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Polity & Governance — UPSC Prelims MCQs

1,287+ practice questions across 17 chapters, including 327+ previous year questions— each with option-by-option explanations.

Chapters in Polity & Governance

Sample Polity & Governance questions

A preview of the kind of MCQs you'll practise — with the correct answer and explanation.

Q1Polity & GovernanceImportant Acts and Rights-Based GovernancePYQ 2023

Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002: Statement I: One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm x 400 mm. Statement II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2. Which one of the following is correct?

  • ABoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
  • BBoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
  • CStatement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
  • DStatement I is incorrect but Statement II is correctCorrect

Explanation

Correct. The Flag Code of India, 2002 prescribes a 3:2 length-to-width ratio (Statement II is correct). However, 600 mm x 400 mm is not listed among the approved standard sizes in the Flag Code, making Statement I incorrect despite maintaining the correct ratio.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

Statement I is incorrect because 600 mm x 400 mm is not one of the approved standard sizes listed in the Flag Code, even though the ratio 600:400 simplifies to 3:2.

Option B

Statement I is incorrect. The Flag Code's notified standard-size table does not include 600 mm x 400 mm as an approved dimension.

Option C

Statement II is correct, not incorrect. The Flag Code of India prescribes a 3:2 length-to-width ratio for the National Flag.

Q2Polity & GovernanceParliament and State LegislaturesPYQ 2012

Which of the following special powers have been conferred on the Rajya Sabha by the Constitution of India?

  • ATo change the existing territory of a State and to change the name of a State
  • BTo pass a resolution empowering the Parliament to make laws in the State List and to create one or more All India ServicesCorrect
  • CTo amend the election procedure of the President and to determine the pension of the President after his/her retirement
  • DTo determine the functions of the Election Commission and to determine the number of Election Commissioners

Explanation

Correct. Under Article 249, the Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting to authorise Parliament to legislate on State List matters in the national interest. Under Article 312, it can similarly authorise creation of All India Services.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

Alteration of State boundaries and names is done through ordinary legislation under Article 3, which requires a simple majority in both Houses. This is not a special power of the Rajya Sabha.

Option C

The election procedure of the President is laid down in the Constitution itself, and pension matters are determined by law. Neither is a special power of the Rajya Sabha.

Option D

The functions and composition of the Election Commission are governed by constitutional provisions and parliamentary legislation, not by special resolutions of the Rajya Sabha.

Q3Polity & GovernanceConstitutional Bodies

The CAG submits audit reports relating to the accounts of the Union Government to:

  • AThe Prime Minister
  • BThe President, who causes them to be laid before ParliamentCorrect
  • CThe Speaker of Lok Sabha
  • DThe Public Accounts Committee directly

Explanation

Correct. Under Article 151(1), the CAG submits reports relating to the Union accounts to the President, who causes them to be laid before each House of Parliament.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

The CAG does not submit reports to the Prime Minister. The constitutional route is through the President to Parliament.

Option C

The Speaker receives the report when it is laid before the Lok Sabha, but the CAG submits the report to the President, not to the Speaker directly.

Option D

The PAC examines the CAG's reports after they are laid before Parliament. The CAG does not submit reports directly to the PAC.

Q4Polity & GovernanceNon-Constitutional Bodies

Consider the following statements about the RTI Act, 2005: 1. Every public authority is required to maintain and proactively publish certain categories of information under Section 4. 2. Information relating to third parties can be disclosed if the public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm to the protected interests of that third party. 3. The Act applies to all States and Union Territories including Jammu & Kashmir. Which of the above statements are correct?

  • A1 and 2 only
  • B1, 2 and 3Correct
  • C1 and 3 only
  • D2 only

Explanation

Correct. Section 4 mandates proactive disclosure by public authorities. Section 11 allows third-party information disclosure when public interest outweighs harm. The Act now applies across all States and UTs, including J&K.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

Statement 3 is also correct. After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the RTI Act applies to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Even before that, J&K had its own State RTI Act.

Option C

Statement 2 is also correct. The public interest override provision for third-party information exists under Section 11 of the Act.

Option D

Statements 1 and 3 are also correct. The proactive disclosure mandate and pan-India applicability are established features.

Q5Polity & GovernancePolitical Theory and Comparative Concepts

Which of the following correctly describes 'collective responsibility' in a parliamentary system?

  • AAll members of Parliament are collectively responsible for the decisions of the government.
  • BThe entire council of ministers must resign if the government loses the confidence of the lower house.Correct
  • CEach minister is individually responsible for every decision taken by the cabinet.
  • DThe Prime Minister alone is responsible for all government decisions.

Explanation

Correct. Collective responsibility means that the entire council of ministers stands or falls together. If the government loses a confidence vote in the lower house, all ministers must resign, regardless of their individual views.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

Only the council of ministers, not all members of Parliament, is collectively responsible. Opposition members have no such obligation.

Option C

Individual responsibility means each minister is answerable for the working of their department. Collective responsibility is different — it means all ministers publicly support cabinet decisions or resign.

Option D

While the Prime Minister leads the government, collective responsibility is shared by the entire council of ministers, not borne by the PM alone.

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