UPSC Mains 2025 Revision Checklist: Top 15 Polity and Governance topics aspirants shouldn’t miss

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UPSC Mains 2025 Revision Checklist: Top 15 Social Issues topics

1. “One Nation, One Election” Debate

📌 Why in News?

In September, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to conduct simultaneous elections in India, as a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind recommended. This reignited the debate over “One Nation One Election” (ONOE). Some believe that simultaneous elections would benefit the citizens, while others argue that it would undermine the basic structure of the Constitution of India. 

Key dimensions to cover: 

• What does “One Nation, One Election” mean?

• History of simultaneous elections in India.

• Recommendations of the Kovind committee.

• Benefits of implementing simultaneous elections.

• Challenges and concerns associated with simultaneous elections.

PYQ Insight: 

📍Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to “one nation – one election” principle. (UPSC CSE 2024)

📍‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2017)

Click here to read more on “One Nation, One Election” Debate

2. 10 years of NITI Aayog

📌 Why in News?

On 1st January 2025, Niti Aayog During the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting held on May 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the goal of Viksit Bharat and urged state governments to focus on sectors like manufacturing and services, tourism, and to find ways to leverage the Free Trade Agreements India is signing with several countries.

NITI Aayog drives this vision forward by actively supporting states through various initiatives and mechanisms, premised on the belief that strong States make a strong nation. But how does this premier policy think tank of the Government of India advance this vision? In what ways does it foster cooperative and competitive federalism? What are the significant initiatives it has launched since its inception? 

Key dimensions to cover: 

• How does NITI Aayog reflect the principle of ‘Strong States, Strong Nation’ in its functioning?

• What are the four broad areas under which NITI Aayog’s activities are classified? 

• Initiatives or programmes launched by Niti Aayog to improve delivery of centrally sponsored schemes.

• In what ways does NITI Aayog promote federal cooperation while maintaining competitive development among states?

Click here to read more on Niti Aayog

3. 20 years of Right to Information Act

📌 Why in News?

An amendment to a section in the Right to Information (RTI) Act proposed by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 restricting access to personal information about public officials has drawn criticism from the opposition, civil society groups and from within as well. 

The RTI Act, which came into force in October 2005, was seen as a significant development towards freedom of information. It gave ordinary citizens the right to request information from government bodies, making authorities accountable for their actions and decisions. As a result, RTI is seen as a tool for citizens’ empowerment, promoting democratic participation, and improving the transparency and accountability of public officials. As RTI completes 20 year this year, it becomes important to cover this topic for exam. 

Key dimensions to cover: 

• What is RTI?

• What led to the establishment of the RTI Act in 2005, and how has it influenced freedom of information in India?

• Significance of RTI

• RTI Amendments

• How might the amendment proposed by the data protection law further affect the RTI Act’s effectiveness, particularly in terms of information disclosure?

• What challenges or limitations does the RTI Act face in ensuring full transparency and accountability?

PYQ Insight:

📍The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability.” Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2018)

Click here to read more on the Right to Information Act.

4. 50 Years of Emergency

📌 Why in News?

The Emergency was imposed 50 years ago on June 25, 1975. The 21-month period that followed was marked by the suspension of civil liberties, curtailment of press freedom, mass arrests, cancellation of elections, and rule by decree. Thus, it becomes important to cover this topic for mains exam.

Key dimensions to cover: 

• What is meant by “the Emergency” in modern Indian political history and what does the Constitution say about emergencies?

• How many types of emergencies are recognised by the Indian Constitution?

• Historical & social context that led to the proclamation of the National Emergency in 1975?

• What were the major constitutional implications during and post-1975 National Emergency?

• Constitutional lessons from the 1975 national emergency?

PYQ Insight: Revisiting different types of emergency provisions under the Constitution

UPSC has previously asked questions on financial emergencies and President’s Rule; the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency makes national emergency a probable area for GS Paper-II.

