This page lists 11 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on Polity in the UPSC 2015 Prelims. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Showing 1–10 of 11 questions
UPSC 2015Polity · Salient Features of the Constitution
Q1. The provisions in the Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to:
Explanation
The fifth and the sixth schedule of the Constitution of India deals with the provisions related to the protection of the interests of the Scheduled Tribes. Fifth Schedule: Deals with the provisions relating to the administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes in any state except 4 states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura & Mizoram. The Constitution defines Scheduled Areas as the areas defined so by the Presidential notification and are mentioned in the 5th schedule of the Constitution. Sixth Schedule: The 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. It provides for the organisation of autonomous district and regional councils to safeguard the rights and interests of indigenous tribal communities, with powers over local governance, land, and customary laws.
UPSC 2015Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy: 1. The Principles spell out socio-economic democracy in the country. 2. The provisions contained in these Principles are not enforceable by any court. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Directive Principles deals with a very comprehensive economic, social and political programme for a modern democratic State. Article 38 deals with the promotion of the welfare of the people by securing and protecting a social order by ensuring social, economic and political justice and by minimising inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities. B.R. Ambedkar opined that the Directives have great value because they lay down that the goal of Indian polity is ‘economic democracy’ as distinguished from ‘political democracy’.
Statement 2 is correct: According to Article 37 Directive Principles are not enforceable in any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country.
UPSC 2015Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q3. The ideal of ‘Welfare State’ in the Indian Constitution is enshrined in its
Explanation
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are mentioned under Articles 36 to 51 of the Indian Constitution. The DPSPs have been borrowed from the Constitution of Ireland. It constitutes a comprehensive socio economic and political programme for a modern democratic State. DPSP embodies the concept of a ‘welfare state’. Article 38 (1) states that "The State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social, economic and political, shall inform all the institutions of the national life".
UPSC 2015Polity · Fundamental Duties
Q4. "To uphold and protect the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India" is a provision made in the:
Explanation
One of the Fundamental Duties is to "To protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India" A-51 A (c). among the 11 Fundamental Duties. Article 51A of part IV-A of the Indian Constitution deals with the Fundamental Duties. These duties are the moral and civic obligations that all citizens of a nation have. In 1976, the Fundamental Duties were first recommended by the Swaran Singh Committee by 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
Additional insight:
Justice J.S. Verma Committee was established in 1999 to make recommendations on how to enforce fundamental duties in India. The committee’s goal was to instill civic consciousness and a sense of responsibility in citizens.
UPSC 2015Polity · Systems of Government
Q5. There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the
Explanation
India follows a Parliamentary System of Government, where the executive (Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister) is collectively accountable to the legislature (Lok Sabha). This fundamental principle is outlined in Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution, which mandates that the Council of Ministers remains collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This provision ensures executive accountability and is a defining feature of parliamentary democracy.
UPSC 2015Polity · President
Q6. Consider the following statements: 1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister. 2. The Prime Minister is the ex Officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the Article 53(1), the executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with this Constitution.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Cabinet Secretary is the top-most executive official and senior-most civil servant of the Government of India and he/she is the ex-officio head of the Civil Services Board.
UPSC 2015Polity · Parliament
Q7. Consider the following statements: 1. The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill. 2. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on the Demands for Grants. 3. The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: According to Article 109 of the Constitution of India Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject the Money Bill.The Rajya Sabha can keep the Money Bill for a maximum period of 14 days. It should return the bill with or without recommendation to Lok Sabha and after which Lok Sabha may accept or reject recommendation.
Statement 2 is correct: The Demands for Grants (which are the detailed estimates of expenditure) are voted in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha does not have the power to vote on these demands, although it can discuss them. According to Article 113 of the Constitution, only the Lok Sabha has the power to approve or reject the Demands for Grants. No demand for a grant shall be made except on the recommendation of the President.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Rajya Sabha enjoys equal status with the Lok Sabha on the matter of discussion of Annual Financial Statement (Article 112). While the Rajya Sabha can discuss the budget, it cannot vote on it or pass it. The Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations, which the Lok Sabha can either accept or reject. The main power to approve the budget lies with the Lok Sabha.
Exam tip:
For S3, The word "discuss" is the key trap. Ask yourself: "Even if Rajya Sabha has no power to vote on money matters, does that mean it can’t even discuss them?" Clearly No! as it would be extreme, hence likely false.
UPSC 2015Polity · Parliament
Q8. When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by
Explanation
As per Article 108. The President of India can call for a joint sitting if the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha disagree on a bill). In the case of a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament, the bill is required to be passed by a simple majority of the members present and voting. It is extraordinary machinery provided by the Constitution to resolve a deadlock between the two Houses over the passage of a bill:-
1. If the bill is rejected by the other House;
2. If the Houses have finally disagreed as to the amendments to be made in the bill; or
3. If more than six months have elapsed from the date of the receipt of the bill by the other House without the bill being passed by it.
Additional insight:
Joint sitting applies only to ordinary and financial bills, not money bills or constitutional amendment bills. If the bill (under dispute) has already lapsed due to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, no joint sitting can be summoned. But, the joint sitting can be held if the Lok Sabha is dissolved after the President has notified his intention to summon such a sitting (as the bill does not lapse in this case). The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over the joint sitting. In their absence, the Deputy Speaker takes charge, followed by the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. If none are available, members present elect a presiding officer. A joint sitting requires a quorum of one-tenth of the total members of both Houses and is governed by the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha. The Constitution has specified that at a joint sitting, new amendments to the bill cannot be proposed except in two cases:
Those amendments that have caused final disagreement between the Houses; and Those amendments that might have become necessary due to the delay in the passage of the bill. Joint sitting of the two Houses has been invoked only thrice. The bills that have been passed at joint sittings are:
Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1960.
Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1977.
Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002.
UPSC 2015Polity · Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts
Q9. Who/Which of the following is the custodian of the Constitution of India?
Explanation
The custodian of the Constitution of India refers to the body or entity responsible for interpreting and upholding the provisions of the Constitution. This includes the interpretation of laws, the protection of fundamental rights, and ensuring that the government acts in accordance with the Constitution. Article 32 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court the power to enforce the fundamental rights of citizens through writ jurisdiction. The Supreme Court is considered the final interpreter and guardian of the Constitution. It can examine the constitutionality of laws and actions taken by the Parliament or State Legislatures and can strike down any law that it finds to be unconstitutional.
UPSC 2015Polity · State Legislature
Q10. Consider the following statements: 1. The Legislative Council of a State in India can be larger in size than half of the Legislative Assembly of that particular State. 2. The Governor of a State nominates the Chairman of the Legislative Council of that particular State. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per Article 171, the maximum strength of the Legislative Council of the state cannot be more than one third of total strength of assembly. However, the size of the Legislative Council cannot be less than 40 members. The constitution has fixed the maximum and minimum limits but actual strength is fixed by Parliament.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The members of the Legislative Council are indirectly elected. The Chairman of the Legislative Council is elected by the members from amongst itself.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2015
(a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
2
2015
(c) Both 1 and 2
3
2015
(b) Directive Principles of State Policy
4
2015
(d) Fundamental Duties
5
2015
(d) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha
6
2015
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
7
2015
(b) 1 and 2 only
8
2015
(a) a simple majority of members present and voting
9
2015
(d) The Supreme Court of India
10
2015
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Polity?
This page covers 11 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Polity in the UPSC 2015 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 2015 Prelims are available for 29 years, from 1996 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
