UPSC Essentials Daily Quiz: Polity and Governance MCQs for Week 148
Are you diligently preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination Prelims 2026? It is crucial to consistently assess your progress and reinforce your understanding of core subjects. UPSC Essentials presents its daily subject-wise quiz initiative, specifically designed to help aspirants revise some of the most vital topics from the static portion of the syllabus. Today's edition focuses comprehensively on Polity and Governance, a high-weightage area in the preliminary examination.
This quiz features multiple-choice questions that test your grasp on parliamentary procedures, constitutional rights, and the functioning of legislative bodies. Engaging with these questions will not only check your current knowledge level but also highlight areas requiring further revision. Let us begin the quiz and evaluate your command over Polity and Governance.
Question 1: Rules of Conduct in the Lok Sabha
When the House is in session, a member —
- can read any book, newspaper or letter having no connection with the business of the House.
- shall not interrupt any member while speaking by disorderly expression or noises or in any other disorderly manner.
- can pass between the Chair and any member who is speaking.
- can leave the House when the Speaker is addressing the House.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 2 only
(d) 3 and 4 only
Relevance: This question evaluates knowledge of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, a frequently tested yet often under-prepared domain. It connects directly to contemporary instances of disorderly conduct, suspensions of Members of Parliament, and disruptions in parliamentary proceedings, which the UPSC closely monitors.
Explanation:
- Invoking Rule 349(i) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla previously directed a member not to quote from a purported extract of a book during proceedings.
- Rule 349 establishes detailed behavioural and procedural norms that MPs must adhere to during debates.
- Specifically, whilst the House is sitting, a member shall not read any book, newspaper, or letter except in connection with the business of the House. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
- A member shall not interrupt any member while speaking by disorderly expression or noises. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- A member shall not pass between the Chair and any member who is speaking. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
- A member shall not leave the House when the Speaker is addressing the House. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.
Therefore, the correct answer is option (c).
Question 2: Fundamental Rights under Article 21
Which of the following is/are considered a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution?
- Privacy
- Speedy Trial
- Freedom from Abuse
- Menstrual hygiene
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Relevance: This question tests comprehension of the judicial expansion of Article 21, a core theme in UPSC Prelims. It examines the ability to differentiate between explicitly recognised Fundamental Rights and welfare or health entitlements derived from the broader principle of human dignity.
Explanation:
- The Right to Privacy was declared a fundamental right under Article 21 by the Supreme Court in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy case (2017), safeguarding personal liberty against state intrusion.
- The Right to Speedy Trial and fair procedure is derived from a broad interpretation of personal liberty, as established in the Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India case.
- The Right to Dignity and Freedom from Abuse has been reinforced through judgments like the Shayara Bano case (2017), which outlawed instant triple talaq.
- In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court recognised access to menstrual hygiene as a constitutional right under Article 21, framing it as essential for living with dignity and ensuring equality for girls in educational settings.
Therefore, all four statements are correct, making option (d) the right choice.
Question 3: Authority for Suspending a Member
What empowers the Speaker to suspend a member for disorderly conduct?
(a) Parliamentary conventions and legislative precedents
(b) Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India
(c) Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure
(d) Article 105 of the Constitution of India
Relevance: This question assesses understanding of the source of authority behind actions of constitutional functionaries, a recurring theme in UPSC Prelims. Suspension of MPs is frequently in the news due to disruptions in Parliament, making it a high-probability area linking current affairs with polity.
Explanation:
- Instances such as the suspension of eight Opposition members from the Lok Sabha for misconduct, including throwing paper at the Chair, highlight the application of these rules.
- Rule 374 (2) of the Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure explicitly empowers the Speaker to suspend a member for disorderly conduct.
- This rule provides the legal basis for maintaining decorum and discipline during parliamentary sessions.
Hence, the correct answer is option (c).
Question 4: Committee on Public Undertakings
With reference to the Committee on Public Undertakings, consider the following statements:
- It is a Parliamentary Committee consisting of 30 Members.
- The members are elected from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
- The Chairman of the committee is appointed by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Relevance: This question evaluates factual clarity on Parliamentary Committees, a recurring and high-yield Polity area in Prelims. It checks the ability to avoid over-interpretation and judge statements strictly as worded, a key skill for UPSC aspirants. Frequently confused aspects—such as composition, method of election, and appointment of Chairperson—are classic traps set by the commission.
Explanation:
- The Committee on Public Undertakings is a Parliamentary Committee consisting of 22 Members, not 30. Fifteen members are elected by the Lok Sabha using proportional representation via single transferable vote, and seven are nominated by the Rajya Sabha. Thus, statement 1 is incorrect.
- Since members come from both Houses, statement 2 is correct.
- The Chairman is appointed by the Speaker from amongst the committee members, not by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Therefore, statement 3 is incorrect.
Only one statement is correct, so the answer is option (a).
Question 5: Types of Questions in Parliament
Consider the following pairs:
- Starred Questions – Questions to which written answers are given by Ministers.
- Unstarred Questions – Questions to which answers are desired to be given orally on the floor of the House during the Question Hour.
- Short Notice Questions – Such questions can be asked orally in the House.
How many of the pairs given above are correct?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) All three pairs
(d) None of the above pairs
Relevance: The Question Hour is a high-frequency UPSC topic, especially concerning types of questions and their procedures. This question tests the ability to spot reversal and timing traps, commonly used by UPSC in Polity MCQs. It is directly linked to parliamentary accountability of the executive, a core constitutional principle.
Explanation:
- Starred Questions are those for which answers are desired orally during the Question Hour, marked with asterisks. Hence, pair 1 is incorrect.
- Unstarred Questions receive written answers from Ministers, laid on the Table of the House after the Question Hour. Thus, pair 2 is incorrect.
- Short Notice Questions can be asked orally in the House after the Question Hour or as the first agenda item, with shorter notice and relating to urgent public importance. Therefore, pair 3 is correct.
Only one pair is correct, making option (a) the right answer.
Regular practice through such quizzes is essential for UPSC aspirants to solidify their knowledge and improve accuracy. Revisit these topics, cross-reference with standard textbooks, and stay updated with current parliamentary developments to enhance your preparation for the Polity and Governance section of the UPSC CSE Prelims 2026.
