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 261–270 of 365 questions
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UPSC 2005Polity · Constitutional Amendment
Q261. The Constitution (98th Amendment) Bill is related to:
Explanation
The 98th Constitutional Amendment Bill was introduced in India to reform the judicial appointment process by establishing a National Judicial Commission (NJC). The NJC was proposed to replace the existing collegium system, which had been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability in selecting judges. The Commission would have included the Chief Justice of India, senior judges, and members from the executive, ensuring a more inclusive and structured process for judicial appointments. However, the proposed amendment did not come into effect, as it was struck down by the Supreme Court, which upheld the collegium system in its 2015 judgment. Probably UPSC has mistakenly used word ‘Act instead of bill’.
UPSC 2005Polity · Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts
Q262. Consider the following statements: 1. There are 25 High Courts in India. 2. Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh have a common High Court. 3. The National Capital Territory of Delhi has a High Court of its own. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
The Indian Constitution provides for High Courts for each state (Article 214) but Article 231 also enables the Parliament to establish common HC for multiple states and UTs. The number of High Courts went from 24 to 25 after establishment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Amaravati in 2019.
Statement 1 is incorrect: In 2005 there were only 24 HCs.
Statement 2 is correct: Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh share the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which is located in Chandigarh.
Statement 3 is correct: The National Capital Territory of Delhi is served by its own High Court, the Delhi High Court, which has jurisdiction exclusively over Delhi.
UPSC 2005Polity · Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts
Q263. Consider the following statements: 1. The Parliament cannot enlarge the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India as its jurisdiction is limited to that conferred by the Constitution. 2. The officers and servants of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed by the concerned Chief Justice and the administrative expenses are charged on the Consolidated fund of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
The Supreme Court of India, established under Article 124 of the Constitution, came into existence on January 26, 1950. It initially operated from the old Parliament House.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Article 138 of the Indian Constitution provides that Parliament may, by law, extend the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Statement 2 is correct: According to Article 146 for the Supreme Court and Article 229 for High Courts of the Constitution, the Chief Justice of India and Chief Justice of that high Court respectively, Chief Justice has the power to appoint officers and servants of the court. Their administrative expenses of the supreme court are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
UPSC 2005Polity · Subordinate Court
Q264. Consider the following: 1. Disputes with mobile cellular companies 2. Motor accident cases 3. Pension cases For which of the above are Lok Adalats held?
Explanation
Lok Adalats. established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, are a key mechanism for resolving disputes through amicable settlements. They address a broad spectrum of cases, including consumer disputes, such as those with mobile cellular companies, which are commonly resolved due to their potential for quick compromise. Additionally, Lok Adalats frequently handle motor accident compensation claims under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as they involve monetary settlements that can be resolved without prolonged litigation. Pension-related disputes, often involving retired government employees, are also taken up to ensure timely resolution and delivery of justice to senior citizens. These cases, being non-complex in nature and suitable for settlement, are ideally suited for Lok Adalats, which aim to reduce the burden on regular courts while providing cost-effective and speedy justice to litigants.
UPSC 2005Polity · Local Government: Panchayats and Municipalities
Q265. Consider the following statements: 1. Part IX of the Constitution of India provisions for Panchyats and was inserted by the Constitution (Amendment) Act, 1992. 2. Part IX A of the Constitution of India contains provisions for Municipalities and the Article 243 Q envisages two types of Municipalities a Municipal Council and a Municipal Corporation for every State. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement (1) is correct: Part IX for Panchayats, Part IXA for Municipalities, and provisions under the 74th Amendment Act, 1992. Part IX of the Constitution, introduced by the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992, contains provisions for Panchayats, detailing their composition, powers, and functioning under Articles 243 to 243O.
Statement (2) is incorrect: Part IXA of the Constitution, introduced by the 74th Amendment Act, 1992, governs Municipalities. However, Article 243Q does not envisage just two types of municipalities. It provides for three types:
Municipal Corporations for larger urban areas.
Municipal Councils for smaller urban areas.
Nagar Panchayats for areas transitioning from rural to urban.
