Q581. A resolution passed by the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) under Article 249 empowering Parliament to legislate on a State subject remains in force initially for a period not exceeding:
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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Q582. The following question consists of two statements -- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option:
Assertion (A): Any law passed by Parliament under Article 249 ceases to have effect on the expiration of six months after the resolution has ceased to be in force.
Reason (R): Laws made under Article 249 are temporary in nature and their validity depends strictly on the continuation of the Rajya Sabha resolution.
Assertion (A): Any law passed by Parliament under Article 249 ceases to have effect on the expiration of six months after the resolution has ceased to be in force.
Reason (R): Laws made under Article 249 are temporary in nature and their validity depends strictly on the continuation of the Rajya Sabha resolution.
Explanation
A law made under Article 249 ceases to operate six months after the resolution lapses. This is so because such laws are temporary and depend on the continuation of the Rajya Sabha resolution, so R explains A.
Q583. Under Article 252, if two or more States pass resolutions requesting Parliament to enact laws on a State subject, the resulting law enacted by Parliament:
Explanation
A law passed under Article 252 applies only to the States that passed the resolutions and to any State that adopts it later. Only Parliament can amend or repeal it.
Q584. Consider the following legislative tools allowing Parliament to intervene in the State List:
I. Article 249 (National Interest)
II. Article 250 (National Emergency)
III. Article 252 (Consent of States)
IV. Article 356 (President’s Rule) Under which of the above provisions does the State Legislature NOT lose its concurrent power to legislate on the same subject (though subject to repugnancy rules)?
I. Article 249 (National Interest)
II. Article 250 (National Emergency)
III. Article 252 (Consent of States)
IV. Article 356 (President’s Rule) Under which of the above provisions does the State Legislature NOT lose its concurrent power to legislate on the same subject (though subject to repugnancy rules)?
Explanation
Under Articles 249 and 250 the State Legislature keeps its power to legislate on the subject, though a conflict is settled in favour of the Union law. Under Articles 252 and 356 the position is different, so I and II only are correct.
Q585. In which of the following scenarios does the Parliament NOT have the authority to make laws on subjects enumerated in the State List?
Explanation
Parliament can legislate on State subjects to implement international agreements (Article 253), under President’s Rule (Article 356) and by a Rajya Sabha resolution (Article 249). A Financial Emergency under Article 360 does not give it that power.
Q586. Match the circumstances under which Parliament legislates on State subjects in List-I with their corresponding examples or features in List-II:
| Legislative Circumstances | Examples or Features |
|---|---|
| A. Rajya Sabha Resolution | i. Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 |
| B. National Emergency | ii. TRIPS agreement compliance |
| C. States’ Consent | iii. Valid for maximum 1 year unless renewed |
| D. International Agreement | iv. Laws become inoperative 6 months after emergency ends |
Explanation
A Rajya Sabha resolution is valid for a maximum of one year unless renewed, the laws made in a National Emergency lapse six months after it ends, the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 was made with States’ consent and TRIPS compliance is an example of treaty legislation. This gives A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii.
Q587. According to Article 256 of the Constitution, the executive power of every State shall be so exercised as to ensure compliance with:
Explanation
Article 256 requires the executive power of every State to be exercised so as to ensure compliance with the laws made by Parliament and existing laws applicable in the State.
Q588. Consider the following matters:
I. Construction and maintenance of means of communication of national or military importance.
II. Measures to be taken for the protection of railways within the State.
III. Provision of adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to linguistic minority groups.
IV. Drawing up and execution of specified schemes for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes in the State.
V. The day-to-day deployment of local police forces. Regarding which of the above matters can the Union executive give directions to the State executive?
I. Construction and maintenance of means of communication of national or military importance.
II. Measures to be taken for the protection of railways within the State.
III. Provision of adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to linguistic minority groups.
IV. Drawing up and execution of specified schemes for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes in the State.
V. The day-to-day deployment of local police forces. Regarding which of the above matters can the Union executive give directions to the State executive?
Explanation
The Union can issue executive directions to states regarding the maintenance of national communications, protection of railways, and schemes for Scheduled Tribes and linguistic minorities. These directions ensure that national interests and constitutional protections for vulnerable groups are upheld. However, the day-to-day deployment of local police is a state subject and typically falls under the exclusive administrative control of the state government.
Q589. Which of the following statements regarding the mutual delegation of executive functions between the Union and the States is incorrect?
Explanation
The Constitution allows for the mutual delegation of executive functions between the Union and the States, generally requiring the consent of the other party. While the President or Governor can entrust duties with consent, and Parliament can do so via law without state consent, a State Government cannot unilaterally entrust its functions to the Union. This ensures that the Union’s administrative burden is managed.
Q590. Regarding the application of Article 256 (obligation of States and the Union), which of the following views represents the most appropriate legal interpretation?
Explanation
Article 256 is intended as a safeguard to ensure states comply with parliamentary laws. Legally, it is viewed as a coercive tool that the Union should use sparingly and only after other administrative and legal dialogues have failed. Invoking such directions is a serious matter, as continued non-compliance by a state can lead to the imposition of President’s Rule under Article 365.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 581 | (b) One year |
| 582 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 583 | (a) Affects only participating States and those adopting it subsequently. |
| 584 | (a) I and II only |
| 585 | (b) During a Financial Emergency under Article 360. |
| 586 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 587 | (c) Compliance with Parliamentary laws and applicable existing statutes. |
| 588 | (d) I, II, III and IV only |
| 589 | (c) Unilateral entrustment of functions to the Union by the State. |
| 590 | (b) Coercive tool used only as a last resort after legal dialogue. |
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.