UPSC Law Optional -Paper 1- Analysis of Previous Year Mains Questions

In the previous blog, we discussed Law Optional UPSC Syllabus, pattern, books to refer and some tips for writing answers. In this Article, we will be discussing the importance of analyzing previous year questions asked in UPSC Law Optional Paper 1, so that we can break down the syllabus into “priority areas”and “less priority areas”.

Further, previous year question papers analysis is the best known methodology to crack your optional paper. The most striking factor is that UPSC is tend to ask same questions repeatedly, may be in a gap of 6 or 7 years with few changes. For Example,  In 2003, a question was as follows,

“The relationship  between International Law and Municipal Law is one of coordination and interdependence.” Discuss.

The same idea was asked again in 2009 as follows,

“In practice the relationship between International Law and Municipal Law exists in the mixture of International law supremacy, Municipal supremacy and a coordination of legal system.”
Comment on the aforesaid statement of Edward Collins in the context of the relationship between International Law and Municipal Law.

In recent years there has been some changes in the questions in Law Optional Paper 1. More questions are asked on contemporary events and legal issues , especially in Section B- International Law. In 2014, a question was asked on Diplomatic Immunity when the issue of Devayani Khobragade was in news. In 2015, the case relating to Marshall Islands, WTO and Issues with Indian trade etc appeared in the question paper.

For the purpose of analyzing questions, the last 3 years UPSC Question Papers are taken for reference. Lets us have a look at the questions and observe the pattern in which UPSC asks questions in Law Optional Paper 1.