Political Science is a crucial subject that lays the foundation for understanding the political systems and structures in the world, especially India. This collection of 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) will cover all the chapters in the Class 11 Political Science syllabus, helping students grasp key concepts and prepare for exams effectively.
Chapter 1: Political Science: An Introduction
1. Political Science is the study of:
- A) Government
- B) International relations
- C) State and its organs
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Political Science encompasses the study of governments, political processes, state structures, international relations, and related subjects.
2. The term “Political Science” comes from which language?
- A) Latin
- B) Greek
- C) French
- D) German
Answer: B) Greek
The term “Political Science” is derived from the Greek word “Polis,” which means “city-state,” and “Science,” referring to systematic knowledge.
3. Who is known as the Father of Political Science?
- A) Aristotle
- B) Plato
- C) Rousseau
- D) Hobbes
Answer: A) Aristotle
Aristotle is considered the Father of Political Science because he systematically studied politics and wrote extensively about political theory in his book “Politics.”
4. The primary subject of study in Political Science is:
- A) Law
- B) State and government
- C) Economy
- D) Political parties
Answer: B) State and government
The primary focus of Political Science is the study of the state, its structure, government, functions, and political processes.
5. Who introduced the concept of “Social Contract”?
- A) John Locke
- B) Karl Marx
- C) Thomas Hobbes
- D) Aristotle
Answer: C) Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes introduced the concept of the Social Contract, which theorizes the creation of a state based on mutual agreements among individuals.
Chapter 2: Constitutional Design
6. The Indian Constitution was adopted on:
- A) 15th August 1947
- B) 26th January 1950
- C) 26th November 1949
- D) 15th August 1948
Answer: C) 26th November 1949
The Constitution of India was adopted on 26th November 1949 and came into force on 26th January 1950.
7. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution?
- A) Jawaharlal Nehru
- B) B.R. Ambedkar
- C) Sardar Patel
- D) Rajendra Prasad
Answer: B) B.R. Ambedkar
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee and played a pivotal role in framing the Constitution of India.
8. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution declares India to be:
- A) A Monarchy
- B) A Federal Republic
- C) A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic
- D) A Parliamentary Democracy
Answer: C) A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic
The Preamble declares India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, outlining the core values of the nation.
9. The Indian Constitution is:
- A) A rigid constitution
- B) A flexible constitution
- C) A mixture of rigid and flexible
- D) None of the above
Answer: C) A mixture of rigid and flexible
The Indian Constitution is a blend of rigidity and flexibility, allowing for amendments but also maintaining a certain level of stability.
10. The Constitution of India is inspired by which country’s Constitution?
- A) United States
- B) United Kingdom
- C) Canada
- D) France
Answer: B) United Kingdom
The Indian Constitution is primarily inspired by the British Constitution, especially in its parliamentary form of government.
Chapter 3: Election and Representation
11. The process of electing the President of India is through:
- A) Direct election
- B) Indirect election
- C) Nominated by the Prime Minister
- D) Nominated by the Parliament
Answer: B) Indirect election
The President of India is elected indirectly through an electoral college composed of elected members of both houses of Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies of States.
12. The voting system in India for general elections is:
- A) First Past the Post
- B) Proportional Representation
- C) Mixed-Member Proportional
- D) Single Transferable Vote
Answer: A) First Past the Post
India follows the “First Past the Post” system, where the candidate with the highest number of votes in a constituency wins.
13. Which of the following is a feature of the “Indian Electoral System”?
- A) Proportional Representation
- B) First-Past-The-Post System
- C) Party List Representation
- D) None of the above
Answer: B) First-Past-The-Post System
India uses the First-Past-The-Post system, where the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they do not have a majority.
14. The age of eligibility to vote in Indian elections is:
- A) 18 years
- B) 21 years
- C) 25 years
- D) 30 years
Answer: A) 18 years
Any Indian citizen who is 18 years of age or older is eligible to vote in general elections.
15. The Election Commission of India is responsible for:
- A) Conducting elections
- B) Forming political parties
- C) Conducting referendums
- D) Imposing emergency
Answer: A) Conducting elections
The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering elections in the country.
Chapter 4: Legislature
16. The Indian Parliament consists of:
- A) Lok Sabha
- B) Rajya Sabha
- C) The President
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
The Indian Parliament consists of three parts: the Lok Sabha (House of the People), the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), and the President.
17. The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is:
- A) 500
- B) 545
- C) 550
- D) 600
Answer: B) 545
The Lok Sabha consists of a maximum of 545 members, of which 530 are elected from states, and up to 13 are nominated from the Union Territories.
