Polity & Governance MCQs pdf for IAS Prelims

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1. Constitution and Fundamental Rights:

The constitution outlines the fundamental principles and framework of governance.
Fundamental Rights ensure individual liberties, including the right to equality, freedom, and protection against discrimination.
2. Separation of Powers:

The government’s functions are divided into three branches: Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, to prevent abuse of power.
3. Federalism:

India is a federal republic, with powers shared between the central government and states.
4. Parliament:

Consists of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
Responsible for lawmaking, representing citizens, and overseeing the government.
5. President:

The ceremonial head of the state with limited powers.
Executes laws, appoints officials, and represents India internationally.
6. Prime Minister and Council of Ministers:

The Prime Minister is the head of the government and leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha.
The Council of Ministers assists the Prime Minister in decision-making.
7. Judiciary:

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority and ensures the rule of law.
Ensures the constitutionality of laws and protects citizens’ rights.
8. State Governments:

Each state has its own legislature, executive, and judiciary.
Responsible for matters not explicitly under central government jurisdiction.
9. Panchayati Raj and Local Governance:

Decentralized governance through elected local bodies to ensure local development and participation.
10. Electoral System:
– India follows a parliamentary democracy with regular elections at various levels.

11. Political Parties and Elections:
– Political parties play a crucial role in the democratic process, contesting elections and forming governments.

12. Public Administration:
– The bureaucracy implements government policies and administers programs.

13. Constitutional Bodies:
– Bodies like the Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) ensure the integrity of governance.

14. Accountability and Transparency:
– Good governance emphasizes accountability, transparency, and the participation of citizens.

15. Public Policy and Welfare Schemes:
– The government formulates policies to address social, economic, and developmental challenges.

16. Challenges and Reforms:
– Governance faces challenges like corruption, inefficiency, and regional disparities, prompting reforms for improved administration.

17. International Relations and Foreign Policy:
– The government manages diplomatic relations, trade, and international cooperation.

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Most Important Polity & Governance Question Answer

Features borrowed From the United Kingdom;

• Nominal Head – President (like Queen)

• Cabinet System of Ministers

• Post of PM

• Parliamentary Type of Govt.

• Bicameral Parliament

• Lower House is more powerful

• Council of Ministers responsible to Lower House

• Speaker in Lok Sabha

Features borrowed From the U.S.A.

• Written Constitution

• Executive head of state known as President and his being the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces

• Vice-President as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

• Fundamental Rights

• Supreme Court

• Provision of States

• Independence of Judiciary and judicial review

• Preamble

• Removal of Supreme Court and High Court Judges

Features borrowed From USSR

• Fundamental Duties

• Five-year Plan

Features borrowed From Australia

• Concurrent list

• Language of the preamble

Features borrowed From Japan

• Laws on which the Supreme Court functions

From the Weimar Constitution of Germany

• Suspension of Fundamental Rights during the emergency

Features borrowed From Canada

• Scheme of federation with a strong centre

• Distribution of powers between the centre and the states

• And placing residuary powers with the centre

Features borrowed From Ireland

• Concept of Directive Principles of States Policy (Ireland borrowed it from SPAIN)

• Method of election of President

• Nomination of members in the Rajya Sabha by the President

Panchayati Raj System in India

Salient Features of the Constitution

Single Constitution for both Union and States: India has a single Constitution for Union and all the States. The Constitution promotes the unity and convergence of the ideals of nationalism. The single Constitution empowers only the Parliament of India to make changes in the Constitution. It empowers the Parliament even to create a new state or abolish an existing state or alter its boundaries.

Sources of the Constitution: The Indian Constitution has borrowed provisions from various countries and modified them according to the suitability and requirements of the country. The structural part of the Constitution of India has been derived from the Government of India Act, of 1935. The provisions such as the Parliamentary System of Government and Rule of Law have been adopted by the United Kingdom.

Rigidity and Flexibility: The Constitution of India is neither rigid nor flexible. A Rigid Constitution means that special procedures are required for its amendments whereas a Flexible Constitution is one in which the constitution can be amended easily.
Secular State: The term secular state means that all the religions present in India get equal protection and support from the state. In addition; it provides equal treatment to all religions by the government and equal opportunities for all religions.

Federalism in India: The Constitution of India provides for the division of power between the Union and the State governments. It also fulfils some other features of federalism such as the rigidity of the constitution, written constitution, a bicameral legislature, independent judiciary, and supremacy of the constitution. Thus, India has a Federal System with unitary bias.

Parliamentary Form of Government: India has a Parliamentary Form of Government. India has a Bicameral Legislature with two houses named Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. In the Parliamentary Form of Government; there is no clear-cut separation of powers between Legislative and Executive organs. In India; the head of the government is Prime Minister.

Single Citizenship: Constitution of India provides for single citizenship to every individual in the country. No state in India can discriminate against an individual of another state. Moreover, in India, an individual has the right to move to any part of the country or live anywhere in the territory of India except certain places.

