discuss it in the light of growing Chinese influence in the region. | 2021 | 15 | |
| Do you think India has been at the centre of gravity as far as cyber terrorism in South Asia is concerned? | 2021 | 15 | |
| Do you think Pakistan’s first National Security Policy brought out in 2021 is an endeavour to have peace with India? | 2021 | 10 |
18. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilateral Relations | Evaluate India-USA Partnership after Donald Trump began his second tenure as US President? | 2024 | 15 |
| Evaluate how Saudi Arabia could be key to India's Act West policy. | 2024 | 15 | |
| French President as guest of India’s Republic Day 2024 demonstrates the widening and deepening Indo-French strategic partnership. Discuss. | 2023 | 15 | |
| Evaluate India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership in the light of Indian Foreign Minister’s Moscow visit in the last week of December last year? | 2023 | 15 | |
| Do you think India-Taiwan technological cooperation will be a boon for India’s manufacturing ambitions? | 2023 | 10 | |
| Evaluate India-USA relationship in the changing global order? | 2022 | 15 | |
| India’s outreach to African countries is going to augur well for the country’s foreign policy. Discuss it in the context of Egyptian President’s visit to India in January 2023. | 2022 | 15 | |
| There is potential to lift India and the UK into a higher orbit of beneficial growth. Elucidate in light of impending India-UK free Trade Agreement. | 2022 | 15 | |
| India and France have achieved a robust strategic partnership. Discuss it in the light of the recent joint exercises between the two countries. | 2022 | 10 | |
| Discuss the need for India and Israel to strengthen and deepen their bilateral relationship in the light of the completion of three decades of formal diplomatic ties between the two countries. | 2021 | 15 | |
| The first India-Central Asia Summit held recently is the culmination of the efforts of both the regions to strengthen the three decade old partnership. Discuss. | 2021 | 15 | |
| India and Oman showing mutual interest for joint ventures to enhance defence industry cooperation is important for India’s bid to expand its footprint in the Indian Ocean Region. Elucidate. | 2021 | 15 | |
| The strategic intents and logic behind India’s sale of Brahmos missiles to Philippines mark an assertive Act East policy. Discuss. | 2021 | 15 | |
| The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. | 2018 | 15 | |
| Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War International scenario”. | 2018 | 15 | |
| Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pro and cons. Critically Examine. | 2018 | 10 | |
| Groupings (Regional/Global) | BRICS could be a powerful voice for the Global South. Explain. | 2024 | 15 |
| Do you think the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will be “a passage of possibilities”? | 2023 | 10 | |
| India must capitalize on ASEAN’s eagerness to engage. Elaborate | 2022 | 15 | |
| Inclusivity and cooperation for common good will be the core of India’s mission as President of Group of 20 (G-20). Discuss. | 2022 | 15 | |
| “The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is envisaged as a way to bolster trading ties among nations across Asia-Pacific.” Elaborate. | 2022 | 10 |
19. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geopolitics & Global Order | "The international order is undergoing changes of a magnitude not seen since 1945." Discuss. | 2024 | 10 |
| Turkey’s overtures in South Asia are poised to increase India’s troubles in coming times. Elucidate. | 2024 | 10 | |
| India-Canada relationship has descended to a new low in the last few years. Elucidate in the light of the accusations made by Canadian Prime Minister and the counter accusations of India. | 2023 | 15 | |
| Critically analyse India’s role and contributions in resolving the recent Israel-Palestine conflict. | 2023 | 15 | |
| “The Red Sea region has become a cauldron of conflict.” Elucidate the statement in the light of the recent attacks by Houthi rebels of Yemen on the commercial ships. | 2023 | 15 | |
| “Indo-Pacific will continue to remain the global flashpoint in the coming times.” Critically analyse the above statement in the light of the recent Taiwan presidential elections. | 2023 | 10 | |
| Do you agree that Asian continent has become the hub of geopolitics, geostrategy and geoeconomics. | 2022 | 15 | |
| India can play the role of “peacemaker” in the Russia Ukraine conflict justify this statement in light of indian foreign minister’s visit to Russia in the first week of November 2022 | 2022 | 15 | |
| Analyse five important lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic that has brought about a paradigm shift in global economic and strategic order. | 2022 | 15 | |
| “Asia must not become arena for ‘big power contest’. Elucidate the statement in the light of power rivalry among world powers in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. | 2022 | 15 | |
| Describe how the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic has ushered in a new world order with new economic and strategic dimensions. | 2021 | 15 | |
| Do you think the crisis in Ukraine may add worries for India? | 2021 | 10 | |
| In what ways the ongoing US Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation? | 2018 | 15 |
20. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate
| Microthemes | JKPSC PYQs | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institutions & Fora | Analyse India’s decade-long bid to become a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council in the light of UN General Assembly President’s recent remarks on India as a “mature, highly respected member.” | 2023 | 15 |
| Discuss the need to tighten the noose against terror financing in the light of the 3rd “No Money for Terror Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing.” | 2022 | 15 | |
| Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit for a permanent seat in UN Security Council. | 2018 | 10 |