📍Account for the legal and political factors responsible for the reduced frequency of using Article 356 by the Union Governments since mid-1990s. (UPSC CSE 2023)

📍Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force? (UPSC CSE 2018)

Click here to read on “50 Years of Emergency: From causes to constitutional implications”

5. Census and Delimitation

📌 Why in News?

The government has formally announced that the 16th Census of India will take place in two phases, with the reference dates set as March 1, 2027, for most of the country and October 1, 2026, for snow-bound and remote regions such as Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. This census marks a significant milestone: it will include the first nationwide caste enumeration since 1931.

Notification under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948, came out in the Gazette on June 16 with house-listing and housing enumeration running for several months before the population count begins in early 2027. This Census is connected to two significant outcomes: the delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies, which has been on hold for the last fifty years, and the implementation of women’s reservation in Parliament.

Key dimensions to cover: 

• What is the census? Why does the census matter? 

• How has the census evolved historically in India? 

• How is the census conducted in India?

• How will the 16th Census be different from the 2011 Census?

• Census’ importance for the economy and policymaking.

• What is delimitation?

• How are census data and delimitation related?

• History of delimitation in India

• How does the process of delimitation work?

• Is the Delimitation Commission’s decision beyond judicial review?

• Why is delimitation needed?

PYQ Insight: The topics of census and delimitation are relevant for the UPSC CSE as they pertain to governance, population dynamics, and electoral processes. Additionally, UPSC has previously asked questions on delimitation multiple times in prelims; thus, it becomes essential to cover this topic for mains.

Click here to read more on “UPSC Issue at a Glance | Census and Delimitation”

6. Caste Census

📌 Why in News?

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) on April 30 approved the inclusion of caste data in the upcoming population census. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement, underscoring the constitutional framework that makes Census a Union subject. The move revives a long-standing debate over caste-based enumeration and its use in governance, policy, and politics. In this context, it becomes essential for aspirants to understand caste and census from a broader perspective.

Key dimensions to cover: 

• What is caste?

• What is the historical basis of caste in India?

• What is the history of caste census in India?

• What are the potential benefits and issues associated with a caste census?

Click here to read more on “From Caste to its Census: What you must know for UPSC Exam”

7. Office of Vice-President of India

📌 Why in News?

On December 10, 2024, the Opposition submitted a notice for a motion of no confidence against Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar. It was the first time that a no-confidence motion was present against a vice president in India’s parliamentary history. Although the motion was not passed, still it becomes important to know about the office of Vice President of India.

Key dimensions to cover: 

• What are the constitutional provisions regarding the office of the Vice-President of India?

• How is the Vice-President of India elected?

• What are the powers and functions of the Vice-President of India, especially as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?

• What is the procedure for the removal of the Vice-President of India?

• Is there any precedent of a no-confidence resolution being moved against the Rajya Sabha Chairman?

PYQ Insight: The Office of the Vice-President holds significance for the UPSC CSE as it is an important constitutional position. Previously, UPSC has asked questions related to this topic.

📍Discuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. (UPSC CSE 2022) 

Click here to read more on “Office of Vice-President of India”

8. Office of Speaker of Lok Sabha

📌 Why in News?

The election of Om Birla as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha drawn attention to the different aspects of the office of the Speaker in our parliamentary democracy. In this context, it is important to understand the office of the Speaker in Lok Sabha from a broader perspective. Notably, the presiding officer of India’s Lower House of Parliament, the Lok Sabha Speaker, is the constitutional and ceremonial head of the House.

Key dimensions to cover: 

• What are the constitutional mandates related to the Speaker?

• How is the Speaker elected?

• What are the roles and powers of the Speaker? 

• Is a speaker always a speaker?

• Why should the speaker rise above party loyalties and be ‘neutral’?

PYQ Insight: 

📍‘Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker’! Do you think this practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India? (UPSC CSE 2020)

Click here to read more on the Office of Speaker.

