Civil Services Prep

UPSC Prelims

Polity and Constitution previous year questions

241 questions from 2012 to 2026, each with its answer.

UPSC Prelims 2026

  1. Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a…
  2. Ms. X is a mid-level civil service official working in the urban development department of a major city.…
  3. X' was addressing a seminar on the meaning of the term 'law' as provided under Article 13, Part III of the…
  4. Consider the following statements with reference to the Constitution of India : 1. There is no Article in the…
  5. Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled…
  6. Consider the following statements in respect of questions asked by the Members in the Parliament of India : 1.…
  7. Consider the following statements about the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes…
  8. Which of the following statements about a Zero First Information Report (Zero FIR) under the Bharatiya Nagarik…
  9. With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details: | Sl. No. |…

UPSC Prelims 2025

  1. With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: Organization — Some of its…
  2. Consider the following statements: I. Panchayats at the intermediate level exist in all States. II. To be…
  3. Who amongst the following are members of the Jury to select the recipient of 'Gandhi Peace Prize'? I. The…
  4. Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India,…
  5. Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of…
  6. Consider the following statements: I. On the dissolution of the House of the People, the Speaker shall not…
  7. Consider the following statements: I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People…
  8. Consider the following statements: Statement I: In India, State Governments have no power for making rules for…
  9. Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are…
  10. With reference to the Indian polity, consider the following statements: I. An Ordinance can amend any Central…
  11. Consider the following pairs: State — Description. I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort,…
  12. With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council. II. The National Security…
  13. Consider the following statements: I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres…
  14. Consider the following pairs: Provision in the Constitution of India — Stated under. I. Separation of…
  15. Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is…
  16. Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I-Union List, in the Seventh…
  17. With reference to the Indian polity, consider the following statements: I. The Governor of a State is not…

UPSC Prelims 2024

  1. How many Delimitation Commissions have been constituted by the Government of India till December 2023?
  2. The Constitution (71st Amendment) Act, 1992 amends the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution to include which of…
  3. Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India? 1. Powers of the Municipalities…
  4. Which one of the following statements is correct as per the Constitution of India?
  5. Under which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India, has the Supreme Court of India placed the…
  6. What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs? 1.…
  7. Which of the following statements about the Ethics Committee in the Lok Sabha are correct? 1. Initially it was…
  8. Who was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?
  9. As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by…
  10. Which of the following statements are correct in respect of a Money Bill in the Parliament? 1. Article 109…
  11. The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the…
  12. Consider the following statements regarding 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam': 1. Provisions will come into…
  13. A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to:
  14. Consider the following statements: 1. It is the Governor of the State who recognizes and declares any…
  15. With reference to Union Budget, consider the following statements: 1. The Union Finance Minister on behalf of…
  16. With reference to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements: While any resolution for…
  17. With reference to the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements: 1. A bill pending in the Lok Sabha…
  18. With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements: 1. Prorogation of a House by the…
  19. With reference to the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, consider the following statements:…

UPSC Prelims 2023

  1. In essence, what does 'Due Process of Law' mean?
  2. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their…
  3. Which one of the following statements best reflects the chief purpose of the 'Constitution' of a country?
  4. In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome…
  5. Consider the following organizations/bodies in India: 1. The National Commission for Backward Classes 2. The…
  6. Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the…
  7. With reference to Finance Bill and Money Bill in the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements: 1.…
  8. With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements: 1. Within a State, the…
  9. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that…
  10. With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements: 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home…
  11. With reference to India, consider the following pairs: Action — The Act under which it is covered: 1.…
  12. Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of…
  13. Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day: Statement-I: The Constitution Day is…
  14. Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is a safe motherhood…
  15. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: India's public sector health care system largely focuses on…
  16. Consider the following statements: 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a…
  17. Consider the following statements in respect of election to the President of India: 1. The members nominated…

UPSC Prelims 2022

  1. Consider the following statements: 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts…
  2. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Government law officers and legal firms are…
  3. Consider the following statements: 1. A bill amending the Constitution requires a prior recommendation of the…
  4. Consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz.…
  5. Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha? 1. To ratify the declaration of Emergency…
  6. With reference to anti-defection law in India, consider the following statements: 1. The law specifies that a…
  7. Consider the following statements: 1. Attorney General of India and Solicitor General of India are the only…
  8. With reference to the writs issued by the Courts in India, consider the following statements: 1. Mandamus will…
  9. With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements: 1. As per the Rules of…
  10. If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the…
  11. With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: 1. A…

