Q501. What is the maximum number of judges, including the Chief Justice of India, currently sanctioned for the Supreme Court of 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 501–510 of 944 questions
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Q502. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The salaries, allowances and pensions of the judges and the staff as well as all the administrative expenses of the Supreme Court are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
Reason (R): It ensures that the functioning of the Supreme Court is independent of the legislative vote in the Parliament. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The salaries, allowances and pensions of the judges and the staff as well as all the administrative expenses of the Supreme Court are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
Reason (R): It ensures that the functioning of the Supreme Court is independent of the legislative vote in the Parliament. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
The Constitution ensures judicial independence by charging the administrative expenses and salaries of the Supreme Court on the Consolidated Fund of India. This means these expenditures are non-votable in Parliament, preventing legislative interference with judicial operations. This financial autonomy is crucial for maintaining an impartial judiciary that can function without political pressure or concerns regarding its funding.
Q503. Under which Article of the Constitution can the President of India appoint an acting Chief Justice of India?
Explanation
Article 126 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to appoint a judge of the Supreme Court as the acting Chief Justice of India. This appointment occurs when the office is vacant or when the Chief Justice is unable to perform duties due to absence or any other reason. It ensures the continuity of the court’s leadership.
Q504. In the context of the Supreme Court of India, what does the term ‘Ad hoc Judge’ refer to?
Explanation
Under Article 127, an ad hoc judge is a High Court judge appointed temporarily to the Supreme Court when there is no quorum of judges available. The Chief Justice does so with the previous consent of the President.
Q505. Consider the following statements regarding the Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court:
I. It extends to disputes between the Government of India and one or more States.
II. It includes disputes arising out of any pre- Constitution treaty or agreement.
III. It covers inter-state water disputes under the Inter-State Water Disputes Act.
Which of the above statements are incorrect?
I. It extends to disputes between the Government of India and one or more States.
II. It includes disputes arising out of any pre- Constitution treaty or agreement.
III. It covers inter-state water disputes under the Inter-State Water Disputes Act.
Which of the above statements are incorrect?
Explanation
Original jurisdiction excludes disputes arising from pre-Constitution treaties or agreements and instruments that explicitly bar such jurisdiction. Furthermore, inter-state water disputes are handled under specific legislative acts and are excluded from the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction under Article 131. Only disputes between the Union and States or between different States fall within this exclusive constitutional category of original jurisdiction.
Q506. Which of the following statements provides the best definition of Judicial Review?
Explanation
Judicial review is the power of the judiciary to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive orders of both the Central and State governments. If such laws or orders are found to be violative of the Constitution, the courts can declare them illegal, unconstitutional, and invalid. This ensures that the government acts within its constitutional limits.
Q507. The concept of Judicial Review in the Indian Constitution is primarily inspired by the Constitution of which country?
Explanation
Although the Indian Constitution does not explicitly use the term "Judicial Review," the concept is deeply embedded in various articles. It is primarily inspired by the judicial system of the United States of America. In India, this power allows the higher judiciary to safeguard the Constitution and protect the fundamental rights of citizens against any arbitrary state actions.
Q508. Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides the primary basis for Judicial Review by declaring that laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights shall be void?
Explanation
Article 13 is a key provision that enables judicial review by declaring that all laws inconsistent with or in derogation of fundamental rights shall be void. It empowers the judiciary to strike down any pre-constitutional or post-constitutional laws that infringe upon these basic rights. This article acts as a vital shield, ensuring the supremacy of fundamental rights.
Q509. Match List I with List II:
Choose the correct code:
| Type of Writ | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|
| A. Habeas Corpus | i. By what authority or warrant |
| B. Mandamus | ii. To be certified or to be informed |
| C. Quo Warranto | iii. We command |
| D. Certiorari | iv. To have the body of |
Explanation
Habeas Corpus literally means "to have the body of," used against illegal detention. Mandamus means "we command," directing public officials to perform duties. Quo Warranto means "by what authority," questioning the legality of holding a public office. Certiorari means "to be certified," used by higher courts to quash orders of lower courts or various quasi-judicial bodies.
Q510. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the writ of Habeas Corpus.
Explanation
The principle of res judicata, which prevents the same case from being litigated twice, does not apply strictly to petitions for Habeas Corpus. This means an individual can file a new petition if the previous one was dismissed, provided new grounds exist. This exception exists because the writ protects the fundamental right to personal liberty against unlawful or arbitrary detention.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 501 | (c) 34 |
| 502 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 503 | (a) Article 126 |
| 504 | (c) A High Court judge temporarily appointed to the Supreme Court due to lack of quorum. |
| 505 | (b) II and III only |
| 506 | (d) The power of the judiciary to pronounce upon the constitutionality of laws and executive orders. |
| 507 | (b) United States of America |
| 508 | (a) Article 13 |
| 509 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-i, D-ii |
| 510 | (a) The principle of res judicata applies strictly to the writ of Habeas Corpus. |
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.