Previous Year UPSC Questions – Polity 1

1. The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the [2012]

2. Consider the following statements:

1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a State in any court during his term of office.
2. The emoluments and allowances of the Governor of a State shall not be diminished during his term of office.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [2018]

3. Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?  [2021]

4. Consider the following statements:[2020]

1. The Constitution of India defines its ‘basic structure’ in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and democracy.
2. The Constitution of India provides for ‘judicial review’ to safeguard the citizens’ liberties and to preserve the ideals on which the Constitution is based.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

5. A constitutional government by definition is a [2020]

6. Democracy’s superior virtue lies in the fact that it calls into activity [2017]

7. Consider the following statements:

A Constitutional Government is one which [2014]

1. Places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority
2. Places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

8. If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it? [2022]  

9. 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? [2021]

10. Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void? [2019]

11. Consider the following statements:[2018]

1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
2. The validity of a law placed in the Ninth Schedule cannot be examined by any court and no judgement can be made on it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

12. Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection? [2014]

13. What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?[2021]

14. The Preamble to the Constitution of India is [2020]

15. Which one of the following objectives is not embodied in the Preamble to the Constitution of India? [2017]

16. Which one of the following best defines the term ‘State’? [2021]

17. With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: [2021]

1. 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?

18. With reference to India, consider the following statements: [2021]

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?

19. With reference to the writs issued by the Courts in India, consider the following statements: [2022]

1. Mandamus will not lie against a private organisation unless it is entrusted with a public duty.
2. Mandamus will not lie against a Company even though it may be a Government Company.
3. Any public minded person can be a petitioner to move the Court to obtain the writ of Quo Warranto.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

20. What is the position of the Right to Property in India? [2021]

21. With reference to India, consider the following statements: [2021]

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?

22. With reference to India, consider the following statements: [2021]

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?

23. 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? [2021]

24. ‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?[2021]

25. Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards: [2021]

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?