Dear UPSC Aspirants, 100 weeks, countless questions, infinite learning! As we celebrate 100 weeks of UPSC Essentials quizzes, here are a few questions from past UPSC CSE prelims in Polity and Governance that highlight what makes the subject questions difficult by tricking aspirants on basics which sometimes are missing in reliable books on the subject. While the difficulty of questions might vary as per individual’s preparation, it is the attitude and approach towards the question which makes the difference. Check them out to see if you know the correct answers, and avoid falling into the trap of UPSC on similar themes for the upcoming Prelims 2025. 🚨 Click Here to read the Union Budget Special issue of the UPSC Essentials magazine for February 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨 Master every word of the Constitution—It could make or break your dream QUESTION 1 Which one of the following objectives is not embodied in the Preamble of the Constitution of India? (UPSC 2017) a) Liberty of thought b) Economic liberty c) Liberty of expression d) Liberty of belief Explanation — The Preamble is one of the most important parts of the Constitution that you must know by heart. UPSC questions like this confirm this fact. While you may think you know it well since it is very basic, the pressure of the examination might make you second-guess your preparation. — Almost exactly 75 years since the Constitution of India was adopted, the Supreme Court upheld the insertion of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble of the founding document. — Through the Constitution (Forty-Second Amendment) Act, 1976 (42nd Amendment), Parliament during the Emergency enacted a sweeping series of amendments to the Constitution, one of which was labelling India a “SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC”. — The preamble of the Constitution serves as a statement clarifying the guiding principles and purpose behind the Constitution of India. When the Constitution first came into force on January 26, 1950, the Preamble stated: WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION. According to the official key of UPSC, option (b) was the correct answer. When options are designed to make you second-guess QUESTION 2 Right to vote and to be elected in India is a (UPSC 2017) (a) Fundamental Right (b) Natural Right (c) Constitutional Right (d) Legal Right Explanation — You are an aspirant and, more importantly, a responsible citizen of this country. Knowing your rights isn’t just expected—it’s essential. But what happens when the options are so close that your mind says one thing while your heart says another? That’s when a lack of strong fundamentals catches up with you. It’s not your fault—many books you rely on often overlook such crucial nuances. The question above may seem easy, but only if there were no negative markings. — Compulsory voting format was first considered by Parliament in 1950 during the enactment of the Representation of the People Act. It was, however, rejected by members, including B.R. Ambedkar, on account of practical difficulties. — Consequently, Article 326 of the Constitution mandates the right to vote for a citizen above 18 and states that every person on the electoral roll of a constituency will be entitled to vote under Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act. According to the official key of UPSC, option (c) was the correct answer. Beyond books and classrooms: Key topics you should prepare through self-study QUESTION 3 In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers? (UPSC 2022) (a) Central Statistics Office (b) Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (c) Labour Bureau (d) National Technical Information System Manpower Explanation — There are topics that you will not find in books. You should be inquisitive about them, such as this one. — The Labour Bureau, created in 1920, is an affiliated office of the Ministry of Labour and Employment that collects, collates, and disseminates labour, employment, and pricing statistics. — It is also a major source of primary data on several key economic indicators. These comprise the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers, Agricultural and Rural Labourers, Wage Rate Indices, wages, earnings, absenteeism, labour turnover, industrial relations, socioeconomic conditions of workers in organised and unorganised industries, and so on. — The functions/activities of Labour Bureau can be classified as: Construction and maintenance of various series of index numbers: (a) Consumer Price Index Numbers (CPI) - Industrial Workers (b) Consumer Price Index Numbers (CPI)- Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (c) Wage Rate Indices in respect of industries covered under the Occupational Wage Surveys. (d) Retail Price Indices for 31 Essential Commodities in Urban Areas. Administrative statistics on absenteeism, labour turnover, labour costs, employment, earnings, industrial disputes, and other topics are provided. Conducting research studies/surveys and publishing on labour-related issues in the organised and unorganised sectors. Statistical information on many elements of labour is collected, compiled, and disseminated via statutory and voluntary returns under several Labour Acts. According to the official key of UPSC, option (c) was the correct answer. (Source: labourbureau.gov.in) Testing your basics: How strong is your foundation? QUESTION 4 Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates (UPSC 2021) (a) the Right to Equality (b) the Directive Principles of State Policy (c) the Right to Freedom (d) the Concept of Welfare Explanation — The core of the question is not very new. It may be surprising if you’ve never thought of going back to the basics on issues, whether in current affairs or the static syllabus. Why is the concentration of wealth a problem according to the constitution? You should have asked while studying, as UPSC did in 2021. — DPSPs, provided under Part IV of the Constitution of India, incorporate some of the ideas envisioned by Gandhi for the comprehensive development of the country. — The Supreme Court has, in a number of judgements, referred to the importance of the Directive Principles. It has called these principles the “conscience” of the Constitution and also as the core of the Constitution. — These principles are the “goals” to be achieved by Part III of the Constitution. They are intended to ensure “distributive justice” for removal of inequalities and disabilities and to achieve a fair division of wealth amongst the members of the society. According to the official key of UPSC, option (b) was the correct answer. (Other Source: legalaffairs.gov.in) The topic you thought was not important, UPSC thought otherwise QUESTION 5 With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements : 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government. 2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as a force to the police in maintenance of internal security. 3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States. How many of the above statements are correct? (UPSC 2023) (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — Institutions, organizations, and bodies are very important for the UPSC exam. You prepare a long list of organizations and revise it throughout the year. But UPSC chooses to ask this! The unpredictable UPSC. — Home Guards is a voluntary force established in India in December 1946 to aid the police in suppressing civil unrest and communal rioting. Several states eventually adopted the concept of volunteer citizen force. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. — Home Guards serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintaining internal security situations, assisting the community in any type of emergency such as an air raid, fire, cyclone, earthquake, epidemic, and so on, assisting in the maintenance of essential services, promoting communal harmony and assisting the administration in protecting weaker sections, participating in socioeconomic and welfare activities, and performing Civil Defence duties. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — Fifteen Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG) Battalions have been raised in border states, including Punjab (6 Bns.), Rajasthan (4 Bns.), Gujarat (2 Bns.), and one Battalion each for Meghalaya, Tripura, and West Bengal, to serve as an auxiliary to the Border Security Force in preventing infiltration on international borders/coastal areas, guarding VA/VPs, and lines of communication in vulnerable areas during external aggression. Hence, statement 3 is correct. According to the official key of UPSC, option (b) was the correct answer. (Source: dgfscdhg.gov.in) 🚨Your Feedback Matters: Click here to share your views on our UPSC Essentials Quiz. 🚨 Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 100) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 99) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 99) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 99) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 99) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 96, 97 and 98) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
