MCQs on Polity

Polity as a subject deals with the system of government and its functioning. The subject throws light upon the upstanding concepts and basics of the system and functioning of the nation’s executive, judiciary, legislature, and various other constitutional units and organizations. 

Polity forms an important and major section of any competitive examination, especially government examinations such as civil services, state services, etc. Therefore, it becomes essential to know the subject well and grasp its basic concepts. This article is a composition of some important MCQs that would give an overarching idea about the type of questions one can get from the polity subject. 

MCQs:

1. Which statements are correct about the difference between censure and a no-confidence motion?

1. A censure motion should state the reasons for its adoption. On the other hand, a no-confidence motion need not state the reasons for its adoption.
2. A no-confidence motion can be moved only against the council of ministers. In contrast, a censure motion can be moved against the council of ministers or an individual minister, or a group of ministers.
3. The government must resign if a no-confidence motion is passed. On the other hand, the Government need not resign if a censure motion is passed.
4. A censure motion can be moved in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, whereas a no-confidence motion can be moved only in the Lok Sabha.
   1. a, c and d   
   2. b, c and d
   3. a and b 
   4. a, b and c

Ans: D. a, b and c

2. The words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ were made a part of the Preamble by:

1. 1. 41st amendment
   2.  44th amendment
   3. 46th amendment
   4.  42nd amendment

Ans: (D) 42nd amendment

3. Which of the following are features of the Indian Parliamentary System are:

1. Independent Judiciary
2. Collective responsibility of the executive   to the legislature 
3. A written Constitution
4. Presence of de jure and de facto executives
5. Individual responsibility of the executive to the legislature.
   1. 2,3 and 4      
   2. 1,2 and 4 
   3.  2, 4 and 5    
   4.  1,2,4 and 5

Ans: (C ) 2,4 and 5

4. Fundamental Duties were included in the Constitution on the recommendation of which of the following committee:

1. 1.  Shah Commission
   2. First Administrative Reforms Commission of India
   3. Santhanam Committee
   4. Swaran Singh Committee

Ans: (D) Swaran Singh Committee

5. Through which of the following acts the foundation of Central Administration was laid in India?

1. 1.  Charter Act of 1833
   2. Regulating Act of 1773
   3.  Charter Act of 1853
   4. Pitt’s India Act of 1784

Ans: (B) Regulating Act of 1773

6. The electoral college of the President of India consists of which of the following :
7. 1. Elected and nominated Members of Parliament and State legislatures
   2. Elected members of Parliament and state legislatures
   3.   Elected members of Parliament but not the elected and nominated in case of a bicameral legislature. 
   4.  Elected members of all the Union territories. 

Ans: (B) Elected members of Parliament and state legislature

7. Prime Minister does not chair Which of the following Cabinet Committees?
8. 1.  Political Affairs Committee
   2.  Appointments Committee
   3. Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
   4.  Economic Affairs Committee

Ans: (A) Political Affairs Committee

8. The President can perform what function out of the following in the declaration of constitutional emergency? 

  1) Assume to himself all the functions of the state government, including the high court

  2) Declare that the powers of the state legislature shall be exercisable under the authority of the governor 

  3) Assume to himself all the functions of the state government except the High Court

  4) Declare that the powers of the state legislature shall be exercisable under the authority of the Parliament.

Of the above, the correct statements are:

1. 1.  1and 2    
   2.  2 and 3
   3.  3 and 4    
   4.  1 and 4

Ans: (c ) 3 and 4

9. Which of the following items the Finance Commission recommends to the President?

1. The distribution between the Union and the states of the net proceeds of taxes and the allocation between the states of the respective shares of such proceeds.
2. The principles governing the grants aid the states’ revenues from the Consolidated Fund of India.
3. The measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a state to supplement the resources of the municipalities in the state based on the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State.
4. Any matter referred to it by the President in the interests of sound finance.
   1. 1,2 and 4  
   2.  1,2,3 and 4
   3. 1 and 2     
   4.  1, 2 and 3

