UPSC CARE Mains Practice 2nd December 2025

Mains Practice Questions for the Day

1Q. Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on the ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to the appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India. UPSC (2017) (GS Paper-2 Judiciary)

Introduction:

The Supreme Court, in the Fourth Judges Case (2015), struck down the 99th Constitutional Amendment and the NJAC Act as unconstitutional. The Court held that NJAC violated the basic structure of the Constitution—specifically judicial independence—and restored the Collegium system.

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1. Why NJAC Was Introduced

To replace the opaque and non-accountable Collegium system.
Sought to include executive + eminent persons to make appointments more transparent, diverse and accountable.

2. Key Findings of the Supreme Court (Why NJAC Was Struck Down)

a) Violation of Judicial Independence (Basic Structure)

Presence of the Law Minister and two eminent persons gave the executive and non-judicial actors potential control over judicial appointments.
As the government is the largest litigant, such influence risked “fear or favour”.

b) Veto Power Against Judges

Any two members could veto a judicial candidate.
Even the Law Minister + one eminent person could block appointments → undermines judicial primacy.

c) Ambiguity in ‘Eminent Persons’

No defined qualification criteria.
Political appointments possible → threatens neutrality.

d) Judicial Primacy is Essential to Basic Structure

Cited Kesavananda Bharati and Second & Third Judges Cases.
Judicial primacy ensures independent adjudication.

3. Criticism of the Judgment

a) Collegium System Still Opaque

SC itself admitted need for reforms.
No objective criteria; “judges appointing judges”.

b) Weak Accountability

Collegium not answerable to Parliament or public.
Allegations of nepotism remain unaddressed.

c) Missed Chance for Balanced Reform

Court struck down NJAC, but delayed systemic improvements.
MoP (Memorandum of Procedure) reforms have moved slowly.

The Way Forward

Improve Collegium transparency: publish criteria, reasons, timelines.
Create an independent secretariat for appointments.
Consensus-based judicial-executive framework without compromising independence.

Conclusion:

The Supreme Court’s judgment reaffirmed judicial independence as a basic structure principle. However, it also exposed persistent flaws in the Collegium system. A balanced reform—ensuring transparency without executive dominance—remains crucial for strengthening India’s higher judiciary.

2Q. “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are transforming both military and civilian sectors through their diverse types and expanding applications.” Explain the different types of UAVs and analyse their major advantages in India’s developmental and security context. (GS-III – Defence Technology)

Introduction:

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are aircraft operated remotely or autonomously without onboard crew. With advances in sensors, navigation, and data systems, UAVs have evolved from early military reconnaissance tools into multi-domain platforms crucial for India’s defence, governance, and development.

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Types of UAVs

1. Based on Rotor Configuration

Multirotor UAVs – Easy hovering, ideal for crop monitoring and close-range imagery.
Single-rotor UAVs – Helicopter-like design; longer flight time; suited for precision spraying and observation.
Fixed-wing UAVs – Aircraft-like, long endurance and energy efficient; used for large-area mapping.
Fixed-wing Multirotor Hybrids – Combine vertical take-off/landing (VTOL) with long-range fixed-wing flight.
Flexible Membrane Wing UAVs – Stable in strong winds; higher payload capacity.

2. Based on Operating Altitude

LADP UAVs – Low altitude, short endurance; used for fast, low-level penetration missions.
MALE UAVs – Medium altitude, >24-hour endurance; used for surveillance and strike roles (e.g., Predator).
HALE UAVs – High altitude, long-endurance platforms for strategic reconnaissance (e.g., Global Hawk).

3. Based on Size

Micro/Nano UAVs – Lightweight; useful for close surveillance and swarm operations.
Small UAVs – Used for photography, mapping, and monitoring tasks.
Medium UAVs – Carry heavier payloads for intelligence missions.
Large UAVs – Long-endurance, heavy-payload systems for military surveillance and cargo roles.

Advantages of UAVs

1. Military Advantages

Real-time Surveillance – Continuous monitoring of LOC/LAC using platforms like Heron.
Precision Strikes – UCAVs and loitering munitions reduce collateral damage and risks to personnel.
Electronic Warfare – SIGINT/ELINT-equipped drones enhance situational awareness.
Swarm & Kamikaze Drones – Transform modern warfare, as seen in Ukraine–Russia conflict.

2. Civilian & Developmental Advantages

Agriculture – Precision spraying & multispectral imaging improve yields and cut costs.
Disaster Response – Rapid damage assessment after floods, cyclones, earthquakes (e.g., Cyclone Fani mapping).
Healthcare Delivery – “Medicine from the Sky” enables medical supply delivery to remote areas.
Urban Governance – Crowd control, traffic monitoring, smart policing.
Environmental Monitoring – Anti-poaching, wildlife tracking in reserves like Kaziranga.
Infrastructure & Mining – Faster and cheaper surveying, mapping, and project audits.

Conclusion:

UAVs have become indispensable to India’s defence preparedness and developmental governance. With supportive policies—Drone Rules 2022, PLI scheme, Drone Shakti initiative, and Make in India—their role is set to expand further. Strengthening indigenous production and regulation will be key to India’s ambition of becoming a global drone hub by 2030.