9. Election Commission of India

The Election Commission of India (ECI) plays a crucial role in ensuring transparent, free and fair elections. But what is the ECI, how did it come into existence and evolve? What is the composition and responsibilities of the body? Most importantly, what does the Constitution say about it? As ECI is an important topic of UPSC CSE syllabus covering it for Mains becomes important. 

Key dimensions to cover: 

• Discuss the functions of the Election Commission of India? 

• How does the Election Commission of India manage the election process? 

• Evaluate the functions of the Election Commission of India in the light of the Model Code of Conduct.

• What do you understand by the delimitation? Discuss the constitutional provisions which deal with it? 

• What are the challenges for the Election Commission of India in conducting elections and how should it deal with them?

PYQ Insight: 

📍Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct. (2022)

Click here to read more on the Election commission.

10. Anti-defection law

📌 Why in News?

There are numerous examples available in the history of Parliament and State Assemblies where Members of Parliament (MPs) or Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have changed their party. These activities led to the frequent falling of governments. In this context, it is important to cover this topic. 

Key dimensions to cover: 

• What is the anti-defection law? What are its major features?

• How effective it is. Is there a need to reform the law?

• Anti-defection law and nominated members

• Process of disqualification

• Three-test formula of the Supreme Court

• Limitations of the anti-defection law

• Major recommendations of various committees on reforming the anti-defection law. 

PYQ Insight:

📍The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law which was legislated but with a different intention? (UPSC CSE 2013)

Click here to read more on anti-defection law.

11. Enforcement Directorate

📌 Why in News?

The Supreme Court recently reprimanded the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for “crossing all limits” and “violating the federal structure” by conducting raids on government-run liquor retailer Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai described the central agency’s actions against the State corporation as a violation of the Constitution’s federal structure.

Notably, the TASMAC case is not the first time the apex court has pulled up the ED. Earlier this month, the Court criticised the body for making “allegations without any reference to anything” in a liquor scam case in Chhattisgarh. In another case in Chhattisgarh, it had called out the agency for paying scant heed to the “fundamental rights of the accused”. These developments warrant revisiting the formation and evolution of India’s economic intelligence agency, and its role in enforcing economic laws and combating financial crimes.

Key dimensions to cover: 

• Evolution of India’s economic intelligence agency

• Mandate to enforce laws

• ED’s power and federal structure

• Concerns over operational independence

• Key laws enforced by the Enforcement Directorate.

• How does the Enforcement Directorate’s role intersect with federal principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution?

• What is the significance of the Enforcement Directorate’s powers to attach and confiscate property under different laws like PMLA, FEMA, and FEOA?

Click here to read more on Enforcement Directorate (ED)

12. E-governance 

📌 Why in News?

As India remains committed to achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, efforts to strengthen governance through collaborative federalism and technological integration have acquired greater momentum. In this pursuit, e-governance has emerged as an effective tool as it helps promote transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric service delivery through digital tools.

Key dimensions to cover: 

• What is e-governance? 

• Evolution of e-governance

• Principles of e-governance

• Describe its four pillars of e-governance evaluating how they interact to make governance more efficient.

• E-governance: benefits and challenges

• E-governance has the potential to bridge the gap between the state and society. Evaluate in the context of rural-urban digital divides.

• How far has e-governance addressed the issue of corruption and inefficiency in Indian public administration? Explain with examples.

• Evaluate the role of initiatives like Digital India, UMANG, and BharatNet in enhancing the reach and effectiveness of e-governance.

• How does the emphasis on governance and best practices during recent meetings such as NDA conclaves reflect the growing importance of e-governance in India’s development model?

Click here to read more on e-governance

13. Panchayati Raj and local governance

📌 Why in News?

