22 Polity & Governance questions from the official UPSC 2017 Prelims paper, each with the verified answer key and an explanation.
1–22 of 22
Q1·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism?
Correct: D
Indian federalism did not arise from an agreement among sovereign federating units; the Union was created by the Constitution. The other listed features are federal features present in India.
Q2·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government:
Correct: C
The Cabinet form of government is based on collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the elected legislature/people in a parliamentary democracy.
Q3·Polity and Governance·2017·Fundamental Rights
Which of the following are envisaged by the Right against Exploitation in the Constitution of India? 1. Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour 2. Abolition of untouchability 3. Protection of the interests of minorities 4. Prohibition of employment of children in factories and mines Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct: C
Right against exploitation includes prohibition of trafficking/forced labour and prohibition of child labour in factories, mines and hazardous employment. Untouchability and minority rights fall under other constitutional provisions.
Q4·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences of the proclamation of the President's rule in a State? 1. Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly 2. Removal of the Council of Ministers in the State 3. Dissolution of the local bodies. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct: B
President's Rule necessarily removes/suspends the State Council of Ministers, but it need not dissolve the Legislative Assembly; it may be kept in suspended animation. It also does not dissolve local bodies.
Q5·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
In India, Judicial Review implies
Correct: A
Judicial review is the judiciary's power to examine the constitutionality of laws and executive actions/orders.
Q6·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3. Election Commission resolves disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct: D
The Election Commission is not a five-member body, and the Home Ministry does not decide election schedules. The Election Commission decides disputes about splits/mergers of recognized political parties.
Q7·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Right to vote and to be elected in India is a
Correct: C
The right to vote and contest elections is created by the Constitution/statutes; UPSC treats it here as a constitutional right rather than a Fundamental or natural right.
Q8·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Consider the following statements: 1. India has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of WTO. 2. TFA is a part of WTO's Bali Ministerial Package of 2013. 3. TFA came into force in January 2016. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct: A
India ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, and the TFA was part of the 2013 Bali Ministerial Package. It entered into force in February 2017, not January 2016.
Q9·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Consider the following statements: 1. In the election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, the winning candidate must get at least 50 percent of the votes polled, to be declared elected. 2. According to the provisions laid down in the Constitution of India, in Lok Sabha, the Speaker's post goes to the majority party and the Deputy Speaker's to the Opposition. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct: D
India follows first-past-the-post elections, so a winner need not get 50% votes. The Constitution does not mandate Speaker for majority party and Deputy Speaker for opposition.
Q10·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
For election to the Lok Sabha, a nomination paper can be filed by
Correct: C
A Lok Sabha candidate must be a citizen of India and an elector in any parliamentary constituency, not necessarily a resident of the constituency contested.
Q11·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers through 1. Adjournment motion 2. Question hour 3. Supplementary questions Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct: D
Parliament controls the Council of Ministers through devices such as adjournment motions, Question Hour and supplementary questions, all of which enforce accountability.
Q12·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
The mind of the makers of the Constitution of India is reflected in which of the following?
Correct: A
The Preamble reflects the philosophy, objectives and mind of the Constitution-makers.
Q13·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that
Correct: C
In a parliamentary system the executive is drawn from and remains responsible to the legislature, especially the lower house.
Q14·Polity and Governance·2017·Democracy and Political Theory
Democracy's superior virtue lies in the fact that it calls into activity
Correct: A
Democracy draws ordinary citizens into public reasoning and civic responsibility, activating the intelligence and character of ordinary men and women.
Q15·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
With reference to 'Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD)', consider the following statements: 1. The first APMCHUD was held in India in 2006 on the theme 'Emerging Urban Forms - Policy Responses and Governance Structure'. 2. India hosts all the Annual Ministerial Conferences in partnership with ADB, APEC and ASEAN. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct: D
The first APMCHUD was held in New Delhi in 2006, but the theme stated is not correct, and India does not host all annual conferences with ADB/APEC/ASEAN. Hence neither statement is correct.
Q16·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Which one of the following objectives is not embodied in the Preamble to the Constitution of India?
Correct: B
The Preamble mentions liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. It does not mention economic liberty.
Q17·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Consider the following pairs: 1. Radhakanta Deb - First President of the British Indian Association 2. Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty - Founder of the Madras Mahajana Sabha 3. Surendranath Banerjee - Founder of the Indian Association Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
Correct: B
Radhakanta Deb was the first president of the British Indian Association, and Surendranath Banerjee founded the Indian Association. Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty founded the Madras Native Association, not Madras Mahajana Sabha.
Q18·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Which of the following statements is/are true of the Fundamental Duties of an Indian citizen? 1. A legislative process has been provided to enforce these duties. 2. They are correlative to legal duties. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Correct: D
Fundamental Duties are not backed by a single general legislative enforcement process and are not directly correlative to legal duties in the same way as enforceable rights/obligations. Hence neither statement is true.
Q19·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, the Directive Principles of State Policy constitute limitations upon 1. legislative function. 2. executive function. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Correct: D
Directive Principles are non-justiciable guiding principles; they do not legally limit legislative or executive functions in the way Fundamental Rights do.
Q20·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Which one of the following statements is correct?
Correct: C
In political theory, rights are legitimate claims of citizens against the State or society, not State claims against citizens or privileges for a few.
Q21·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution?
Correct: B
The 42nd Amendment added Article 43A, directing the State to secure workers' participation in management of industries.
Q22·Polity and Governance·2017·Constitution and Governance
With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements: 1. A private member's bill is a bill presented by a Member of Parliament who is not elected but only nominated by the President of India. 2. Recently, a private member's bill has been passed in the Parliament of India for the first time in its history. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct: D
A private member is any MP who is not a minister, not merely a nominated member. Private member bills had been passed earlier in Parliament, so the claim that one passed recently for the first time is wrong.