Polity: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: The speaker of the Lok sabha can ask a member of the house to stop speaking and let another member speak. It is known as yielding the floor. Yielding the floor allows the smooth and orderly conduct of debate in the House. The Speaker may ask a member to stop speaking if they have exceeded their time or if another member is to speak on the matter at hand. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Decorum refers to the appropriate behavior and conduct expected in the House. Crossing the floor is a term used when a member switches allegiance from one party to another, particularly in the context of voting or support. Interpellation is a formal procedure where a member of the House asks a question to the government, which requires a written or oral response. The term "interpellation" is not formally used in Indian parliamentary practice.

Explanation

The state with the largest number of seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha is Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh has a significant tribal population, including communities like Gonds and Bhils, and the reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha is proportionate to the tribal population in the state. The reserved seats ensure representation of Scheduled Tribes in Parliament to address their issues and protect their rights.

Explanation

1st ARC Recommendation (1966): The first ARC recommended the appointment of persons having long experience in public life and administration and non-partisan attitude as governors. Rajamannar Committee (1969): The Rajamannar Committee recommended the provision that the state ministry holds office during the pleasure of the governor should be omitted. Sarkaria Commission (1983): The "Sarkaria Commission" recommended that the Governor should be a distinguished outsider without intense political links, that he should not have recently participated in politics, and that he should not be a member of the ruling party. National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2000): The committee recommended that the president should appoint the governor of a state only after consultation with the chief minister of that state.

Explanation

Name figures in the voters’ list is a crucial condition. According to the Constitution and election laws, a candidate must be registered in the voters’ list of the respective local body area to be eligible for nomination. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

He obtains permission from the principal of his college:

This is not a requirement under the law for contesting elections to a Municipal Council. The student does not need permission from his college principal unless there is an institutional policy specifically for that purpose. He is a member of a political party: While candidates may contest elections as members of political parties, membership is not a mandatory requirement. Independent candidates can also run for election. He files a declaration owing allegiance to the Constitution of India: Although a declaration of allegiance to the Constitution is important for various public offices, it is not typically a formal requirement for Municipal Council elections.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct:

List-I (Local Bodies) List-II (States) A. Zila Parishads at the sub-divisional level

2. Assam B. Mandal Praja Parishad 1. Andhra Pradesh C. Tribal Councils 4. Meghalaya D. Absence of Village Panchayats 3. Mizoram Zila Parishads at the sub-divisional level: In the year 1999, Zila Parishads in Assam were associated with the sub-divisional level Mandal Praja Parishad: In Andhra Pradesh, Mandal Praja Parishads are the intermediate-level bodies. Tribal Councils: Meghalaya has Tribal Councils, which are autonomous bodies governing tribal areas. Absence of Village Panchayats: Mizoram does not have Village Panchayats, as seen in other states, but operates through Autonomous District Councils and other related forums for governance.

Explanation

The Attorney General of India holds the highest legal office in the country, providing advice to the government on legal matters.

Statement 1 is correct: According to Article 76(1) of the Indian Constitution, the President appoints the Attorney General. The appointment is based on the President’s discretion.

Statement 2 is correct: As per Article 76(1), the qualifications for the Attorney General match those of a Supreme Court judge. This includes being an Indian citizen and having served as a High Court judge for at least five years, or an advocate in a High Court for at least ten years, or being an eminent jurist.

Statement 3 is incorrect: There is no constitutional requirement for the Attorney General to be a member of either House of Parliament. Unlike ministers, the Attorney General does not need parliamentary membership to hold the office.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The Attorney General serves at the pleasure of the President and can be dismissed at any time by the President. The process of impeachment, which applies to the President and judges, is not applicable to the Attorney General.

Explanation

The Finance Commission is a constitutional body established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. Its key role is to recommend how financial resources should be distributed between the Central Government and the State Governments. The Commission assesses several factors, including:

The financial conditions of the Centre and States Revenue needs and expenditure patterns The fiscal capacity of different states Based on this evaluation, it recommends the allocation of tax revenues, the distribution of revenue between the Centre and the States, as well as grants-in-aid and other financial resources. This helps ensure a balanced and equitable distribution of funds, promoting both fiscal autonomy and development across various states.

Explanation

The Order of Precedence is a protocol list maintained by the Government of India that determines the ceremonial hierarchy for officials. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) ranks the highest among the given functionaries, occupying the 6th position in the Order of Precedence. Next is the Union Cabinet Minister, who ranks 7th, reflecting their high status as senior members of the executive. The Chief Election Commissioner comes next in rank, placed lower than a Union Cabinet Minister in ceremonial hierarchy. Finally, the Cabinet Secretary, though the highest-ranking civil servant in India, ranks lower than the other three functionaries, holding a position below the Chief Election Commissioner. Below is the Order of Precedence as per the latest guidelines:

1. President of India

2. Vice President of India

3. Prime Minister of India

4. Governors of States (within their respective states)

5. Former Presidents Chief Justice of India Speaker of the Lok Sabha

6. Union Cabinet Ministers Chief Ministers of States (within their respective states) Deputy Chairman of the NITI Aayog Former Prime Ministers Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

7. Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Chief Ministers of States (outside their respective states) Governors of States (outside their respective states)

8. Judge of the Supreme Court

9. Deputy Chief Ministers of States Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha Members of the NITI Aayog Ministers of State of the Union

10. Attorney General of India Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Governors within their respective Union Territories

11. Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Chief Election Commissioner Comptroller and Auditor General of India

12. Deputy Ministers of the Union

13. Officers of the rank of full General or equivalent (Air Chief Marshal, Admiral, etc.)

14. Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (if not a full General rank)

15. Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (outside India)

16. Chief Justices of High Courts (within their respective jurisdictions) Chief Ministers of Union Territories (within their respective Union Territories)

17. Judges of High Courts (within their respective jurisdictions)

18. Members of Parliament

19. Deputy Chief Ministers of Union Territories (within their respective Union Territories)

20. Mayors of cities in Union Territories

Explanation

The Constitution of India protects religious and linguistic minorities through various provisions. Article 29: Ensures the preservation of distinct culture, language, and script of minorities. Article 30: Grants minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions. Article 25: Safeguards religious freedom for all individuals. Article 350A: Mandates education in the mother tongue for linguistic minorities. Article 350B: Provides for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities to safeguard their rights. However, Ethnic minorities are not specifically recognized in the Indian Constitution.

Explanation

Certain rights under the Indian Constitution are available only to Indian citizens and are not extended to foreign nationals or non-citizens. These rights are provided under Article 15,16,19,29 and 30. Article 19(1)(g) gives Indian citizens the right to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade, or business. However, foreign nationals (including a British citizen) do not have this right under the Indian Constitution.