Q771. An urban local body is given the responsibility for "Slum improvement and upgradation," while a rural local body handles "Rural housing". These functions are respectively listed in the:
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 771–780 of 944 questions
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Q772. Following the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act was enacted and implemented in the state in which year?
Explanation
Following the passage of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1992, all states were required to bring their local laws into conformity with the new constitutional provisions. In response, the state of Rajasthan enacted the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act in 1994.
Q773. The discretionary powers of a Mayor usually exclude which of the following items?
Explanation
The Mayor’s role is primarily political and ceremonial, involving leading debates and representing the city at official functions. They can propose welfare resolutions for the council to consider. However, the power to issue direct transfer orders for the Municipal Commissioner is not a discretionary power of the Mayor; such administrative personnel decisions are typically handled by the state government.
Q774. Identify the correct pair matching the Constitutional Part with the institutions it covers:
Explanation
Part IX of the Indian Constitution, added by the 73rd Amendment, contains the provisions relating to Panchayats. Part IXA, added by the 74th Amendment, contains the provisions relating to Municipalities. These parts provide the constitutional foundation for local self-government in India, ensuring that both rural and urban institutions have a clear legal status, regular elections, and defined functional domains.
Q775. The Ashok Mehta Committee (1978) proposed the creation of Nyaya Panchayats. Who was recommended to preside over them?
Explanation
The Ashok Mehta Committee recommended the establishment of Nyaya Panchayats as separate judicial bodies to handle local disputes, keeping them distinct from the development-oriented Panchayats. To ensure the impartiality and legal competence of these bodies, the committee recommended that they should be presided over by a qualified judge, rather than by elected village leaders or administrative officials.
Q776. Read the following statements regarding local financial powers:
Statement I: Gram Panchayats have absolute constitutional authority to levy any tax they deem fit without state intervention.
Statement II: The state legislature authorizes a Panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate certain taxes, duties, and tolls.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: Gram Panchayats have absolute constitutional authority to levy any tax they deem fit without state intervention.
Statement II: The state legislature authorizes a Panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate certain taxes, duties, and tolls.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Panchayats do not have absolute constitutional authority to levy any taxes at their own discretion. Instead, Article 243H specifies that the state legislature must pass laws to authorize a Panchayat to levy, collect, and appropriate specific taxes, duties, tolls, and fees. This ensures that the financial powers of local bodies are exercised within a framework established by the state.
Q777. A District Planning Committee is constitutionally mandated to:
Explanation
The constitutional mandate of a District Planning Committee is to serve as a bridge between various local government units. It is specifically required to consolidate the development plans prepared by the Panchayats and Municipalities within the district. By doing so, the committee creates a draft development plan for the entire district, ensuring that rural and urban development goals are harmonized.
Q778. The Election Commission of India derives its authority for the superintendence, direction, and control of elections directly from which Article of the Constitution?
Explanation
Article 324 of the Constitution provides for the establishment of an independent body to ensure free and fair elections. It vests the power of superintendence, direction, and control of all elections to Parliament and State Legislatures, as well as to the offices of the President and Vice- President, in the commission. This article ensures that the electoral process remains free from executive interference, maintaining the democratic integrity of the nation. It grants the commission plenary powers to handle unforeseen situations during the conduct of elections, provided they do not contravene existing laws.
Q779. Which of the following statements regarding the independence of the Election Commission is incorrect?
Explanation
While the Constitution provides security of tenure and ensures service conditions are not varied to the disadvantage of the Chief Election Commissioner, it does not explicitly debar retiring commissioners from further government appointments. This omission is often cited as a weakness in the framework intended to safeguard the commission’s absolute independence. Other safeguards include the removal process for the Chief Election Commissioner and the requirement of his recommendation for the removal of other commissioners. However, the lack of a post-retirement bar distinguishes it from bodies like the Union Public Service Commission.
Q780. Consider the following statements regarding the appointment and removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC):
Statement I: The CEC is appointed by the President of India.
Statement II: The CEC can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: The CEC is appointed by the President of India.
Statement II: The CEC can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The President of India appoints the Chief Election Commissioner. To safeguard the office from executive interference, the removal process is stringent. The commissioner can only be removed from office in a manner and on grounds identical to a Supreme Court judge, which requires a special majority in both houses of Parliament. This constitutional protection ensures that the head of the election machinery can function without fear of arbitrary dismissal by the ruling party. The grounds for removal are limited to proved misbehavior or incapacity, mirroring the high standards set for the senior judiciary.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 771 | (d) 12th Schedule and 11th Schedule |
| 772 | (a) 1994 |
| 773 | (c) Issuing direct transfer orders for the Municipal Commissioner. |
| 774 | (a) Part IXA - Municipalities |
| 775 | (d) A qualified judge |
| 776 | (b) Statement II is correct and Statement I is incorrect. |
| 777 | (c) Consolidate the plans prepared by the Panchayats and Municipalities in the district. |
| 778 | (b) Article 324 |
| 779 | (a) The Constitution has debarred retiring Election Commissioners from any further appointment by the government. |
| 780 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct |
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.