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General Studies 2022 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

GS Paper II — Q4

Discuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

राज्य सभा के सभापति के रूप में भारत के उप-राष्ट्रपति की भूमिका की विवेचना कीजिए। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

Q4 of the 2022 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper II, as printed
The question as printed in the 2022 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Under Articles 64 and 89, the Vice-President serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Unlike the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Chairman is not an elected member of the House, which reinforces institutional neutrality.

Presiding and Committee Functions: The Chairman regulates proceedings, recognizes speakers, decides points of order, and exercises disciplinary powers including adjournment. Under Article 100, the Chairman holds no deliberative vote in the first instance, exercising only a casting vote in the event of an equality of votes. The Chairman also heads key panels, including the Business Advisory Committee and the Rules Committee, and appoints the Panel of Vice-Chairpersons.

Limitations and Federal Significance: Unlike the Speaker, the Chairman cannot certify Money Bills or preside over Joint Sittings. Furthermore, under Article 92, the Chairman cannot preside during resolutions for their own removal. With salary charged directly on the Consolidated Fund of India, the office maintains financial independence, serving as an anchor of federal balance in the Council of States. Sustaining bipartisan trust and active consensus-building remains vital for elevating the upper chamber's deliberative efficacy.

What "Discuss" is asking you to do

Lay the issue out from more than one side — how it arose, what is claimed for it, what is held against it, and where it now stands. UPSC attaches discuss to broad topics with several live dimensions, so coverage of the dimensions earns more than the strength of your opinion.

Structure that answers it

Set the issue up → the case as it is made → the case against → the dimension both sides leave out → where the balance now lies

Where marks are lost

Listing facts with no thread between them, or arguing one side throughout and calling it a discussion.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: Principle > Institution or Article > Problem with example > Realistic reform. discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Cites Article 79, explains casting vote, Money Bill role, and includes a reform or judgment.

Key points expected

  • Cite Article 79 (VP as ex-officio Chairman)
  • Explain casting vote power (Article 100)
  • Mention role in Money Bill certification (Article 111)
  • Discuss control over adjournment and business

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Analyze the constitutional and procedural powers of the VP as Rajya Sabha Chairman. 10 marks · 150 words

    discuss— intro → 3-4 dimensions → example → balanced close

    Must cover

    • Cite Article 79 (VP as ex-officio Chairman)
    • Explain casting vote power (Article 100)
    • Mention role in Money Bill certification (Article 111)
    • Discuss control over adjournment and business

    Loses marks

    • Reciting Articles without explaining their significance
    • Failing to mention the casting vote power
    • Ending without a reform or balanced conclusion

    Earns more

    • Mention role in Presiding over Joint Sitting
    • Reference to 2nd ARC recommendations on parliamentary reform
    • Mention role in appointing Select Committees
    • Reference to Supreme Court judgment on VP's powers

    Extra mark

    • Cite specific Supreme Court judgment on VP's powers
    • Reference to 2nd ARC recommendations on parliamentary reform

Practice this exact question

Write your answer and it is marked point by point against the model answer above — what you covered, what you missed, what you got wrong.

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