Daily UPSC Law Optional Mains free writing practice : https://www.lawxpertsmv.

com/forum

TOPIC 1 | GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY: MENS REA AND ACTUS

REUS, MENS REA IN STATUTORY OFFENCES.

Previous Year Question paper analysis – Lawxpertsmv India

YEAR QUESTION MARKS/ CONCEPT

Q.No.

2022 "The existence of mens rea along 10/Q1(a) Mens rea, Actus reus
with commission of actus reus
makes the act an offence."
Explain.

2021 ………………… ……….. …………..

2020 Mere proof of presence of both 15/Q4(b) mens rea, actus reus
the ‘actus reus’ and ‘mens rea’ is
not sufficient, the concurrence
between the two also needs to be
established to impose criminal
liability. Elucidate in the light of
case law

2019 Even without mens rea there are 10/1(a) Mensrea – statutory
acts, which are offence under the offences
IPC, 1860. Enumerate such
offences

JOIN US | TELEGRAM CHANNEL : HTTPS://T.ME/LAWOPTIONALXPERTS

1
FACE BOOK PAGE : HTTPS://BIT.LY/3PUQJBZ
 Daily UPSC Law Optional Mains free writing practice : https://www.lawxpertsmv.com/forum

2018 “Whether the maxim „actus non 10/1(a) mens rea

facit reum nisi mens sit rea‟ in
general and the Common Law
doctrine of “mens rea‟ as an
independent doctrine in
particular are relevant in the
interpretation of provisions of
the Indian Penal Code?” Explain
the above in the light of justice
opinions and judicial
pronouncements.

2017 ------------------------------

2016 ’’In determining the quantum of 10/1(a) Mensrea , mensrea in

criminal liability, the law takes statutory offences
into account the motive and
character of the offender’’
examine this statement in the
light of absence of mens rea in
statutory offences.

2015 ------------------------------

2014 What are the elements of crime? 20/2(a) Elements of crime

Elaborately discuss mens rea mens rea
with relevant case laws

JOIN US | TELEGRAM CHANNEL : HTTPS://T.ME/LAWOPTIONALXPERTS

2
FACE BOOK PAGE : HTTPS://BIT.LY/3PUQJBZ
 Daily UPSC Law Optional Mains free writing practice : https://www.lawxpertsmv.com/forum

2013 ------------------------------

2012 ------------------------------

2011 ------------------------------

2010 ------------------------------

2009 ‘Although the requirement of 20/1(a) mens rea - exceptions

mens rea is general throughout
the criminal law, there are
numerous exceptions to it’.
Explain with illustrations.

2008 ------------------------------

2007 -----------------------------

2006 ------------------------------

2005 Discuss the importance of mens Q 2(a) mens rea- mensrea in

rea related with criminal law. statutory offences
Also explain the role of mens rea
related in statutory offences with
the help of relevant case law.

2004 ------------------------------

2003 ------------------------------

JOIN US | TELEGRAM CHANNEL : HTTPS://T.ME/LAWOPTIONALXPERTS

3
FACE BOOK PAGE : HTTPS://BIT.LY/3PUQJBZ
 Daily UPSC Law Optional Mains free writing practice : https://www.lawxpertsmv.com/forum

2002 It is not at all in doubt that the Q 1(c) mens rea- when not
proof of existence of guilty intent needed
is an essential element in a crime
under common law

2001 ------------------------------

2000 ------------------------------

ANALYSIS OF LAW OF CRIMES- GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY:

MENS REA AND ACTUS REUS, MENS REA IN STATUTORY OFFENCES FOR UPSC
LAW OPTIONAL MAINS

In past 20 years of UPSC Law Optional Mains exam questions on General principles of
criminal liability was asked in 8 years altogether

From the above-mentioned questions and identifying their core concepts we can
observe that-

- When mensrea is not required – exceptions, mensrea in statutory offences

are the major concept that shall never be skipped while reading principles of criminal
liability for UPSC Law Optional Mains.

JOIN US | TELEGRAM CHANNEL : HTTPS://T.ME/LAWOPTIONALXPERTS

4
FACE BOOK PAGE : HTTPS://BIT.LY/3PUQJBZ