Indian Polity PYQ
Here are 10 Previous Year Questions (PYQs) from Indian Polity & Constitution — sourced from UPSC CSE, GPSC, PPSC, MPPSC, UPPSC, RPSC, BPSC, MPSC, and HPSC Prelims exams.
Q1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2023 | Topic: Preamble | Difficulty: Medium
Consider the following statements about the Preamble of the Indian Constitution:
1. The Preamble is a part of the Constitution.
2. The Preamble can be amended under Article 368.
3. The Preamble is enforceable in a court of law.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (A) 1 and 2 only
- (B) 2 and 3 only
- (C) 1 and 3 only
- (D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Correct Answer: A
📝 Explanation: The Supreme Court in Kesavananda Bharati (1973) held that the Preamble IS part of the Constitution and CAN be amended under Article 368. However Statement 3 is wrong — the Preamble is NOT enforceable in any court of law.
Q2. UPSC CSE Prelims 2022 | Topic: Parliament | Difficulty: Easy
Which one of the following schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?
- (A) Second Schedule
- (B) Fifth Schedule
- (C) Eighth Schedule
- (D) Tenth Schedule
✅ Correct Answer: D
📝 Explanation: The Tenth Schedule was added by the 52nd Amendment Act 1985. It contains anti-defection provisions — a member is disqualified if they voluntarily give up party membership or vote against party direction.
Q3. GPSC Class 1-2 Prelims 2023 | Topic: State Legislature & Governor | Difficulty: Hard
Under which Article of the Indian Constitution can the Governor reserve a Bill passed by the State Legislature for the consideration of the President?
- (A) Article 200
- (B) Article 201
- (C) Article 213
- (D) Article 254
✅ Correct Answer: A
📝 Explanation: Article 200 — Governor can assent, withhold assent, or reserve the Bill for President’s consideration. Article 201 deals with Bills reserved for President. Article 213 is for Governor’s Ordinance power.
Q4. PPSC PCS Prelims 2022 | Topic: Supreme Court & Judiciary | Difficulty: Easy
The concept of ‘Judicial Review’ in India has been borrowed from which country?
- (A) United Kingdom
- (B) USA
- (C) Canada
- (D) Australia
✅ Correct Answer: B
📝 Explanation: Judicial Review — power of courts to examine constitutionality of laws — is borrowed from the USA. In India it is implicit under Articles 13, 32, 226 and 246. India’s judicial review is narrower than USA’s.
Q5. MPPSC Prelims 2023 | Topic: Directive Principles | Difficulty: Hard
With reference to the Directive Principles of State Policy, which of the following is correctly matched?
1. Article 44 — Uniform Civil Code
2. Article 45 — Free legal aid
3. Article 48 — Protection of environment
Select the correct answer:
- (A) 1 only
- (B) 1 and 2 only
- (C) 2 and 3 only
- (D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Correct Answer: A
📝 Explanation: Article 44 = Uniform Civil Code ✓. Article 45 = Free & compulsory education for children (NOT free legal aid — that is Article 39A). Article 48 = Agriculture & animal husbandry (NOT environment — that is Article 48A).
Q6. UPPSC PCS Prelims 2022 | Topic: Fundamental Rights | Difficulty: Medium
Which of the following Fundamental Rights cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency declared under Article 352?
- (A) Article 19
- (B) Article 20 and 21
- (C) Article 32
- (D) Article 14
✅ Correct Answer: B
📝 Explanation: Articles 20 & 21 CANNOT be suspended even during National Emergency — guaranteed by 44th Amendment Act 1978. Article 19 can be suspended during External Emergency only. Article 32 can be suspended during National Emergency.
Q7. RPSC RAS Prelims 2023 | Topic: Constitutional Bodies | Difficulty: Medium
The Finance Commission of India is constituted under which Article of the Constitution?
- (A) Article 270
- (B) Article 275
- (C) Article 280
- (D) Article 293
✅ Correct Answer: C
📝 Explanation: Article 280 provides for the Finance Commission — constituted every 5 years to recommend distribution of taxes between Centre and States. It is a quasi-judicial body. The 16th Finance Commission is active for 2026–2031.
Q8. BPSC Prelims 2022 | Topic: Supreme Court & Judiciary | Difficulty: Medium
Which one of the following writs is issued by a court to an inferior court or tribunal to stop proceedings in a case?
- (A) Mandamus
- (B) Certiorari
- (C) Prohibition
- (D) Quo Warranto
✅ Correct Answer: C
📝 Explanation: Prohibition = issued by superior court to inferior court to STOP proceedings (preventive). Certiorari = issued AFTER order to quash it (curative). Mandamus = command to perform duty. Quo Warranto = challenge to holding of public office.
Q9. MPSC Prelims 2023 | Topic: Local Government | Difficulty: Easy
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 added which Schedule to the Constitution dealing with subjects for Panchayati Raj institutions?
- (A) Ninth Schedule
- (B) Tenth Schedule
- (C) Eleventh Schedule
- (D) Twelfth Schedule
✅ Correct Answer: C
📝 Explanation: 73rd Amendment added Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects for Panchayats) + Part IX. 74th Amendment added Twelfth Schedule (18 subjects for Municipalities) + Part IX-A. Both came into force on 24 April 1993.
Q10. HPSC HCS Prelims 2022 | Topic: Parliament | Difficulty: Hard
Under the Constitution of India, which of the following is NOT a ground for disqualification of a member of Parliament under Article 102?
- (A) Holding an office of profit
- (B) Being of unsound mind
- (C) Being a member of a State Legislature
- (D) Being an undischarged insolvent
✅ Correct Answer: C
📝 Explanation: Article 102 disqualifications: office of profit, unsound mind, insolvency, non-citizenship, any law made by Parliament. Being a member of State Legislature is NOT a disqualification — the person simply vacates one seat after winning the other.
