Q311. The formula for determining the value of the vote of an MLA in the Presidential election is:
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 311–320 of 944 questions
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Q312. Which of the following acts does NOT require the prior recommendation of the President for introduction in the Parliament?
Explanation
Certain bills require the President’s prior recommendation for introduction, such as money bills or those altering state boundaries. However, a bill for amending the Constitution under Article 368 does not require such recommendation. It can be introduced in either House of Parliament by a minister or a private member without the President’s preliminary consent or any formal prior approval.
Q313. Identify the incorrect pair regarding the Emergency powers of the President:
Explanation
The Constitution outlines emergency provisions in Part XVIII. Article 352 deals with National Emergency, Article 356 with State Emergency, and Article 360 with Financial Emergency. Article 359 describes the suspension of the enforcement of fundamental rights during an emergency. In contrast, Article 355 imposes a duty on the Union to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbances.
Q314. Consider the following statements regarding the Veto Powers of the President of India:
I. The President enjoys absolute veto over private members’ bills.
II. The President can exercise suspensive veto over money bills.
III. The President has no veto power in respect of a constitutional amendment bill.
IV. The pocket veto of the Indian President is broader than that of the American President.
V. The absolute veto can be exercised for government bills when the cabinet resigns before presidential assent.
Which of the above statements are correct?
I. The President enjoys absolute veto over private members’ bills.
II. The President can exercise suspensive veto over money bills.
III. The President has no veto power in respect of a constitutional amendment bill.
IV. The pocket veto of the Indian President is broader than that of the American President.
V. The absolute veto can be exercised for government bills when the cabinet resigns before presidential assent.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
The President has distinct veto powers over legislation. Absolute veto applies to private members’ bills or when a cabinet resigns. Suspensive veto cannot be used for money bills. Under the 24th Amendment, the President must give assent to constitutional amendment bills. The Indian pocket veto is broader than the American version because the Indian Constitution prescribes no specific time limit.
Q315. The President of India exercises his absolute veto power in which of the following cases?
Explanation
Absolute veto refers to the power of the President to withhold assent to a bill, causing it to lapse. This power is typically exercised in two instances: concerning private members’ bills and when the cabinet resigns after the bill is passed but before assent is given. Unlike the suspensive veto, the bill cannot be revived once this power is exercised.
Q316. Consider the following statements regarding legislative procedures in India:
Statement I: The President of India can send a money bill back to the Lok Sabha for reconsideration.
Statement II: A money bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha only on the prior recommendation of the President.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Statement I: The President of India can send a money bill back to the Lok Sabha for reconsideration.
Statement II: A money bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha only on the prior recommendation of the President.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
A money bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha only on the recommendation of the President. Once passed by both Houses and presented for assent, the President can either give his assent or withhold it, but he cannot return the bill for reconsideration. This is because the bill is introduced with his prior approval, making the return process logically unnecessary.
Q317. Select the correct sequence of the constitutional mechanism for the promulgation and approval of an Ordinance:
Explanation
The promulgation of an ordinance occurs when Parliament is not in session and immediate action is required. The President issues the ordinance on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Once Parliament reassembles, the ordinance must be laid before both Houses. It ceases to operate after six weeks from reassembly unless a resolution is passed by both Houses approving it earlier.
Q318. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Provisions related to Vice President | Articles |
|---|---|
| A. The Vice-President of India | i. Article 63 |
| B. The Vice-President to be ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States | ii. Article 64 |
| C. Election of Vice-President | iii. Article 66 |
| D. Term of office of Vice-President | iv. Article 67 |
Explanation
The Vice-President’s office is modeled on the American pattern and ranks second in the precedence table. Article 63 establishes the office, while Article 64 designates the Vice-President as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Article 66 details the election process by both Houses of Parliament. Article 67 specifies the five-year term of office, subject to resignation or earlier removal.
Q319. What is the maximum period for which the Vice President can act as the President of India in case of a vacancy in the President’s office?
Explanation
When a vacancy occurs in the office of the President due to death, resignation, or removal, the Vice-President acts as the President. This arrangement is temporary and can last for a maximum period of six months. Within this timeframe, a new election must be held to fill the vacancy. During this period, the Vice- President enjoys all powers and immunities of the President.
Q320. Which of the following represents the most appropriate description of a ‘Pocket Veto’ in the Indian context?
Explanation
The pocket veto is a unique power where the President neither ratifies nor rejects nor returns the bill, but simply keeps it pending for an indefinite period. This is possible because the Indian Constitution does not specify a time limit for the President to take action. Consequently, the bill effectively dies as no further progress can be made without presidential assent.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 311 | (b) Total population of the State divided by total number of elected MLAs of the State, divided by 1000. |
| 312 | (b) A bill for the amendment of the Constitution under Article 368 |
| 313 | (a) Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency: Article 355 |
| 314 | (a) I, III, IV and V |
| 315 | (d) When a private member’s bill is passed by the Parliament. |
| 316 | (d) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct. |
| 317 | (a) Parliament not in session President promulgates ordinance Parliament reassembles Resolution to approve within 6 weeks. |
| 318 | (a) A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv |
| 319 | (b) 6 months |
| 320 | (c) Power to keep a bill pending for an indefinite period without taking any action |
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.