# Indian Polity practice questions (Group 4)

> This page has practice questions on Indian Polity for the Group 4 / VAO (Combined Civil Services Examination-IV) exam, 20 in all: new questions our editors prepared and the founder approved, not previous-year questions. Tap “Answer and explanation” under each question for the correct answer and a short, sourced explanation. For previous-year papers and official answer keys, see tnpsc.gov.in.

Last updated: 2026-10-27 · By TNPSC Guide editorial team
URL: https://www.tnpscguide.com/exams/group-4/questions/gs-polity

### Question 1

Consider the following statements on the special majority for amending the Constitution.
1. A majority of the total membership of each House is needed.
2. Support of not less than two-thirds of those present and voting is needed.
3. After that, the Governor's assent is needed.
Which of these are correct?

- A. 1 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 2 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: C. 1 and 2 only

A special majority is a majority of the total membership of each House and not less than two-thirds of those present and voting; then the President's assent, not the Governor's, is needed.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard X, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 1 இந்திய அரசியலமைப்பு, p. 260 (PDF p. 266))

### Question 2

In which country did the idea of a constitution first arise?

- A. Britain
- B. The USA
- C. France
- D. Ireland

Correct answer: B. The USA

A constitution is the basic law reflecting the principles a country is governed by; the idea first arose in the USA.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard X, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 1 இந்திய அரசியலமைப்பு, p. 253 (PDF p. 259))

### Question 3

Under which plan was the Constituent Assembly that framed the Constitution of India formed?

- A. The Government of India Act, 1935
- B. The Objectives Resolution
- C. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment
- D. The Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946

Correct answer: D. The Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946

The Constituent Assembly formed under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 framed the Constitution of India.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard X, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 1 இந்திய அரசியலமைப்பு, p. 253 (PDF p. 259))

### Question 4

Consider the following statements on the right to freedom.
1. Article 20 abolishes untouchability.
2. Article 21 deals with life and personal liberty.
3. Article 22 gives protection against arrest and detention.
Which of these are correct?

- A. 2 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: C. 2 and 3 only

Article 19 gives freedoms of speech and others; 20 protects the accused; 21 life and personal liberty; 21A elementary education; 22 protection against arrest and detention. Untouchability is abolished by Article 17, so 1 is wrong.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard X, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 1 இந்திய அரசியலமைப்பு, p. 256 (PDF p. 262))

### Question 5

From which Latin word does the word "citizen" come?

- A. Franc
- B. Civis
- C. Magna Carta
- D. Pravasi

Correct answer: B. Civis

Citizen comes from the Latin civis, meaning a resident of a city-state.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard X, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 1 இந்திய அரசியலமைப்பு, p. 254 (PDF p. 260))

### Question 6

Which Part of the Constitution of India deals with citizenship?

- A. Part III (Articles 12 to 35)
- B. Part IV (Articles 36 to 51)
- C. Part IV A (Article 51A)
- D. Part II (Articles 5 to 11)

Correct answer: D. Part II (Articles 5 to 11)

The Constitution gives a single citizenship for the whole country; Part II, Articles 5 to 11, deals with citizenship.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard X, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 1 இந்திய அரசியலமைப்பு, p. 254 (PDF p. 260))

### Question 7

Match the following.
(a) Elected by graduates - 1. 1/3
(b) Nominated by the Governor - 2. 1/12
(c) Elected by local bodies - 3. 1/6

- A. (a) 1, (b) 3, (c) 2
- B. (a) 2, (b) 3, (c) 1
- C. (a) 3, (b) 2, (c) 1
- D. (a) 3, (b) 1, (c) 2

Correct answer: B. (a) 2, (b) 3, (c) 1

In a Legislative Council, 1/3 are elected by local bodies, 1/12 by graduates, 1/12 by teachers and 1/3 by the assembly; the Governor nominates 1/6.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard X, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 3 மாநில அரசு, p. 280 (PDF p. 286))

### Question 8

Where is Rashtrapati Nilayam, one of the President's residential offices?

