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 591–600 of 944 questions
Browse Indian Polity and Governance chapters
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q591. Arrange the following constitutional steps in the correct chronological sequence for when a State fails to comply with a legitimate direction given by the Union under Article 256: I. The President considers the breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State. II. The Union issues a formal executive direction to the State. III. The President imposes President’s Rule under Article 356. IV. Article 365 is invoked establishing that a situation has arisen where the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution.
Explanation
The process begins when the Union issues a formal direction to a state under Article 256. If the state fails to comply, Article 365 is invoked, establishing that the state cannot be governed constitutionally. The President then considers this a breakdown of constitutional machinery. Finally, after this assessment, President’s Rule is formally imposed under Article 356 to restore lawful administration.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q592. Which of the following statements regarding the adjudication of inter-state water disputes under Article 262 is correct?
Explanation
Article 262 empowers Parliament to provide for the adjudication of disputes relating to inter-state river waters. Crucially, Parliament can by law exclude the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and all other courts in these matters. Instead, specific tribunals are created to resolve these complex issues, ensuring that technical and regional considerations are prioritized over standard judicial proceedings in water-sharing conflicts.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q593. Under which Article of the Constitution of India can the Parliament create a new All-India Service?
Explanation
Article 312 of the Indian Constitution grants Parliament the authority to create new All-India Services. These services are common to both the Union and the States. The inclusion of this article underscores the federal nature of the Indian administration, as these officers serve both levels of government, ensuring a high standard of administrative efficiency and national integration across the various states.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q594. The creation of a new All-India Service requires a resolution to be passed by the:
Explanation
The creation of a new All-India Service must be initiated in the Rajya Sabha. Under Article 312, the Council of States must pass a resolution supported by at least two-thirds of the members present and voting, declaring it necessary in the national interest. This gives the states, represented in the Rajya Sabha, a decisive voice in expanding the administrative framework shared with the Union.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q595. Match the Committees/Commissions in List-I with their corresponding recommendations/ views regarding All-India Services (AIS) in List- II:
Committees/Commissions
Recommendations or Views on AIS
A. Rajamannar Committee
i. Supported strengthening of AIS and creation of new ones
B. Sarkaria Commission
ii. Recommended abolition of IAS and IPS
C. Anandpur Sahib Resolution
iii. Called for decentralization, effectively diminishing central services’ role in states
D. First Administrative Reforms Commission
iv. Emphasized retaining AIS but urged better personnel management and state consultation
Explanation
The Rajamannar Committee recommended abolishing IAS and IPS to increase state autonomy, while the Sarkaria Commission favored strengthening these services for national unity. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution advocated for decentralization to reduce central control.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q596. In the context of All-India Services (IAS and IPS), how is the disciplinary control managed between the Union and the States?
Explanation
All-India Service officers are recruited and trained by the Central Government but assigned to state cadres. Consequently, the state government exercises immediate disciplinary and administrative control over them during their posting. However, the ultimate power to take major disciplinary actions, such as dismissal or removal from service, rests solely with the Union Government, ensuring the independence and security of tenure for these officers.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q597. Identify the correct pair regarding the cadre controlling authority for the respective All-India Services:
Explanation
Each All-India Service is managed by a specific cadre controlling authority at the central level. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change manages the Indian Forest Service. The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions controls the Indian Administrative Service, while the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for the Indian Police Service. This structure ensures specialized oversight for each administrative branch.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q598. Consider the following members: I. Prime Minister as the Chairman II. Chief Ministers of all States III. Six Central Cabinet Ministers nominated by the Prime Minister IV. Chief Justice of India Which of the above are part of the Inter-State Council as constituted under Article 263?
Explanation
The Inter-State Council consists of the Prime Minister as Chairman, the Chief Ministers of all states and union territories with legislatures, and six Union Cabinet ministers nominated by the Prime Minister. Administrators of union territories without legislatures also participate. The Chief Justice of India is not a member of this council, which is designed as a political and administrative forum for inter-governmental coordination.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q599. Who is empowered by the Constitution of India to establish an Inter-State Council if it appears that the public interests would be served by its establishment?
Explanation
Article 263 of the Constitution empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council if it is deemed that such a body would serve the public interest. The President also defines the nature of the duties to be performed by the council and its organization. This constitutional provision aims to facilitate coordination between the Union and the States through investigation and discussion of common interests.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q600. The following question consists of two statements -- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option: Assertion (A): The recommendations made by the Inter-State Council are strictly advisory in nature and not binding on the Union or State governments. Reason (R): Article 263 states that the Council’s function is to inquire into and advise upon disputes and to make recommendations for better coordination of policy.
Explanation
The Inter-State Council is primarily an advisory body. According to Article 263, its purpose is to inquire into disputes, discuss common interests, and recommend policies for better coordination. Because its role is to facilitate dialogue and voluntary cooperation between different levels of government, its recommendations are not legally binding, leaving the final decision-making power to the respective Union or State governments.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
591
(a) II, IV, I, III
592
(c) Parliament may legally exclude all courts from such disputes.
593
(b) Article 312
594
(d) Rajya Sabha resolution by a two-thirds majority of members voting.
595
(b) A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv
596
(c) Immediate control by the State and ultimate control by the Union.
597
(a) Indian Forest Service - Ministry of Environment.
598
(b) I, II and III only
599
(b) The President of India
600
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
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.