Ans: (B) 1, 2,3 and 4

10. The Chairman of which of the following parliamentary committees is invariably from the members of the ruling Party?
11. 1.  Estimates Committee
    2.  Committee on Public Undertakings
    3.  Public Accounts Committee
    4.  Committee on Delegated Legislation

Ans: (A) Estimates Committee

11. Which of the following is not a formally prescribed device available to the members of Parliament?

1. 1.  Question Hour
   2.  Zero Hour
   3. Half- an- hour discussion
   4. Short duration discussion

Ans: (B) Zero Hour 

12. Which of the following is exclusively a committee of the Lower House?
13. 1.  Committee on Assurances
    2.  Committee on Delegated Legislation
    3.  Committee on Public Undertakings
    4. Estimates Committee

Ans: (D) Estimates Committee 

13. Which state created the institution of Lokayukta for the first time? 
14. 1.  Orissa     
    2.  Bihar
    3. Punjab    
    4. Maharashtra

Ans: (D) Maharashtra 

14. On the recommendation of which of the following committee was the Central Vigilance Commission set up? 

1. 1.  First Administrative Reform Commission of India
   2.  Gorwala Report
   3.  Kripalani Committee 
   4.  Santhanam Committee

Ans: (D) Santhanam Committee

15. Which one of the following devices calls the minister’s attention to a matter of public importance?
16. 1.  Half an hour discussion
    2.  Calling attention notice
    3.  Short duration discussion
    4.  Adjournment Motion

Ans: (B) Calling attention notice

16. Spot the incorrect statement about the difference between the writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts in India. 

1. The Supreme Court can issue writs not only for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights but also for any other purpose, whereas high courts can issue writs only for the purpose

of enforcement of Fundamental Rights.

2. High Courts can issue the writ of Injunction, whereas the Supreme Court cannot issue the writ of Injunction.
3. The Supreme Court can issue writs only in the case of appeal, whereas high courts can issue writs only when the party directly approaches it.
4. High Courts can issue writs to enforce Fundamental Rights and any other purpose. In contrast, the Supreme Court can issue writs only to enforce Fundamental Rights.
5. 1.  1 and 2.         
   2.  1,2 and 3.
   3.  2 and 3.        
   4. 4 only

Ans: (B) 1,2 and 3 

17. Mark the correct statements related to the Central Administrative Tribunal are correct?

1. It is a statutory body.
2. Its members are drawn from the administrative background only.
3. It is not bound by the procedure prescribed in the code of civil procedure.
4. Its jurisdiction covers the members of All India Services and Central Services and Central Government posts.
5. It was set up in 1985.
6. 1.  2, 3 and 5.    
   2.  1 and 4
   3. 1,3,4 and 5.   
   4.  2 and 3

Ans: ( C) 1,3,4 and 5

18. Which of the following statements are true about the state governor?

1. The executive power of the state is vested in him.
2. He must have attained 35 years of age.
3. He holds office during the pleasure of the President.
4. The grounds for his removal are laid in the

Constitution.

1. 1. 1,2 and 4     
   2. 1,2 and 3
   3. 1, 3 and 4    
   4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (B) 1,2 and 3 

19. Which of the following are true of the recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee on Panchayati Raj?

1. Creation of Mandal Panchayat, covering a population of 10,000 to 15,000
2. The state legislature has a committee on Panchayati Raj to look after the needs of the weaker section.
3. If Panchayati Raj institutions are superseded, elections must be held within one year.
4. Nyaya Panchayats should be presided over by the village development officer.
5. 1.  1, 2 and 4.       
   2.   2 and 4
   3.   1, 2 and 3.       
   4.  Only 2

Ans: (D) Only 2

20. The Constitution says that the State Council of Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the 

Governor. The words “during the pleasure of the  Governor” in reality mean

1. 1.  Pleasure of the President
   2. Pleasure of the Prime Minister
   3.  Pleasure of the Chief Minister
   4. Pleasure of the Legislative Assembly

Ans: ( C) Pleasure of the Chief Minister