Basic Concepts: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Polity)
This page lists 3 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. Which one of the following best defines the term ‘State?
Explanation
The State refers to a political institution that represents a sovereign people organised under one independent government within a definite territory and subject to no outside control.
Additional insight:
Under the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States 1933, The term ’State’ is best defined using the four essential elements of statehood, as recognized in political science and international law. Population: A community of persons. Territory: A defined geographical area. Government: An organized political authority. Sovereignty: Independence from external control.
UPSC 2021Polity · Basic Concepts
Q2. Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?
Explanation
The doctrine of Separation of Powers entails the division of the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government among different organs. This demarcation prevents the concentration of excessive power by any branch of the Government. It thus helps to safeguard the liberty and rights of the people in a democracy. Article 50 of the Directive Principles of State Policy mentions separation of judiciary from the executive.
UPSC 2021Polity · Basic Concepts
Q3. What is the position of the Right to Property in India
Explanation
Originally, the Indian Constitution recognized the Right to Property as a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(f) and Article 31. Later, the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 abolished the Right to Property as a Fundamental Right. It was then made a legal right under Article 300-A of the Constitution. Article 300-A states: "No person shall be deprived of his property save by Authority of Law." Thus, the Right to Property in India is now a legal right available to any person, not a Fundamental Right.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2021
(a) A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organised government
2
2021
(d) Separation of powers
3
2021
(b) Legal right available to any person
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Basic Concepts?
This page covers 3 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.
