Top 25 UPSC Prelims Expected Questions from Polity Syllabus

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary exam is around the corner and this is the right time to revise all the important and much-expected questions in Polity. Polity is an important part of the UPSC prelims and the main examination. If candidates are able to understand and revise the concepts and the theory well, then they can score high marks in Polity. 

As per the UPSC 2023 calendar, the IAS Prelims and main exams are scheduled to take place on May 28, 2023 and September 15, 2023 respectively.

Lately, questions in Polity try to check the in-depth understanding of a candidate when it comes to certain basic topics like the DPSP, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Preamble etc. There are times when factual information is asked in the  prelims exam, therefore candidates should be well-versed with important Articles, especially those that have been in the news. Candidates should also go through the past year’s question papers to get an idea of the important topics for the  IAS Exam. 

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How to revise important topics of Polity for UPSC Prelims 2023?

Indian Polity is very vast and it is important for each UPSC aspirant to revise this subject multiple times before the exam. Candidates can keep the following points in mind while revising polity:

• Revise the most important areas like the Parliament, DPSP, Fundamental rights, the Preamble, Supreme Court, President, important committees etc first and then focus on other areas.
• Jot down important points or make short notes while revising Polity.
• Aspirants should revise important facts every week in order to retain important information.

Candidates should not try to study anything new just before the exam as they may not be able to retain as well recall the information in the exam hall.

Best 25 Polity Topics/Questions Expected in UPSC Prelims 2023

BYJU’S SMEs/Experts bring to you the most important 25 Polity questions. UPSC experts have compiled the questions after thoroughly analysing the current issues in the news and the past trend followed by the UPSC.

List of 25 Expected Polity Questions in IAS Prelims 2023:

• How can a foreigner become a citizen of India?

Citizenship is an important issue, which has been in the news for the past few years mainly due to the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) issues. Candidates should study this topic thoroughly and should focus on the:

• Constitutional provisions associated with Citizenship in India
• Citizenship Act of 1955
• Acquiring Indian citizenship
• Single citizenship in India, PIO and OCI

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• Is Right to Privacy a Fundamental Right?

The topic on right to privacy has been in the news due to the Personal Data Protection Bill and the Pegasus issue. Candidates should be aware of the Puttaswamy judgement that held that the right to privacy is a fundamental right.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• How are Lok Sabha elections conducted? What are the rules that a candidate must follow in order to contest an election? How are political parties registered in India?

Lok Sabha election is an important area that an aspirant should focus on for the CSE prelims. By-elections to Lok Sabha are announced by the Election Commission of India. Candidates should be aware of the process to elect candidates at various levels in India, role of the Election Commission, registration process of the political parties etc.

• What is the importance of Article 142?

The Supreme Court of India uses this Article in order to give ‘complete justice’. Article 142 which is titled ‘Enforcement of decrees and orders of the Supreme Court and orders as to discovery, etc.’ comprises two clauses, the details of which are given in the linked page .

• What is the status of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in India? What are the powers of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights?

Issues related to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights are generally in the news. Candidates should understand the structure of these commissions, their powers and responsibilities, their status under the Constitution of India etc.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• What is the mechanism to solve the inter-state river water disputes in India? Explain the Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956 (IRWD Act).

Issues related to the Inter-state river water disputes  in India appear frequently in the news. Candidates should know the process through which these disputes are resolved. In addition, candidates should also be aware of the Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956 (IRWD Act) which was in the news recently.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• Explain the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and the ninth Schedule.

Schedules are an important part of the UPSC CSE prelims. Questions pertaining to various Schedules like the Eighth Schedule, Ninth Schedule etc have been asked earlier in the IAS prelims exam.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• What is the role and status of CAG in India?

It is an important topic for the UPSC CSE Prelims. Candidates should understand the role of CAG, its status under the Constitution of India, its powers etc.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• How are Vice-chancellors of Central Universities appointed?

In July 2021, the President of India, who is the Visitor to central universities, approved the appointment of vice chancellors in 12 varsities. This topic has been in the news frequently, therefore candidates should have a basic understanding of this topic. Candidates should also find out more about the appointment process of the vice chancellor for various State universities 

• What is section 144 of CrPC?

Section 144 of the Code Of Criminal Procedure was in the news recently. It gives powers to a ‘district magistrate, a sub-divisional magistrate, or any other executive magistrate empowered by the state government, to issue orders to prevent and address urgent cases of apprehended danger or nuisance.” Aspirants can also refer to the article on  Indian Penal Code to get a clear understanding of the topic.

• What are Articles 72 and 161 related to?

