General Studies 2025 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

Q5

"The Attorney General of India plays a crucial role in guiding the legal framework of the Union Government and ensuring sound governance through legal counsel." Discuss his responsibilities, rights and limitations in this regard. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

"भारत का महान्यायवादी (एटर्नी जनरल) केन्द्र सरकार के कानूनी ढांचे का मार्गदर्शन करने और कानूनी परामर्श के माध्यम से ठोस शासन सुनिश्चित करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाता है।" इस संबंध में उसकी जिम्मेदारियों, अधिकारों और सीमाओं का विवेचन कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2025 General Studies questions

Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'discuss' requires a balanced examination of the Attorney General's multifaceted role, covering responsibilities, rights, and limitations with analytical depth. Structure: brief constitutional introduction (Art. 76) → body with three distinct sections on duties, privileges, and constraints → concluding assessment of his significance in federal governance. Given the 150-word limit, prioritize precision over elaboration.

Key points expected

Constitutional basis: Article 76, appointment by President, qualifications (eligible for SC judge)
Core responsibilities: chief legal advisor, representing Union in SC/HC, appearing for government in constitutional cases, defending suits against President/Governor
Rights and privileges: right of audience in all courts, parliamentary privileges (Art. 105), communication with government departments
Key limitations: not a government servant, no executive authority, cannot advise against government, cannot defend in criminal cases without consent
Contemporary relevance: role in high-profile cases like Article 370 abrogation, electoral bonds, or COVID-19 litigation

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Addresses all three components—responsibilities, rights, and limitations—in balanced proportion without overemphasizing one aspect; recognizes 'discuss' requires analytical coverage rather than mere listing	Covers two of three components adequately or all three superficially; treats directive as descriptive rather than analytical	Misses one or more components entirely (e.g., omits limitations) or misinterprets 'discuss' as requiring opinion/argumentation
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Precise constitutional references (Art. 76, 88, 105); accurate distinction between AG and Solicitor General; correct qualification criteria; no factual errors on tenure/removal	Generally accurate but vague on specifics—e.g., 'appointed by President' without mentioning SC judge eligibility; conflates AG with SG roles	Major errors: states AG is part of Council of Ministers, claims executive powers, or confuses with Advocate General of states
Structure & flow	20%	2	Clear tripartite structure with visible transitions; 150-word discipline maintained; each paragraph serves distinct analytical purpose; logical progression from constitutional basis to functional assessment	Loosely organized with some overlap between sections; word count slightly exceeded or underutilized; readable but not optimally structured	Disorganized stream of facts; no paragraph breaks; exceeds word limit significantly or severely underwrites; illogical sequencing
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	References specific AG interventions—e.g., K.K. Venugopal in Article 370 case, Mukul Rohatgi in electoral bonds, or historical T.R. Andhyarujina; mentions significant constitutional cases where AG appeared	Generic reference to 'appearing in important cases' without naming; or names AG without linking to specific legal significance	No examples whatsoever; or irrelevant examples (confusing with Law Minister or CJI); fabricated case references
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Concise synthesis emphasizing AG's unique position as bridge between executive and judiciary; notes tension between independence and government allegiance; or observes evolving role in PIL era	Routine summary restating points; no fresh insight; or abrupt ending without conclusion	No conclusion; or introduces new factual claims; concludes with irrelevant personal opinion on judicial system

Practice this exact question

Write your answer, then get a detailed evaluation from our AI trained on UPSC's answer-writing standards. Free first evaluation — no signup needed to start.

Evaluate my answer →