UPSC Prelims 2014
Indian Polity Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 10 solved UPSC Prelims 2014 Indian Polity questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
Consider the following statements: A Constitutional Government is one which -
- Places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority
- Places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: A constitutional government protects individual liberty from state overreach, not restricts it in favour of state authority.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The essence of constitutional government is limited government where the authority of the state is restricted by the constitution to safeguard individual liberty and fundamental rights.
Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?
Detailed Explanation:
Committee on Estimates is the largest parliamentary committee with 30 members, all elected annually from the Lok Sabha only.
Committee on Public Accounts and Committee on Public Undertakings have 22 members each (15 from Lok Sabha + 7 from Rajya Sabha), while Committee on Petitions has 15 members in Lok Sabha.
Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India:
- There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India.
- A Motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Constitution of India does not explicitly mention the No-Confidence Motion; it is provided under Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: A No-Confidence Motion can be moved only in the Lok Sabha (not in Rajya Sabha) as the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha under Article 75(3). Requires support of at least 50 members to be admitted.
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Consider the following statements:
- The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.
- All executive actions of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Prime Minister.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Article 77(3) empowers the President to make rules for transaction of Government business and allocation among Ministers. These are known as the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Article 77(1) states all executive actions of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the President, not the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers but executive authority is formally vested in the President.
The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its
Detailed Explanation:
Article 131 confers original jurisdiction on the Supreme Court to decide disputes between the Centre and States or between States inter se.
Original jurisdiction means cases can be directly filed in the Supreme Court without going through lower courts, making it the court of first instance for such federal disputes.
Which of the following are discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State?
- Sending a report to the President of India for imposing President's rule
- Appointing the Ministers
- Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
- Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Under Article 356, the Governor has discretionary power to send a report to the President recommending President's Rule if constitutional machinery in the state has failed.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Governor appoints Ministers on the advice of the Chief Minister under Article 164; this is not a discretionary power but a constitutional obligation.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Under Article 200, the Governor has discretionary power to reserve bills passed by the State Legislature for the President's consideration, especially bills affecting High Court powers or repugnant to Central laws.
❌ Statement 4 – Incorrect: Under Article 166, rules for conducting State Government business are made by the Governor on the advice of the Council of Ministers, not at discretion.
In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the
Detailed Explanation:
Promotion of international peace and security is mandated under Article 51 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
The State shall endeavour to: promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations, foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.
The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in
Detailed Explanation:
Article 124(1) of the Constitution states that the Supreme Court shall consist of a Chief Justice of India and, until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, not more than 33 other Judges.
The power to increase the number of Supreme Court judges is vested in Parliament through legislation, not in the President, Chief Justice, or Law Commission.
Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?
Detailed Explanation:
The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution contains provisions regarding anti-defection.
Added by the 52nd Amendment Act, 1985, it provides for disqualification of legislators on grounds of defection by voluntarily giving up party membership or disobeying party whip (except in cases like splits and mergers as per rules).
Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?
- Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings
- Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees
- Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Cabinet Secretariat prepares the agenda for Cabinet meetings and circulates relevant papers to ensure smooth functioning of the Cabinet.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: It provides secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees (like CCEA, CCS, ACC) and coordinates implementation of Cabinet decisions across ministries.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Allocation of financial resources is the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance through the Budget Division, not the Cabinet Secretariat.
UPSC Prelims 2014 - Indian Polity Chapter-wise Distribution
Supreme Court
2 Qs (20%)Parliament
2 Qs (20%)Union Executive
2 Qs (20%)Elections and Electoral System
1 Qs (10%)Directive Principles of State Policy
1 Qs (10%)State Government
1 Qs (10%)Salient Features of the Constitution
1 Qs (10%)UPSC Prelims 2014 - Indian Polity Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Indian Polity questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2014?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Indian Polity in UPSC Prelims 2014?
- Supreme Court: 2 questions (20%)
- Parliament: 2 questions (20%)
- Union Executive: 2 questions (20%)
- Elections and Electoral System: 1 questions (10%)
- Directive Principles of State Policy: 1 questions (10%)
- State Government: 1 questions (10%)
- Salient Features of the Constitution: 1 questions (10%)