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UPSC CSE Prelims 2021 — Polity Questions with Answers

All 18 Polity previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Prelims 2021, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Polity

   We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited. 2. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of the Amendment of an Act of the Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2
2. Q2.Polity

   With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: 1. N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it. 2. In 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, 1966, and this was placed under the Prime Minister’s charge. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2
3. Q3.Polity

   ‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?

   • a)Article 15
   • b)Article 19
   • c)Article 21
   • d)Article 29
4. Q4.Polity

   Consider the following statements: 1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies. 2. In 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies. 3. As per the existing rules, if a candidate contests in one Lok Sabha election from many constituencies, his/her party should bear the cost of bye-elections to the constituencies vacated by him/her in the event of him/her winning in all the constituencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)1 and 3
   • d)2 and 3
5. Q5.Polity

   With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accused is locked up in police station, not in jail. 2. During judicial custody, the police officer in charge of the case is not allowed to interrogate the suspect without the approval of the court. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2
6. Q6.Polity

   With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, parole cannot be denied to such prisoner because it becomes a matter of his/her right. 2. State Governments have their own Prisoners Release on Parole Rules. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2
7. Q7.Polity

   At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?

   • a)Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
   • b)Ministry of Panchayati Raj
   • c)Ministry of Rural Development
   • d)Ministry of Tribal Affairs
8. Q8.Polity

   A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law violates which one of the following articles of the Constitution of India?

   • a)Article 14
   • b)Article 28
   • c)Article 32
   • d)Article 44
9. Q9.Polity

   Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character?

   • a)The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.
   • b)The Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units.
   • c)The Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties.
   • d)The Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law
10. Q10.Polity

    Which one of the following best defines the term ‘State’?

    • a)A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government.
    • b)A politically organized people of a definite territory and possessing an authority to govern them, maintain law and order, protect their natural rights and safeguard their means of sustenance.
    • c)A number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with their own culture, tradition and government.
    • d)A society permanently living in a definite territory with a central authority, an executive responsible to the central authority and an independent judiciary.
11. Q11.Polity

    With reference to Indian judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by the Chief Justice of India with prior permission of the President of India. 2. A High Court in India has the power to review its own judgement as the Supreme Court does. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    • a)1 only
    • b)2 only
    • c)Both 1 and 2
    • d)Neither 1 nor 2
12. Q12.Polity

    With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. There is only ‘one citizenship and one domicile’. 2. A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State. 3. A foreigner once granted the citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    • a)1 only
    • b)2 only
    • c)1 and 3
    • d)2 and 3
13. Q13.Polity

    Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

    • a)A committed judiciary
    • b)Centralization of powers
    • c)Elected government
    • d)Separation of powers
14. Q14.Polity

    Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates

    • a)The Right to Equality
    • b)The Directive Principles of State Policy
    • c)The Right to Freedom
    • d)The Concept of Welfare
15. Q15.Polity

    What is the position of the Right to Property in India?

    • a)Legal right available to citizens only
    • b)Legal right available to any person
    • c)Fundamental Right available to citizens only
    • d)Neither Fundamental Right nor legal right
16. Q16.Polity

    What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?

    • a)A Democratic Republic
    • b)A Sovereign Democratic Republic
    • c)A Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic
    • d)A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic
17. Q17.Polity

    Constitutional government means

    • a)A representative government of nation with federal structure
    • b)A government whose Head enjoys nominal powers
    • c)A government whose Head enjoys real powers
    • d)A government limited by the terms of the Constitution
18. Q18.Polity

    Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards: 1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India. 2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once. 3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year. Which of the above statements are not correct?

    • a)1 and 2 only
    • b)2 and 3 only
    • c)1 and 3 only
    • d)1, 2 and 3