This page lists 18 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on Polity in the UPSC 2020 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 11–18 of 18 questions
UPSC 2020Polity · Systems of Government
Q11. A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which:
Explanation
A Parliamentary System of Government is characterized by the executive (Government) being accountable to the legislature (Parliament). Its other key features generally include:
Collective Responsibility: The Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister, is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Lower House in India). Motion of No Confidence: The government can be removed by the Parliament through a vote of no confidence. Executive from the Legislature: The Prime Minister and Ministers are drawn from the legislature and remain in office as long as they have its confidence.
UPSC 2020Polity · Systems of Government
Q12. A constitutional government by definition is a:
Explanation
A constitutional government is a system in which the powers of the government are limited by a constitution. This ensures that government actions are guided by established laws rather than arbitrary decisions. The core idea of a constitutional government is limited government, where authority is regulated, checked, and balanced by a legal framework.
UPSC 2020Polity · Parliament
Q13. With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct? 1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable sets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc. 2. A specified portion of each MP fund must benefit SC/ST populations. 3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year. 4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all work under implementation every year. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The objective of the scheme is to enable MPs to recommend works of developmental nature with emphasis on the creation of durable community assets based on the locally felt needs to be taken up in their Constituencies.
Statement 2 is correct: M.Ps are to recommend every year, works costing at least 15% of the MPLADS entitlement for the year for areas inhabited by Scheduled Caste population and 7.5% for areas inhabited by S.T. population.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The released funds under the MPLAD scheme are non-lapsable i.e. if the money is not utilised, it gets carried to the next year subject to the fulfillment of certain criterion.
Statement 4 is correct: The district authority should visit and inspect at least 10% of the works every year. It is also expected to involve the MPs in such activities.
UPSC 2020Polity · Parliament
Q14. Consider the following statements: 1. According to the Constitution of India a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a State for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that State. 2. According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indian Constitution under article 173(a) lays down the following qualifications for a person to be chosen as a member of the state legislature, such as - He must be a citizen of India. He must take an oath or affirmation before the person the Election Commission has designated for this purpose. He must be not less than 30 years of age in the case of the legislative council and not less than 25 years of age in the case of the legislative assembly. while a one becomes voter at the age of 18. He must possess other qualifications prescribed by Parliament.
Statement 2 is incorrect: As per Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951, a person convicted of an offense and sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more will be disqualified from the date of conviction. This disqualification remains in effect for six additional years after their release. Hence, the disqualification is not permanent.
UPSC 2020Polity · Parliament
Q15. Consider the following statements: 1. The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such a place as he/she thinks fit. 2. The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions. 3. There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: As per Article 85(1), the Constitution gives the power to the President to summon a session of Parliament to meet at such a place as he/she thinks fit. The gap between two sessions must not exceed 6 months.
Statement 2 is incorrect: By convention, Parliament meets for three sessions in a year. However the Constitution does not stipulate it. Article 85(1) of the Indian Constitution states "The President shall from time to time summon each House of Parliament to meet, and six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session." This means that according to the Constitution of India, Parliament must meet at least once every six months, but the number of sessions is not fixed.
Statement 3 is correct: There is no provision about the minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year.
UPSC 2020Polity · Parliament
Q16. Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in
Explanation
Option (b) is correct: The Rajya Sabha enjoys equal powers with Lok Sabha in matters like - The impeachment of the President, Removal of the vice-president, Constitutional amendments, and Removal of the judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
Rajya Sabha enjoys exclusive powers in the matter of creating new All India Services. In the matter of removal of government, Rajya Sabha has unequal status with respect to Lok Sabha. The Council of Ministers is responsible only to Lok Sabha and not to the Rajya Sabha. Thus, a no-confidence motion cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha has less or no powers in the matters of finance like making cut motions, passing money bill, etc. vis-a-vis Lok Sabha.
UPSC 2020Polity · Parliament
Q17. Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the Parliament which include "The Macro Economic Framework Statement". The aforesaid document is presented because this is mandated by:
Explanation
The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003 aims to ensure fiscal discipline in India by setting targets for government borrowing, fiscal deficits, and public debt. Its objective is to reduce the fiscal deficit and maintain macroeconomic stability. As per the act the Central Government is required to lay before both Houses of Parliament the following fiscal policy statements every financial year, alongside the annual financial statement and demands for grants:
Q18. Consider the following statements: 1. Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months. 2. The state cannot enter into any contract with private corporations for sharing of Aadhaar data. 3. Aadhaar is mandatory for obtaining insurance products. 4. Aadhaar is mandatory for getting benefits funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the Aadhaar Act, 2016, metadata cannot be stored beyond six months, not three months.
Statement 2 is correct: The Supreme Court struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act, which allowed private entities to use Aadhaar for authentication or to enter into contracts involving Aadhaar data. The Supreme Court ruling (2018) restricted Aadhaar data sharing with private entities, ensuring privacy and limiting government contracts with private corporations.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Aadhaar is not mandatory for purchasing insurance products as per IRDAI guidelines.
Statement 4 is correct: Aadhaar is required for availing benefits funded by the Consolidated Fund of India, as per Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
11
2020
(b) the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it
12
2020
(d) limited government
13
2020
(d) 1, 2 and 4 only
14
2020
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
15
2020
(c) 1 and 3 only
16
2020
(b) amending the Constitution
17
2020
(d) Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003
18
2020
(b) 2 and 4 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Polity?
This page covers 18 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Polity in the UPSC 2020 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 2020 Prelims are available for 29 years, from 1996 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
