UPSC 2018 Polity & Governance Previous Year Questions

Question 1

Consider the following: 1. Areca nut 2. Barley 3. Coffee 4. Finger millet 5. Groundnut 6. Sesamum 7. Turmeric The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced the Minimum Support Price for which of the above?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1, 2, 3 and 7 only | 2, 4, 5 and 6 only | 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. MSP is announced for barley, finger millet/ragi, groundnut and sesamum among the listed items. Areca nut, coffee and turmeric are not in the MSP list.

Question 2

Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India correctly and appropriately imply the above statement?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Article 14 and the provisions under the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution | Article 17 and the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV | Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III | Article 24 and the provisions under the 44th Amendment to the Constitution. The Supreme Court recognized privacy as intrinsic to Article 21 and the freedoms in Part III of the Constitution.

Question 3

In 1920, which of the following changed its name to "Swarajya Sabha"?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. All India Home Rule League | Hindu Mahasabha | South Indian Liberal Federation | The Servants of India Society. The All India Home Rule League changed its name to Swarajya Sabha in 1920 after Gandhi's influence within the organization.

Question 4

If the President of India exercises his power as provided under Article 356 of the Constitution in respect of a particular State, then

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. the Assembly of the State is automatically dissolved. | the powers of the Legislature of that State shall be exercisable by or under the authority of the Parliament. | Article 19 is suspended in that State. | the President can make laws relating to that State.. Under Article 356, the President may declare that the powers of the State legislature are exercisable by or under Parliament's authority. The Assembly is not automatically dissolved and Article 19 is not suspended.

Question 5

If a commodity is provided free to the public by the Government, then

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. the opportunity cost is zero. | the opportunity cost is ignored. | the opportunity cost is transferred from the consumers of the product to the tax-paying public. | the opportunity cost is transferred from the consumers of the product to the Government.. A free public good still has a cost. When the Government provides it free to consumers, the opportunity cost is borne/transferred to taxpayers/public resources rather than disappearing.

Question 6

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?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 only | 2 only | Both 1 and 2 | Neither 1 nor 2. Article 361 protects a Governor from criminal proceedings during the term of office, and Article 158 protects emoluments/allowances from diminution during the term. Both statements are correct.

Question 7

Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. If there are more laws, there is less liberty. | If there are no laws, there is no liberty. | If there is liberty, laws have to be made by the people. | If laws are changed too often, liberty is in danger.. Law and liberty are complementary in constitutional theory: without laws protecting order and rights, meaningful liberty cannot exist.

Question 8

Consider the following statements: 1. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly shall vacate his/her office if he/she ceases to be a member of the Assembly. 2. Whenever the Legislative Assembly is dissolved, the Speaker shall vacate his/her office immediately. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 only | 2 only | Both 1 and 2 | Neither 1 nor 2. A Legislative Assembly Speaker vacates office if he/she ceases to be a member. On dissolution, the Speaker continues until immediately before the first meeting of the new Assembly, so statement 2 is wrong.

Question 9

With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements: 1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State. 2. The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 only | 2 only | Both 1 and 2 | Neither 1 nor 2. The value of an MLA's vote varies by State population and Assembly strength. Elected MPs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have equal vote value in the presidential election, so statement 2 is wrong.

Question 10

Consider the following statements: 1. As per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in a State, a person would be required to possess the minimum qualification laid down by the concerned State Council of Teacher Education. 2. As per the RTE Act, for teaching primary classes, a candidate is required to pass a Teacher Eligibility Test conducted in accordance with the National Council of Teacher Education guidelines. 3. In India, more than 90% of teacher education institutions are directly under the State Governments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 and 2 | 2 only | 1 and 3 | 3 only. Under the RTE framework, teacher qualifications are laid down by NCTE, and passing TET as per NCTE guidelines is required for primary teaching. Most teacher-education institutions are not directly under State Governments.

UPSC 2018 Polity & Governance PYQs with Answers