Q341. The principle of ‘Individual Responsibility’ implies that:
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.
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Q342. The following question consists of two statements -- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option:
Assertion (A): The Attorney General of India has the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament.
Reason (R): The Attorney General of India is a member of the Union Cabinet.
Assertion (A): The Attorney General of India has the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament.
Reason (R): The Attorney General of India is a member of the Union Cabinet.
Explanation
The Attorney General has the right to speak and participate in the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament and their committees. However, the Attorney General does not have the right to vote. Furthermore, the Attorney General is not a member of the Union Cabinet. Legal advice within the cabinet is typically provided by the Law Minister, who is a political appointee.
Q343. Who among the following is considered the highest law officer in India?
Explanation
The Attorney General of India is the highest law officer in the country. Appointed by the President under Article 76, the Attorney General provides legal advice to the Union Government and performs other legal duties assigned by the President. This official has the right of audience in all courts across India and can participate in parliamentary proceedings without voting rights.
Q344. Consider the following statements regarding the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers in India:
I. When the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, all ministers must resign, including those from the Rajya Sabha.
II. A minister who disagrees with a Cabinet decision must either accept it or resign.
III. The President can remove the entire Council of Ministers on the advice of the Rajya Sabha.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. When the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, all ministers must resign, including those from the Rajya Sabha.
II. A minister who disagrees with a Cabinet decision must either accept it or resign.
III. The President can remove the entire Council of Ministers on the advice of the Rajya Sabha.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Collective responsibility means that all ministers, regardless of their house of membership, must resign if the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion. Additionally, ministers must publicly support cabinet decisions or resign if they disagree. The President’s power to remove ministers is based on the Prime Minister’s advice, not on a recommendation from the Rajya Sabha, ensuring necessary executive unity.
Q345. The term ‘Cabinet’ is mentioned in the Indian Constitution in which Article?
Explanation
The word ‘Cabinet’ was not originally in the Constitution. It was inserted into Article 352 by the 44th Amendment Act of 1978. It specifies that the President can proclaim a National Emergency only after receiving a written communication of the decision from the Union Cabinet. Elsewhere, the Constitution uses the broader term ‘Council of Ministers’ to describe the executive branch.
Q346. The Attorney General of India is appointed by the President and must be a person qualified to be appointed as:
Explanation
To be appointed as the Attorney General of India, a person must be qualified to be a judge of the Supreme Court. This requires being a citizen of India and having served as a High Court judge for five years, or as an advocate for ten years, or being an eminent jurist in the President’s opinion. This ensures high expertise.
Q347. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of the Cabinet in the Indian parliamentary system?
Explanation
The Cabinet is a smaller, core body within the Council of Ministers that meets regularly to decide government policies. While it is the supreme decision-making authority, its size is not explicitly fixed by the Constitution. Instead, the size and composition are determined by the Prime Minister based on administrative needs and political considerations, following the overall fifteen percent ceiling.
Q348. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer:
| Constitutional Amendments | Impact on Executive |
|---|---|
| A. 24th Amendment Act | i. Limited the size of the Council of Ministers |
| B. 42nd Amendment Act | ii. Made it obligatory for President to assent to Constitutional Amendment Bills |
| C. 44th Amendment Act | iii. Allowed President to return advice for reconsideration once |
| D. 91st Amendment Act | iv. Made President bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers |
Explanation
Various amendments shaped the executive’s powers. The 24th Amendment made the President’s assent to constitutional bills mandatory. The 42nd Amendment made the Council’s advice binding, while the 44th Amendment allowed the President to request one reconsideration. The 91st Amendment restricted the Council of Ministers’ size to fifteen percent of the Lok Sabha, promoting leaner and more efficient governance at the Union level.
Q349. Identify the correct statement regarding the relationship between the President and the Prime Minister of India.
Explanation
Under Article 78, the Prime Minister serves as the primary link between the President and the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister is constitutionally obligated to communicate all decisions relating to the administration of the Union and proposals for legislation. Furthermore, the Prime Minister must furnish any information called for by the President concerning these administrative and legislative affairs of the Union.
Q350. Consider the following statements regarding the individual responsibility of ministers in India:
I. Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President.
II. The President can remove a minister only on the advice of the Prime Minister.
III. Individual responsibility ensures that the Prime Minister can maintain the homogeneity of the Cabinet.
IV. The concept is explicitly mentioned in Article 74.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President.
II. The President can remove a minister only on the advice of the Prime Minister.
III. Individual responsibility ensures that the Prime Minister can maintain the homogeneity of the Cabinet.
IV. The concept is explicitly mentioned in Article 74.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Individual responsibility is detailed in Article 75, stating ministers hold office during the President’s pleasure. The President exercises this power only on the Prime Minister’s advice. This mechanism ensures cabinet homogeneity and enables the Prime Minister to dismiss any minister who no longer enjoys their confidence. Article 74, however, focuses on the Council of Ministers providing general aid and advice.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 341 | (d) Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President. |
| 342 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 343 | (b) The Attorney General of India |
| 344 | (a) I and II only |
| 345 | (a) Article 352 |
| 346 | (c) A judge of the Supreme Court |
| 347 | (d) Its size is explicitly fixed at 15 to 20 ministers by the Constitution. |
| 348 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i |
| 349 | (b) The Prime Minister communicates to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to administration. |
| 350 | (a) I, II and III |
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.