UPSC Law Optional, Paper I and II

Administrative Law UPSC Law Optional PYQs

UPSC Law Optional Administrative Law previous year questions 1-23 of 47, arranged for doctrine revision, case-law planning, and answer writing.

47 questions1-23 on this page2 pages

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Answer-writing coverage

What this archive covers

administrative discretion, natural justice, delegated legislation, tribunals, ombudsman institutions, and judicial control.

Paper I source PDF Paper II source PDF Related law MCQs

2023Paper IQ1(d)Section A

Question 1

The principles of natural justice are not cast in stone and there is always a possibility of deviation from stated principles of law in view of overall demands of justice". Explain citing decided cases on the subject.

Natural Justice and Fair Procedure

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q1(d), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ1(e)Section A

Question 2

Explain and elucidate the grounds of judicial review or administrative action, by quoting decided cases on the subject.

Judicial Review and Public Law Remedies

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q1(e), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ4(b)Section A

Question 3

Discuss the objectives of the establishment of Lokpal and Lok Ayukta, and their powers and functions under the Lokpal and Lok Ayuktas Act, 2013. Examine the effectiveness of the said Act.

Tribunals, Regulation and Ombudsman

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q4(b), source page 149.

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2022Paper IQ1(e)Section A

Question 4

Elucidate Wednesbury's Principles of Unreasonableness'. Do these principles provide in any way, scope for 'merits review' of administrative decisions?

Administrative Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q1(e), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ3(b)Section A

Question 5

What are the grounds to declare a delegated legislation as substantive ultravires? Refer case laws.

Delegated Legislation

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q3(b), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ4(c)Section A

Question 6

Explain the significance of 'Audi Alteram Partem'. What are the cases or circumstances in which the aforesaid principle of natural justice can be excluded?

Natural Justice and Fair Procedure

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q4(c), source page 138.

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2021Paper IQ1(e)Section A

Question 7

'Delegation of legislative powers has neither been permitted nor prohibited under the Indian Constitution.' Discuss the constitutionality of delegated legislation with the help of relevant case references.

Delegated Legislation

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2021, Paper I, Q1(e), source page 132.

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2021Paper IQ3(c)Section A

Question 8

Explain the various principles of natural justice with the help of relevant decided cases.

Natural Justice and Fair Procedure

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2021, Paper I, Q3(c), source page 132.

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2020Paper IQ1(e)Section A

Question 9

Discuss the various modes of judicial control over delegated legislation.

Delegated Legislation

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2020, Paper I, Q1(e), source page 126.

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2020Paper IQ2(b)Section A

Question 10

'The distinction between quasi-judicial and administrative functions no longer exclusively determines whether the rules of Natural Justice apply.' Critically examine this statement.

Natural Justice and Fair Procedure

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2020, Paper I, Q2(b), source page 126.

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2019Paper IQ1(b)Section A

Question 11

The purpose of the office of the 'Lokpal, is not to adjudicate, but to provide regular machinery for investigating grievances against the administration in a discrete and informal manner." Critically examine this statement by providing proper justification of the office of the 'Lokpal' in India. 10.

Tribunals, Regulation and Ombudsman

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2019, Paper I, Q1(b), source page 120.

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2019Paper IQ1(c)Section A

Question 12

Audi alteram partem', rule is a very flexible, malleable and adaptable concept of natural justice to adjust the need for speed and obligation to act fairly." Examine the statement with the help of decided case-law. 10.

Natural Justice and Fair Procedure

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2019, Paper I, Q1(c), source page 120.

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2019Paper IQ2(a)Section A

Question 13

Give an overview of the growth of the Tribunals in India with special reference to Administrative Tribunals established under the (Administrative Tribunal Act. 20 (ii) "Revival of the Panchayati Raj system in India is an aid to reduce the workload on the Judiciary." Comment.

Tribunals, Regulation and Ombudsman

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2019, Paper I, Q2(a), source page 120.

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2019Paper IQ3(a)Section A

Question 14

While conferring the power of delegated legislation on the administration, the enabling Act may specify the procedural safeguards to be followed in the exercise of the power. What are the consequences of non-compliance with the requirements as laid down in the Act? Discuss with the help of decided cases. 20.

Delegated Legislation

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2019, Paper I, Q3(a), source page 120.

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2019Paper IQ4(c)Section A

Question 15

Examine and explain the following statements: (i) Public Interest Litigation is a tool to promote politics of the Judiciary. (ii) Judicial Activism has both positive and negative impact on the Judiciary.

PIL and Locus Standi

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2019, Paper I, Q4(c), source page 120.

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2018Paper IQ1(b)Section A

Question 16

Administrative powers/actions are not always in conflict with the "Rule of law" principle. Discuss with illustration.

