Q521. Which of the following statements about the Advisory Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (Article 143) is incorrect?
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 521–530 of 944 questions
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Q522. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Supreme Court can refuse to exercise its original jurisdiction in a dispute arising out of a pre-Constitution treaty or agreement.
Reason (R): The Constitution explicitly states that original jurisdiction shall not extend to disputes arising out of treaties or agreements executed before the commencement of the Constitution which continue in operation. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Supreme Court can refuse to exercise its original jurisdiction in a dispute arising out of a pre-Constitution treaty or agreement.
Reason (R): The Constitution explicitly states that original jurisdiction shall not extend to disputes arising out of treaties or agreements executed before the commencement of the Constitution which continue in operation. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
The original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 131 is explicitly restricted. It does not extend to disputes arising out of any treaty, agreement, or covenant which was executed before the commencement of the Constitution and continues to be in operation. This constitutional bar ensures that such historical legal obligations are handled through alternative mechanisms rather than direct original litigation.
Q523. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched regarding the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?
Explanation
Article 132 provides for the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in cases involving the interpretation of the Constitution. Article 133 covers civil matters, while Article 134 deals with criminal matters. Article 134A was inserted later to provide for a certificate for appeal to the Supreme Court.
Q524. The writ of Mandamus cannot be issued against which of the following?
Explanation
The writ of mandamus is a command to perform a public duty. It cannot be issued against the President of India or the Governors of States. Additionally, it cannot be issued against private individuals, acting Chief Justices, or to enforce departmental instructions that lack statutory force. These immunities and limitations are essential to maintain the balance of power between different branches.
Q525. Consider the following statements regarding the writ of Certiorari:
I. It is issued to quash the order of a lower court or tribunal.
II. It can be issued against legislative bodies and private individuals.
III. It is available only against judicial and quasi-judicial authorities, and recently administrative authorities affecting rights of individuals.
Which of the above statements are correct?
I. It is issued to quash the order of a lower court or tribunal.
II. It can be issued against legislative bodies and private individuals.
III. It is available only against judicial and quasi-judicial authorities, and recently administrative authorities affecting rights of individuals.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Certiorari is issued by a higher court to quash an order already passed by a lower court or tribunal. While it was traditionally used only against judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, its scope has expanded to include administrative authorities affecting individual rights. However, it still cannot be issued against legislative bodies or private individuals, making the second statement in the question incorrect.
Q526. Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India is a product of:
Explanation
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a significant outcome of judicial activism in India. It represents a departure from traditional legal procedures, allowing the court to take up cases concerning the rights of the public or underprivileged sections. This mechanism has enabled the judiciary to play a proactive role in addressing social grievances and ensuring that the rule of law is maintained.
Q527. Who among the following former Chief Justices of India is widely considered the pioneer of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India?
Explanation
Justice P.N. Bhagwati, along with Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, is widely regarded as the pioneer of Public Interest Litigation in India. During his tenure, he introduced various legal innovations that relaxed the traditional rule of locus standi. This allowed any public-spirited individual to approach the court for the enforcement of the rights of those unable to do so themselves.
Q528. The concept of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) originated in which country?
Explanation
The concept of Public Interest Litigation originated in the United States of America in the 1960s. It was designed to provide legal representation to unrepresented groups, such as the poor, environmentalists, and consumers. India adopted this concept in the late 1970s and early 1980s, adapting it to the specific socio-economic challenges and constitutional requirements of the Indian legal landscape.
Q529. Match List I with List II:
Choose the correct code:
| Concept/Term | Description |
|---|---|
| A. Locus Standi | i. A matter that has been adjudicated by a competent court |
| B. Amicus Curiae | ii. The right or capacity to bring an action or to appear in a court |
| C. Epistolary Jurisdiction | iii. Accepting letters or telegrams as writ petitions |
| D. Res Judicata | iv. Friend of the court |
Explanation
Locus standi refers to the right to bring an action to court. Amicus curiae is a friend of the court who assists by providing information. Epistolary jurisdiction allows the court to treat letters or telegrams as writ petitions. Res judicata is the principle that a matter already adjudicated by a competent court cannot be relitigated by the same parties.
Q530. Which of the following best differentiates between Judicial Activism and Judicial Restraint?
Explanation
Judicial activism encourages judges to interpret the law creatively to protect individual rights and address societal issues, often filling legislative gaps. In contrast, judicial restraint advises judges to limit their power, showing deference to the laws enacted by elected representatives in the legislature. Restraint emphasizes that courts should only strike down laws if they clearly and directly violate the Constitution’s text.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 521 | (a) The opinion expressed by the Supreme Court under Article 143 is binding on the President. |
| 522 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 523 | (a) Article 132 - Appellate jurisdiction in constitutional cases. |
| 524 | (c) The President of India |
| 525 | (c) I and III only |
| 526 | (a) Judicial Activism |
| 527 | (b) Justice P.N. Bhagwati |
| 528 | (b) United States of America |
| 529 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i |
| 530 | (c) Activism involves interpreting the Constitution to address social injustices, whereas restraint defers to elected branches. |
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.