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 341–350 of 365 questions
Browse Polity chaptersBrowse by year
UPSC 1999Polity · Parliament
Q341. Consider the following statements: An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by the: 1. Lok Sabha 2. Rajya Sabha 3. State Legislature 4. President Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement (1) and (2) are correct: Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha can introduce a bill for Constitutional amendment and pass it with a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.
Statement (3) is incorrect: While the State Legislatures can ratify amendments related to certain matters (like changes to the federal structure) which require ratification by the legislatures of at least half of the states (via simple majority), they cannot initiate amendments.
Statement (4) is incorrect: The President does not have the power to initiate a constitutional amendment. The President’s role is to give assent to a bill passed by Parliament for an amendment.
UPSC 1999Polity · Local Government: Panchayats and Municipalities
Q342. In the new Panchayati Raj Bill enacted in 1993, there are several fresh provisions deviating from the past. Which one of the following is not one such provision?
Explanation
While regular remuneration for Panchayat members was encouraged in some cases, it was not mandatory under the 73rd Amendment. The Act does not explicitly mandate regular pay for members but rather focuses on ensuring their participation and responsibilities. Some states have implemented this provision, but it is not a constitutional requirement under the 73rd Amendment. Options (a), (b) and (c) are correct:
The 73rd Amendment did indeed assign additional responsibilities to Panchayats, including areas like agriculture, rural development, primary education, and social forestry. The 73rd Amendment mandated that elections be held at regular intervals and that all posts in Panchayats, including the posts of Sarpanch and Ward Members, must be filled through elections. The 73rd Amendment introduced reservation for women in Panchayats, ensuring that one-third of the seats are reserved for women, which was a landmark provision to promote gender equality.
UPSC 1999Polity · Miscellaneous
Q343. Consider the following statements about the recent amendments to the elections law by the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 1996: 1. Any conviction for the offence of insulting the Indian National flag or the Constitution of Indian shall entail disqualification for contesting elections to Parliament and State Legislatures for six year from the date of conviction 2. There is an increase in the security deposit which a candidate has to make to contest the election to the Lok Sabha 3. A candidate cannot now stand for election from more than one Parliament Constituency 4. No election will now be countermanded on the death of a contesting candidate Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1996, specifies that a person convicted of the offence of insulting the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India is disqualified from contesting elections for six years from the date of conviction.
Statement 2 is correct: The security deposit amount for candidates contesting elections was increased to discourage non-serious candidates.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The law does not restrict a candidate from contesting elections from more than one Parliamentary constituency, but if a candidate wins both, they must vacate one.
Statement 4 is correct: The amendment removed the provision requiring elections to be countermanded in the event of the death of a contesting candidate, ensuring that the electoral process is not delayed. The only exception would be if the candidate had already secured the maximum number of votes.
UPSC 1999Polity · Miscellaneous
Q344. Consider the following statements regarding the National Human Rights Commission of India: 1. Its Chairman must be a retired Chief Justice of India 2. It exists in each state as State Human Rights Commission 3. Its powers are only recommendatory in nature 4. It is mandatory to appoint a woman as a member of the commission Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Statement 1 is Correct: The Chairman of the NHRC must be a retired Chief Justice of India, as per the original Act. However, the 2019 amendment provided that a person who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court is also made eligible to be appointed as Chairperson of the Commission in addition to the person who has been the Chief Justice of India.
Statement 2 is incorrect: While State Human Rights Commissions exist, they are not present in every state; their establishment depends on state governments.
Statement 3 is Correct: The powers of the NHRC are primarily recommendatory in nature. It can suggest measures for relief or improvement, but its recommendations are not legally binding.
Statement 4 is Incorrect: There is no mandatory provision in the original Act requiring the appointment of a woman as a member of the NHRC. However The 2019 act amends this to allow at least one member to be a woman.
UPSC 1999Polity · Miscellaneous
Q345. Which one of the following legislations does not deal with the protection of the environment?