18. The Rajya Sabha is:
- A) The Lower House
- B) The Upper House
- C) Both Lower and Upper Houses
- D) A House for Elections
Answer: B) The Upper House
The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of Parliament, which represents the states of India.
19. The term of office for a Member of the Lok Sabha is:
- A) 4 years
- B) 5 years
- C) 6 years
- D) 7 years
Answer: B) 5 years
Members of the Lok Sabha serve a term of five years, after which general elections are held to elect new representatives.
20. The President of India can dissolve the:
- A) Rajya Sabha
- B) Lok Sabha
- C) Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- D) None of the above
Answer: B) Lok Sabha
The President has the authority to dissolve the Lok Sabha and call for fresh elections, but cannot dissolve the Rajya Sabha.
Chapter 5: Executive
21. The Indian President is elected for a term of:
- A) 4 years
- B) 5 years
- C) 6 years
- D) 7 years
Answer: B) 5 years
The President of India serves a term of 5 years from the date of taking office.
22. The Union Council of Ministers is headed by:
- A) The President
- B) The Vice President
- C) The Prime Minister
- D) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Answer: C) The Prime Minister
The Union Council of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister, who is the chief executive of the government.
23. The Prime Minister of India is appointed by:
- A) The President
- B) The Speaker
- C) The Chief Justice
- D) The Members of Parliament
Answer: A) The President
The President of India appoints the Prime Minister, typically the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha.
24. The executive power of India is vested in:
- A) The Prime Minister
- B) The President
- C) The Council of Ministers
- D) The Supreme Court
Answer: B) The President
According to the Constitution of India, executive powers are vested in the President, although they are exercised by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
25. Who is the head of the State Government in India?
- A) Chief Minister
- B) Governor
- C) Chief Justice
- D) The President
Answer: B) Governor
The Governor is the head of a state in India, though their powers are largely ceremonial, and executive functions are carried out by the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.
Chapter 6: Judiciary
26. The Supreme Court of India is located in:
- A) New Delhi
- B) Mumbai
- C) Kolkata
- D) Chennai
Answer: A) New Delhi
The Supreme Court of India is located in New Delhi, the capital of India.
27. The Chief Justice of India is appointed by:
- A) The President
- B) The Prime Minister
- C) The Chief Justice of the previous court
- D) The Parliament
Answer: A) The President
The President of India appoints the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
28. The total number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is fixed at:
- A) 25
- B) 30
- C) 34
- D) 35
Answer: C) 34
The Supreme Court of India has a total of 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.
29. The power of judicial review in India belongs to:
- A) The Parliament
- B) The President
- C) The Supreme Court
- D) The Chief Justice
Answer: C) The Supreme Court
The power of judicial review, allowing the court to determine the constitutional validity of laws, lies with the Supreme Court of India.
30. Which of the following is NOT a function of the judiciary in India?
- A) Interpreting laws
- B) Protecting Fundamental Rights
- C) Making laws
- D) Ensuring justice
Answer: C) Making laws
While the judiciary interprets and protects laws, it does not have the authority to make laws, which is the role of the legislature.
31. Federalism refers to:
- A) A system of government where power is shared between a central authority and states
- B) A system where only the central authority governs
- C) A monarchy system
- D) A system with no division of power
Answer: A) A system of government where power is shared between a central authority and states
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central government and regional governments, like states or provinces.
32. The Indian Constitution provides for:
- A) Unitary form of government
- B) Federal form of government
- C) Semi-federal system
- D) Centralized government
Answer: C) Semi-federal system
While the Indian Constitution provides a federal structure, it is more unitary in nature, especially during emergencies, making it a semi-federal system.
33. The Constitution of India divides powers between the central and state governments through:
- A) The Union List
- B) The State List
- C) The Concurrent List
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
The Indian Constitution divides powers into three lists: Union List, State List, and Concurrent List, outlining the subjects on which each level of government can legislate.
34. The power to amend the Constitution of India lies with:
- A) The President
- B) The Parliament
- C) The Prime Minister
- D) The Supreme Court
Answer: B) The Parliament
The Parliament of India has the power to amend the Constitution, with certain amendments requiring ratification by states.
35. The term ‘Cooperative Federalism’ refers to:
- A) A federal system where states and central government work in opposition
- B) A federal system where both central and state governments work together
- C) A unitary system
- D) A confederation system
Answer: B) A federal system where both central and state governments work together
Cooperative federalism emphasizes collaboration between the central and state governments to address national issues.
