Polity Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026: Questions & Solutions

Polity Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026 continue to play an important role, and this year’s paper included 14 questions from this segment. These questions were designed to test the ability to connect applications in real life with static concepts.

Polity Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026: Questions & Solutions

Polity Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026: The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Prelims 2026 General Studies Paper I serves as a crucial examination for aspiring candidates, often featuring numerous Polity Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026. The paper carries a maximum of 200 marks and includes a penalty for incorrect answers, emphasizing accuracy.

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Polity Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026 Overview

The 2026 Polity section required in-depth understanding of topics, confirming UPSC’s trend toward analytical rather than factual questions.

Polity Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026 Overview
Parameter Details
Total Questions 14
Question Set Set A,B,C, D, GS Paper I
Marks per Question 2 marks each
Negative Marking ⅓ for incorrect answers 

Detailed Breakdown of Polity Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026 

A significant number of Polity Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026 General Studies Paper I are drawn from recent global and national events. These questions highlight the importance of staying updated with contemporary developments and their implications. In this year’s Paper, there were 14 questions asked about Polity. Here are the questions of Polity, asked in the examination:

Match List I with List II and select the answer  using the code given below the Lists: 

Polity Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026

Code:

(a) 3 1 2 4
(b) 3 2 1 4
(c) 4 2 1 3
(d) 4 1 2 3

Correct Answer – C

The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS)  recently introduced a national standard to test  and assess bomb disposal system. Which of  the following statements with regard to this  system is/are correct? 

  1. The new standard is known as IS 19445:  2025. 
  2. It will improve interoperability of  equipment across agencies. 
  3. It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in  collaboration with the 30th Central  Scientific Research Institute, Russia. 

Select the answer using the code given  below: 

(a) 1, 2 and 3 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 2 only 

(d) 1 only 

Correct Answer – C

Which of the following statements about insurance in aviation sector is/are correct?

  1. ‘Aviation Hull Insurance’ covers the physical aircraft, including the body, engine, and on-board equipment.
  2. Under the Montreal Convention, adopted in 1999 by over 130 countries, including India, airlines are strictly liable to pay compensation to the family/nominee of every deceased passenger without requiring the family to prove fault.
    Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – C

Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a  critical vaccination programme during a  pandemic. He found that a private service  provider responsible for vaccine distribution  was compromising on quality to make  profits. Despite immense pressure to manage  the issue due to vested interests, he raised his  voice based on the principles of public  administration which he learnt during  various training programmes attended across  his career. He reported the issue to the  appropriate vigilance authority and halted the  contract to ensure citizen welfare. 

Which one among the following principles of  public administration was most strongly  demonstrated by Mr. X’s actions? 

(a) Esprit de corps 

(b) Equity 

(c) Accountability 

(d) Delegation 

Correct Answer – C

77. In a multi-ethnic district where both  economic and historical grievances  frequently led to community tensions, a  Government appointment has arisen with a  decision to allocate land for a waste  management facility near a tribal hamlet,  sparking protests by the tribal community,  which claimed that the land was sacred and  critical to their cultural identity. At the same  time, urban residents and local industries  supported the project, citing severe solid  waste challenges and health concerns due to  lack of a proper disposal site. The conflict has  escalated with road blockades, social media  campaigns, and allegations of police  excesses. 

As a responsible Government official, you  are tasked with resolving the situation  through mediation, ensuring a sustainable  outcome that balances environmental needs,  tribal rights, and urban public health. 

Consider the following statements with  reference to the above: 

  1. A successful conflict resolution process  must begin with acknowledging the  cultural concerns of the protesting tribal community before discussing technical  alternatives. 
  2. The Government should move ahead  with the project without delay to address  urban health concerns, which outweigh  the sentiments of a small group. 
  3. Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue  platform — including tribal leaders,  environmental experts, and municipal  representatives — to build mutual  understanding and help de-escalate  tensions. 
  4. Conducting an independent  Environmental and Social Impact  Assessment (ESIA) and sharing  findings transparently with both sides to  facilitate evidence-based decision making.