- A. Shimla
- B. Hyderabad
- C. New Delhi
- D. Chandigarh

Correct answer: B. Hyderabad

Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi is the President's home and office; The Retreat, Shimla and Rashtrapati Nilayam, Hyderabad are the other two.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard X, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 2 நடுவண் அரசு, p. 264 (PDF p. 270))

### Question 9

Consider the following statements on the Panchayat Raj committees.
1. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended three tiers.
2. The L.M. Singhvi Committee called Panchayat Raj grass without roots.
3. The Ashok Mehta Committee recommended two tiers.
4. The G.V.K. Rao Committee was appointed by the Planning Commission.
Which of these are correct?

- A. 1, 3 and 4 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 1, 2 and 4 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct answer: A. 1, 3 and 4 only

Three tiers came from Balwant Rai Mehta and two tiers from Ashok Mehta; it was the G.V.K. Rao Committee, set up by the Planning Commission, that said grass without roots, while Singhvi led to the amendments. So 2 is wrong.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், ஒன்பதாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard IX, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 5 உள்ளாட்சி அமைப்புகள், p. 290 (PDF p. 296))

### Question 10

How many functions to be carried out by a municipal corporation does the Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution list?

- A. 12
- B. 18
- C. 6
- D. 11

Correct answer: B. 18

The Twelfth Schedule lists 18 functions for a municipal corporation, such as town planning, water supply, fire services, slum improvement and the registration of births and deaths.

Source: அரசியல் அறிவியல், மேல்நிலை முதலாம் ஆண்டு, தமிழ் வழி (Political Science, Standard XI, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (அலகு 12 உள்ளாட்சி அரசாங்கங்கள், pp. 247-249 (PDF pp. 255-257))

### Question 11

Consider the following statements on the recommendations of the Rajamannar Committee.
1. More all-India services should be created.
2. The Inter-State Council under Article 263 should be set up at once.
3. Residuary powers should be transferred to the states.
Which of these are correct?

- A. 3 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 2 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: B. 2 and 3 only

The Rajamannar Committee urged an Inter-State Council under Article 263 at once, residuary powers for the states, Article 356 only as a last resort, abolition of all-India services such as the IAS and a permanent Finance Commission; not more services, so 1 is wrong.

Source: அரசியல் அறிவியல், மேல்நிலை இரண்டாம் ஆண்டு, தமிழ் வழி (Political Science, Standard XII, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (அலகு 5 இந்தியாவில் கூட்டாட்சி, p. 108 (PDF p. 116))

### Question 12

Which country had the world's first federal constitution?

- A. Australia
- B. The USA
- C. Canada
- D. Switzerland

Correct answer: B. The USA

The USA had the first federal constitution, followed by Australia and Canada; multilingual Switzerland is also a federation.

Source: அரசியல் அறிவியல், மேல்நிலை இரண்டாம் ஆண்டு, தமிழ் வழி (Political Science, Standard XII, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (அலகு 5 இந்தியாவில் கூட்டாட்சி, p. 93 (PDF p. 101))

### Question 13

Consider the following statements on the grounds of disqualification for defection.
1. Voluntarily giving up party membership is a ground.
2. Voting against the party's direction without prior permission is a ground.
3. An independent member who joins a party is not disqualified.
Which of these are correct?

- A. 2 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: B. 1 and 2 only

Giving up membership, or voting or abstaining against the party's direction without permission, are grounds; an independent member who joins a party is also disqualified, so 3 is wrong.

Source: அரசியல் அறிவியல், மேல்நிலை முதலாம் ஆண்டு, தமிழ் வழி (Political Science, Standard XI, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (அலகு 11 தேர்தல் மற்றும் பிரதிநிதித்துவம், p. 226 (PDF p. 234))

### Question 14

On which day is National Voters' Day observed in India?

