Basic Concepts: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Polity)
This page lists 2 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on Basic Concepts (Polity). Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Explanations state facts as they stood in the year each question was asked, so words like “recently” or “currently” refer to that year, not today. For the present position, check the latest Current Affairs.
Q1. One common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism is
Explanation
The common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism is the final goal of stateless and classless society, whereas means to achieve these final goals differ. A stateless society does refer to a society without a centralized government or formal state institutions, it typically implies a system where people govern themselves through communal, decentralized methods without the need for a coercive state apparatus. According to Karl Marx, the State is an instrument of oppression and an organ of the bourgeoisie that only works for maintaining class dominance. Therefore, he strives for class struggle and revolution which will ultimately result in a stateless society. Mahatma Gandhi gave the concept of Ramarajya, an ideal society characterised by self-governing individuals living in harmony without centralised political authority. He believed in achieving this stateless society through non-violent means, emphasizing moral and ethical self-discipline. Gandhi’s vision aligns with the idea of enlightened anarchy.
UPSC 2020Polity · Basic Concepts
Q2. In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy?
Explanation
Bureaucracy is the executive branch of government, responsible for implementing decisions made by the elected officials. Bureaucrats are selected through a merit-based process to manage state affairs. In India, the primary role of the bureaucracy is to ensure the execution of government policies. While political leadership may change with elections, the bureaucracy remains constant, providing stability and continuity in governance. This ensures that policies are carried out consistently, regardless of changes in the political leadership.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2020
(a) the final goal of a stateless society
2
2020
(d) An Agency for the implementation of public policy
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Basic Concepts?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Basic Concepts (Polity), asked between 1996 to 2023. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Basic Concepts?
Questions on Basic Concepts (Polity) are available for 7 years, from 1996 to 2023. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
