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UPSC Law — Previous Year Questions

Every question from Law papers in UPSC Civil Services Mains (2021–2026), organised by year. 96 questions in total, each with directive-word analysis, model answer points, and a full evaluation rubric.

96Questions
6Years covered

2026 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2026

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) “The ‘Doctrine of Pleasure’ in its absolute unrestricted application does not exist in India.” Elucidate with… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) "While interpreting Article 21 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court introduced the concept of 'due process of… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Keshavananda illustrates judicial creativity and the policy-making role of the Supreme Court of a very high order… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) “The Supreme Court of India is a multi-jurisdictional Court and may be regarded as the most powerful Apex Court in… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Whether International Law is a law in the true sense of the term ‘law’ or not? Examine. (10 marks) (b) Critically… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) “The present world economic order is supposed to be guided by the operation of free market forces propelled by free… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Discuss the facts and the Principles of the Law of the Sea, emerged in ‘Corfu Channel Case’, with reference to the… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) “The Bretton Woods Conference, 1944 adopted the statutes of two institutions to promote New International Economic… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) Does ‘Res ipsa loquitur’ reverse the ‘burden of proof’ completely ? Comment. (10 marks) (b) How can ‘community… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) “Vicarious liability’ is based on public policy rather than fault.” Critically analyse the above statement in the… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) How effectively does the law distinguish between ‘pre-meditated killing’ and ‘murder as a consequence of a sudden… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) 'X', a 25-year-old boy, makes a promise to 'Y', an 18-year-old girl, that he will marry her if she has… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) How does the Indian Competition Act, 2002, reflect a shift from regulating monopoly to protecting the interests of… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) “Sharing of profits is only prima facie evidence of the existence of a partnership. The conclusive test is that of… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Can ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution’ (ADR) mechanisms effectively adjudicate disputes involving public law… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) ‘‘Intellectual property laws confer exclusive rights on creators; however, such rights are not absolute.’’… 50 marks

2025 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2025

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) Where does the Constitution of India vest executive power with respect to subject-matters in the Concurrent List… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) What are the powers, privileges and immunities of Houses of Parliament in India? Do they have the power to expel… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) "In any democratic society, judicial review of administrative action is the soul of the system. Without it… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) Examine the power of the Governor to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment, or to suspend… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Is anticipatory and pre-emptive use of force for self-defence permissible under Article 51 of the UN Charter?… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) There may be various reasons for the failure of the Security Council of United Nations in maintaining international… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Examine the definition, meaning of 'Nationality' and modes of acquisition of nationality. Also, make a distinction… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Critically examine the International Law relating to development and use of nuclear weapons with special focus on… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) "Doctrine of 'foreseeability', not the 'proximity', is a correct test of 'remoteness'." Explain with the help of… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) "Homicide means killing of a human being by a human being." Explain the statement and distinguish between culpable… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Discuss the law of defamation. Is this correct to say that law of defamation gives too much protection to… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) "Dacoity is an aggravated form of theft and robbery." Explain with relevant provisions and case-laws. (20 marks)… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) "Law as well as justice should try to prevent unjust enrichment." Elucidate the statement in reference to relevant… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) "Every agreement by which anyone is restrained from exercising a lawful profession, trade or business of any kind… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) "The parties to a contract must either perform or offer to perform their respective promises unless the performance… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) "Right to Information, for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, is an… 50 marks

2024 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2024

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) Examine the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in appeals from High Courts in regard to criminal matters… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) The concept of Public Interest Litigation is an exception to the rule of 'locus standi'. Elaborate in the light of… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) "Article 194, which is an exact reproduction of Article 105, deals with the State Legislatures and their members… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) In recent years, the concept of 'Cooperative Federalism' has played a pivotal role in constitutional governance of… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Define International Law. Enumerate its weaknesses and give suggestions for improvement. (10 marks) (b) What is… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Peaceful settlement of international disputes has been developed on the principles of International Law concerning… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Following 'World War II' destruction, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund emerged as two historic… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Describe the constitution of United Nations Security Council's 'Counter-Terrorism Committee'. To what extent has… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) The underlying principle of mens-rea is expressed in the familiar Latin maxim — 'actus non-facit reum nisi mens sit… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) "Justification for introduction of 'plea-bargaining' in India was that it will reduce delay in case of undertrial… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) "It is the mode of acquiring possession of property of other party with/without his consent, which determines the… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) 'If an enterprise is permitted to carry on any hazardous or inherently dangerous activity for its profits, the cost… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) A "'Quasi-Contract' arises out of judicial principles and not out of contractual agreement between two parties."… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Discuss the rules which are taken into account by the courts while awarding damages for the breach of contract… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) "The principle of arbitral autonomy is an integral element of the ever evolving domain of arbitration law .... The… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) "There is, in recent years, a feeling which is not without any foundation that 'public interest litigation' is now… 50 marks

