UPSC Themes

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 · GS2 · 10 marks · 150 words

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?

Theme

T96 Executive: cabinet, ordinances & pardon

What UPSC asks in this theme

UPSC asks whether ordinances violate separation of powers and SC decisions on them, cabinet size and efficiency, delay in mercy petitions, and pardon powers in India vs the US.

What to cover

Writing the answer

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 4 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.

This question also needs

T97 Comparative constitutions: UK, USA, France

More PYQs from this theme

  1. GS22015

    Resorting 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, analyse whether the decisions of the Supreme Court on the issue have further facilitated resorting to this power. Should the power to promulgate the ordinances be repealed?

  2. GS22014

    The size of the cabinet should 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.

  3. GS22014

    Instances of President’s delay in commuting death sentences has come under public debate as denial of justice. Should there be a time limit specified for the President to accept/reject such petitions? Analyse.

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