Topic Democracy
Asked 9 times across 4 UPSC exams over 41 years (1984–2025), peaking in 2014.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 3 of 9 PYQs
- Most asked in 2014
- Recurs across 8 years (1984–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1984 → CDS 2014 → CAPF 2019 → NDA 2022
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (6 of 9) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
NDA2025
Consider the following features
- Consent of the governed
- Political equality
- Accountability of the ruled to the ruler
Which of the above feature/features outline democratic rule?
- A 1 and 2 only ✓
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 1, 2 and 3
- D 3 only
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Polity & Governance › Political Theory & Jurisprudence
NDA2022
Who among the following American Presidents described democracy as "Government of the People, for the People, and by the People"?
- A Abraham Lincoln ✓
- B Thomas Jefferson
- C George Washington
- D John F. Kennedy
✓ Correct answer: (A)
History › World History
CDS2021
Who among the following said that Democracy means a system of 'Government by Consent'?
- A John Locke ✓
- B J.S. Mill
- C Jeremy Bentham
- D J.J. Rousseau
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Polity & Governance › Political Theory & Jurisprudence
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