365 previous year UPSC Prelims Polity questions are on this page, from 1996 to 2025, across 30 exam years and 29 chapters. Parliament is the largest chapter, followed by Miscellaneous, Fundamental Rights and the Higher Judiciary. Filter by chapter to practise one topic, or by year to see how a single paper treated Polity. Every option opens with its correct answer and a full explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 171–180 of 365 questions
Browse Polity chaptersBrowse by year
UPSC 2014Polity · Centre-State Relations
Q171. The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a:
Explanation
Earlier sales tax was collected by the State Government, and the rate of sales tax varied from state to state. Toothpaste is a consumer good, and under the previous regime, it was subjected to Sales Tax or VAT (Value Added Tax), which was collected by the State Government. However, after the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, sales tax was largely subsumed under GST, which is a dual taxation system involving both the Centre and the State Governments.
UPSC 2014Polity · Non-Constitutional Bodies
Q172. Which of the following are associated with ‘Planning’ in India? 1. The Finance Commission 2. The National Development Council 3. The Union Ministry of Rural Development 4. The Union Ministry of Urban Development 5. The Parliament Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: It is constituted by the President under Article 280 to give its recommendations on the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States. It defines the financial relations between the Centre and the States. Therefore, it is not directly associated with "Planning" in the traditional sense.
Statement 2 is correct: Earlier, NDC served as "the highest decision-making authority" in the country on development matters. NDC used to advise the Planning Commission on planning.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Union Ministry of Rural Development is entrusted with the task of accelerating the socio-economic development of rural India.
Statement 4 is incorrect: The Union Ministry of Urban Development is entrusted with the formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating to the housing and urban development in India.
Statement 5 is correct: Parliament is the supreme legislative institution of the Republic of India. It is directly responsible to make laws and devise plans and strategies for the welfare of the society. Therefore, it is indirectly associated with planning.
UPSC 2013Polity · Salient Features of the Constitution
Q173. In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are, implied institutionally in the parliamentary government? 1. Members of the Cabinet are Members of the Parliament. 2. Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament. 3. The Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Parliamentary System entails that the Executive is responsible to the legislature for its policies and legislations. The Constitution of India provides for a parliamentary form of government, both at the Centre and in the States. The Parliamentary Government is also known as Cabinet Government/Responsible Government/Westminster Model. Some of its features are included in the details of statements analysis are as follows:
Statement 1 is correct: In the Parliamentary System of Government members of the Cabinet are members of the Parliament.
Statement 2 is correct: The ministers in the Parliament hold the office till they enjoy the confidence of the Parliament.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Head of the state is President and he/she does not head the cabinet, he is considered to be the nominal executive. The head of Govt(PM) heads the cabinet.
UPSC 2013Polity · Preamble
Q174. ‘Economic Justice’ as one of the objectives of the Indian Constitutional has been provided in:
Explanation
"Economic Justice" is a key objective of the Indian Constitution, reflected both in the Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
Option(b) is correct:
The Preamble highlights economic justice as part of broader social, economic, and political justice, emphasizing non-discrimination based on economic factors. The DPSP, inspired by socialist principles, aims to reduce inequalities and promote social and economic welfare. The 44th Amendment (1978) amended Article 38 by adding Article 38(2) to the DPSP, mandating the state to minimize income and status disparities and ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources.
UPSC 2013Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q175. According to the Constitution of India, which of the following are fundamental for the governance of the country?
Explanation
According to Article 37 of the Indian Constitution, though Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are not enforceable by any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws. DPSP constitutes a comprehensive socio-economic and political programme for a modern democratic State. DPSP are ‘positive in nature’, which embodies the concept of a ‘welfare state’ and not that of a ‘police state’. DPSP are the constitutional instructions or recommendations to the State in legislative, executive and administrative matters.
UPSC 2013Polity · Constitutional Amendment
Q176. Consider the following statements: 1. An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by an introduction of a bill in the Lok Sabha only. 2. If such an amendment seeks to make changes in the federal character of the Constitution, the amendment also requires to be ratified by the legislature of all the States of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: An amendment of the Constitution can be initiated by the introduction of a bill in either house of the Parliament. (not only in Lok Sabha).
Statement 2 is incorrect: If the bill seeks to amend the Federal provisions of the Constitution, then it must also be ratified by the legislatures of half of the states by a simple majority and not all the states.
UPSC 2013Polity · Vice-President
Q177. Consider the following statements: 1. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House. 2. While the nominated members of the two Houses of the Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: In accordance with Article 64 of the Constitution of India, the Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The House also elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members. Hence, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is the member of that house.