Integrated and Independent Judiciary: The Constitution of India provides for an integrated and independent judicial system. The Supreme Court is the highest court of India with authority over all the other courts in India followed by high courts, district courts, and lower courts. To protect the Judiciary from any influence, the Constitution has laid down certain provisions such as Security of Tenure and Fixed Service Conditions for judges, etc.

Directive Principles of State Policy: Part IV (Articles 36 to 50) of the Constitution mentions the Directive Principles of State Policy. These are non-justifiable in nature and are broadly classified into Socialistic, Gandhian, and Liberal-intellectual.

Fundamental Duties: These were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976). A new Part IV-A was created for the purpose and 10 duties were incorporated under Article 51-A. The provision reminds the citizens that while enjoying rights, they should also perform their duties.
Universal Adult Franchise: In India, every citizen who is above the age of 18 years has the right to vote without any discrimination on the ground of caste, race, religion, sex, literacy etc. The universal adult franchise removes social inequalities and maintains the principle of political equality for all citizens.

Emergency Provisions: The President is empowered to take certain steps to tackle any extraordinary situation to maintain the sovereignty, security, unity, and integrity of the nation. The states become totally subordinate to the Central Government when an emergency is imposed. According to the need; an emergency can be imposed in parts or the whole of the country.
The Constitution of India thus stands as an embodiment of democracy, fundamental rights, and decentralization of power to the lowest or to the grass-root level. In order to protect against any possible dilution of these powers and rights, it has set up the Supreme Court to function as the guardian of the Constitution with the power to invalidate any legislation or executive act if it violates the Constitution and thus affirms and enforces the supremacy of the Constitution.

Most Important Polity & Governance Question Answer

Q 1) Which of the following commission was appointed by the Central Government on Union-State relations in 1983?

a. Sarkariya commission

b. Dutt commission

c. Setalvad commission

d. Rajamannar commission

Answer: a

Explanation: Sarkaria Commission was set up in 1983 by the central government of India to examine the central-state relationship on various portfolios. Justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria (Chairman of the commission), was a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India.

Q 2) Which of the following taxes are levied by the Union government but collected and appropriated by the states?

a. Stamp duties

b. Excise duties on medical and toilet materials

c. Sales tax

d. a and b

Answer: d

Explanation: The revenue generated from the Stamp duties and Excise duties on medical and toilet materials is imposed by the Central Government but collected and kept by the respective state government.

Q 3) Which of the following taxes are imposed and collected by the state government?

a. Estate duty

b. Sales tax

c. Land revenue

d. All the above

Answer: d

Explanation: Taxes imposed by the state government are; Sales Tax and VAT, Professional Tax, Luxury Tax, Entertainment Tax, Motor Vehicles Tax, Tax on Vehicles Entering State, Tax on Agricultural Income, Tax on Land and Buildings and Tax on Mineral Rights.

Q 4) Which of the following tax is levied and collected by the Union government but the proceeds are distributed between the Union and states?

a. Sales tax

b. Income tax

c. Estate duty

d. Land revenue

Answer: b

Explanation: Income tax is imposed by the central government under the Income Tax Act, 1961. This tax is distributed among the states on the recommendations of the finance commission.

Q 5) Which of the following duty is levied and collected by the Union government?

a. Custom duty

b. Excise duty

c. Estate duty

d. All the above

Answer: d

Explanation: All the direct taxes are imposed by the central government. Direct taxes are; income tax, wealth tax, corporation tax. Excise and custom duty were indirect tax but merged with GST.

Q 6) Which of the article deals with the grants in aid by the Union government to the states?

a. Article 270

b. Article 280

c. Article 275

d. Article 265

Answer: c

Explanation: Article 275 is related to Grants in aid from the Union government to certain States at the time of requirement.This fund allocation depends on the discretion of the central government. It shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

Q 7) Which of the following article deals with the election of the Vice-president?

a. Article 64

b. Article 68

c. Article 66

d. Article 62

Answer: c

Explanation: Article 66 deals with the election of the Vice-president of India.

Q 8) Who can remove the Vice-President from his office?

a. President

b. Prime minister

c. Parliament

d. Legislative assemblies of the state

Answer: c

Explanation: The Indian Parliament has the power to remove the Vice President of India.

Q 9) The term of office of the Vice-president is as follows?

a. 6 years

b. 4 years

c. 7 years

d. 5 years

Answer: d

Explanation: The Vice-president is elected for the period of the 5 years, although he/she can resign before the completion of the tenure.

Q 10) The Vice-President is the Ex-Officio Chairman of the ……..?

a. Rajya Sabha

b. Lok Sabha

c. Planning Commission

d. National Development Council

Answer: a

Explanation: The Vice-President is ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and acts as President when the latter is unable to discharge his functions due to absence, illness or any other cause.

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Polity & Governance MCQs pdf for IAS Prelims