1. Consider the following:
- The maximum life of an ordinance issued by President is more than the maximum life of an ordinance issued by a Governor
- None of the Administrators of Union Territories have ordinance making power
Which among the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 2 is correct
[C] Both 1 & 2 are correct
[D] Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2 is correct]
Notes:
The correct answer is “Neither 1 nor 2 is correct.” 1. The maximum life of an ordinance issued by the President is six months, while a Governor’s ordinance also has a maximum life of six months, making the first statement incorrect. 2. Administrators of Union Territories do have ordinance-making powers under certain conditions, particularly in Union Territories with a legislative assembly, making the second statement incorrect as well. Thus, both statements are false.
2. Consider the following statements:
- Elections to the Panchayats are held by the Union Election Commission
- The reservation for weaker sections and women are mandatory in Panchayat Seats
- The term of Panchayats is 5 years
Which among the above statements is / are correct?
[A] 1, 2 and 3
[B] 2 and 3
[C] 2 only
[D] 1 and 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 and 3]
Notes:
Elections to the Panchayats are actually conducted by the State Election Commission and not the Union Election Commission. The reservation for weaker sections and women in Panchayat seats is indeed mandatory according to the Constitution of India. The term of Panchayats is also 5 years, following which there are fresh elections!
3. Consider the following statements about the provisions of Grants-in-aid in India:
- Article 275 of the Constitution of India provides that every state shall be allocated grants-in-aid.
- The allocation of grants-in-aid must be uniformly distributed as per a ratio of the population or income of the concerned state.
- The role of the Finance Commission is to ensure that grants-in-aid reach every state as per the provisions of the Constitution of India.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 and 2
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] None of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [None of them]
Notes:
All statements are incorrect. Article 275 provides for grants-in-aid only to certain states deemed necessary, not all. There is no constitutional mandate for a uniform distribution formula based on population or income. The Finance Commission recommends grants to states in need, not necessarily ensuring grants to every state as per the Constitution.
4. Which of the following Directive Principles were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976?
- Free legal aid to citizens
- Participation of workers in the management of undertakings
- Minimise inequalities in income and status
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 & 2]
Notes:
The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 introduced new Directive Principles including: free legal aid to citizens (Article 39A), participation of workers in management of industries (Article 43A), protection of environment (Article 48A), and opportunities for healthy development of children. ‘Minimise inequalities in income and status’ was part of the original DPSPs under Article 38.
5. Consider the following statements regarding the Right to Work in India:
- It is a Fundamental Right
- It is a Legal Right
- It is a Directive Principle
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 2 & 3]
Notes:
In India, the Right to Work is not classified as a Fundamental Right. However, it is recognized as a Legal Right as well as a Directive Principle which are principles stated in the Constitution of India to guide the government’s policy-making and laws for social welfare.
6. With respect to the election of President of India, the MPs and MLAs have approximately equivalent:
- Number of vote
- Average number of people they represent
- Value of each vote
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:
In the election of the President of India, the MPs and MLAs do not have an equivalent number of votes or value of each vote. However, they do have an equivalent average number of people they represent.
7. The vice president of India is elected by an electoral college comprising:
- Elected members of Lok Sabha
- Nominated Members of Lok Sabha
- Elected Members of Rajya Sabha
- Nominated Members of Rajya Sabha
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 1, 2 & 3
[C] Only 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament, in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting in such election is by secret ballot. In contrast, Electoral College for electing the President of India comprises of only the elected members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.
8. With reference to the Adjournment Motion in the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements:
- The primary objective of the adjournment motion is to draw attention of the House to a matter of urgent public importance.
- Adjournment motion can be used only in Lok Sabha and not in Rajya Sabha.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
Adjournment Motion draws House attention to urgent public importance and requires support of 50 members. It is used exclusively in Lok Sabha to censure government actions by disrupting normal house business. Rajya Sabha cannot consider adjournment motions; instead, it uses the “Calling Attention” procedure which has no censure provision. Both statements are correct.
9. With reference to the powers of the Governor in the Indian Constitution, which of the following appointments can be made by the Governor of a state?
- Chief Minister of the state
- Chief Justice of the state High Courts
- Tribal Welfare Minister in certain states
- Advocate General of the state
- State Election Commissioner
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 1, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 3, 4 and 5
[D] 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1, 3, 4 and 5]
Notes:
The Governor appoints the Chief Minister, Tribal Welfare Minister (in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha), Advocate General, and State Election Commissioner. The Chief Justice of a state High Court is appointed by the President of India, not the Governor. Thus, options 1, 3, 4, and 5 are correct.
10. With respect to administration of Union Territories, which of the following is / are correct statements?
- The Governor of Punjab also serves as Administrator of Chandigarh
- The Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli also serves as Administrator of Daman and Diu
Select the correct option from the codes given below: (UPSC Prelims 2009)
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
Union Territories are administrated by the President acting to such extent, as he thinks fit, through an Administrator appointed by him. Administrators of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi and Puducherry are designated as Lieutenant Governors. The Governor of Punjab is concurrently the Administrator of Chandigarh. The Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is concurrently the Administrator of Daman and Diu. Lakshadweep has a separate Administrator.