UPSC 2005Polity · Miscellaneous
Q266. Consider the following statements: 1. Article 371 A to 371 I were inserted in the Constitution of India to meet regional demands of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa. 2. The Constitution of India and the United States of America envisage a dual polity (The Union and the States) but a single citizenship. 3. A naturalized citizen of India can never be deprived of his citizenship. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Articles 371A to 371I were added through various amendments to preserve the cultural, social, and economic interests of specific regions, addressing their unique needs.
Statement 1 is correct: Articles 371A to 371I were added to meet regional demands of states like Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Goa.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Although both constitutions allow a dual system of governance, the United States permits dual citizenship, while India adheres to single citizenship.
Statement 3 is also incorrect: In India, a naturalized citizen can lose citizenship if acquired through fraud or disloyalty to the Constitution.
UPSC 2005Polity · Miscellaneous
Q267. Under which one of the Ministries of the Government of India does the Food and Nutrition Board work?
Explanation
The Food and Nutrition Board is primarily responsible for implementing various programs related to nutrition, food security, and the health of children and mothers. Currently. It works under the Ministry of Women and Child Development in the Government of India. However, in the year the question was asked, the body was under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
UPSC 2004Polity · Fundamental Rights
Q268. Match List-I (Articles of the Constitution of India) with List-II (Provision) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Articles of the Constitution of India)
List-II (Provision)
A. Article 14
1. The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex place of birth or any of term.
B. Article 15
2. The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of laws within the territory of India.
C. Article 16
3. ‘Untouchability’ is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden.
D. Article 17
4. There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State.
Explanation
A is matched with 2: Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within India, ensuring that no person is discriminated against unfairly by the state. B is matched with 1: Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any of them thereby promoting social justice and inclusivity. C is matched with 4: Article 16 provides for equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of employment or appointment to any office under the State. No citizen can be discriminated against or be ineligible for any employment or office under the State on grounds of only religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth or residence. D is matched with 3: Article 17 abolishes untouchability, a social evil, and forbids its practice in any form, aiming to uplift marginalized communities and promote social harmony. Together, these provisions protect individual dignity and promote equal treatment in all spheres.
UPSC 2004Polity · Fundamental Rights
Q269. Which Article of the Constitution of India says, ‘No child below the age of fourteen years shall the employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment’?
Explanation
Article 24 prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories, mines, or any other hazardous employment. This is part of the Fundamental Rights under the Right against Exploitation. Options(b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
Article 45 pertains to the Directive Principle of State Policy, focusing on providing free and compulsory education for children below 14 years. Article 330 relates to the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the House of the People (Lok sabha). Article 368 deals with the amendment provisions in the Indian Constitution.
UPSC 2004Polity · Systems of Government
Q270. With reference to the Indian Parliament, which one of the following is not correct?
Explanation
/ (c) Statement (a) is incorrect: Appropriation Bill is a money Bill and according to Article 109 of the Indian Constitution, the Rajya Sabha has only a recommendatory role in the case of a Money Bill. Statement (b) is correct: According to Article 266 of the Indian Constitution, funds can only be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India through appropriations made by the Appropriation Act. Statement (c) is incorrect: While a Finance Bill is necessary for proposing new taxes and is typically used to modify existing tax rates, legislative approval or authorization (via Acts or notifications) is always required for changing tax rates. It is not always accurate to claim that no additional Bill/Act is required for such changes. Statement (d) is correct: Under Article 117 of the Indian Constitution, the President’s recommendation is mandatory for the introduction of a Money Bill which can be introduced only in Lok Sabha. Note: Here, both the statements (a) and (c) seem partially/ completely incorrect.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
261
2005
(b) the Constitution of the National Judicial Commission
262
2005
(a) 2 and 3
263
2005
(b) 2 only
264
2005
(d) 1, 2 and 3
265
2005
(a) Only 1
266
2005
(d) 1 only
267
2005
(b) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
268
2004
(c) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
269
2004
(a) Article 24
270
2004
(a) The Appropriation Bill must be passed by both the Houses of Parliament before it can be enacted into law.
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.
