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General Studies 2023 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Compare and contrast

GS Paper II — Q4

Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

संसदीय संप्रभुता के प्रति ब्रिटिश एवं भारतीय दृष्टिकोणों की तुलना करें और अंतर बताएं। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर) 10 marks

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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.

Parliamentary sovereignty denotes the supreme authority to enact or repeal laws. While India adopted the British parliamentary model, their approaches to legislative supremacy diverge fundamentally.

Similarities Both systems establish Parliament as the pre-eminent law-making body within their respective constitutional frameworks, exercising legislative oversight over the executive.

Contrasts

  • Absolute vs Limited Authority: Under A.V. Dicey’s classic formulation, the British Parliament possesses absolute, unlimited sovereignty—it can make or unmake any law, lacks any overriding authority, and cannot bind its successors. Conversely, the Indian Parliament exercises limited sovereignty circumscribed by a federal structure and a written Constitution.
  • Judicial Review: Britain lacks judicial review over primary legislation. In India, the judiciary can strike down laws violating constitutional provisions, with Article 368 amending powers restricted by the Basic Structure doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati, 1973).
  • Constitutional Constraints: Britain’s unwritten constitution enables parliamentary self-regulation via simple majorities. India’s entrenched written constitution requires special majorities and places permanent constraints on legislative power.

Thus, while Britain upholds absolute Parliamentary Sovereignty, India subordinates parliamentary authority to Constitutional Supremacy.

What "Compare and contrast" is asking you to do

Both halves, visibly separated, usually because the two are routinely conflated: similarities across the stated dimensions, then differences across those same dimensions. The longer form is an instruction that the differences must not be folded into the similarities.

Structure that answers it

Dimensions fixed → similarities across them → differences across them → why the pair gets confused and what in fact separates it

Where marks are lost

One half done in a page and the other in three lines. Marks are allotted to each half separately, so the weaker half is lost however strong the other is.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS2 Paper 2 Method. compare: paired headings or table > key differences > significance > conclusion Full marks: Clear distinction between British and Indian models with specific examples and constitutional references.

Key points expected

  • Define British parliamentary sovereignty (Westminster model)
  • Define Indian parliamentary sovereignty (Constitutional limits)
  • Contrast: Supremacy of Parliament vs Supremacy of Constitution
  • Contrast: Unwritten vs Written constitutional framework

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Paired analysis of British vs Indian parliamentary sovereignty with key differences and significance. 10 marks · 150 words

    compare— paired headings or table → key differences → significance → conclusion

    Must cover

    • Define British parliamentary sovereignty (Westminster model)
    • Define Indian parliamentary sovereignty (Constitutional limits)
    • Contrast: Supremacy of Parliament vs Supremacy of Constitution
    • Contrast: Unwritten vs Written constitutional framework

    Loses marks

    • Reciting Articles without explaining the concept
    • Failing to contrast the two systems
    • Confusing parliamentary sovereignty with federalism

    Earns more

    • Mention Indian Parliament's power to amend Constitution (Art 368)
    • Reference to Basic Structure Doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati)
    • Mention British Parliament's power to legislate on any matter
    • Reference to judicial review in India vs UK

    Extra mark

    • Cite Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
    • Reference to Dicey's concept of parliamentary sovereignty

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