Administrative Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2018, Paper I, Q1(b), source page 108.

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2018Paper IQ1(d)Section A

Question 17

Natural justice is not a made to order formula which has to be fitted to all situations with an iron-bound uniformity." - Comment. Refer to case laws.

Natural Justice and Fair Procedure

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2018, Paper I, Q1(d), source page 108.

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2018Paper IQ3(c)Section A

Question 18

Discuss the constitutionality of delegated legislation. What are the limits of delegated legislation? Explain. 15.

Delegated Legislation

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2018, Paper I, Q3(c), source page 108.

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2017Paper IQ1(e)Section A

Question 19

Briefly explain the grounds on which administrative actions can be subjected to judicial review.

Judicial Review and Public Law Remedies

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2017, Paper I, Q1(e), source page 103.

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2017Paper IQ2(c)Section A

Question 20

Explain the significance of the rule of 'AUDIALTERSMPSRTEM' in administrative decision making and state the circumstances under which 'post decisional hearing' can effectively satisfy the mandate of natural justice.

Natural Justice and Fair Procedure

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2017, Paper I, Q2(c), source page 103.

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2017Paper IQ4(c)Section A

Question 21

Do you think the institution of Lokpal, as envisaged under the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013, is efficacious enough to curb corruption in India? State the inadequacies in the legislative framework, if any.

Tribunals, Regulation and Ombudsman

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2017, Paper I, Q4(c), source page 103.

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2016Paper IQ2(c)Section A

Question 22

The need for administrative rule making entails delegated legislation." Comment.

Delegated Legislation

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2016, Paper I, Q2(c), source page 97.

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2016Paper IQ4(b)Section A

Question 23

The role of 'Ombudsman' is to correct the administrative faults which are troubling the rights of a person in view of proliferation of trading entities. Discuss.

Administrative Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2016, Paper I, Q4(b), source page 97.

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What this archive covers

The principles of natural justice are not cast in stone and there is always a possibility of deviation from stated principles of law in view of overall demands of justice". Explain citing decided cases on the subject.

Explain and elucidate the grounds of judicial review or administrative action, by quoting decided cases on the subject.

Discuss the objectives of the establishment of Lokpal and Lok Ayukta, and their powers and functions under the Lokpal and Lok Ayuktas Act, 2013. Examine the effectiveness of the said Act.

Elucidate Wednesbury's Principles of Unreasonableness'. Do these principles provide in any way, scope for 'merits review' of administrative decisions?

What are the grounds to declare a delegated legislation as substantive ultravires? Refer case laws.

Explain the significance of 'Audi Alteram Partem'. What are the cases or circumstances in which the aforesaid principle of natural justice can be excluded?

'Delegation of legislative powers has neither been permitted nor prohibited under the Indian Constitution.' Discuss the constitutionality of delegated legislation with the help of relevant case references.

Explain the various principles of natural justice with the help of relevant decided cases.

Discuss the various modes of judicial control over delegated legislation.

'The distinction between quasi-judicial and administrative functions no longer exclusively determines whether the rules of Natural Justice apply.' Critically examine this statement.

Audi alteram partem', rule is a very flexible, malleable and adaptable concept of natural justice to adjust the need for speed and obligation to act fairly." Examine the statement with the help of decided case-law. 10.

Give an overview of the growth of the Tribunals in India with special reference to Administrative Tribunals established under the (Administrative Tribunal Act. 20 (ii) "Revival of the Panchayati Raj system in India is an aid to reduce the workload on the Judiciary." Comment.

Examine and explain the following statements: (i) Public Interest Litigation is a tool to promote politics of the Judiciary. (ii) Judicial Activism has both positive and negative impact on the Judiciary.

Administrative powers/actions are not always in conflict with the "Rule of law" principle. Discuss with illustration.

Natural justice is not a made to order formula which has to be fitted to all situations with an iron-bound uniformity." - Comment. Refer to case laws.

Discuss the constitutionality of delegated legislation. What are the limits of delegated legislation? Explain. 15.

Briefly explain the grounds on which administrative actions can be subjected to judicial review.

Explain the significance of the rule of 'AUDIALTERSMPSRTEM' in administrative decision making and state the circumstances under which 'post decisional hearing' can effectively satisfy the mandate of natural justice.

Do you think the institution of Lokpal, as envisaged under the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013, is efficacious enough to curb corruption in India? State the inadequacies in the legislative framework, if any.

The need for administrative rule making entails delegated legislation." Comment.

The role of 'Ombudsman' is to correct the administrative faults which are troubling the rights of a person in view of proliferation of trading entities. Discuss.

Other Law Optional subjects