889 practice questions covering Polity & Governance, organised into 20 topics.
889 questions include a written explanation; 258 are from previous year papers.
Pick a topic below, or try the samples first.
Which of the following statements is/are true of the Fundamental Duties of an Indian citizen?
1. A legislative process has been provided to enforce these duties.
2. They are correlative to legal duties.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - Neither 1 nor 2
Statement 1 is wrong because the Constitution provides no general legislative mechanism to enforce the Fundamental Duties listed in Article 51A; they are non-justiciable and carry no penalty unless a separate law is enacted. Statement 2 is also wrong because Fundamental Duties are correlative to Fundamental Rights, not to legal duties. Hence neither statement is correct. The official UPSC key marked this 'Neither 1 nor 2', though some coaching keys initially argued 'Both', so it is treated as disputed.
Q2
Previous year questionmedium
With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements :
1. The Department of Revenue is responsible for the preparation of Union Budget that is presented to the Parliament.
2. No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the authorization from the Parliament of India.
3. All the disbursements made from Public Account also need the authorization from the Parliament of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C2 only
D1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C - 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong because the Union Budget is prepared by the Budget Division of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance; the Department of Revenue administers taxes but does not prepare the budget. Statement 2 is correct: under Article 114(3), no money can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India except under an appropriation made by law passed by Parliament. Statement 3 is wrong because the Public Account holds money for which the government acts as a banker or trustee, such as provident funds and small savings, and payments from it are made by executive action without requiring parliamentary authorization. Hence 2 only.
Q3
Previous year questionmedium
Consider the following statements:
1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B - 2 and 3 only
Statement 1 is wrong because under Article 75(3) the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (the House of the People), not to Parliament as a whole, since the Rajya Sabha cannot bring down a government. Statement 2 is correct: Article 75(2) states that ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President. Statement 3 is correct: Article 78(b) makes it the duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the President proposals for legislation. Hence only statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Q4
Previous year questionhard
Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002:
Statement-I: One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm x 400 mm.
Statement-II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
The Flag Code of India, 2002 prescribes that the flag must be rectangular with a length to height ratio of 3:2, so Statement-II is correct. Statement-I is incorrect because 600 mm x 400 mm, though in 3:2 proportion, is not among the nine standard sizes listed in the Flag Code, which include sizes such as 450 mm x 300 mm, 225 mm x 150 mm and 150 mm x 100 mm. The trap in this question is that a 3:2 rectangle is not automatically a standard size; only the enumerated dimensions qualify, so options accepting Statement-I fail.
Q5
Previous year questioneasy
A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to:
Aa government officer prohibiting him from taking a particular action
Bthe Parliament/Legislative Assembly to pass a law on Prohibition
Cthe lower court prohibiting continuation of proceedings in a case
Dthe Government prohibiting it from following an unconstitutional policy
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C - the lower court prohibiting continuation of proceedings in a case
Prohibition is a judicial writ issued by a superior court to a lower court or tribunal to stop it from continuing proceedings in a case that lies beyond its jurisdiction. It is preventive in nature and operates only against judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, which is why the option about a lower court is correct. It does not lie against administrative officers or governments for executive actions, and it has nothing to do with directing legislatures to enact laws, so the other three options misdescribe the writ.
Q6
Previous year questionmedium
With reference to the 'Gram Nyayalaya Act', which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. As per the Act, Gram Nyayalayas can hear only civil cases and not criminal cases.
2. The Act allows local social activists as mediators/reconciliators.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B - 2 only
Under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008, these village courts exercise both civil and criminal jurisdiction, so statement 1, which restricts them to civil cases only, is incorrect. The Act does provide for the appointment of social workers and local activists as mediators and conciliators to encourage settlement of disputes, making statement 2 correct. Since only statement 2 holds, the answer is (b). Options (a), (c) and (d) all mischaracterise the jurisdiction and are therefore wrong.
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