Articles 72 and 161 were recently in the news because of Perarivalan’s plea in the Supreme court. Article 161 deals with the power of the Governor “to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment, or suspend, remit or commute the sentence of anyone convicted under any law on a matter which comes under the State’s executive power” whereas Article 72 deals with the power of the President of India “to  grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence in all cases where the punishment or sentence is by a court-martial, in all cases where the punishment or sentence is for an offence under any law relating to the Union government’s executive power, and in all cases of death sentences.”

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• What is a Delimitation Commission?

The Delimitation Commission was in news with respect to the Jammu and Kashmir Delimitation report. Questions on the Delimitation Commission have been asked earlier. Hence, candidates should study this topic in depth.

• Explain Article 80 and 355, which was in the news?

Both the Articles were in the news recently. Article 80 of the Constitution of India deals with the composition of the council of states.  Article 355 states, “It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution”. Aspirants can also refer to the link on List of Important Articles in Indian Constitution.

• Explain the MPLAD scheme?

Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) was suspended in April 2020 but it was restored in 2021. A question related to MPLADS was asked in the UPSC CSE Prelims 2021. Candidates should study all the important provisions of this scheme.

• When is Article 356 imposed?

Article 356 is related to the imposition of the President’s rule (State emergency). Candidates should also be aware of National emergency, Financial emergency and  other important Emergency provisions.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• Explain the powers of the Governor.

The Governor and the President are important topics for the IAS prelims exam. These topics are always in the news. Therefore, candidates while studying should have a clear understanding of the similarities and differences between the powers and functions of the Governor of a state and the President of India.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• What is the procedure to appoint and remove the chief minister of a State?

The topic on the process to appoint and remove a chief minister is important. Along with this, candidates should know the process to appoint and remove the Prime Minister of India.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• Can the Central government of India share Aadhaar card data with any other entity (Private or public)?

Since the introduction of the Aadhaar card, it has been in the news. Questions related to the Aadhaar card have been asked in the UPSC prelims exam earlier. Candidates should study this topic in depth.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• Is the Preamble a part of the Indian Constitution?

There was a lot of hue and cry in the Rajya Sabha regarding the motion to introduce a bill to amend the Preamble. In this light, candidates should try to understand the various aspects, role and importance of the Preamble.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• Distinguish between the powers and functions of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha?

This is an evergreen topic. Candidates should be aware of the functions and powers of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. In addition, aspirants should have clarity on the differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• Explain the Anti-Defection law in India.

Anti-defection law in India is important for the UPSC prelims. It has been in the news for quite some time. Recently, the Vice-President of India suggested reforming the anti-defection law as it has several loopholes.

• Explain the basic structure doctrine and the Kesavananda Bharati case.

Questions related to the basic structure of the Constitution can be expected in the UPSC preliminary examination. Candidates should be aware of the various aspects that make the basic structure of the Constitution of India.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• What is federalism? What are the salient features of the Constitution of India?

Questions related to the salient features of the Indian Constitution are frequently asked in the UPSC CSE prelims. Candidates should have a thorough knowledge of the important characteristics of the Constitution of India.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• What are the Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties of the citizens of India?

The UPSC has always tried to ask basic questions but in a unique way that makes a candidate think in the exam hall. Questions related to  Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties are frequently asked, therefore candidates should learn important Articles and should have an in-depth understanding of these topics. Candidates should also do a comparative study between the two along with the DPSPs.

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

• Explain the powers and functions of the Supreme Court of India.

The topic related to the Supreme Court is important in the light of various important judgements passed by the Supreme Court of India. While studying the topic candidates should focus on the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, judicial review, constitutional bench, collegium etc. Candidates can refer to the past papers to understand the type of questions that are asked related to the Supreme court and the High Courts in the CSE Preliminary exam. 

Aspirants can also refer to the following links:

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Motivation for UPSC Prelims 2023 – Revision Tips 

With very few days left for the Civil Services Preliminary examination, candidates will be nervous and trying hard to revise all the topics. Aspirants can follow the tips given below to revise effectively:

1. If candidates feel that they won’t be able to complete revising the subjects, then they should try to at least revise important chapters or topics by referring to past question papers and mock tests.
2. Candidates should use effective revision strategies rather than reading the study material over and over again. Solving test series or practice papers, trying to recall important information without referring to the textbook or study material and spaced revision are good methods to revise effectively.
3. Candidates can use mind maps, mnemonics and diagrams to remember important facts and data.

Candidates should ensure that they write mock tests in exam-like conditions and analyse them thoroughly before the examination. On the day of the exam, candidates should reach the exam centre on time, remain calm while writing their exam and manage their time well.

Top 25 UPSC Prelims Expected Questions from Polity Syllabus –Download PDF Here

Candidates who are going to appear in the upcoming UPSC prelims exam can refer to the following links: