UPSC (IAS) Prelims 2021: Check Important Topics from Indian Polity

Also Check: Topic-wise Important Questions & Answers on Indian Polity

Basics of Indian Constitution

• Historical Background of the Constitution
• Drafting Committee
• Salient Features of the Constitution
• Schedules of the Constitution

Let’s have a look at reference questions asked from this topic in previous years

Ques: The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that

(a) the executive and legislature work independently.

(b) it provides continuity of policy and is more efficient.

(c) the executive remains responsible to the legislature.

(d) the head of the government cannot be changed without election.

Ans: c ( the executive remains responsible to the legislature)

Ques: The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
2. The validity of a law placed in the Ninth Schedule cannot be examined by any court and no judgement can be made on
it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

 Ans- (a) 1 Only

Preamble

• Sources of Constitution
• Nature of Indian States

Let’s have a look at the type of questions previously asked in the UPSC IAS Prelims Exam in the previous years:

Ques: Which one of the following objectives is not embodied in the Preamble to the Constitution of India?

(a) Liberty of thought

(b) Economic liberty

(c) Liberty of expression

(d) Liberty of belief

Ans- (b) Economic Liberty

Ques: The mind of the makers of the Constitution of India is reflected in which of the following?

(a) The Preamble

(b) The Fundamental Rights

(c) The Directive Principles of State Policy

(d) The Fundamental Duties

Ans- (a) The Preamble

Citizenship

• Meaning and Significance
• Citizenship Act. 1955

Check Important Questions & Answers on Citizenship 

Fundamental Rights

• Articles 14-32 of the Constitution
• Exceptions to Fundamental Rights
• Features of Fundamental Rights
• 44th Amendment Act
• Right to Education

Check Important Questions & Answers on Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, DPSP

Directive Principles of State Policy

• Articles 36-51 of the Constitution
• Difference b/w Fundamental Rights and DPSP
• Features of DPSP
• Important Cases - Keshavananda Bharati, Minerva Mills, Golaknath Case, Maneka Gandhi case.

Let’s have a look at a reference question asked from this topic in previous years

Ques: With reference to the Constitution of India, the Directive Principles of State Policy constitute limitations upon

1. legislative function.
2. executive function.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans- (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Also Check:  7 Effective Steps to Read Laxmikant Quickly for Indian Polity

Fundamental Duties

• List of Fundamental Duties
• Article 51A
• Difference b/w FR and FD

Let’s have a look at the type of questions previously asked in the UPSC IAS Prelims Exam in the previous years:

Ques: Which of the following statements is/are true of the Fundamental Duties of an Indian citizen?

1. A legislative process has been provided to enforce these duties.
2. They are correlative to legal duties. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans- (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques:  In the context of India, which one of the following is the correct relationship between Rights and Duties?

(a) Rights are correlative with Duties.

(b) Rights are personal and hence independent of society and Duties.

(c) Rights, not Duties, are important for the advancement of the personality of the citizen.

(d) Duties, not Rights, are important for the stability of the State.

Ans- (a) Rights are correlatives with duties

Central Government

⇒ President:

• Articles 52-64 of the constitution
• Election of the President
• Powers (Constitutional & Discretionary)
• Procedure of impeachment 

Let’s have a look at a reference question asked from this topic in previous years

Ques:  Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences of the proclamation of the President's rule in a State?

1. Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly
2. Removal of the Council of Ministers in the State
3. Dissolution of the local bodies

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2and 3   

Ans- (b) 1 and 3 Only

⇒ Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

• Articles 74-78 of the Constitution
• Appointment, powers, Role, Functions of PM
• Appointment of CoM
• Composition of the CoM
• Role of Cabinet

Let’s have a look at a reference question asked from this topic in previous years

Ques: The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers through

1. Adjournment motion
2. Question hour
3. Supplementary questions

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans- (d) 1,2 and 3

 ⇒ Parliament

• Articles 79-88 of the Constitution
• Composition of Two Houses
• Duration of two Houses
• Members of Parliament -Election, Functions
• Joint Sitting of two houses

Let’s have a look at a reference question asked from this topic in previous years

Ques:  For election to the Lok Sabha, a nomination paper can be filed by

(a) anyone residing in India.

(b) a resident of the constituency from which the election is to be contested.

(c) any citizen of India whose name appears in the electoral roll of a constituency.

(d) any citizen of India.

Ans- C (any citizen of India whose name appears in the electoral roll of a constituency).

⇒ Supreme Court

• Articles 124-147 of the Constitution
• Appointment of Judges
• Oath, Tenure, Removal of judges
• Acting CJI
• Jurisdiction and Powers of SC
• Power of Judicial Review

Let’s have a look at a reference question asked from this topic in previous years

Ques: In India, Judicial Review implies

(a) the power of the Judiciary to pronounce upon the constitutionality of laws and executive orders.

(b) the power of the Judiciary to question the wisdom of the laws enacted by the Legislatures.

(c) the power of the Judiciary to review all the legislative enactments before they are assented to by the President.

(d) the power of the Judiciary to review its own judgements given earlier in similar or different cases.

Ans- (a) the power of the Judiciary to pronounce upon the constitutionality of laws and executive orders.

State Government

⇒ Governor 

•  Articles 152-162 of the Constitution
• Appointment of the Governor
• Oath, Term of Office, Powers
• 7th constitutional amendment

Let’s have a look at a reference question asked from this topic in previous years

Ques: Consider the following statements:

1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a State in any court during his term of office.
   2. The emoluments and allowances of the Governor of a State shall not be diminished during his term of office.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   (a) 1 only
   (b) 2 only
   (c) Both 1 and 2
   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans- C- Both 1 and 2

⇒ Chief Ministers and Council of State Ministers

• Articles 163,164 of Constitution
• Appointment, Oath Responsibilities

⇒ State Legislatures

• Composition of Two Houses
• Duration of two Houses
• Members of State Legislature - Election, Functions
• Sessions & Legislative procedures of two houses

Let’s have a look at a reference question asked from this topic in previous years

Ques: With reference to the Legislative Assembly of a State in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Governor makes a customary address to Members of the House at the commencement of the first session of the year.
2. When a State Legislature does' not have a rule on a particular matter, it follows the Lok Sabha rule on that matter.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans- (a) 1 Only

⇒ Emergency Provisions

• National emergency- Article 352
• President’s rule or State emergency- Article 356
• Financial emergency- Article 360
• 44th amendment act
• Effects and implications of emergency
• Role of President in emergency time
• The State of FR, Lok sabha, and Rajya sabha
• Revoking emergency

Panchayati Raj and Municipalities

• Three-tier structure
• 73rd Amendment Act and the 74th Amendment Act
• Metropolitan planning committee and urban development
• Reservation

Check Important Questions & Answers on Panchayati Raj, Municipal Committees

Constitutional Bodies

• Election Commission
• UPSC
• SPSC
• JPSC
• Finance Commission
• National Commission for SCs and ST’s,
• Composition, Powers and Functions, Removal of the Constitutional bodies

Check Important Questions & Answers on Constitutional Bodies (UPSC, SPSC, CAG, AG, etc.)

Non Constitutional Bodies

• National Human Rights Commission, 
• Central Information Commission, 
• Central Vigilance Commission, 
• Central Bureau of Investigation, 
• State Human Rights Commission, 
• State Information Commission 

Let’s have a look at a reference question asked from this topic in previous years

Ques: With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the house whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc. conferred by the Constitution or delegated by the Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation ?

(a) Committee on Government Assurances

(b) Committee on Subordinate Legislation

(c) Rules Committee

(d) Business Advisory Committee

Ans- (b) Committee on Subordinate Legislation

UPSC Civil Services (IAS) Prelims 2021: Subject-wise Study Material for Complete Preparation