This page lists 24 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on Polity in the UPSC 2017 Prelims. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Explanations state facts as they stood in the year each question was asked, so words like “recently” or “currently” refer to that year, not today. For the present position, check the latest Current Affairs.
Showing 21–24 of 24 questions
UPSC 2017Polity · Local Government: Panchayats and Municipalities
Q21. Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in
Explanation
The main idea behind the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) or Local Self-Government is to promote grass root democracy and development. The main aim is to evolve a system of democratic decentralisation and people’s participation with a view to ensure rapid socio-economic progress and provide adequate justice. The phrase to emphasise here is "Best". Democratic decentralisation is the best description of Local self-government. Balwant Rai Mehta committee (on Community Development Program) in 1957 recommended the establishment of a scheme of Democratic decentralisation with 3-tiered structure of PRI.
UPSC 2017Polity · Constitutional Bodies
Q22. Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five member body. 2. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/ mergers of recognized political parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Strength of ECI is not specified in the Constitution, and it is determined by the President. Currently, there are 3 Members.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The most important function of the commission is to decide the election schedules for the conduct of periodic and timely elections, whether general or bye-elections.
Statement 3 is correct: It grants recognition to political parties & allot election symbols to them along with settling disputes related to splits/mergers of recognized political parties.
UPSC 2017Polity · Non-Constitutional Bodies
Q23. With reference to ’Quality Council of India (QCI)’, consider the following statements: 1. QCI was set up jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry. 2. Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendations of the industry to the Government. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: QCI was established jointly by the Government of India and Indian industry associations-- ASSOCHAM, CII, and FICCI--to set up a national accreditation structure and drive the National Quality Campaign.
Statement 2 is correct: The Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister, based on recommendations from the industry to the government. The Council governing QCI consists of 38 members, equally representing the government, industry, and other stakeholders. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, serves as the nodal ministry for QCI.
UPSC 2017Polity · Miscellaneous
Q24. With reference to the ’Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT Act)’, consider the following statements: 1. A property transaction is not treated as a benami transaction if the owner of the property is not aware of the transaction. 2. Properties held benami are liable for confiscation by the Government. 3. The Act provides for three authorities for investigations but does not provide for any appellate mechanism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988, a transaction can still be considered a benami transaction even if the owner of the property is unaware of or denies knowledge of the ownership. The Act defines a benami transaction as one where the property is held by one person but paid for by another, irrespective of whether the ostensible owner is aware or not.
Statement 2 is correct: Benami properties are liable for confiscation by the government without compensation, as per Section 5 of the Act.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Act establishes three authorities for investigation--Initiating Officer, Approving Authority, and Adjudicating Authority--but also provides for an appellate tribunal to handle disputes and appeals related to benami transactions.
Exam tip:
For S1, Law punishes the structure of concealment, not the mental awareness of the benamidar. Hence likely false. For S3, UPSC loves to trap with negative absolutes like: "does not provide...", "only", "never" Think practically: Would any modern law not have an appellate mechanism? That would violate natural justice. Hence likely false too.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
21
2017
(b) Democratic decentralisation
22
2017
(d) 3 only
23
2017
(c) Both 1 and 2
24
2017
(b) 2 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Polity?
This page covers 24 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Polity in the UPSC 2017 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 2017 Prelims are available for 29 years, from 1996 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
