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 641–650 of 944 questions
Browse Indian Polity and Governance chapters
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q641. Consider the following recommendations: I. Provision for a ‘localized emergency’ under Article 355 rather than declaring President’s Rule in the entire state. II. Giving a fixed tenure of five years to the Governor. III. Creation of a National Integration Council endowed with constitutional status. IV. The procedure for the impeachment of the Governor should be same as that of the President. V. Amending Article 263 to make the Inter- State Council’s advice binding on the Centre. Which of the above were among the key recommendations of the Punchhi Commission?
Explanation
The Punchhi Commission recommended providing for localized emergencies under Article 355 and giving Governors a fixed five-year tenure. It also suggested that the state legislature should have the power to impeach the Governor, similar to the President’s model. These recommendations were intended to increase the stability of the Governor’s office and provide more nuanced tools for the Union to manage internal security without overreaching.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q642. Which of the following statements about the Punchhi Commission’s view on the removal of the Governor is incorrect?
Explanation
The Punchhi Commission actually criticized the arbitrary removal of Governors and recommended deleting the phrase pleasure of the President from the Constitution. It argued for a fixed tenure and a formal impeachment process by the state legislature to protect the Governor from political interference by the Union. This view directly contradicts the idea of maintaining central control through the pleasure doctrine, aiming instead for gubernatorial independence.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q643. Which part of the Constitution of India contains the Emergency Provisions?
Explanation
Part XVIII of the Indian Constitution (Articles 352-360) deals with Emergency Provisions. These provisions allow the central government to handle abnormal situations. Part XV covers elections, Part XVI relates to special provisions for certain classes, and Part XX outlines the amendment process. Understanding these parts is crucial for candidates preparing for Indian polity and government exams.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q644. Under Article 352, a National Emergency can be declared on the basis of which of the following grounds?
Explanation
Article 352 permits a National Emergency proclamation on grounds of war, external aggression, or armed rebellion. Originally, internal disturbance was a ground, but the Forty-fourth Amendment substituted it with armed rebellion to prevent misuse. This ensures that only severe threats to national security or stability justify such a significant centralisation of executive and legislative powers across India.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q645. Identify the correct statement regarding the proclamation of National Emergency.
Explanation
A National Emergency under Article 352 can be declared for the whole of India or any specific territory. This flexibility was introduced by the Forty-second Amendment Act. It allows the government to focus resources and special powers where they are most needed, rather than affecting the entire nation if the crisis is localized to one region.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q646. Which Constitutional Amendment replaced the term internal disturbance with armed rebellion under Article 352?
Explanation
The Forty-fourth Amendment Act of 1978 changed internal disturbance to armed rebellion. This modification aimed to restrict the government’s power to declare a National Emergency, ensuring it happens only during violent uprisings. It was a reaction to the 1975 emergency, which many felt was declared on vague political grounds rather than actual security threats to the nation.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q647. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): During a National Emergency, the federal structure of India transforms into a unitary one. Reason (R): The executive power of the Centre extends to directing any State regarding the manner in which its executive power is to be exercised. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
During a National Emergency, the federal system becomes unitary without formal constitutional amendments. The Centre gains the power to direct any state on how to exercise its executive authority. This shift ensures a unified response to national crises. The executive power extension serves as the primary mechanism through which this structural transformation is achieved effectively across India.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q648. What is the fundamental difference between Article 358 and Article 359 regarding the suspension of Fundamental Rights?
Explanation
Article 358 deals with the automatic suspension of Article 19 once an external emergency is declared. Conversely, Article 359 does not automatically suspend any fundamental rights but empowers the President to suspend the right to move courts for their enforcement. This distinction is vital, as Article 359 requires a specific presidential order detailing which specific rights are affected.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q649. According to the 44th Constitutional Amendment, which of the following Fundamental Rights cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency?
Explanation
The Forty-fourth Amendment Act established that the enforcement of rights guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency. Article 20 provides protection regarding convictions for offences, while Article 21 ensures the right to life and personal liberty. These safeguards prevent the arbitrary deprivation of essential human rights during times of national crisis.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q650. The first National Emergency in India was proclaimed in which year and on what ground?
Explanation
The first National Emergency in India was proclaimed in October 1962. It was issued on the grounds of external aggression following Chinese aggression in the North-East Frontier Agency, now known as Arunachal Pradesh. This emergency remained in force during the 1965 war with Pakistan and was eventually revoked in January 1968, marking a significant period in history.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
641
(b) I, II and IV only
642
(b) Recommended that the Governor should continue to serve at the ‘pleasure of the President’ to ensure central control.
643
(b) Part XVIII
644
(a) War, External aggression, and Armed rebellion
645
(c) It can be proclaimed for the entire country or any part of it.
646
(d) 44th Amendment
647
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
648
(b) Article 358 suspends Article 19, whereas 359 requires an order for other rights.
649
(d) Articles 20 and 21
650
(a) 1962, External aggression
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.
