Indian Polity MCQs – Test your knowledge with multiple-choice questions on Polity covering governance, constitutions and political systems.
Polity is a subject that focuses on the system of government and how it works. It explains the key ideas and fundamentals behind the country’s executive, judiciary, legislature, and other important constitutional bodies and organizations.
Polity is a vital part of many competitive exams, especially those for government positions like civil services and state services. Therefore, understanding the basics of this subject is important.
This article provides a collection of important multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to help you get a better sense of the types of questions you might encounter in exams related to polity.
1. Which of the following was not a member of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution?
(A) B.R. Ambedkar
(B) Alladi Krishnaswamy
(C) Rajendra Prasad
(D) Gopalaswami Ayyangar
(C) Rajendra Prasad
Explanation: The Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution had several prominent members including B.R. Ambedkar as the Chairman, Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar, and Gopalaswami Ayyangar. Rajendra Prasad, although a significant figure in the Constituent Assembly, was not a member of the Drafting Committee; he was the President of the Constituent Assembly.
2. What does Constitutional Monarchy mean?
(A) The king writes the constitution
(B) The king interprets the constitution
(C) The king exercises power granted by the constitution
(D) The king is elected by the people
(C) The king exercises power granted by the constitution
Explanation: A Constitutional Monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as the head of state within the parameters of a constitution. The monarch’s powers are limited and defined by the constitution, and they usually act in accordance with the advice of the elected government.
3. When was the First Central Legislative Assembly constituted?
(A) 1922
(B) 1923
(C) 1921
(D) 1920
(C) 1921
Explanation: The First Central Legislative Assembly was constituted in 1921 under the Government of India Act 1919, which introduced the system of dyarchy in the provinces and expanded the legislative councils.
4. How does the Constitution of India describe India?
(A) A Confederation
(B) Semi-Federal
(C) Unitary
(D) Union of States
(D) Union of States
Explanation: The Constitution of India describes India as a “Union of States,” which means that the Indian federation is not the result of an agreement by the states but rather a single nation with a central authority. The states have no right to secede from the union.
5. The concept of ‘Rule of Law‘ is a special feature of the constitutional system of which of the following?
(A) United Kingdom
(B) U.S.A.
(C) France
(D) Switzerland
(A) United Kingdom
Explanation: The concept of the ‘Rule of Law’ is a fundamental principle in the British constitutional system, implying that all individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable under the law that is fairly applied and enforced.
6. The method of constitutional amendment by Popular Veto is found in which of the following?
(A) United Kingdom
(B) Switzerland
(C) Russia
(D) India
(B) Switzerland
Explanation: Switzerland has a unique system of direct democracy where certain amendments to the constitution can be made through a popular vote, known as a referendum or popular veto.
7. Which of the following is an indispensable feature of a Parliamentary system of government?
(A) Flexibility of the Constitution
(B) Fusion of Executive and Legislature
(C) Judicial Supremacy
(D) Parliamentary Sovereignty
(B) Fusion of Executive and Legislature
Explanation: In a Parliamentary system, the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature (parliament); hence there is a fusion of powers between the executive and the legislative branches.
8. Grassroots democracy is related to:
(A) Devolution of Powers
(B) Decentralization of Powers
(C) Panchayati Raj System
(D) All of the above
(D) All of the above
Explanation: Grassroots democracy refers to the strengthening of democracy at the local level. This is achieved through devolution (transfer of power to lower levels), decentralization, and the implementation of the Panchayati Raj system in India, which empowers local self-governments.
9. The goal of Democratic Socialism is:
(A) To bring socialism through peaceful means
(B) To bring socialism through both violent and peaceful means
(C) To bring socialism through violent means
(D) To bring socialism through democratic means
(D) To bring socialism through democratic means
Explanation: Democratic Socialism seeks to achieve socialist goals within a democratic framework, emphasizing the importance of democracy and rule of law in bringing about social and economic reforms.
10. Which judge stated that ‘Secularism’ and ‘Federalism’ are basic features of the Indian Constitution?
(A) Keshavananda Bharati Case
(B) S.R. Bommai Case
(C) Indira Sawhney Case
(D) Minerva Mills Case
(B) S.R. Bommai Case
Explanation: In the S.R. Bommai case, the Supreme Court of India declared that ‘Secularism’ and ‘Federalism’ are basic features of the Indian Constitution, meaning they are integral to the structure and cannot be altered by amendments under the basic structure doctrine.