Civics Polity

Indian Polity and Governance

1,458 Questions

Indian Polity and Governance outlines the constitutional framework, administrative structure, and political system of India. This page provides practice questions on executive appointments, the role of councils of ministers, and disaster management. These topics are fundamental for civil services and state level exams.

President and GovernorCouncil of MinistersState administrationDisaster managementConstitutional appointmentsLegislature

Indian Polity and Governance Questions

Multiple choice

Who amongst the following acts as the presiding officer of the House without being its member?

  1. Vice-President of India

  2. Speaker of Lok Sabha

  3. Chairman of the Legislative Council

  4. Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Vice-President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha but is not a member of either House of Parliament. This is a unique position where the presiding officer does not belong to the body they lead. In contrast, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha must be an elected member of that House.

Multiple choice

Who participate in the election of the Vice-President ?

  1. Members of the Lok Sabha

  2. Elected members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha

  3. Members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha

  4. Members of Legislative Assemblies of the States
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of all members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members. This differs from the Presidential election, where nominated members and members of State Legislative Assemblies do not participate. The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.

Multiple choice

The authority to alter the boundaries of States in India rests with-

  1. State Government

  2. President

  3. Prime Minister

  4. Parliament
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Article 3 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Parliament to form new states and alter the areas, boundaries, or names of existing states. While the President must refer the bill to the concerned state legislature for its views, the Parliament is not bound by those views. This reflects the unitary bias of the Indian federal system where the territorial integrity of states is not guaranteed.

Multiple choice

The members of the UPSC are appointed by the

  1. Cabinet

  2. Chief Justice of India

  3. Prime Minister of India

  4. President of India
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1) is incorrect: The Cabinet cannot appoint the chairman and members of the UPSC. Option (2) is incorrect: The Chief Justice of India cannot appoint the chairman and members of the UPSC. Option (3) is incorrect: The Prime Minister of India cannot appoint the chairman and members of the UPSC. Option (4) is correct: The chairman and members of the UPSC are appointed by the President of India.

Multiple choice

In India, when both the offices of the President and the Vice-President happen to be vacant simultaneously, who will discharge the duties of the President?

  1. The Prime Minister

  2. The Union Home Minister

  3. The Speaker of Lok Sabha

  4. The Chief Justice of India

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

According to the President (Discharge of Functions) Act, 1969, if both the offices of President and Vice-President are vacant, the Chief Justice of India discharges the functions of the President.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following is not the power of the President of India?

  1. To declare emergency.

  2. To appoint and dismiss the ambassadors.

  3. To appoint and dismiss the members of Lok Sabha.

  4. To dissolve Parliament and order for fresh election.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The President of India appoints the Prime Minister and other ministers, but the members of the Lok Sabha are elected by the people. The President has no authority to appoint or dismiss individual members of the Lok Sabha.

Multiple choice

Who decides whether a bill is a money bill or not?

  1. The President

  2. The Attorney General

  3. The Vice President

  4. The Speaker of Lok Sabha

  5. The Prime Minister
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Speaker  of Lok Sabha can decide whether a bill it is a money bill or not.

Multiple choice

The Attorney General of India is appointed by the

  1. President

  2. Prime Minister

  3. Chief Minister

  4. Governor

  5. Vice President

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Under Article 76 of the Indian Constitution, the Attorney General of India is appointed by the President of India.

Multiple choice

Which of the following veto powers are enjoyed by the President of India?

  1. Absolute veto
  2. Qualified veto
  3. Suspensive veto
  4. Pocket veto

  1. 1 and 4

  2. 2 and 4

  3. 1, 3 and 4

  4. All of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is a conceptual question which needs understanding of different types of vetoes:

Absolute veto – means withholding of assent to a bill 

Qualified veto - which can be overridden by the Legislature with a high majority
Suspensive veto - which can be overridden by the Legislature with an ordinary majority 
Pocket veto – means delay in giving assent to a bill  The President of India does not enjoy qualified veto as once the bill is sent after reconsideration by the Parliament; he has to give his assent.  

Multiple choice

Who certifies a bill as a money bill?

  1. Chairman of the Council of States

  2. Speaker of the House of the People

  3. Finance Minister

  4. Prime Minister
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Speaker of the House of the People certifies a bill as a money bill.