Prelims GS I · 214 questions · 2011–2026
Polity & governance: every Prelims question, by topic
UPSC syllabus: “Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.” Below, the topics inside it — most asked first — and how often each came up year by year.
Polity & governance in Prelims 2025: 15 questions
All years →- Q3 · Constitutional, statutory & regulatory bodiesWith reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: Directorate of Enforcement — Enforcement of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 — Internal Security Division–I, Min…
- Q51 · Parliament & the Union executiveWith reference to the Indian polity, consider the following statements: An Ordinance can amend any Central Act. An Ordinance can abridge a Fundamental Right. An Ordinance can come into effect from a b…
- Q53 · Federalism, states & centre–state relationsWith reference to India, consider the following: The Inter-State Council The National Security Council Zonal Councils…
- Q54 · Federalism, states & centre–state relationsConsider the following statements: The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own discretion. The President of India can, of his/her …
- Q55 · Fundamental Rights, DPSP & DutiesConsider the following pairs: Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the public services of the State — The Directive Principles of the State Policy Valuing and preserving of the rich heritage …
- Q56 · Federalism, states & centre–state relationsConsider 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 the State Government loses its executive po…
- Q57 · Constitutional, statutory & regulatory bodiesWith reference to India, consider the following pairs: The National Automotive Board — Ministry of Commerce and Industry The Coir Board — Ministry of Heavy Industries The National Centre for Trade Inf…
- Q58 · Making of the Constitution, Preamble & featuresConsider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule Extent of the executive power of a State Conditions of the Governor's office…
- Q59 · Federalism, states & centre–state relationsWith reference to the Indian polity, consider the following statements: The Governor of a State is not answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his/her offi…
- Q60 · Constitutional, statutory & regulatory bodiesConsider the following activities: Production of crude oil Refining, storage and distribution of petroleum Marketing and sale of petroleum products Production of natural gas…
- Q86 · Parliament & the Union executiveConsider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected to limited judicial review. The President can e…
- Q87 · Parliament & the Union executiveConsider the following statements: On the dissolution of the House of the People, the Speaker shall not vacate his/her office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People afte…
- Q88 · Parliament & the Union executiveConsider the following statements: If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under the 10th Schedule, the President's decision in …
- Q91 · Panchayati Raj & local governmentConsider the following statements: Panchayats at the intermediate level exist in all States. To be eligible to be a Member of a Panchayat at the intermediate level, a person should attain the age of t…
- Q98 · Constitutional, statutory & regulatory bodiesConsider the following statements about Lokpal: The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India. The Chairperson or a Member shall n…
Polity & governance in UPSC Prelims at a glance
UPSC has asked 214 questions on Polity & governance in GS Paper I from 2011 to 2026 — about 13 a year, the most in 2017 (22). The most-asked topic is Parliament & the Union executive (54 questions).
| Year | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Questions | 6 | 18 | 18 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 22 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 12 |
Counted from UPSC's own papers in the Vault, each question under its main subject · updated 8 Nov 2026.
- Parliament & the Union executive54 questions · asked in 16 of 16 years
- Fundamental Rights, DPSP & Duties34 questions · asked in 14 of 16 years
- Making of the Constitution, Preamble & features28 questions · asked in 13 of 16 years
- Federalism, states & centre–state relations28 questions · asked in 13 of 16 years
- Constitutional, statutory & regulatory bodies23 questions · asked in 14 of 16 years
- Judiciary21 questions · asked in 11 of 16 years
- Elections, rights issues & governance17 questions · asked in 8 of 16 years
- Panchayati Raj & local government9 questions · asked in 8 of 16 years
Latest questions
- 2026 · Q51 · Elections, rights issues & governanceMr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution …
- 2026 · Q52 · Elections, rights issues & governanceIn a multi-ethnic district where both economic competition and historical grievances frequently led to community tensions, a flashpoint has arisen with a Government decis…
- 2026 · Q53 · Elections, rights issues & governanceMs. 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 i…
- 2026 · Q54 · Fundamental Rights, DPSP & Duties‘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 t…
- 2026 · Q55 · Making of the Constitution, Preamble & featuresConsider the following statements with reference to the Constitution of India:…
The same ground in Mains
These official Mains syllabus lines cover Polity & governance. Prelims facts become Mains arguments.
- Constitution: evolution, features & basic structure
- Comparing constitutions
- Parliament & state legislatures
- Executive, judiciary & pressure groups
- Separation of powers & dispute redressal
- Federalism & devolution
- Constitutional bodies
- Statutory, regulatory & quasi-judicial bodies
- Representation of the People Act
- Government policies & interventions
- Welfare of vulnerable sections
- Governance, transparency & e-governance
Polity & governance PYQs as a PDF — free
All 48 PDFs →Every Polity & governance question from 2011 to 2026, topic-wise, with answers and explanations — 118 pages. Free; sign up once.
Polity & governance PYQs: quick answers
How many Polity & governance questions has UPSC asked in Prelims from 2011 to 2026?
214 questions in GS Paper I — about 13 a year, the most in 2017 (22). Every one is on this page, under its topic, with UPSC's answer and an explanation.
Which Polity & governance topic does UPSC ask most in Prelims?
Parliament & the Union executive: 54 questions between 2011 and 2026, asked in 16 of 16 years. The topics are listed above, most asked first, each with its year-by-year trend.
Are the answers UPSC's official answer keys?
From 2016, yes: every answer is from UPSC's final answer key (2016–2025); for 2011–2015, where UPSC published no key online, each answer is worked out from official sources and reviewed independently; for 2026 UPSC has so far published a provisional key, and those answers are labelled. Explanations cite official sources — NCERT and government pages first.
Can I download the Polity & governance PYQs as a PDF?
Yes — a print-ready PDF of every Polity & governance question with answers and explanations (118 pages, 2.2 MB), free after a one-time sign-up, from the Vault's downloads page.
Counted from UPSC's own papers in the Vault; answers are UPSC's keys.
