Indian Polity PYQs

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1. Prelims 2026Q76Governance, Rights & Welfare Laws

   Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution was compromising on quality to make profits. Despite immense pressure to manage the issue due to vested interests, he raised his voice based on the principles of public administration which he learnt during various training programmes attended across his career. He reported the issue to the appropriate vigilance authority and halted the contract to ensure citizen welfare.

   Which one among the following principles of public administration was most strongly demonstrated by Mr. X’s actions ?

   aEsprit de corpsbEquitycAccountabilitydDelegation
2. Prelims 2026Q77Governance, Rights & Welfare Laws

   In a multi-ethnic district where both economic competition and historical grievances frequently led to community tensions, a flashpoint has arisen with a Government decision to allocate land for a waste management facility near a tribal hamlet, sparking protests by the tribal community, which claimed that the land was sacred and critical to their cultural identity. At the same time, urban residents and local industries supported the project, citing severe solid waste challenges and health concerns due to lack of a proper disposal site. The conflict has escalated with road blockades, social media campaigns, and allegations of police excesses. As a responsible Government official, you are tasked with resolving the situation through mediation, ensuring a sustainable outcome that balances environmental needs, tribal rights, and urban public health.

   Consider the following statements with reference to the above :

   1.A successful conflict resolution process must begin with acknowledging the cultural concerns of the protesting tribal community before discussing technical alternatives.

   2.The Government should move ahead with the project without delay to address urban health concerns, which outweigh the sentiments of a small group.

   3.Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform — including tribal leaders, environmental experts, and municipal representatives — to build mutual understanding and help de-escalate tensions.

   4.Conducting an independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and sharing findings transparently with both sides to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.

   Which of the statements given above would contribute to the resolution process ?

   a1, 3 and 4 onlyb2, 3 and 4 onlyc1 and 2 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
3. Prelims 2026Q78Governance, Rights & Welfare Laws

   Ms. X is a mid-level civil service official working in the urban development department of a major city. Recently, she was involved in approving a contract for a public infrastructure project — a new community park. During the approval process, she received a piece of confidential information indicating that one of the shortlisted contractors had a history of poor workmanship and allegations of corruption in other cities, though nothing had been legally proven. The Head of the Department, Mr. Y, advised her not to disclose this information to the project committee or the public because it could delay the project and damage the city’s reputation. However, Ms. X believed that withholding such information compromised transparency and public trust.

   What amongst the following should Ms. X do now ?

   1.Immediately disclose the information to the project committee and the public

   2.Recommend removing the contractor from the shortlist to protect the project’s integrity

   3.Propose a ‘limited disclosure’ to an oversight committee, while keeping the information confidential from the public for the time being

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 and 2 onlyb3 onlyc2 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
4. Prelims 2026Q79Fundamental Rights

   ‘X’ was addressing a seminar on the meaning of the term ‘law’ as provided under Article 13, Part III of the Constitution of India. ‘X’ explained that the meaning of the term ‘law’ in the Constitution of India was very comprehensive. It included ordinances, orders and even rules and regulations. ‘Y’ pointed out that the term ‘law’ in Article 13 also included custom or usage having in the territory of India the force of law, to which ‘X’ was not convinced. Based on the above, select the correct conclusion from the options given below :

   a‘X’ is correct in the interpretation of law, including the view on non-inclusion of custom.bThe view of ‘Y’ that ‘law’ included custom is not correct.cThe views of both ‘X’ and ‘Y’ are correct.dThe view of only ‘Y’ is correct.
5. Prelims 2026Q80Historical Background & Making of the Constitution

   Consider the following statements with reference to the Constitution of India :

   1.There is no Article in the Constitution of India that specifies that the Constitution of India will be officially called the ‘Constitution of India’.

   2.There is no Article in the Constitution of India that specifies that the Indian Independence Act, 1947 and the Government of India Act, 1935 stand repealed.

   3.There is no Article in the Constitution of India that mentions 26th January, 1950 as the date of the commencement of the Constitution of India.

   Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?

   aAll three statements are correct.bThere is no correct statement.cThere are two correct statements that include statement 3.dThere is only one correct statement.
6. Prelims 2026Q81Governance, Rights & Welfare Laws

   Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ?

   1.The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an Act passed by the Parliament of India in 2018, mandates reservation in education and employment, places a legal duty on Governments to ensure accessibility and non-discrimination.

   2.The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains — built infrastructure, transport systems and information and communication technology.

   3.The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a public sector organisation set up by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as a not-for-profit company to promote entrepreneurship among Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 and 2b2 onlyc1 and 3d1 only
7. Prelims 2026Q82Panchayati Raj & Municipalities

   Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India :

   1.Provisions regarding the administration of the Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are given in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

   2.Some tribes of India are entitled to exemption from paying Income Tax on certain incomes.

   3.The Constitution of India provides for reservation of seats in Panchayats for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

   Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?

   aThere are two correct statements, that include statement 2.bThere are two correct statements, that are statements 1 and 3.cThere is only one correct statement.dAll three statements are correct.
8. Prelims 2026Q83Parliament

   Consider the following statements in respect of questions asked by the Members in the Parliament of India :

   1.Unstarred questions are those to which a Member desires an oral answer in the House.

