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 81–90 of 944 questions
Browse Indian Polity and Governance chapters
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
Q81. Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): The Indian Constitution provides for only a single citizenship, that is, the Indian citizenship. Reason (R): Article 9 states that no person shall be a citizen of India if he has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of any foreign state.
Explanation
India maintains a system of single citizenship to promote national unity. The Constitution does not recognize dual citizenship. Article 9 reinforces this by stating that anyone who voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship automatically loses their Indian citizenship. This ensures that an Indian citizen owes allegiance only to the Union of India, unlike federal systems like the United States where dual citizenship exists.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
Q82. Which of the following articles does not directly deal with the determination of citizenship status at the commencement of the Constitution?
Explanation
While Articles 5, 6, 7, and 8 specify the different categories of persons who were deemed citizens at the commencement of the Constitution, Article 11 does not determine anyone’s status. Instead, it empowers the Parliament to enact laws for the future acquisition and termination of citizenship. Thus, Article 11 is a source of legislative power rather than a provision defining initial citizenship status.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
Q83. A person who migrated to Pakistan from India after March 1, 1947, but later returned to India for resettlement under a permit. Under which Article could they be deemed to be a citizen of India at the commencement of the Constitution?
Explanation
Article 7 of the Constitution addresses the complex situation of persons who migrated to Pakistan after March 1, 1947, but later returned to India for resettlement under a valid permit. Such persons could be deemed citizens of India at the commencement if they had resided in India for at least six months following their return and submitted an application for registration.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
Q84. Identify the correct statement regarding ‘domicile’ in the context of Article 5:
Explanation
Under Article 5, ‘domicile’ is a crucial requirement for citizenship. It consists of two essential elements: actual residence in a place and the intention to remain there permanently or indefinitely. Mere temporary presence, such as for study or travel, does not constitute domicile. A person can have multiple residences but, under the law, they can only have one domicile at any given time.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
Q85. Consider the following modes of acquiring citizenship: I. By Birth II. By Descent III. By Registration IV. By Naturalisation Which of the above combination of modes is provided under the Citizenship Act, 1955?
Explanation
The Citizenship Act of 1955 provides for five different ways of acquiring Indian citizenship after the commencement of the Constitution. These include citizenship by birth, citizenship by descent, citizenship by registration, citizenship by naturalisation, and citizenship by incorporation of territory. Each mode has specific legal requirements and procedures that must be followed as prescribed by the central government and the Act.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
Q86. Acquisition of citizenship ‘by descent’ under the Citizenship Act, 1955 applies primarily to a person who is:
Explanation
Citizenship by descent is the mode through which a person born outside the territory of India can acquire Indian citizenship based on their parentage. For instance, a person born outside India on or after January 26, 1950, is a citizen by descent if their father (or later, either parent) was a citizen of India at the time of birth, subject to registration.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
Q87. Given below are two statements regarding the modes of acquiring citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955: Statement I: Registration is a mode primarily available to persons of Indian origin who are ordinarily resident in India. Statement II: Naturalisation is a mode of acquiring citizenship available to foreigners who are not of Indian origin, subject to certain conditions. Identify the correct option:
Explanation
Registration is a pathway typically used by persons of Indian origin, spouses of Indian citizens, or minor children of citizens who are already resident in India for a certain period. Naturalisation, however, is the process by which a foreigner who is not of Indian origin and is not an illegal migrant can apply for citizenship after meeting specific criteria, including long residency.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
Q88. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer from the options given below:
Mode of Acquisition
Specific Condition
A. By Birth
i. Requires the applicant to take an oath of allegiance and renounce previous citizenship.
B. By Registration
ii. Applies to a person married to a citizen of India and ordinarily resident for 7 years.
C. By Naturalisation
iii. Central Government specifies the persons who shall be citizens by notification.
D. By Incorporation of Territory
iv. Depends on the date of birth within the territory of India and the citizenship status of parents.
Explanation
Citizenship by birth depends on being born in India and the citizenship status of parents. Registration applies to those married to Indian citizens after seven years of residence. Naturalisation requires an oath of allegiance and renouncing foreign citizenship. In cases of incorporation of territory, the Central Government issues a notification specifying the residents who shall become citizens of India from a notified date.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
Q89. Which of the following statements is correct regarding the acquisition of citizenship by incorporation of territory?
Explanation
If a foreign territory becomes a part of India, the Government of India specifies the persons of that territory who shall be the citizens of India. Such persons become the citizens of India from the notified date. For example, when Pondicherry became a part of India, the Government issued the Citizenship (Pondicherry) Order, 1962, under the Citizenship Act, 1955, to grant citizenship.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
Q90. A child is born in India in 2010. The father is a foreign diplomat stationed in New Delhi and the mother is an Indian citizen. Will the child acquire Indian citizenship by birth under the Citizenship Act, 1955?
Explanation
Under the Citizenship Act, 1955, there are certain exceptions to the rule of citizenship by birth. Children of foreign diplomats and children of enemy aliens born on Indian soil during a period of war do not acquire Indian citizenship by birth. This is an international practice that recognizes the diplomatic immunity and the specific status of such individuals while serving in foreign countries.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
81
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
82
(d) Art. 11
83
(c) Article 7
84
(d) Domicile implies residence with the intention of permanently residing in a particular territory.
85
(d) I, II, III and IV
86
(b) Born outside India after 26 Jan 1950 with an Indian citizen parent.
87
(c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
88
(a) A-iv, B-ii, C-i, D-iii
89
(c) The Central Government specifies by notification who shall become citizens.
90
(a) No, as children of foreign diplomats are ineligible for birth citizenship.
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.
