Q331. If a resolution for the removal of the Vice President is to be passed, it must originate in:
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 331–340 of 944 questions
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Q332. While the Vice-President acts as President of India, he:
Explanation
When the Vice-President discharges the functions of the President, he ceases to perform the duties of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. During this period, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha performs those duties instead. The Vice-President receives the salary and allowances of the President rather than those of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for the entire discharge duration.
Q333. The Prime Minister of India is:
Explanation
According to Article 75, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President. In accordance with parliamentary conventions, the President invites the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha to form the government. The Prime Minister serves as the head of the Council of Ministers and the real executive authority. This appointment is fundamental to the functioning of parliamentary democracy.
Q334. Consider the following functions and powers of the Prime Minister of India:
I. He recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the President.
II. He allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among the ministers.
III. He can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss him.
IV. He presides over the meeting of the Council of Ministers.
V. His resignation automatically brings about the collapse of the Council of Ministers.
Which of the above statements are correct?
I. He recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the President.
II. He allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among the ministers.
III. He can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss him.
IV. He presides over the meeting of the Council of Ministers.
V. His resignation automatically brings about the collapse of the Council of Ministers.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
The Prime Minister exercises significant authority over the Council of Ministers. He recommends ministerial appointments to the President, allocates portfolios, and presides over meetings. He can request a minister’s resignation or advise their dismissal. Most importantly, the Prime Minister’s resignation or death leads to the automatic dissolution of the entire Council of Ministers, as he is the government’s central figure.
Q335. According to the Constitution, what is the maximum permissible strength of the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Union Government?
Explanation
The 91st Amendment Act of 2003 established a ceiling on the size of the Council of Ministers. It stipulates that the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Union Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the Lok Sabha. This provision was introduced to curb the practice of forming jumbo-sized cabinets.
Q336. The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, which placed a ceiling on the size of the Council of Ministers, amended which Article of the Constitution?
Explanation
The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, amended Article 75 to restrict the size of the Council of Ministers. It also strengthened anti-defection laws by stating that a member disqualified on grounds of defection shall also be disqualified to be appointed as a minister. These changes aimed to ensure political stability and prevent the excessive expansion of the executive branch.
Q337. Arrange the following actions in the conventional order they occur when a general election results in a hung assembly:
I. The President invites the leader of the single largest party to form the government.
II. The appointed Prime Minister is asked to seek a vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha.
III. The newly appointed Prime Minister is administered the oath of office and secrecy.
I. The President invites the leader of the single largest party to form the government.
II. The appointed Prime Minister is asked to seek a vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha.
III. The newly appointed Prime Minister is administered the oath of office and secrecy.
Explanation
In a hung assembly, the President first invites the leader of the single largest party or coalition to form the government. The leader then takes the oath of office and secrecy to become the Prime Minister. Finally, the newly appointed Prime Minister is given a specific timeframe, usually one month, to prove their majority by seeking a vote of confidence.
Q338. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer:
| Dignitary | Type of Majority required for Removal |
|---|---|
| A. President of India | i. Effective majority in Rajya Sabha and simple majority in Lok Sabha |
| B. Vice President of India | ii. Two-thirds majority of total membership in both Houses |
| C. Speaker of Lok Sabha | iii. Special majority (two-thirds present and voting + absolute majority) in both Houses |
| D. Supreme Court Judge | iv. Effective majority in Lok Sabha |
Explanation
Different constitutional offices require specific majorities for removal. The President is removed by a two-thirds majority of total membership. The Vice-President requires an effective majority in the Rajya Sabha and a simple majority in the Lok Sabha. The Speaker is removed by an effective majority in the Lok Sabha. Supreme Court judges are removed by a special majority in both Houses.
Q339. Find the odd one out concerning the powers of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Vice President) and the Speaker of Lok Sabha:
Explanation
Both the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha maintain order, exercise casting votes, and adjourn for lack of quorum. However, a significant difference is that the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, being the Vice- President, cannot preside over a joint sitting of Parliament. This duty falls to the Speaker or, in their absence, the Deputy Speaker.
Q340. Which of the following describes the doctrine of ‘Collective Responsibility’ enshrined in Article 75 of the Constitution?
Explanation
Article 75 states that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means they function as a single unit and sink or swim together. If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion against the government, the entire ministry must resign. This principle ensures the executive remains accountable to the lower house, which directly represents the people’s mandate.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 331 | (d) The Rajya Sabha only |
| 332 | (c) Ceases to perform the duties of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha. |
| 333 | (b) Appointed by the President |
| 334 | (d) I, II, III, IV and V |
| 335 | (a) 15% of the total number of members of the Lok Sabha |
| 336 | (b) Article 75 |
| 337 | (b) I, III, II |
| 338 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 339 | (b) Presiding over the joint sitting of Parliament |
| 340 | (c) The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. |
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.