This page lists 9 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on Polity in the UPSC 1997 Prelims. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Showing 1–9 of 9 questions
UPSC 1997Polity · Preamble
Q1. 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
Q2. 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
Q3. 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.
UPSC 1997Polity · Parliament
Q4. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Reservation of thirty-three percent of seats for women in Parliament and State Legislature does not require any Constitutional amendment. Reason (R): Political parties contesting elections can allocate thirty-three percent of seats they contest to women candidates without any Constitutional amendment. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Assertion (A) is false: The reservation of 33% seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies does require a constitutional amendment. Recently, the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2019 was made, which provides for 33% reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies (alongwith UTs with legislative assemblies). Reason (R) is true: Political parties can independently decide to allocate a certain percentage of tickets to women candidates and this is separate from constitutional reservation.
UPSC 1997Polity · Parliament
Q5. Which of the following is/are stated in the Constitution of India? 1. The President shall not be a member of either House of Parliament 2. The Parliament shall consist of the President and two Houses. Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
Statement (1) is correct: According to article 84 of the Constitution of India, the President is not a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, but he should be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha.
Statement (2) is correct: As per article 79 of the Constitution, the Parliament of India consists of three components: the President, the Lok Sabha (House of the People), and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
UPSC 1997Polity · Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts
Q6. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Wilful disobedience or non-compliance of Court orders and use of derogatory language about judicial behaviour amount to Contempt of Court. Reason (R): Judicial activism cannot be practised without arming the judiciary with punitive powers to punish contemptuous behaviour. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Article 129 grants the Supreme Court the power to punish for contempt while Article 215 provides similar powers to the High Courts. Judicial activism on the other hand is an innovation of courts. Assertion (A) is true: Contempt of Court, per Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, means willful disobedience to court orders or breach of an undertaking given to the court. Reason (R) is true: Judicial activism enables judges to interpret the law and Constitution broadly, influencing public policy. However, it requires the power to punish contempt to maintain the judiciary’s effectiveness and authority. Reason (R) does not explain Assertion (A) because the courts punish contempt to maintain their authority and ensure compliance with their rulings, thus upholding the rule of law and not aimed at judicial activism.
UPSC 1997Polity · Local Government: Panchayats and Municipalities
Q7. Which one of the following was not proposed by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment in the area of Panchayati Raj?
Explanation
While family planning was a key consideration for the 73rd Amendment, the specific provision stating that Panchayati Raj functionaries will be disqualified if they have more than two children was not part of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. This provision was added later through state-level legislation in certain states, but it was not mandated by the 73rd Amendment itself. The one-third reservation for women at all levels of Panchayati Raj bodies is a key provision in the 73rd Constitution Amendment Act. The formation of State Finance Commissions to allocate resources to Panchayats is also a provision under the 73rd Constitution Amendment Act. The requirement to hold elections within six months of dissolution or superseding is part of the 73rd Amendment, ensuring that elected bodies are not left vacant for long periods.
UPSC 1997Polity · Miscellaneous
Q8. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer:
List-I (Functionaries)
List-II (Oaths or Affirmations)
A. President of India
1. Secrecy of information
B. Judges of Supreme Court
2. Faithful Discharge of duties
C. Members of Parliament
3. Faith and Allegiance to the Constitution of India
D. Minister for the Union
4. Upholding the Constitution and the Law
Explanation
A is matched with 3: The President of India takes an oath to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution" and uphold the Constitution of India, which corresponds to the oath of faith and allegiance to the Constitution. B is matched with 4: Judges of the Supreme Court swear to "discharge their duties without fear or favor" and uphold the Constitution and the law, aligning with the oath of upholding the Constitution and the law. C is matched with 2: Members of Parliament pledge to "bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India," which corresponds to the oath of faith and allegiance to the Constitution. D is matched with 1: According to Article 75(4), ministers take an oath to uphold secrecy and faithfully discharge their duties.
UPSC 1997Polity · Miscellaneous
Q9. Which one of the following is not a principle of "Panchsheel"?
Explanation
The "Panchsheel" Agreement, also known as the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, was a set of guidelines established in 1954 between India and China. The principles are:
1. Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
2. Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs
3. Equality and mutual benefit
4. Peaceful coexistence
5. Non-aggression Non-alignment is a separate concept, particularly associated with India’s foreign policy during the Cold War, where India refrained from aligning with any of the major power blocs. It is not one of the principles of Panchsheel. v v v
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1997
(b) twenty-sixth day of November, 1949
2
1997
(c) 1971 Census
3
1997
(a) he will not be able to vote in his favour in the event of a no-confidence motion
4
1997
(d) A is false but R is true
5
1997
(b) Both 1 and 2
6
1997
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
7
1997
(c) The Panchayati Raj functionaries will be disqualified to hold their offices if they have more than two children
8
1997
(c) A-3; B-4; C-2; D-1
9
1997
(a) Non-alignment
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Polity?
This page covers 9 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Polity in the UPSC 1997 Prelims, asked between 1996 to 2024. 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 Polity?
Questions on Polity in the UPSC 1997 Prelims are available for 29 years, from 1996 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