Explanation
The Water (Cess) Act, 1977: This act is aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of water resources. It imposes a cess on water consumed by industries to promote efficient water usage, indirectly contributing to environmental protection. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: This act focuses on the preservation and protection of forests in India. It prevents the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes, which helps in conserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change. The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991: This act ensures that industries that deal with hazardous substances have insurance to compensate victims of accidents, promoting environmental and public safety. The Port Laws Amendment Act, 1997: This act deals with port management and administration but does not have a direct focus on environmental protection or conservation.
UPSC 1998Polity · Local Government: Panchayats and Municipalities
Q346. Panchayat Raj was first introduced in India in October, 1959 in:
Explanation
Option (a) is correct: Panchayat Raj was first introduced in India in October 1959 in the state of Rajasthan. The state took the lead in implementing the Panchayat Raj system with the implementation of the Panchayati Raj Act in Nagaur district of Rajasthan. This was the beginning of decentralized governance in rural India, aimed at promoting grassroots democracy.
UPSC 1998Polity · Schedules
Q347. Which one of the following schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding the anti-defection Act?
Explanation
The Tenth Schedule, known as the Anti-Defection Act, was added in 1985 during Rajiv Gandhi government by 52nd CAA to curb political defections and promote stability in the Indian political system. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:
The Second Schedule contains provisions regarding the salaries and allowances of various constitutional office holders. Fifth Schedule addresses the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes. Eighth Schedule lists the 22 recognized languages.
UPSC 1997Polity · Preamble
Q348. In the following quotation, "WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity: and to promote among them all; FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and the integrity of the Nation. In our Constituent Assembly this ‘X’ do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution." ‘X’ stands for:
Explanation
The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949, as noted in the Preamble, marking the completion of the drafting process. The X stands for this date in the Preamble. However, it came into effect on 26th January 1950, to honor the Purna Swaraj Declaration of 1930, when India resolved to seek complete independence. The Preamble reflects the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, while the Constitution’s official enforcement began on Republic Day.
UPSC 1997Polity · President
Q349. In the Presidential election in India, every elected member of the Legislative Assembly of a State shall have as many votes as there are multiples of one thousand in the quotient obtained by dividing the population of the State by the total number of the elected members of the Assembly. As at present the expression "population" here means the population as ascertained by the: (1997)
Explanation
The formula for electing the President of India considers each state’s population and the number of elected members in the state’s Legislative Assembly. In 1997 R K Narayanan with nearly 95% defeated T N Seshan who got nearly 5% vote. The census used in the election was 1971 due to complex interplay of politics and constitutional provisions. Even the Presidential election 2022 used the 1971 census. The 84th Constitutional Amendment act 2001 froze the use of census data from 1971 till 2026.
UPSC 1997Polity · Prime Minister
Q350. If the Prime Minister of India belonged to the Upper House of Parliament:
Explanation
A no-confidence motion is a parliamentary instrument used by the opposition to try to remove the government. Article 75(3) states that the Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha, meaning only the Lok Sabha can introduce a no confidence motion. Statement (a) is correct: A PM from the Upper House can not vote for a no confidence motion, as only Lok Sabha members can vote on it. Statements (b) and (c) are incorrect: Article 88 gives every minister (and the Attorney General of India) the right to speak in either house or joint sitting. It only restricts their respective Right to vote in the house which they are not members of. Statement (d) is incorrect: As per article 75(5) PM can be a member of either house of the Parliament. The Prime Minister (PM), like any other minister, can be appointed even if they are not a Member of Parliament (MP) at the time of appointment. However, they must become a member of either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha within six months, failing which they must resign from the position.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
341
1999
(d) 1 and 2
342
1999
(d) Regular remuneration to the panchayat members, so as to ensure their punctuality and accountability
343
1999
(b) 1, 2 and 4
344
1999
(d) 1 and 3
345
1999
(d) The Port Laws Amendment Act, 1997
346
1998
(a) Rajasthan
347
1998
(d) Tenth Schedule
348
1997
(b) twenty-sixth day of November, 1949
349
1997
(c) 1971 Census
350
1997
(a) he will not be able to vote in his favour in the event of a no-confidence motion
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.