   2.Starred questions are those to which a Member desires a written answer.

   3.No supplementary question can be asked on an unstarred question.

   Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?

   aAll the three statements are correct.bThere are two correct statements, that include statement 2.cThere is only one correct statement.dThere is no correct statement.
9. Prelims 2026Q84Parliament

   Consider the following statements about the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the Parliament of India :

   1.Although members of this Committee are elected from both Houses of Parliament, the Chairperson of this Committee is appointed by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

   2.Twenty members are elected by the Rajya Sabha and ten members by the Lok Sabha.

   3.No Minister, except for the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, is eligible to be a member of this Committee.

   4.Members are elected for a fixed term of two years from the date they enter their office.

   Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?

   aThere are four correct statements.bThere is only one correct statement, that is statement 2.cThere are two correct statements, that include statement 1.dThere is no correct statement.
10. Prelims 2026Q87Governance, Rights & Welfare Laws

    Which of the following statements about a Zero First Information Report (Zero FIR) under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 is/are correct ?

    1.A Zero FIR can be lodged at a police station, even though the place of commission of a cognizable/non-cognizable offence is outside the territorial jurisdiction of that police station.

    2.The Officer-in-Charge of the police station where a Zero FIR has been lodged may, with the permission of the competent authority, initiate a preliminary enquiry.

    3.Under Zero FIR, it is obligatory for the informant to furnish information electronically.

    Select the answer using the code given below :

    a1, 2 and 3b2 and 3 onlyc1 onlyd2 only
11. Prelims 2026Q88Statutory & Non-Constitutional Bodies

    With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details :

    Sl. No.	Organisation	Function	Controlling Union Ministry
    1.	Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB)	To coordinate between various law enforcement agencies	Ministry of Home Affairs
    2.	Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO)	To investigate complex corporate frauds	Ministry of Finance
    3.	Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)	To preserve values in public life and ensure the health of the national economy	Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension

    In how many of the above rows are the given details correctly matched ?

    a1b2c3dNone
12. Prelims 2026Q99Panchayati Raj & Municipalities

    Which of the following statements with respect to the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is/are correct ?

    1.The period of its implementation is 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2026.

    2.The key objective of the Revamped RGSA is to develop the governance capabilities of the Panchayati Raj Institutions to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.

    3.The share of the Central funding for the Revamped RGSA is 100% for all States and Union Territories.

    Select the answer using the code given below :

    a1 and 2b2 onlyc1 and 3d2 and 3
13. Prelims 2025Q51Union Executive

    With reference to the Indian polity, consider the following statements :

    I.An Ordinance can amend any Central Act.

    II.An Ordinance can abridge a Fundamental Right.

    III.An Ordinance can come into effect from a back date.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    aI and II onlybII and III onlycI and III onlydI, II and III
14. Prelims 2025Q52Preamble, Salient Features & Citizenship

    Consider the following pairs :

    State : Description

    I.Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks

    II.Nagaland : The State came into existence on the basis of a Constitutional Amendment Act

    III.Tripura : Initially a Part 'C' State, it became a centrally administered territory with the reorganization of States in 1956 and later attained the status of a full-fledged State

    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    aOnly onebOnly twocAll the threedNone
15. Prelims 2025Q53Centre-State Relations & Emergency

    With reference to India, consider the following :

    I.The Inter-State Council

    II.The National Security Council

    III.Zonal Councils

    How many of the above were established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?

    aOnly onebOnly twocAll the threedNone
16. Prelims 2025Q54State Government

    Consider the following statements :

    I.The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own discretion.

    II.The President of India can, of his/her own, reserve a bill passed by a State Legislature for his/her consideration without it being forwarded by the Governor of the State concerned.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    aI onlybII onlycBoth I and IIdNeither I nor II
17. Prelims 2025Q55DPSP & Fundamental Duties

    Consider the following pairs :

    Provision in the Constitution of India : Stated under

    I.Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the public services of the State : The Directive Principles of the State Policy

    II.Valuing and preserving of the rich heritage of our composite culture : The Fundamental Duties

    III.Prohibition of employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories : The Fundamental Rights

    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    aOnly onebOnly twocAll the threedNone
18. Prelims 2025Q56Panchayati Raj & Municipalities

    Consider the following statements :

    With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule

    I.the State Government loses its executive power in such areas and a local body assumes total administration

    II.the Union Government can take over the total administration of such areas under certain circumstances on the recommendations of the Governor

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    aI onlybII onlycBoth I and IIdNeither I nor II
19. Prelims 2025Q57Statutory & Non-Constitutional Bodies

    With reference to India, consider the following pairs :

    Organization

    I.The National Automotive Board : Ministry of Commerce and Industry

    II.The Coir Board : Ministry of Heavy Industries

    III.The National Centre for Trade Information : Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    aOnly onebOnly twocAll the threedNone
20. Prelims 2025Q58Amendment & Basic Structure

    Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India :

    I.List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule

    II.Extent of the executive power of a State

    III.Conditions of the Governor's office For a constitutional amendment with respect to which of the above, ratification by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States is required before presenting the bill to the President of India for assent?

    aI and II onlybII and III onlycI and III onlydI, II and III