Which of the statements given above would  contribute to the resolution process? 

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only 

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only 

(c) 1 and 2 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 

Correct Answer – A

Ms. 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  infrastructure project — a new community  park. During the approval process, she  received a piece of confidential information  indicating that one of the shortlisted  contractors had a history of poor  workmanship and allegations of corruption  in other cities, though nothing had been  legally proven. The Head of the Department,  Mr. Y, advised her not to disclose this  information to the project committee or the  public because it could delay the project and  damage the city’s reputation. However, Ms.  X believed that withholding such  information compromised transparency and  public trust.

What amongst the following should Ms. X do  now? 

  1. Immediately disclose the information to  the project committee and the public 
  2. Recommend removing the contractor  from the shortlist to protect the project’s  integrity 
  3. Propose a ‘limited disclosure’ to an  oversight committee, while keeping the  information confidential from the public  for the time being 

Select the answer using the code given  below: 

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 3 only 

(c) 2 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Correct Answer – b

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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 term ‘law’  in the Constitution of India was  comprehensive. It included ordinances,  orders, and even rules and regulations. ‘Y’  pointed out that the term ‘law’ Article 13 also  included custom or usage having in the  territory of India the force of law, to which  ‘X’ was not convinced. 

Based on the above, select the correct  conclusion from the options given below:

(a) ‘X’ is correct in the interpretation of law,  including the view on non-inclusion of  custom. 

(b) The view of ‘Y’ that ‘law’ included  custom is not correct. 

(c) The views of both ‘X’ and ‘Y’ are correct.

(d) The view of only ‘Y’ is correct. 

Correct Answer – d

Consider the following statements with reference to the Constitution of India:
1. There is no Article in the Constitution of India that specifies that the Constitution of India will be officially called the ‘Constitution of India’.
2. There is no Article in the Constitution of India that specifies that the Indian Independence Act, 1947 and the Government of India Act, 1935 stand repealed.
3. There is no Article in the Constitution of India that mentions 26th January, 1950 as the date of the commencement of the Constitution of India.

Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct?
(a) All three statements are correct.
(b) There is no correct statement.
(c) There are two correct statements that include statement 3.
(d) There is only one correct statement.

Correct Answer – b

Which of the following statements with  regard to the persons with disabilities in India  is/are correct? 

  1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities  Act, an Act passed by the Parliament of  India in 2018, mandates reservation in  education and employment, places a  legal duty on Governments to ensure  accessibility and non-discrimination. 
  2. The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan focuses  on achieving universal accessibility for  Persons with Disabilities across three  key domains — built infrastructure,  transport systems and information and  communication technology. 
  3. The National Divyangjan Finance and  Development Corporation (NDFDC) is  a public sector organisation set up by the  Ministry of Corporate Affairs as a not for-profit company to promote  entrepreneurship among Persons with  Disabilities (PwDs).

Select the answer using the code given  below: 

(a) 1 and 2 

(b) 2 only 

(c) 1 and 3 

(d) 1 only

Correct Answer – b

Consider the following statements about the  provisions pertaining to the Scheduled  Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India:

  1. Provisions regarding the administration   of the Tribal Areas in the States of  Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and  Mizoram are given in the Fifth Schedule  of the Constitution of India. 
  2. Some tribes of India are entitled to  exemption from paying Income Tax on  certain incomes. 
  3. The Constitution of India provides for  reservation of seats in Panchayats for  women belonging to the Scheduled  Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. 

Which one of the following conclusions  based on the above statements is correct?

(a) There are two correct statements, that  include statement 2. 

(b) There are two correct statements, that  are statements 1 and 3. 

(c) There is only one correct statement.

(d) All three statements are correct. 

