Q401. The principle of territorial representation is followed for the election of members to the Lok Sabha. Which of the following best defines this principle?
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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Q402. The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha provided by the Constitution is 552. After the Constitution (104th Amendment) Act, 2019, what is the effective maximum number of elected seats in the Lok Sabha?
Explanation
The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2019 significantly changed the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha. It abolished the provision that allowed the President to nominate two members from the Anglo-Indian community. Consequently, the maximum number of elected seats is now 550. This change aligns the House composition with contemporary demographic realities while maintaining the constitutional ceiling for representatives.
Q403. Consider the following statements regarding the composition and election of the Lok Sabha:
I. The voting age was reduced from 21 years to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988.
II. Seats are reserved in the Lok Sabha for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes on the basis of population.
III. The Constitution provides for the reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha as per the original unamended text of 1950.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The voting age was reduced from 21 years to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988.
II. Seats are reserved in the Lok Sabha for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes on the basis of population.
III. The Constitution provides for the reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha as per the original unamended text of 1950.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The voting age in India was lowered from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Amendment Act. Furthermore, the Constitution mandates the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes based on their population ratios. However, there was no original provision for women’s reservation in 1950. Thus, only the statements concerning voting age and caste-based reservations are correct.
Q404. Identify the correct pair regarding the qualifications for a person to be chosen as a member of the Lok Sabha.
Explanation
A candidate contesting for a seat in the Lok Sabha must meet specific legal criteria. One essential requirement is being registered as an elector in a parliamentary constituency. While age and citizenship are also factors, the minimum age is 25 years. The registration as a voter ensures the candidate is a recognized participant in the democratic process within the country.
Q405. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The normal term of the Lok Sabha is five years, but it can be extended during a National Emergency.
Reason (R): The extension of the term of the Lok Sabha can be done by a law of Parliament for one year at a time, for any length of time.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The normal term of the Lok Sabha is five years, but it can be extended during a National Emergency.
Reason (R): The extension of the term of the Lok Sabha can be done by a law of Parliament for one year at a time, for any length of time.
Explanation
The Lok Sabha usually serves a five-year term, but this duration can be modified during a National Emergency. Parliament has the authority to extend its own life through legislative action. Such extensions occur for one year at a time and can continue as long as the emergency persists. Therefore, both statements are true, and the reasoning accurately explains the assertion.
Q406. Which of the following is the odd one out with respect to the grounds of disqualification for a member of Parliament under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as opposed to the Constitutional provisions?
Explanation
Disqualifications for members of Parliament are derived from both the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Holding an office of profit, being of unsound mind, or being an insolvent are constitutional grounds. In contrast, being punished for social crimes like untouchability, dowry, or sati is a statutory ground under the 1951 Act. This makes it distinct.
Q407. Consider the following statements regarding the Lok Sabha:
I. The maximum seats allotted to the states in the Lok Sabha is 530.
II. The representatives of the Union Territories in the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people.
III. The President can still nominate two members from the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha.
IV. Readjustment of allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha is currently frozen until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year 2026 are published.
V. A person must be at least 25 years of age to contest an election for the Lok Sabha.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. The maximum seats allotted to the states in the Lok Sabha is 530.
II. The representatives of the Union Territories in the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people.
III. The President can still nominate two members from the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha.
IV. Readjustment of allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha is currently frozen until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year 2026 are published.
V. A person must be at least 25 years of age to contest an election for the Lok Sabha.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The maximum number of seats for states in the Lok Sabha is 530. Union Territories representatives are directly elected, and the age requirement is 25. Seats are currently frozen based on census data until 2026. However, the President no longer nominates Anglo-Indian members due to recent amendments. Therefore, the statement claiming that this nomination power still exists is factually incorrect.
Q408. Which of the following conditions does not lead to the vacation of a seat by a Member of Parliament?
Explanation
A member of Parliament vacates their seat through resignation, long-term unauthorized absence, or specific disqualifications. However, criticizing government policies within the House does not lead to a vacancy. Members enjoy parliamentary privilege and freedom of speech, which protects their right to express dissent. Dissent is an integral part of legislative debate and is not a ground for membership.
Q409. Who among the following participate in the election of the elected members of the Rajya Sabha?
Explanation
The Rajya Sabha representatives for each state are elected through an indirect process. This election involves the elected members of the respective State Legislative Assemblies. It does not include nominated members or members of the Legislative Councils. The system follows proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote, ensuring that state-level political diversity is reflected in the federal chamber.
Q410. Match the items in List I with those in List II:
| State | Number of Seats in Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|
| A. Rajasthan | i. 19 |
| B. Uttar Pradesh | ii. 31 |
| C. Maharashtra | iii. 10 |
| D. Tamil Nadu | iv. 18 |
Explanation
The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution allocates Rajya Sabha seats based on state populations. Uttar Pradesh holds the highest number with 31 seats. Maharashtra follows with 19 seats, while Tamil Nadu has 18 seats. Rajasthan is allocated 10 seats in the upper house. Matching these figures correctly reveals the distribution of state representation in the Council of States at national levels.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 401 | (b) The country is divided into geographical areas and one representative is elected from each area. |
| 402 | (b) 550 |
| 403 | (a) I and II only |
| 404 | (c) Voter registration - Must be registered as an elector for a parliamentary constituency |
| 405 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 406 | (d) Being punished for preaching social crimes like untouchability, dowry, and sati |
| 407 | (b) III only |
| 408 | (c) If the member criticizes the policies of the ruling government within the House. |
| 409 | (d) Elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies |
| 410 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-i, D-iv |
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.