Q391. What is the fundamental difference between the pardoning power of the President and the Governor in India?
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 391–400 of 944 questions
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Q392. Which of the following Prime Ministers did NOT face a vote of no-confidence in the Lok Sabha?
Explanation
While many Prime Ministers like Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Indira Gandhi faced no-confidence motions during their tenures, I.K. Gujral did not. His government was supported from the outside, and although he eventually resigned when support was withdrawn, no formal vote of no-confidence was conducted on the floor of the Lok Sabha against his ministry during his brief tenure.
Q393. When a State Bill is reserved by the Governor for the consideration of the President, the President:
Explanation
When the Governor reserves a state bill for the President’s consideration, the President can give assent, withhold it, or direct the Governor to return the bill for reconsideration. If the state legislature passes the bill again and sends it back, the President is still not bound to give his assent. This contrasts with Union bills, where second-time assent is mandatory for the President.
Q394. Consider the following statements regarding the executive powers of the President of India:
I. All executive actions of the Government of India are formally taken in his name.
II. He makes rules specifying the manner in which orders and other instruments made in his name shall be authenticated.
III. He appoints the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
IV. He appoints the Finance Commission every five years.
V. He manages the allocation of business among Ministers directly without the Prime Minister’s advice.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. All executive actions of the Government of India are formally taken in his name.
II. He makes rules specifying the manner in which orders and other instruments made in his name shall be authenticated.
III. He appoints the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
IV. He appoints the Finance Commission every five years.
V. He manages the allocation of business among Ministers directly without the Prime Minister’s advice.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The President’s executive powers include taking actions in his name, making authentication rules, and appointing key figures like the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Finance Commission. While he makes rules for the allocation of business among ministers, he does so on the advice of the Prime Minister, not independently. This reflects the President’s role as the nominal head of the Union.
Q395. In India, the Cabinet Committees are:
Explanation
Cabinet Committees are extra-constitutional bodies that are not mentioned in the original text of the Constitution. They are created by the Prime Minister under the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961. These committees facilitate the disposal of business by allowing smaller groups of ministers to focus on specific issues. Their number, composition, and functions vary depending on the Prime Minister’s requirements.
Q396. The Constitution of India provides for a bicameral Parliament. Which Article explicitly states that the Parliament of the Union shall consist of the President and two Houses to be known respectively as the Council of States and the House of the People?
Explanation
Article 79 of the Indian Constitution outlines the framework of the Union Parliament. It explicitly specifies that the Parliament comprises the President and two distinct chambers. These chambers are identified as the Council of States and the House of the People. This provision establishes the bicameral structure of the legislative organ at the central level in India.
Q397. According to Article 122 of the Constitution, the validity of any proceedings in Parliament shall not be called in question on the ground of any alleged irregularity of procedure. This provision primarily ensures which of the following principles?
Explanation
Article 122 provides a constitutional safeguard for parliamentary proceedings. It prevents the judiciary from questioning the validity of legislative actions based on alleged procedural irregularities. This reinforces the separation of powers between the legislature and the courts. It ensures that the internal conduct of Parliament remains independent and free from judicial interference regarding its established procedural rules.
Q398. Read the following statements regarding the composition of Parliament carefully:
Statement I: The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President.
Statement II: The Constitution prescribes that the nominated members must have special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of literature, science, art, and social service.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President.
Statement II: The Constitution prescribes that the nominated members must have special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of literature, science, art, and social service.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Rajya Sabha has a constitutionally defined maximum strength of 250 members. Among these, the President nominates 12 individuals who possess exceptional expertise. The Constitution requires these nominees to have significant knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, or social service. Both statements accurately reflect the composition and nomination criteria for the upper house of the Indian Parliament.
Q399. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the general provisions for Parliament.
Explanation
The Attorney General of India possesses the unique right to participate in parliamentary proceedings. This official can speak and take part in the business of either House or any committee. However, the Constitution explicitly denies the Attorney General the right to vote in these proceedings. This distinction ensures the officer provides legal guidance without influencing the legislative voting outcomes.
Q400. Match the items in List I with those in List II:
| Constitutional Provision | Article |
|---|---|
| A. Constitution of Parliament | i. Article 122 |
| B. Composition of the Council of States | ii. Article 79 |
| C. Composition of the House of the People | iii. Article 81 |
| D. Courts not to inquire into proceedings of Parliament | iv. Article 80 |
Explanation
The Indian Constitution specifies various legislative structures through specific articles. Article 79 defines the composition of the Parliament as a whole. Article 80 details the membership of the Council of States, while Article 81 focuses on the House of the People. Article 122 ensures that judicial bodies do not interfere with the internal procedural validity of the parliamentary proceedings.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 391 | (b) Only the President can pardon a death sentence. |
| 392 | (b) I.K. Gujral |
| 393 | (a) Is not bound to give his assent if the State Legislature passes it again |
| 394 | (a) I, II, III and IV only |
| 395 | (d) Extra-constitutional in emergence, created by the Rules of Business |
| 396 | (b) Article 79 |
| 397 | (a) Separation of powers between the legislature and the judiciary |
| 398 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 399 | (d) The Attorney General of India has the right to vote in the proceedings of either House of Parliament. |
| 400 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i |
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.