UPSC Prelims 2021

  1. We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model?…
  2. With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: 1. N. Gopalaswamy Iyenger Committee…
  3. 'Right to Privacy' is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?
  4. Consider the following statements: 1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in…
  5. Consider the following statements: 1. 'Right to the City' is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors…
  6. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the…
  7. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case,…
  8. At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled…
  9. A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled…
  10. Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in…
  11. Which one of the following best defines the term 'State'?
  12. With reference to Indian judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme…
  13. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile.…
  14. Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?
  15. Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates
  16. What is the position of the Right to Property in India?
  17. What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?
  18. Constitutional government means
  19. Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards: 1. Bharat Ratna and Padma…

UPSC Prelims 2020

  1. A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which
  2. Which part of the Constitution of India declares the ideal of Welfare State?
  3. Consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India defines its 'basic structure' in terms of…
  4. One common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism is
  5. In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy?
  6. The Preamble to the Constitution of India is
  7. With reference to the provisions contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India, which of the following…
  8. Consider the following statements: 1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote…
  9. Consider the following statements: 1. The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such…
  10. Consider the following statements: 1. Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months. 2. State…
  11. Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in
  12. With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the…
  13. Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability as…
  14. In India, separation of judiciary from the executive is enjoined by
  15. A constitutional government by definition is a
  16. Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects…
  17. In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?…

UPSC Prelims 2019

  1. Consider the following statements: 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first…
  2. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017? 1.…
  3. With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements: 1. Sand is a…
  4. Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and…
  5. In India, which of the following review the independent regulators in sectors like telecommunications,…
  6. With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have…
  7. In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the most appropriate definition of…
  8. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: 1. PVTGs…
  9. With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibition or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary…
  10. With reference to the Legislative Assembly of a State in India, consider the following statements: 1. The…
  11. Which Article of the Constitution of India safeguards one's right to marry the person of one's choice?
  12. Consider the following statements: 1. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article…
  13. Consider the following statements: 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be…
  14. The Ninth Schedule was introduced in the Constitution of India during the prime ministership of
  15. Consider the following statements: 1. The Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 exempts…
  16. Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for…

UPSC Prelims 2018

  1. Consider the following statements: 1. In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was…
  2. Consider the following statements: 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule…
  3. Consider the following statements: 1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile. 2. Once…
  4. "Rule of Law Index" is released by which of the following?
  5. With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and…
  6. Consider the following statements: 1. As per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, to be eligible for appointment…
  7. Consider the following statements: 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food…
  8. With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following…
  9. International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to
  10. Regarding Money Bill, which of the following statements is not correct?
  11. With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements: 1. The value of…
  12. In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the
  13. Consider the following statements: 1. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly shall vacate his/her office if…
  14. Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty?
  15. Consider the following statements: 1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a…
  16. Which of the following are regarded as the main features of the "Rule of Law"? 1. Limitation of Powers 2.…
  17. If the President of India exercises his power as provided under Article 356 of the Constitution in a…
  18. Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the…

UPSC Prelims 2017

  1. For election to the Lok Sabha, a nomination paper can be filed by
  2. With reference to 'National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)', which of the statements given below is/are…
  3. Consider the following statements: 1. In the election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, the winning candidate…
  4. Right to vote and to be elected in India is a
  5. Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union…
  6. In India, Judicial Review implies
  7. Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences of the proclamation of the President's rule in a…
  8. Which of the following are envisaged by the Right against Exploitation in the Constitution of India? 1.…
  9. Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of…
  10. Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism?
  11. Which of the following statements is/are true of the Fundamental Duties of an Indian citizen? 1. A legislative…
  12. Which one of the following objectives is not embodied in the Preamble to the Constitution of India?
  13. With reference to the 'Quality Council of India (QCI)', consider the following statements: 1. QCI was set up…
  14. Democracy's superior virtue lies in the fact that it calls into activity
  15. The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that
  16. In the context of India, which one of the following is the correct relationship between Rights and Duties?
  17. The mind of the makers of the Constitution of India is reflected in which of the following?
  18. The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers through 1.…
  19. With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements: 1. A private member's bill is a…
  20. One of the implications of equality in society is the absence of
  21. Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd…
  22. Which one of the following statements is correct?
  23. Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in
  24. Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, the Directive Principles of…
  25. With reference to the 'Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT Act)', consider the…