Correct Answer – A

Consider the following statements in respect  of questions asked by the Members in the  Parliament of India: 

  1. Unstarred questions are those to which a  Member desires an oral answer in the  House. 
  2. Starred questions are those to which a  Member desires a written answer. 
  3. No supplementary question can be  asked on an unstarred question. 

Which one of the following conclusions  based on the above statements is correct?

(a) All the three statements are correct.

(b) There are two correct statements, that  include statement 2. 

(c) There is only one correct statement.

(d) There is no correct statement. 

Correct Answer – C

Consider the following statements about the  Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled  Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the  Parliament of India: 

  1. Although members of this Committee  are elected from both Houses of   Committee is appointed by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
  2. Twenty members are elected by the  Rajya Sabha and ten members by the  Lok Sabha. 
  3. No Minister, except for the Union  Minister of Social Justice and  Empowerment, is eligible to be a  member of this Committee. 
  4. Members are elected for a fixed term of  two years from the date they enter their  office. 

Which one of the following conclusions  based on the above statements is correct? (a) There are four correct statements. 

(b) There is only one correct statement, that  is statement 2. 

(c) There are two correct statements, that  include statement 1. 

(d) There is no correct statement.

Correct Answer – D

Consider the following statements about  Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India: 

  1. It aims to enhance India’s air defence,  ballistic missile defence and aerial  offensive capabilities. 
  2. This Mission is being designed to  enhance rapid, precise, and powerful  defence responses, reinforcing India’s  strategic autonomy. 
  3. One of the aims of this Mission is to  cover all public places of India by an  expanded nationwide security shield by  2035. 

Which of the statements given above is/are  correct? 

(a) 1, 2 and 3 

(b) 1 and 2 only 

(c) 2 and 3 only 

(d) 1 only

Correct Answer – A

Consider the following statements about  river bridges connecting India with  neighbouring countries: 

  1. ‘Maitri Setu’, built over Feni river,  connects Ramgarh in India with  Sabroom in Bangladesh. 
  2. Jhulaghat suspension bridge connects  India with Myanmar. 
  3. Mechi bridge and its approaches  connect Panitanki Bypass in India with  Kakarvitta in Nepal. 

Which of the statements given above is/are  correct? 

(a) 1 and 2 

(b) 2 and 3 

(c) 1 only 

(d) 3 only 

Correct Answer – D

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How to prepare Polity Questions  for UPSC Prelims

To prepare Polity questions for UPSC Prelims, focus on concept clarity, repeated revision, and lots of MCQ practice. Polity is a high-scoring area, and standard guidance emphasizes NCERT basics, a strong core textbook, previous-year questions, and topic-wise MCQs.

  • Start with the Constitution basics, then move to core topics like Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Parliament, President, Prime Minister, Judiciary, and Federalism.
  • Read one standard source thoroughly instead of multiple books, then revise the same notes repeatedly.
  • Solve previous-year questions topic-wise to understand UPSC’s pattern and recurring themes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Polity questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2026?

A total of 14 Polity questions were asked in GS Paper I.

What was the marking pattern for these questions?

Each question carried 2 marks, and there was negative marking of one-third for every wrong answer.

Were the Polity questions factual or analytical?

The 2026 Polity section was largely analytical, showing UPSC’s trend toward concept-based rather than purely factual questions.

What topics were important in Polity this year?

Important areas included the Constitution, Parliament, judiciary, constitutional provisions, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, persons with disabilities, and public administration ethics.

Did current affairs matter in Polity questions?

Yes, several questions were linked to recent national and international developments, so current affairs and static Polity had to be studied together.

What is the best way to prepare Polity for UPSC Prelims?

The best approach is to build concept clarity, revise standard notes repeatedly, and practice topic-wise MCQs and previous-year questions.

Which topics should be revised most carefully?

Focus on Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Parliament, President, Prime Minister, Judiciary, federalism, constitutional bodies, and schedules of the Constitution.

Polity Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026: Questions & Solutions

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AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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