Polity & Governance — UPSC Prelims practice questions

Question 1

Consider the following statements about the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue):
1. It consists of India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
2. It was first initiated in 2007 but was revived in 2017.
3. It has evolved into a formal military alliance.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 1 and 3 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(A) 1 and 2 only — Correct. The Quad comprises India, the US, Japan, and Australia (Statement 1), and it was first conceptualized around 2007 before being revived in 2017 (Statement 2). Statement 3 is incorrect as the Quad is not a formal military alliance but a strategic forum for cooperation on regional issues.

Question 2

For election to the Lok Sabha, a nomination paper can be filed by: (A) Anyone residing in India. (B) A resident of the constituency from which the election is to be contested. (C) Any citizen of India whose name appears in the electoral roll of a constituency. (D) Any citizen of India.

Accepted Answer

(C) Any citizen of India whose name appears in the electoral roll of a constituency. — Correct. A candidate for the Lok Sabha must be a citizen of India whose name appears in the electoral roll of any parliamentary constituency, satisfying the statutory qualifications under election law.

Question 3

Consider the following statements about ad hoc judges of the Supreme Court:
1. Under Article 127, the Chief Justice of India can appoint a judge of a High Court as an ad hoc judge of the Supreme Court with the previous consent of the President.
2. An ad hoc judge has the same jurisdiction and powers as a regular Supreme Court judge while sitting.
3. Ad hoc judges can be appointed when there is no quorum of permanent judges to hold a session.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 3 only (B) 1, 2 and 3 (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1 and 2 only

Accepted Answer

(B) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. Article 127 allows the CJI to appoint HC judges as ad hoc judges with presidential consent when there is no quorum. Ad hoc judges enjoy the same jurisdiction and powers as regular judges during their sitting.

Question 4

Which of the following matters require a special majority in Parliament?
1. Removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha
2. Passing of a Constitution Amendment Bill
3. Passing of an ordinary bill at a joint sitting
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(B) 2 only — Correct. Only a Constitution Amendment Bill under Article 368 requires a special majority (majority of total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting). The Speaker's removal requires an effective majority, and a joint sitting bill is passed by a simple majority.

Question 5

In which of the following scenarios is the Governor's role most significant in exercising personal discretion? (A) When signing a Money Bill passed by the State Legislature (B) When a State has a hung assembly and no party has a clear majority (C) When approving the annual budget of the State (D) When appointing the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

Accepted Answer

(B) When a State has a hung assembly and no party has a clear majority — Correct. In a hung assembly situation, the Governor exercises significant personal discretion in deciding whom to invite to form the government, whether to allow a coalition, and the time frame for proving majority.

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