UPSC Prelims 2016

  1. The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest…
  2. Consider the following statements: 1. The minimum age prescribed for any person to be a member of Panchayat is…
  3. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its…
  4. Consider the following statements: 1. The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that…
  5. With reference to pre-packaged items in India, it is mandatory for the manufacturer to put which of the…
  6. With reference to the 'Gram Nyayalaya Act', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. As per the…

UPSC Prelims 2015

  1. Consider the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy: 1. The Principles spell…
  2. Consider the following statements: 1. The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill.…
  3. When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by
  4. The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the
  5. Consider the following statements: 1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime…
  6. The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to
  7. With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: 1. The Department of Revenue is…
  8. Who/Which of the following is the custodian of the Constitution of India?
  9. Consider the following statements: 1. The Legislative Council of a State in India can be larger in size than…
  10. "To uphold and protect the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India" is a provision made in the
  11. The fundamental object of Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following? 1. People's…
  12. The ideal of 'Welfare State' in the Indian Constitution is enshrined in its
  13. There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the

UPSC Prelims 2014

  1. Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of…
  2. Consider the following statements: 1. The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of…
  3. Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India: 1. There is no mention of a…
  4. The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its
  5. The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in
  6. Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?
  7. Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding…
  8. The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from
  9. In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the
  10. Which of the following are associated with 'Planning' in India? 1. The Finance Commission 2. The National…
  11. Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat? 1. Preparation of agenda for…
  12. Consider the following statements: A Constitutional Government is one which 1. Places effective restrictions…
  13. Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State? 1. Sending a report to…

UPSC Prelims 2013

  1. Consider the following statements regarding The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts: 1. Consists of not…
  2. In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary…
  3. Consider the following statements: 1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible…
  4. Consider the following statements: 1. National Development Council is an organ of the Planning Commission. 2.…
  5. Consider the following statements: 1. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the…
  6. With reference to National Legal Services Authority, consider the following statements: 1. Its objective is to…
  7. Who among the following constitute the National Development Council? 1. The Prime Minister 2. The Chairman,…
  8. What will follow if a Money Bill is substantially amended by the Rajya Sabha?
  9. Which one of the following statements is correct?
  10. Consider the following statements: 1. An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by an…
  11. Consider the following statements: Attorney General of India can 1. take part in the proceedings of the Lok…
  12. Which of the following bodies does not/do not find mention in the Constitution? 1. National Development…
  13. The Parliament can make any law for whole or any part of India for implementing International treaties
  14. The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the…
  15. 'Economic Justice' as one of the objectives of the Indian Constitution has been provided in
  16. According to the Constitution of India, which of the following are fundamental for the governance of the…

UPSC Prelims 2012

  1. In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power…
  2. In the Parliament of India, the purpose of an adjournment motion is
  3. The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with which of the following provisions of the…
  4. Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the…
  5. Consider the following statements: 1. Union Territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha. 2. It is…
  6. With reference to consumers' rights/privileges under the provisions of law in India, which of the following…
  7. Regarding the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker, consider the following statements: 1. He/She holds the office…
  8. Which of the following are included in the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court? 1. A dispute between…
  9. Which of the following can be said to be essentially the parts of 'Inclusive Governance'? 1. Permitting the…
  10. With reference to National Rural Health Mission, which of the following are the jobs of 'ASHA', a trained…
  11. Which of the following special powers have been conferred on the Rajya Sabha by the Constitution of India?
  12. Which of the following is/are among the noticeable features of the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance…
  13. Which of the following are the methods of Parliamentary control over public finance in India? 1. Placing…
  14. Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education? 1. Directive…
  15. In India, other than ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and for intended purpose, what is the…
  16. The endeavour of 'Janani Suraksha Yojana' Programme is 1. To promote institutional deliveries. 2. To provide…
  17. The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment:
  18. With reference to the Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements: 1. The orders of the…
  19. Consider the following: 1. Hotels and restaurants 2. Motor transport undertakings 3. Newspaper establishments…
  20. According to the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the President of India to cause to be laid before…
  21. A deadlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha calls for a joint sitting of the Parliament during the…
  22. How do District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India? 1. DRDAs…
  23. Which of the following is/are among the Fundamental Duties of citizens laid down in the Indian Constitution?…
  24. What is the provision to safeguard the autonomy of the Supreme Court of India? 1. While appointing the Supreme…
  25. The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme…