Theme T97 · Constitution & Polity

Comparative constitutions: UK, USA, France

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What UPSC asks

Questions compare India with the UK, US and France: separation of powers and PM vs US President, parliamentary sovereignty, presidential elections in India and France, right to equality, judicial systems, and democratic tenets.

Prepare these

• UK: parliamentary sovereignty, uncodified constitution
• US: presidential system, rigid separation, judicial review
• France: semi-presidential, direct election
• Equality: US equal protection vs Indian Art 14–18 with affirmative action

Answer writing

• Use comparison tables

Directive words in these PYQs: Examine (3), Compare (2), Critically (1), Analyse (1), Distinguish (1), Highlight (1).

Linked themes

Builds on: study these first

These come earlier in the roadmap. Questions in this theme use them.

Syllabus lines covered

• GS2-L4 — Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

All 6 PYQs, newest first

1. GS2202615 marks · 250 wordsGS2-POL-09-M2026-S01

   Examine 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

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2. GS2202310 marks · 150 wordsGS2-POL-09-M2023-Q04

   Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty.

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3. GS2202215 marks · 250 wordsGS2-POL-09-M2022-Q14

   Critically examine the procedures through which the presidents of India and France are elected.

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4. GS22021GS2-POL-09-M2021-S01

   Analyse the distinguishing features of the notion of Right to Equality in the Constitutions of the USA and India.

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5. GS22020GS2-POL-09-M2020-S01

   The judicial systems in India and the UK seem to be converging as well as diverging in recent times. Highlight the key points of convergence and divergence between the two nations in terms of their judicial practices.

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6. GS22018GS2-POL-09-M2018-S01

   India and USA are the two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.

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