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 471–480 of 944 questions
Browse Indian Polity and Governance chapters
Statement I: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha can be removed by a resolution passed by a simple majority of members present and voting.
Statement II: A resolution for the removal of the Speaker requires an advance notice of 14 days.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
A resolution to remove the Speaker of the Lok Sabha requires an advance notice of at least 14 days. This ensures that the matter is handled with due seriousness. However, the resolution must be passed by an effective majority, which means a majority of all the then members of the House, not just a simple majority of those present.I. The date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President.
II. The Speaker remains in office during the life of the Lok Sabha.
III. Whenever the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker immediately vacates his office.
IV. The Speaker Pro Tem is usually the senior-most member of the newly elected Lok Sabha.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The President sets the date for the Speaker’s election, and the Speaker serves during the life of the Lok Sabha. A Speaker Pro Tem is typically the senior-most member. However, when the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker does not vacate office immediately. They remain in the position until just before the first meeting of the newly elected Lok Sabha.Explanation
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha can resign from their office by submitting a written letter. According to constitutional provisions, this letter of resignation must be addressed and sent to the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha. This reciprocal arrangement ensures that the leadership of the House can manage the transition internally without involving the executive branch of the government.I. A notice of 14 days is given to the Speaker.
II. The resolution is moved in the Lok Sabha and must be supported by at least 50 members to be admitted.
III. The resolution is passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha (effective majority).
IV. The Speaker presides over the sitting of the House but cannot vote in the first instance.
Select the correct sequence of events:
Explanation
The process for removing the Speaker follows a specific legal order. First, a 14-day notice is given. Then, the resolution is moved and must be supported by at least 50 members for admission. Finally, it is passed by a majority of all the then members of the House. This ensures that the presiding officer is not removed without significant consensus.Explanation
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha both have the power to decide on disqualifications under the Tenth Schedule. This is not an exclusive power of the Speaker. In contrast, presiding over joint sittings and certifying Money Bills are powers reserved only for the Speaker. The Speaker also has the authority to allow a secret sitting of the House.Explanation
The anti-defection law was introduced to curb political instability caused by frequent party switching. It was added to the Indian Constitution as the Tenth Schedule by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1985. This amendment provides the legal framework for disqualifying members of Parliament and state legislatures who defect from their political parties, thereby strengthening the parliamentary democratic system.Explanation
Presiding officers are granted a specific exception under the anti-defection law. If a member is elected as the Speaker or Chairman and chooses to voluntarily give up their party membership, they are not disqualified. They can also rejoin their party after leaving the office. Therefore, the statement claiming that such a member would be disqualified for giving up membership.Explanation
Under the Tenth Schedule, an independent member of the House faces specific restrictions to maintain their non-partisan status. If such a member joins any political party after their election, they are automatically disqualified from remaining a member. This provision ensures that independent candidates do not switch to political parties for personal or political gain after being elected by the voters.| Type of Member | Condition for Defection under 10th Schedule |
|---|---|
| A. Member of a Political Party | i. Joins a political party after six months from the date of taking a seat in the House |
| B. Independent Member | ii. Voluntarily gives up membership of their political party or votes contrary to party whip |
| C. Nominated Member | iii. Exempted if they voluntarily give up party membership upon election to the office |
| D. Presiding Officer | iv. Joins any political party after the election |
Explanation
The Tenth Schedule defines defection differently for various types of members. A party member defects by voluntarily leaving the party or violating a whip. Independent members are disqualified if they join a party. Nominated members have six months to join a party; otherwise, they are disqualified. Presiding officers are exempt if they resign from their party upon taking office.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 471 | (b) The Speaker does not vote in the first instance but exercises a casting vote in the case of a tie. |
| 472 | (b) Statement I is incorrect, and Statement II is correct. |
| 473 | (a) I, II and IV |
| 474 | (a) The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha |
| 475 | (b) I, II, III |
| 476 | (b) Determining the question of disqualification of a member of the House on grounds of defection. |
| 477 | (c) 52nd Amendment Act, 1985 |
| 478 | (c) If a member, after being elected as the presiding officer of the House, voluntarily gives up the membership of their party, they are disqualified. |
| 479 | (d) Join any political party after their election. |
| 480 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-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.