Statement 2 is correct: The Vice President is elected indirectly by an electoral college consisting of all members of parliament (Both elected & nominated). The election is conducted in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.
Additional insight:
Vice President of India The Vice President of India is the second-highest constitutional authority and serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament). Election & Term:
Elected indirectly by Members of Parliament (MPs) from both Houses through a secret ballot using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system. Serves a 5-year term but can be re-elected. Powers & Responsibilities:
Acts as Rajya Sabha Chairman - Presides over sessions but votes only in case of a tie. Acts as President (if needed) - Becomes acting President in case of the President’s absence, resignation, removal, or death (until a new President is elected). Impeachment & Removal:
Can be removed by a resolution in the Rajya Sabha (effective majority) and agreed upon by the Lok Sabha.
UPSC 2013Polity · Parliament
Q178. Consider the following statements The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts: 1. Consists of not more than 25 Members of the Lok Sabha. 2. Scrutinises appropriation and finance accounts of the Government. 3. Examines the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts consists of 22 members of which 15 are from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha. It is formed every year with its members serving one-year terms in office. The chairperson of the PAC is usually a member of the opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
Statement 2 is correct: It scrutinises appropriation and finance accounts of the Government. The Committee ensures that the government does not misuse or misappropriate public funds.
Statement 3 is correct: The CAG audits the accounts of the government and submits reports to Parliament which is scrutinized by PAC to ensure that public funds are being used efficiently and according to the law. CAG acts as a guide, friend and philosopher of the committee.
UPSC 2013Polity · Parliament
Q179. Consider the following statements: 1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament. 2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India. 3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per Article 75(3) of the constitution "the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People" not to the whole Parliament which includes both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
Statement 2 is correct: Article 75(2) of the Constitution of India mandates that the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.
Statement 3 is correct: According to Article 78, it is the duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the union and proposals for legislation.
UPSC 2013Polity · Parliament
Q180. What will follow if a Money Bill is substantially amended by the Rajya Sabha?
Explanation
Money Bill is defined under Article 110 of the Indian Constitution. It is concerned with financial matters like the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax. It is introduced only on the recommendation of the President and only in Lok Sabha. It must be passed in Lok Sabha by a simple majority of all members present and voting. Following this, it may be sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. Rajya Sabha has limited power with respect to money bills so no chance of any disagreement. Rajya Sabha can keep it for a maximum period of 14 days.The Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject the bill. It should return the bill with or without recommendation. Lok Sabha may accept or reject recommendation.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
171
2014
(d) Tax imposed and collected by the State Government.
172
2014
(c) 2 and 5 only
173
2013
(a) 1 and 2 only
174
2013
(b) the Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy
175
2013
(c) Directive Principles of State Policy
176
2013
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
177
2013
(b) 2 only
178
2013
(b) 2 and 3 only
179
2013
(b) 2 and 3 only
180
2013
(a) The Lok Sabha may still proceed with the Bill, accepting or not accepting the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha
What UPSC has tested in Polity
Parliament, Fundamental Rights, the Higher Judiciary and Local Government together account for the largest share of Polity questions in this set.
Recent papers test statements about institutions: the Governor, the President’s ordinance and pardoning powers, Lokpal, Scheduled Areas and the Speaker’s office.
Older papers lean on single-fact recall: which Article, which Amendment, which Schedule.
The 2025 paper’s Polity questions fall in Parliament, President, Governor, Constitutional Amendment, Schedules, Centre-State Relations, Local Government and non-constitutional bodies.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Polity?
This page covers 365 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Polity, asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
Which Polity chapters has UPSC asked about most?
In this set, Parliament has the most questions, followed by the Miscellaneous group, Fundamental Rights, the Higher Judiciary, Local Government, the Directive Principles and the constitutional bodies. Small chapters such as Citizenship and Judicial Review have only one question each.
How do I practise Polity PYQs chapter by chapter?
Use the Chapter filter on this page, or open a chapter link such as Preamble or Parliament. Each chapter page gives its own questions, answer key and the facts UPSC has tested, so you can finish one topic before moving to the next.
Does this page include the 2025 UPSC Prelims paper?
Yes. The 2025 paper’s Polity questions are included, and you can open them alone with the Year filter set to 2025. They cover Parliament, the President’s powers, the Governor, Schedules, Panchayats, Lokpal and Centre-State bodies.
Are cancelled or disputed UPSC questions included?
No. Questions UPSC cancelled, and questions where the available answer key is disputed, are left out so that every question here has a single correct answer with an explanation you can rely on.
