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 681–690 of 944 questions
Browse Indian Polity and Governance chapters
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q681. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The Bommai case judgment limited the arbitrary use of Article 356 by the Central Government. Reason (R): The Supreme Court held that the subjective satisfaction of the President in invoking Article 356 is entirely beyond judicial review. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
The S.R. Bommai case was a landmark judgment that brought the President’s power under Article 356 within the ambit of judicial review. The Supreme Court held that the satisfaction of the President must be based on relevant material and is not absolute. This decision significantly limited the Centre’s ability to dismiss state governments for purely political reasons, strengthening federalism.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q682. Select the correct sequence of parliamentary steps required for the continuation of a National Emergency under Article 352.
Explanation
To continue a National Emergency, it must first be approved by a special majority in both Houses of Parliament within one month of its proclamation. Following this initial approval, the emergency must be renewed every six months by another special majority resolution. This process, introduced by the Forty-fourth Amendment, ensures continuous legislative oversight and prevents the indefinite extension of emergency powers.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q683. Which of the following is a direct consequence of a Financial Emergency on federalism?
Explanation
A Financial Emergency leads to a significant reduction in the financial autonomy of states. The Centre gains the authority to give directions to states regarding financial propriety and can require state money bills to be reserved for the President’s consideration. This centralization of financial control is intended to stabilize the national economy during periods of extreme financial distress or instability.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q684. Consider the following constitutional bodies/ offices: I. Judges of the Supreme Court II. Judges of the High Courts III. Persons serving in connection with the affairs of a State IV. Persons serving in connection with the affairs of the Union Which among the above can have their salaries reduced during a Financial Emergency?
Explanation
During a Financial Emergency, the President can order the reduction of salaries and allowances for several classes of persons. This includes those serving the Union, those serving a State, and judges of both the Supreme Court and High Courts. These provisions enable the government to manage a fiscal crisis by reducing expenditure across the entire administrative and judicial framework.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q685. What happens if the Lok Sabha is dissolved at the time of the proclamation of a National Emergency?
Explanation
If the Lok Sabha is dissolved when a National Emergency is proclaimed, the proclamation survives if the Rajya Sabha approves it within one month. Once the Lok Sabha is reconstituted, it must also approve the proclamation within thirty days of its first sitting. This ensures that the emergency remains valid even during a transition in the lower house of the Parliament.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q686. Arrange the following steps regarding the revocation of a National Emergency via the Lok Sabha in the correct procedural order: A. The President revokes the emergency proclamation. B. Notice is given in writing to the Speaker or the President. C. A special sitting of the House is held within 14 days. D. One-tenth of the total members of the Lok Sabha issue a notice. E. A resolution disapproving the continuation of the emergency is passed by a simple majority. Select the correct sequence:
Explanation
To revoke a National Emergency through the Lok Sabha, one-tenth of its members must first give a written notice. This notice is submitted to the Speaker or the President. A special sitting of the House is then held within fourteen days. If the Lok Sabha passes a resolution disapproving the continuation by a simple majority, the President must revoke it.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q687. Identify the incorrect statement concerning Article 20 of the Indian Constitution during an emergency.
Explanation
The immunity of Articles 20 and 21 was established by the 44th Amendment Act. Article 20 provides protection against arbitrary and excessive punishment to any person accused of an offence. The Forty-fourth Amendment Act made Articles 20 and 21 immune from suspension during an emergency. This ensures that even when the country is under stress, individuals retain their fundamental rights to a fair trial and protection of life.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q688. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Emergency Declaration
Underlying Cause
A. First National Emergency
i. Threat to credit or financial stability
B. Second National Emergency
ii. War in Bangladesh (East Pakistan)
C. Third National Emergency
iii. JP Movement and political crisis
D. Any Financial Emergency
iv. Sino-Indian conflict
Explanation
The 1962 emergency was triggered by Chinese aggression. The 1971 emergency occurred during the war that led to Bangladesh’s creation. The 1975 emergency followed the JP movement and political instability. While a Financial Emergency is for credit threats, none has been declared. These events represent critical junctures where the Indian state invoked special powers to manage security crises.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q689. Read the following two statements carefully: Statement I: Article 358 suspends Article 19 for the entire duration of the National Emergency. Statement II: Article 359 suspends the Fundamental Rights themselves. Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Article 358 automatically suspends the rights under Article 19 for the entire duration of an external emergency. However, Article 359 does not suspend the Fundamental Rights themselves. Instead, it only suspends the right to move any court for the enforcement of the rights specified in the Presidential order. The rights remain theoretically alive, but their judicial remedy is unavailable.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Emergency Provisions
Q690. According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Article 356 was expected to remain a:
Explanation
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar hoped that Article 356 would remain a dead letter and would be used only as a last resort. He believed that the Union would intervene in state affairs only when it was absolutely necessary to preserve the constitutional order. However, history shows that the provision has been used frequently, often for purely political reasons.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
681
(c) A is true but R is false.
682
(d) Introduction in Parliament Approval by Special Majority within 1 month Renewal every 6 months
683
(c) Financial autonomy of states is nullified as the Centre directs their matters.
684
(d) I, II, III and IV
685
(a) Proclamation survives if Rajya Sabha approves within one month, and Lok Sabha within 30 days of first sitting.
686
(c) D, B, C, E, A
687
(a) The immunity of Article 20 was established by the 42nd Amendment Act.
688
(d) A-iv, B-ii, C-iii, D-i
689
(c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.
690
(d) Dead letter
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.
