Indian Polity and Governance: RAS Prelims MCQs
944 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on Indian polity and governance are on this page, in 12 chapters. They cover the framing of the Constitution, the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, the Directive Principles, the Union executive, Parliament and the judiciary, Union-State relations, emergency provisions, local government, constitutional bodies, public policy and the vigilance and accountability institutions. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 944 questions
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Explanation
The representatives of each community in the provincial legislative assemblies elected their own members to the Constituent Assembly. This election was conducted through the method of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. This system allowed for a more diverse representation within each community’s allotted quota, ensuring that various political interests within the provincial assemblies were effectively reflected.I. The total strength of the Constituent Assembly was fixed at 389.
II. 296 seats were allotted to British India and 93 seats to the Princely States.
III. Out of 296 seats allotted to British India, 292 members were to be drawn from the eleven governors’ provinces.
IV. Four members were to be drawn from the four chief commissioners’ provinces, one from each.
Which of the above combination of statements is correct?
Explanation
The total strength of the Constituent Assembly was fixed at 389 members under the Cabinet Mission Plan. This total included 296 seats for British India and 93 seats for the princely states. Of the British Indian seats, 292 were drawn from the eleven governors’ provinces, while the remaining four were allocated to the four chief commissioners’ provinces, one from each.Explanation
The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946. This historic session took place in the Constitution Hall, which is now the Central Hall of Parliament House. The meeting was attended by 211 members, as the Muslim League boycotted the assembly to demand a separate state of Pakistan. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha served as the assembly’s temporary president.I. Adoption of the National Flag
II. First meeting of the Constituent Assembly
III. Introduction of the Objective Resolution
IV. Adoption of the Objective Resolution
Select the correct order from the options below:
Explanation
The Constituent Assembly first met on December 9, 1946. Jawaharlal Nehru moved the historic Objective Resolution on December 13, 1946, which was subsequently adopted by the assembly on January 22, 1947. Much later, the National Flag of India was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947, shortly before India attained independence from the British rule.| Committee of Constituent Assembly | Chairman |
|---|---|
| A. Union Powers Committee | i. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar |
| B. Provincial Constitution Committee | ii. Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| C. Drafting Committee | iii. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |
| D. Steering Committee | iv. Jawaharlal Nehru |
Explanation
Jawaharlal Nehru chaired the Union Powers Committee, which handled the division of authority. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led the Provincial Constitution Committee, focusing on the structures of state governments. The Drafting Committee, responsible for writing the actual text of the Constitution, was headed by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Finally, Dr. Rajendra Prasad presided over the Steering Committee to manage assembly business.Explanation
The Functions of the Constituent Assembly Committee was actually chaired by G. V. Mavalankar, who later became the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha. H. C. Mukherjee, on the other hand, served as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Constituent Assembly and was also the Chairman of the Advisory Committee’s Minorities Sub- Committee, rather than the committee dealing with assembly functions.I. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected as the temporary President of the Assembly following the French practice.
II. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Assembly.
III. H. C. Mukherjee and V. T. Krishnamachari were elected as the Vice-Presidents of the Assembly.
IV. Sir B. N. Rau was appointed as the Constitutional Advisor to the Assembly.
V. Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent member of the Constituent Assembly.
Which of the above combination of statements is incorrect?
Explanation
While the Constituent Assembly included almost all prominent personalities of India at that time, Mahatma Gandhi was a notable exception as he chose not to be a member of the body. In contrast, Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the temporary president, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the permanent president, and H. C. Mukherjee alongside V. T. Krishnamachari served as vice-presidents throughout.Explanation
The Objective Resolution, moved by Jawaharlal Nehru, was a momentous document that defined the aims and core values of the new Indian state. It provided the ideological foundation for the drafting process, emphasizing justice, equality, and sovereignty. The resolution’s philosophy eventually evolved into the Preamble of the Constitution, guiding the framers in creating a democratic and inclusive constitutional framework.Explanation
Frank Anthony was a prominent leader of the Anglo-Indian community and represented them in the Constituent Assembly. He played a significant role in ensuring that the interests and rights of his community were protected within the new constitutional framework. Alongside others like Sir H. P. Modi representing Parsis, he helped make the assembly a truly representative body of India.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (d) Christians |
| 12 | (b) Single transferable vote proportional representation. |
| 13 | (d) I, II, III and IV |
| 14 | (a) 9 December 1946 |
| 15 | (a) II, III, IV, I |
| 16 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-i, D-ii |
| 17 | (b) Functions Committee -- H. C. Mukherjee. |
| 18 | (a) V only |
| 19 | (c) It laid down the fundamentals and philosophy of the constitutional structure. |
| 20 | (d) Frank Anthony |
Key facts from Indian Polity and Governance
- The RPSC syllabus lists the Indian Constitution, the political system and governance, with public policy, vigilance and accountability bodies as part of the paper.
- Article-number questions are the commonest: for example Article 356 for President’s Rule, Article 324 for the Election Commission and Article 243K for the State Election Commission.
- Statement and assertion-reason questions test exceptions, so learn each provision with its limits.
- Questions on bodies ask for appointing authority, removing authority, tenure and the body to which the report goes.
- The Rajasthan-specific part of polity is on a separate page, with its own 8 chapters.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Indian Polity and Governance?
This page has 944 practice MCQs on Indian Polity and Governance. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the Indian polity set cover?
Twelve chapters: framing of the Constitution, Preamble and citizenship; Fundamental Rights; DPSP and Fundamental Duties; Union executive; Parliament; Union judiciary; Union-State relations; emergency provisions; local government; constitutional and statutory bodies; public policy and citizen charter; and vigilance and accountability.
Is polity part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The RPSC syllabus for General Knowledge includes the Indian Constitution, political system and governance, together with the political and administrative system of Rajasthan, which is covered on the separate Rajasthan polity page.
How should I revise polity for RAS Prelims?
Make a table of articles, bodies and amendments. Attempt each chapter, read the explanation for every miss and note the article number and the exception. Repeat the chapter after a few days, as polity facts are easy to confuse.