UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: TRANSPARENCY IN UPSC EXAMS

Q1. Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of a Public Service Commission for the Union and a Public Service Commission for each State?

  • A. Article 312
  • B. Article 315
  • C. Article 320
  • D. Article 323

Q2. Consider the following pairings of constitutional Articles with their subject matter relating to Public Service Commissions: 1. Article 316 — Appointment and term of office of members 2. Article 317 — Removal and suspension of a member of a Public Service Commission 3. Article 319 — Functions of Public Service Commissions 4. Article 320 — Functions of Public Service Commissions Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Article 316 — Appointment and term of office of members
  2. Article 317 — Removal and suspension of a member of a Public Service Commission
  3. Article 319 — Functions of Public Service Commissions
  4. Article 320 — Functions of Public Service Commissions
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q3. With reference to the institutional evolution of the Union Public Service Commission, consider the following statements: 1. The first Public Service Commission in India was established on 1 October 1926. 2. Under the Government of India Act, 1935, it functioned as the Federal Public Service Commission. 3. It acquired constitutional status as the Union Public Service Commission on 26 January 1950. 4. The Commission began its centenary-year celebrations from 1 October 2024. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The first Public Service Commission in India was established on 1 October 1926.
  2. Under the Government of India Act, 1935, it functioned as the Federal Public Service Commission.
  3. It acquired constitutional status as the Union Public Service Commission on 26 January 1950.
  4. The Commission began its centenary-year celebrations from 1 October 2024.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. The Union Public Service Commission, though answerable to the President, interfaces with the Government and has its annual report laid before Parliament through which one of the following?

  • A. The Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
  • C. The Ministry of Education
  • D. The Cabinet Secretariat exclusively

Q5. The reform requiring UPSC to evolve a mechanism for enhancing transparency in answer keys was mandated by which one of the following, in W.P. (C) No. 118/2024?

  • A. The High Court of Delhi
  • B. The Central Administrative Tribunal
  • C. The Supreme Court of India
  • D. The Central Information Commission

Q6. With reference to UPSC's provisional answer key initiative, consider the following statements: 1. The provisional answer key initiative was launched with the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026. 2. The provisional answer key is released soon after the conduct of the examination. 3. Representations against the answer key are submitted through the Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep). 4. The provisional answer key applies only to the Civil Services Examination and not to other structured examinations conducted by UPSC. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The provisional answer key initiative was launched with the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026.
  2. The provisional answer key is released soon after the conduct of the examination.
  3. Representations against the answer key are submitted through the Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep).
  4. The provisional answer key applies only to the Civil Services Examination and not to other structured examinations conducted by UPSC.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. With reference to the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The examination was held on 24 May 2026. 2. It comprised two papers — General Studies (Paper-I) and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (Paper-II). 3. It was conducted to fill 933 Civil Services posts and 80 Indian Forest Service posts. 4. The Civil Services Aptitude Test (Paper-II) was conducted in the forenoon session, ahead of General Studies (Paper-I). Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The examination was held on 24 May 2026.
  2. It comprised two papers — General Studies (Paper-I) and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (Paper-II).
  3. It was conducted to fill 933 Civil Services posts and 80 Indian Forest Service posts.
  4. The Civil Services Aptitude Test (Paper-II) was conducted in the forenoon session, ahead of General Studies (Paper-I).
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q8. Comparing UPSC's earlier disclosure practice with the present framework, consider the following statements: 1. Historically, UPSC released answer keys and cut-off marks only after the declaration of the final result. 2. The marks of both recommended and non-recommended candidates are disclosed after the final result. 3. Under the present framework, the provisional answer key, like the cut-offs, is released only after the final result. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Historically, UPSC released answer keys and cut-off marks only after the declaration of the final result.
  2. The marks of both recommended and non-recommended candidates are disclosed after the final result.
  3. Under the present framework, the provisional answer key, like the cut-offs, is released only after the final result.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. Under Article 320 of the Constitution, the advice tendered by the UPSC to the Government on matters of recruitment and discipline is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. Advisory in nature and not binding on the Government
  • B. Always binding on the Government in all matters
  • C. Binding only in respect of the All India Services
  • D. Binding subject to ratification by Parliament

Q10. A member of the Union Public Service Commission can be removed from office on the ground of misbehaviour, after an inquiry by the Supreme Court, by an order of which one of the following authorities?

  • A. The Parliament, through a motion of removal
  • B. The President of India
  • C. The Chief Justice of India
  • D. The Prime Minister, on the advice of the Council of Ministers

Q11. The Chairman and other members of a State Public Service Commission are appointed by which one of the following authorities?

  • A. The President of India
  • B. The Governor of the State
  • C. The Chief Minister of the State
  • D. The State Legislative Assembly