Chapter 8: Local Government
36. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act deals with:
- A) The judiciary
- B) The local government
- C) The executive
- D) The legislature
Answer: B) The local government
The 73rd Amendment Act (1992) deals with the establishment and strengthening of Panchayats at the grassroots level, promoting local self-governance.
37. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act is related to:
- A) Urban Local Governments
- B) Rural Local Governments
- C) Education
- D) Judiciary
Answer: A) Urban Local Governments
The 74th Amendment (1992) ensures constitutional status to urban local bodies like Municipalities and Municipal Corporations.
38. Which of the following is a function of Panchayats?
- A) Maintaining law and order
- B) Taxation
- C) Planning and development at the grassroots level
- D) Judicial functions
Answer: C) Planning and development at the grassroots level
Panchayats are responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of schemes for local welfare and community development.
39. Which level of local government is responsible for looking after urban areas in India?
- A) Gram Panchayat
- B) Zila Panchayat
- C) Municipality
- D) Panchayat Samiti
Answer: C) Municipality
Municipalities look after the administration of urban areas, focusing on infrastructure, public services, and urban development.
40. The Panchayati Raj system in India aims to:
- A) Promote dictatorship
- B) Ensure decentralized governance
- C) Concentrate power at the central level
- D) Abolish state governments
Answer: B) Ensure decentralized governance
The Panchayati Raj system promotes decentralized governance by empowering rural local bodies to manage their own affairs.
Chapter 9: Social Justice and the Marginalized
41. Which of the following is considered a marginalized group in India?
- A) Scheduled Castes (SCs)
- B) Scheduled Tribes (STs)
- C) Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes are all considered marginalized groups, and efforts are made to provide them with social justice and upliftment.
42. The main objective of reservations in India is:
- A) To promote merit-based selection
- B) To support marginalized groups in education and employment
- C) To concentrate wealth in certain sections
- D) To encourage communalism
Answer: B) To support marginalized groups in education and employment
Reservations are aimed at promoting social justice by providing opportunities to the historically disadvantaged sections of society, ensuring their participation in education and employment.
43. The provision of reservations in India is primarily provided under:
- A) The Preamble
- B) Directive Principles of State Policy
- C) Fundamental Rights
- D) The Constitution
Answer: D) The Constitution
The provisions for reservations are enshrined in the Indian Constitution under various articles such as Articles 15 and 46.
44. The affirmative action policy in India is aimed at:
- A) Strengthening the caste system
- B) Giving preferential treatment to disadvantaged groups
- C) Promoting international relations
- D) Abolishing the reservations
Answer: B) Giving preferential treatment to disadvantaged groups
Affirmative action ensures that historically marginalized groups receive opportunities in education, employment, and political participation.
45. Who is responsible for implementing social justice policies in India?
- A) The President
- B) The Prime Minister
- C) The State Government
- D) The Judiciary
Answer: C) The State Government
State governments, in cooperation with the central government, are primarily responsible for implementing social justice policies, ensuring the welfare of marginalized communities.
Chapter 10: Political Theory
46. The term “political theory” refers to:
- A) The study of political power
- B) The study of state, government, and politics
- C) The study of economics and politics
- D) None of the above
Answer: B) The study of state, government, and politics
Political theory involves studying the nature, functions, and structures of the state and government, alongside the ideas and ideologies that influence politics.
47. The concept of “Justice” in political theory primarily refers to:
- A) Equality
- B) Fairness in distribution
- C) Protection of rights
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Justice, in political theory, refers to the fair and equal treatment of individuals in society, ensuring the protection of rights and fair distribution of resources.
48. Who is considered the father of modern political theory?
- A) Plato
- B) Aristotle
- C) Machiavelli
- D) Rousseau
Answer: C) Machiavelli
Niccolò Machiavelli, with his work “The Prince,” is often considered the father of modern political theory, focusing on political power and governance.
49. The Social Contract theory was developed by:
- A) Aristotle
- B) Thomas Hobbes
- C) John Locke
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
The Social Contract theory, developed by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, explores how individuals agree to form a society and government for mutual benefit.
50. Who is the author of the book “The Republic”?
- A) Aristotle
- B) Plato
- C) Machiavelli
- D) Rousseau
Answer: B) Plato
“The Republic” is a famous work by Plato, in which he explores justice, the ideal state, and the roles of citizens.
These 50 MCQs have covered all the fundamental principles, structures of government, political theory, and social justice from all the chapters of Class 11 Political Science. Reviewing these questions would help the students to form a very strong base in political science, which is not only required for any academic purpose but also in understanding the working of the democratic system in real life.
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