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 301–310 of 365 questions
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UPSC 2003Polity · Miscellaneous
Q301. Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Explanation
Statement (a) is correct: The Press Council of India is a statutory quasi-judicial autonomous authority re- established in the year 1966 under an Act of Parliament, Press Council Act, 1965. Statement (b) is correct: The PIB accredits media representatives, including foreign media, at the Headquarters, enabling them to access information from government sources. Statement (c) is incorrect: Uttar Pradesh publishes the largest number of newspapers in India. Statement (d) is correct: Currently, PTI commands more than 50% per cent of news agency market share in India.
UPSC 2003Polity · Miscellaneous
Q302. As per Indian Protocol, who among the following ranks highest in the order of precedence?
Explanation
Option (c) is correct: The Governor within their respective states is the fourth ranked officer of the government of India just below the Prime Minister and above former Presidents. Governors rank eighth outside their states. The correct sequence in the descending order of precedence in the warrant of precedence is:
1. President of India
2. Vice President of India
3. Prime Minister of India
4. Governors of States within their respective States
5. Former President 5A. Deputy Prime Minister
6. Speaker of Lok Sabha, and Chief Justice of India
9. Judges of the Supreme Court
10. Deputy Chairman of RS
11. Attorney General of India
12. Member of Parliament
UPSC 2002Polity · Fundamental Rights
Q303. Match List-I (Article of Indian Constitution) with List -II (Provisions) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the list:
List-I (Article of Indian Constitution)
List-II (Provisions)
A. Article 16 (2)
1. No person shall be deprived of his property save by the authority of law
B. Article 29 (2)
2. No person can be discriminated against in the matter of public appointment on the ground of race, religious or caste
C. Article 30 (I)
3. All minorities whether based on religion or language shall have to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice
D. Article 31 (I)
4. No citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by the State, or receiving State aid, on grounds of religion, race, caste, language or any of them
Explanation
A is matched with 2: Article 16 (2) states that 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. B is matched with 4: Article 29 (2) ensures that no citizen shall be denied admission to any state-maintained or state-aided educational institution on grounds of religion, race, caste, language, or any of them. C is matched with 3: Article 30 (1) grants minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. D is matched with 1: Article 31 (1) refers to the protection of property rights and ensures no person shall be deprived of their property except by the authority of law.
UPSC 2002Polity · Fundamental Rights
Q304. In the Indian Constitution, the Right to Equality is granted by five Articles. They are:
Explanation
The Right to Equality, enshrined as Fundamental Rights in Articles 14 to 18 of the Indian Constitution, ensures that all citizens are treated equally before the law and have access to the same legal protection. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. Article 15 prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth or any of them. Article 16 states that 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. Article 17 abolishes untouchability, outlawing its practice. Article 18 prohibits the conferment of hereditary titles, maintaining equality by ensuring no citizen is bestowed with aristocratic privileges (except for military and academic distinctions).
UPSC 2002Polity · Fundamental Rights
Q305. Which one of the following rights was described by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the heart and soul of the Constitution?
Explanation
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar regarded the Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32) as the "heart and soul of the Constitution" because it provides the means to enforce all other Fundamental Rights. Article 32 empowers individuals to directly approach the Supreme Court in case of violation of their Fundamental Rights, ensuring their protection and justiciability.
UPSC 2002Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q306. The purpose of the inclusion of Directive Principles of the State Policy in the Indian Constitution is to establish:
Explanation
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) aim to establish social and economic democracy in India. These principles serve as guidelines for the state to promote the welfare of the people and create a just society. DPSPs are enshrined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution, spanning from Articles 36 to 51. Unlike Fundamental Rights, DPSPs are non-enforceable by courts. However, they act as instruments of instruction for governments, guiding them to undertake positive actions towards achieving social and economic equity.
UPSC 2002Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q307. Which one of the following Articles of the Directive Principles of State Policy deals with the promotion of international peace and security?
Explanation
The Indian Constitution’s Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) include Article 51, which underscores the nation’s commitment to promoting global peace and security. Key provisions of Article 51 covers:
Maintenance of Just and Honorable Relations: Advocates fair and respectful international relations. Respect for International Law: Upholds adherence to global legal principles. Peaceful Resolution of Disputes: Supports resolving conflicts through diplomacy and negotiation
UPSC 2002Polity · Constitutional Amendment
Q308. Which one of the following amendments to the Indian Constitution empowers the President to send back any matter for reconsideration by the Council of Ministers?
Explanation
Option (a) is incorrect: The 39th Amendment Act primarily dealt with matters related to the elections of the President, Vice President, and disputes concerning the Prime Minister’s election.
Option (b) is incorrect: The 40th Amendment Act expanded the central government’s authority over certain properties and lands, exempting them from state legislative jurisdiction.
Option (c) is incorrect: 42nd Amendment Act also known as the "Mini Constitution introduced significant changes, including emphasizing India’s status as a socialist secular republic.
Option (d) is correct: The 44th Amendment, enacted in 1978 during the Janata Party government, granted the President the authority to return any matter for reconsideration by the Council of Ministers. This amendment significantly reinforced the checks and balances within India’s parliamentary system.
UPSC 2002Polity · Constitutional Amendment
Q309. The 93rd Constitution Amendment Bill deals with the:
Explanation
The 93rd Constitutional Amendment Bill (2002) was enacted to introduce free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years as a fundamental right.This amendment inserted Article 21A into the Indian Constitution, mandating the state to provide free and compulsory education in this age group.It also made changes to Article 45 and Article 51A(k) to align with the newly introduced right.
UPSC 2002Polity · Parliament
Q310. In the case of election to the Lok Sabha, the amount of Security deposited for general category candidates and SC/ST category candidates respectively is:
Explanation
In 2002, the amount of security deposited for general category and SC/ST category candidates were 10,000 and 5,000 respectively for Lok Sabha elections. However, after some amendments in RPA Act 1951, Security Deposit Amounts (as of 2024) is:
1. Lok Sabha Elections (Lower House of Parliament):
General Category Candidates: 25,000 SC/ST Candidates: 12,500
2. State Legislative Assembly Elections:
General Category Candidates: 10,000 SC/ST Candidates: 5,000 A candidate’s security deposit is forfeited if they fail to secure more than one-sixth (16.67%) of the valid votes polled in their constituency.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
301
2003
(c) Among all the states of India, Maharashtra publishes the largest number of newspapers.
302
2003
(c) Governor of a State within his State
303
2002
(a) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
304
2002
(c) Article 14 to Article 18
305
2002
(d) Right to Constitutional Remedies
306
2002
(d) social and economic democracy
307
2002
(a) 51
308
2002
(d) 44th
309
2002
(b) free and compulsory education for all children between the age of 6 and 14 years
310
2002
(c) 10,000 and 5,000
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.