2023 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2023

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) "Preamble of the Indian Constitution is indicative of basic values that the political system is expected to… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) "The Constitution of India has provided for a clear-cut distinction between civil and political rights on the one… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) "Superintendence, direction and control of elections is vested in the office of the Election Commission and… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) What do you understand by breakdown of constitutional machinery in a State ? Critically examine the powers of the… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) "Triumph of Positivism has reduced an individual to be an object of international law rather than a subject of… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) "Law must be stable, and yet it cannot stand still, as it needs to reconcile the conflicting needs of stability and… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) "Preamble of the UN Charter is representative of the aspirations of humanity in ensuring peace and security across… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) "WTO provides a platform for agreements amongst its members which form the legal foundation of global trade."… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) Discuss the doctrine of 'Transferred Malice' as applied to law relating to culpable homicide under the Indian Penal… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) A twenty year old girl 'G' was coming back to home after attending college. A man 'M' held her, shut her mouth and… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Discuss the law relating to 'Assault or Criminal force' to woman with intent to 'Outrage her Modesty' and 'Sexual… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) "Dishonest Intention is the gist of the offence of Theft." Examine the above statement with the help of relevant… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) "The law of contract is not the whole law of agreements, nor is it the whole law of obligations. It is the law of… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) "The Constitutional courts through their judicial activism have made substantial contribution in protecting women… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) "'Standard-contracts' contain a large number of terms and conditions in 'fine print' which restrict or often… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Under what circumstances, can an intermediary be held liable for third party-content hosted by them? Explain the… 50 marks

2022 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2022

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) 'Absolute equality may itself be a cause of inequality.' In the light of this statement, discuss substantive… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) "Amending power does not extend to damaging or destroying the basic structure or framework of our Constitution."… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Can the constitutional head of the State be truly described as the nerve-centre of the federal system? Explain in… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) In the Parliamentary system, though there is no separation between the legislature and the executive in terms of… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Keeping in view the growth of International Law in the contemporary era, do you think the classical definition of… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Critically examine various theories relating to the relationship between International Law and Municipal Law. (20… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Describe the various powers and functions of the General Assembly. (20 marks) (b) Explain the maxim "Pacta Tertiis… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) When is an aircraft considered to be 'in flight' for the purposes of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) "The existence of mens rea along with commission of actus reus makes the act an offence." Explain. (10 marks) (b)… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) The 'State Liability' under the Law of Tort has undergone metamorphosis. Explain with the help of case laws. (20… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) What do you understand by an 'unlawful assembly'? Discuss the circumstances when a lawful assembly becomes… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) Summarize the law relating to 'attempt to suicide' in India. How far the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 added new… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) "All the contracts are agreements, but all the agreements are not contracts." Elucidate the statement. (10 marks)… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) "The liability of a surety is coextensive with principal debtor, unless it is otherwise provided by the contract."… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) State the circumstances of supervening impossibility and frustration of contract in the light of the decided cases… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) What are the essentials of an agency? How is an agency created and terminated under the Indian Contract Act, 1872?… 50 marks

2021 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2021

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) "The Fundamental Rights may be said to constitutionalise social values of existing society." Explain and… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) "Pluralism is the keystone of Indian culture and religious tolerance is the bedrock of Indian Secularism. It is… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) "Free and fair election is the 'basic structure' of our Constitution and it is the 'heartbeat' of democracy." But… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) "The provisions of the Directive Principles of State Policy are not enforceable by any court, but they are… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Discuss the various efforts made towards the codification of International Law during the 20th century. 10 (b)… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Distinguish whether 'Recognition of States' is an act of policy or of law. Also distinguish between Constitutive… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Discuss the powers of the Security Council for the maintenance of world peace and security. Has the 'Veto Power'… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Is it a legal duty of States under international law to settle their disputes by peaceful means? Can failure of… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) What amounts to 'Legal Insanity' that would entitle an accused for exemption from Criminal Liability ? 10 (b)… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) Has 'Attempt' been defined anywhere in the IPC, 1860 ? What are the various tests for determining, whether an act… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) From 'Mathura' to 'Nirbhaya' and beyond, discuss the development of Rape laws in India. 20 (b) Explain the… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) Discuss the evolution and development of rule relating to 'No-fault liability' in India with help of decided cases… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Minor's contract is 'void ab initio'. Comment. 10 (b) Discuss the constitutionality of Right to Information Act… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) What are the various modes in which a contract may be discharged ? Explain in the light of decided cases. 20 (b)… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Section 8 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 denotes a provision which limits judicial intervention in… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Discuss the concept and classification of 'Quasi contracts' under Indian Contract Act, 1872. 20 (b) "Limited… 50 marks

How Law answers are marked

The shape the examiner expects, what earns the marks and the traps that lose them: the same card our rubrics for this subject are written from.

Answer skeleton

  1. Issue
  2. Rule: statute or Article
  3. Authority
  4. Application and conclusion

What earns the marks

  • Name the section or Article precisely
  • Cite the case and its ratio, not the outcome
  • Apply law to the given facts, do not restate
  • Note dissent or conflicting authority

What earns the extra mark

  • Recent Supreme Court judgment
  • Law Commission report

Traps that cost marks

  • Discussion with no authority
  • Outcome-only case citation
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