UPSC 2021Polity · Salient Features of the Constitution
Q1. Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character?
Explanation
Option (a) is correct: According to K.K. Aziz "Indian federalism reflects a blend of centralization and decentralization, where the Union Government retains significant authority over the states while respecting the federal structure in principle. The essential features of a federation are - Two Government, division of powers, Written Constitution, Supremacy of Constitution, Rigidity of Constitution, Independent Judiciary and
Option (b) is incorrect: The Union Legislature does have representatives from different states and union territories but it is not a defining feature of federalism. In a federal system, legislative powers are typically divided between different levels of government, with both the centre and states having their own legislative bodies. In India, the Union Legislature and State Legislatures are separate and each has specific powers.
Option (c) is incorrect: The Union Cabinet can indeed have representatives from regional parties, but this does not establish India’s federal nature.
Option (d) is incorrect: Fundamental Rights being enforceable by the courts is a crucial feature of India’s democracy but it is not specifically related to federalism. The enforceability of Fundamental Rights is more about protecting individual liberties rather than directly indicating the federal character of the polity.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2021
(a) The independence of the judiciary is safeguarded.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Salient Features of the Constitution?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Salient Features of the Constitution (Polity), asked from 2005 to 2022. 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 Salient Features of the Constitution?
Questions on Salient Features of the Constitution (Polity) are available for 9 years, from 2005 to 2022. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