- A. 26 January
- B. 25 January
- C. 25 October
- D. 10 July

Correct answer: B. 25 January

National Voters' Day is observed on 25 January; 26 January is Republic Day.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், ஒன்பதாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard IX, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 2 தேர்தல், அரசியல் கட்சிகள், அழுத்தக் குழுக்கள், p. 262 (PDF p. 268))

### Question 15

Consider the following statements on the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
1. Disputes between the Union and the states fall under its original jurisdiction.
2. The President may seek its opinion on a question of public importance.
3. All civil cases go to it on appeal even without a High Court certificate.
Which of these are correct?

- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: A. 1 and 2 only

Union-state and inter-state disputes are under original jurisdiction, and the President may seek its opinion on questions of public importance. Appeals go up on a High Court certificate, so 3 is wrong.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard X, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 2 நடுவண் அரசு, p. 271 (PDF p. 277))

### Question 16

Who was the Chief Justice of the first Supreme Court, set up at Fort William, Calcutta, under the Regulating Act of 1773?

- A. Warren Hastings
- B. Sir Elijah Impey
- C. Lord Cornwallis
- D. William Bentinck

Correct answer: B. Sir Elijah Impey

Under the Regulating Act of 1773 the first Supreme Court was set up at Fort William, Calcutta, with Sir Elijah Impey as Chief Justice.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், எட்டாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard VIII, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 7 நீதித்துறை, p. 261 (PDF p. 267))

### Question 17

Consider the following statements on the history of the Public Service Commission.
1. The Public Service Commission was set up in 1926.
2. Under the 1935 Act it became the Federal Public Service Commission on 1 April 1937.
3. Under the 1919 Act it became the Federal Public Service Commission.
Which of these are correct?

- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 2 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: C. 1 and 2 only

The commission was set up in 1926, became the Federal PSC on 1 April 1937 under the 1935 Act and was renamed UPSC on 26 January 1950. The 1919 Act only provided for a commission, so 3 is wrong.

Source: அரசியல் அறிவியல், மேல்நிலை இரண்டாம் ஆண்டு, தமிழ் வழி (Political Science, Standard XII, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (அலகு 6 இந்தியாவில் நிர்வாக அமைப்பு, p. 126 (PDF p. 134))

### Question 18

In which year was the post of Cabinet Secretary created in India?

- A. 1977
- B. 1950
- C. 1961
- D. 1964

Correct answer: B. 1950

The post of Cabinet Secretary in India was created in 1950.

Source: அரசியல் அறிவியல், மேல்நிலை இரண்டாம் ஆண்டு, தமிழ் வழி (Political Science, Standard XII, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (அலகு 6 இந்தியாவில் நிர்வாக அமைப்பு, p. 119 (PDF p. 127))

### Question 19

Consider the following statements on the nature of human rights.
1. Human rights are inherent and fundamental.
2. The state may alter or divide human rights as it wishes.
3. Human rights are universal and interdependent.
Which of these are correct?

- A. 1 and 3 only
- B. 1 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: A. 1 and 3 only

Human rights are inherent, fundamental, inalienable, indivisible, universal and interdependent; so statement 2 is wrong.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், எட்டாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard VIII, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 4 மனித உரிமைகளும் ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் சபையும், p. 226 (PDF p. 232))

### Question 20

On which date was the United Nations founded?

- A. 10 December 1948
- B. 24 October 1945
- C. 20 November 1989
- D. 12 October 1993

Correct answer: B. 24 October 1945

The UN was founded on 24 October 1945 to deal with the aftermath of the Second World War; its Charter was drawn up at San Francisco in 1945.

Source: சமூக அறிவியல், எட்டாம் வகுப்பு, தமிழ் வழி (Social Science, Standard VIII, Tamil medium; Samacheer Kalvi) (குடிமையியல் அலகு 4 மனித உரிமைகளும் ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் சபையும், p. 225 (PDF p. 231))

## Sources

- [Official syllabus page](https://www.tnpsc.gov.in/english/syllabus.html)
- [Notifications](https://www.tnpsc.gov.in/English/Notification.aspx)