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 2012: 18 questions
All years →- Q10 · Federalism, states & centre–state relationsThe distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the:…
- Q21 · Fundamental Rights, DPSP & DutiesConsider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India: Securing for citizens of India a uniform civil code. Organizing village Panc…
- Q22 · Making of the Constitution, Preamble & featuresWhich of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education? Directive Principles of State Policy. Rural and Urban Local Bodies. Fifth Schedule Sixth Schedule Seventh Sc…
- Q23 · Fundamental Rights, DPSP & DutiesWhich of the following is/are among the Fundamental Duties of citizens laid down in the Indian Constitution? To preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture. To protect the weaker sections from…
- Q24 · Constitutional, statutory & regulatory bodiesAccording to the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the President of India to cause to be laid before the Parliament which of the following? The Recommendation of the Union Finance Commission. T…
- Q25 · Parliament & the Union executiveThe Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment:…
- Q26 · Parliament & the Union executiveIn the Parliament of India, the purpose of an adjournment motion is…
- Q27 · Parliament & the Union executiveConsider the following statements: Union Territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha. It is within the purview of the Chief Election Commissioner to adjudicate the election disputes. According …
- Q28 · Parliament & the Union executiveRegarding the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker, consider the following statements: He/She holds the office during the pleasure of the President. He/She need not be a member of the House at the time of …
- Q29 · Parliament & the Union executiveWhich of the following special powers have been conferred on the Rajya Sabha by the Constitution of India?…
- Q30 · Parliament & the Union executiveA deadlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha calls for a joint sitting of the Parliament during the passage of Ordinary Legislation Money Bill Constitution Amendment Bill…
- Q31 · Elections, rights issues & governanceWith reference to the Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements: The orders of the Delimitation Commission cannot be challenged in a Court of Law. When the orders of the Delimitation …
- Q32 · Parliament & the Union executiveWhich of the following are the methods of Parliamentary control over public finance in India? Placing Annual Financial Statement before the Parliament Withdrawal of moneys from Consolidated Fund of In…
- Q33 · JudiciaryWhich of the following are included in the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court? A dispute between the Government of India and one or more States. A dispute regarding elections to either House o…
- Q34 · JudiciaryWhat is the provision to safeguard the autonomy of the Supreme Court of India? While appointing the Supreme Court Judges, the President of India has to consult the Chief Justice of India. The Supreme …
- Q35 · Panchayati Raj & local governmentIn the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha? Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Are…
- Q36 · Constitutional, statutory & regulatory bodiesIn India, other than ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and for intended purpose, what is the importance of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)? CAG exercises excheque…
- Q38 · Elections, rights issues & governanceWith reference to consumers' rights/ privileges under the provisions of law in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? Consumers are empowered to take samples for food testing. When a…
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.