Recognising the significant role of panchayats in local governance, the government on April 9 launched the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) – “a key metric for assessing progress at the grassroots level and aiding in the formulation of localised strategies and targets for inclusive rural development”. Additionally, the 2024 index published by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the effort towards addressing the practice of ‘Pradhan Pati’ or ‘Mukhiya Pati’ speaks volumes about the significance attached to the Panchayat Raj Institutions in strengthening an inclusive grassroots governance.

Key dimensions to cover: 

• Evolution of Panchayati Raj Institutions

• Evaluating local governance.

• What were the earliest references to local self-governance? How did colonial administrative reforms, such as Lord Mayo’s resolution of 1870, shape the early structure of village governance?

• The 73rd and 74th amendment to the Constitution.

• How does the Ministry of Panchayati Raj assess the performance of these institutions across different states? What are the core dimensions of the Panchayat Devolution Index, and how has it evolved since its inception in 2004?

• How does the e-Gram Swaraj application aim to improve Panchayat functioning?

• Despite constitutional backing and digital interventions, why do Panchayati Raj Institutions still struggle with financial autonomy and transparency? Suggest the way forward.

• Urban local bodies. Devolution of powers to urban local bodies.

• Significance of empowering local bodies for effective urban governance in India.

• How did the introduction of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) change urban governance in India?

• Key challenges faced by urban local bodies. What steps can be taken to further empower these local bodies to address complex urban challenges?

• How can municipal governance reforms help cities respond more effectively to urban challenges? 

PYQ Insight:

📍To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots? (UPSC CSE 2022) 

📍Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources can the Panchayats look out for financing developmental projects? (UPSC CSE 2018)

Click here to read more on Panchayati Raj.

Click here to read more on urban local bodies in India

14. Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)

📌 Why in News?

The Supreme Court in March sought the Centre’s response on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the current practice of appointing the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) – India’s apex audit body. The PIL argues that the existing executive-controlled process violates the Constitution and seeks an independent selection committee for appointing CAG.

This comes amid recent CAG reports, such as on the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy and on the Functioning of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), which have highlighted irregularities in public fund management and led to debates about the CAG’s independence and its relationship with the executive branch.

Key dimensions to cover: 

• Which constitutional article governs the appointment of the CAG, and how does the PIL regarding the appointment of the CAG argue that the current process violates it?

• Constitutional Provisions related to the duties, and audit reports of the auditor general.

• CAG as a key pillar of financial administration. 

• Why have concerns about political or executive influence over CAG appointments been raised? What could be possible ways to address this? 

• What are the main criticisms of CAG? 

• Why is the CAG remains a crucial institution?

• How to address tensions between CAG and the executive?

PYQ Insight:

📍“The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play.” Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise. (UPSC CSE 2018) 

📍Exercise of CAG’s powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived from Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether audit of the Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.(UPSC CSE 2016)

Click here to read more on “CAG in the spotlight: What are the issues?”

15. Regionalism

📌 Why in News?

On October 21, Sonam Wangchuk, a Ladakh-based activist, ended his indefinite fast after receiving a letter from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding future discussions on the administration of the Union Territory.  Wangchuk and other activists are advocating for increased autonomy in Ladakh’s governance. Their demand for greater autonomy is an example of regionalism, where specific regions seek to assert their identities, governance structures, and resources. Moreover, the recent discussions on One Nation, One Election have further resurfaced debates about regionalism, highlighting the necessity of finding a balance between national unity and regional aspirations.

Key dimensions to cover: 

• What is regionalism? What has been the basis for it in pre- and post-independent India?

• Causes and types of regionalism. 

• Difference between regionalism and nationalism.

• Regionalism in post-independent India 

• How do cultural, ethnic, religious, or linguistic identities influence regionalist aspirations in India?

• Constitution and regionalism 

• How did the concept of regionalism evolve in India following independence, particularly in relation to linguistic identity?

• Impacts of regionalism.

PYQ Insight:

📍Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue. (UPSC CSE 2020)

📍What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer. (UPSC CSE 2020)

📍Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for a separate state. Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2013)

Click here to read more on “Regionalism”.

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