Q371. When a bill is passed by the Parliament and sent to the President, which of the following is an effect of the President returning the bill for reconsideration?
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 371–380 of 944 questions
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Q372. The term "Collective Responsibility" implies that a decision taken by the Cabinet is:
Explanation
Collective responsibility requires that all cabinet decisions are binding on all ministers. While free debate occurs within cabinet meetings, once a decision is made, every minister must defend it in Parliament and public. If a minister cannot support a cabinet decision, they are expected to resign. This principle ensures the government presents a united front and speaks with a single voice on policy.
Q373. Which of the following best distinguishes the legal responsibility of a Minister in India from that in Britain?
Explanation
Unlike the British system, where ministers are legally responsible for the monarch’s acts and must countersign them, the Indian Constitution does not provide for the legal responsibility of ministers. A presidential order for a public act does not require a minister’s countersignature. Consequently, Indian courts cannot inquire into the advice given by ministers to the President, as stipulated under Article 74(2).
Q374. Consider the following statements regarding the Attorney General of India:
I. He must have the qualifications of a Supreme Court judge.
II. He receives a fixed retainer salary drawn from the Consolidated Fund of India as specified in the Constitution.
III. He has the right to vote in parliamentary committees to which he is nominated.
IV. He can advise the Government of India on legal matters referred by the President.
V. He can appear on behalf of the Government of India in all courts.
Which of the above statements are correct?
I. He must have the qualifications of a Supreme Court judge.
II. He receives a fixed retainer salary drawn from the Consolidated Fund of India as specified in the Constitution.
III. He has the right to vote in parliamentary committees to which he is nominated.
IV. He can advise the Government of India on legal matters referred by the President.
V. He can appear on behalf of the Government of India in all courts.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
The Attorney General must be qualified for appointment as a Supreme Court judge. While they represent the government in courts and provide legal advice, they do not receive a constitutionally fixed salary; instead, their remuneration is determined by the President. Although they can participate in parliamentary proceedings and committees, they are strictly prohibited from voting. They represent the government’s legal interests nationwide.
Q375. Identify the correct pair regarding the President’s Veto power:
Explanation
The President’s veto powers are classified into three types. The absolute veto involves withholding assent completely. The suspensive veto is exercised when the President returns a bill to Parliament for reconsideration, which can be overridden by a simple majority. The pocket veto involves taking no action on a bill. The Indian President does not possess a qualified veto, which requires a higher majority override.
Q376. Under Article 123 of the Constitution, the power to promulgate ordinances is available to the President:
Explanation
The President’s power to promulgate ordinances under Article 123 is activated when either House or both Houses of Parliament are not in session. This ensures the government can handle urgent legislative matters that cannot wait for the next session. However, the President must be satisfied that circumstances exist which render immediate action necessary. This power is exercised solely on the advice of the Cabinet.
Q377. Select the correct sequential order of events for a bill to become an Act of Parliament:
Explanation
For a bill to become an act, it must follow a structured legislative process. It is first introduced and passed by both Houses of Parliament--the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. After receiving approval from both, it is presented to the President for assent. Once the President grants assent, the act is published in the Official Gazette, making it a binding law.
Q378. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer:
| Type of Veto | Mechanism to override |
|---|---|
| A. Absolute Veto | i. Overridden by the legislature with an ordinary majority |
| B. Qualified Veto | ii. Overridden by the legislature with a higher majority |
| C. Suspensive Veto | iii. Cannot be overridden, bill ends |
| D. Pocket Veto | iv. No mechanism to override as no action is taken |
Explanation
Different vetoes have varying mechanisms for being overridden by the legislature. An absolute veto cannot be overridden, effectively ending the bill. A qualified veto requires a higher majority to override, while a suspensive veto can be overridden by an ordinary majority. A pocket veto has no override mechanism because the President takes no formal action, leaving the bill in a state of suspension.
Q379. Which of the following is NOT a fundamental duty of the Prime Minister under Article 78?
Explanation
Article 78 outlines the Prime Minister’s duties regarding the President. These include communicating all cabinet decisions, furnishing requested information on administration, and submitting matters decided by a single minister for cabinet consideration. However, presenting the Annual Financial Statement is not a constitutional duty of the Prime Minister; it is typically performed by the Finance Minister on behalf of the President under Article 112.
Q380. In the context of the Union Executive, the "Spoils System" or "Patronage System" of ministerial appointments is:
Explanation
The ‘Spoils System’ or ‘Patronage System’, where public offices are distributed based on political loyalty, is not a feature of the Indian Union executive. India follows the parliamentary model where ministerial appointments depend on membership in the legislature and the support of the majority party. Civil service appointments are merit-based and independent of political changes, ensuring administrative continuity and professional neutrality.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 371 | (b) President must give assent if the bill is passed again with or without amendments |
| 372 | (c) Binding on all Ministers, even if they differed in the meeting |
| 373 | (d) Presidential order for a public act does not require a Minister’s countersignature |
| 374 | (a) I, IV and V only |
| 375 | (b) Suspensive Veto - Used when the President returns a bill for reconsideration. |
| 376 | (b) When both the Houses of Parliament are not in session, or when either House is not in session |
| 377 | (a) Passed by Lok Sabha Passed by Rajya Sabha Assent by President Publication in Official Gazette |
| 378 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-i, D-iv |
| 379 | (d) To personally present the Annual Financial Statement before the Lok Sabha. |
| 380 | (c) Not prevalent; India follows collective responsibility and parliamentary majority |
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.