UPSC 2003 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Ethnic Albanians are the largest minority in Macedonia. In 2007, rising tensions over Kosovo’s final status appeared to spark outbreaks of violence. Ethnic Albanian extremists were seeking to break away from Macedonia to join Kosovo. Likewise, Macedonians are a minority in Albania. Greeks are the largest minority of Albania.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Serbs are the largest minority group in Kosovo while the Ethnic Albanian makes up the majority. The conflict in Kosovo was largely driven by ethnic Albanian demands for independence from Serbia.

Explanation

Below is a table summarizing approximate population figures for the four countries in question for the years 2003 and

2024:

Country Population (2003) Population (2024) Indonesia ~222 million ~275 million Pakistan ~158 million ~240 million Japan ~127 million ~123 million Sudan ~39 million ~45 million

Explanation

Based on the data from the Census of India 2001 and 2011, the population densities (persons per square kilometer) for the specified states are as follows:

State Population Density (2001) Population Density (2011) West Bengal 903 1,029 Kerala 819 860 Uttar Pradesh 698 829 Madhya Pradesh 196 236

Explanation

In 2003, among the given countries, India had the lowest GDP per capita. Here’s a comparison of estimated GDP per capita (in USD) around that time:

China - Higher due to rapid industrialization and economic reforms. Indonesia - Had a stronger economy than India, despite the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Sri Lanka - Had a smaller but more stable economy with a relatively higher GDP per capita than India. India - Despite economic growth, per capita income remained the lowest among these countries due to its large population and slower per capita income growth.

Explanation

The Basque people primarily inhabit the Basque Country, which is located in northern Spain and southwestern France. However, their separatist movement has been more prominent in Spain, where the group ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna) historically fought for an independent Basque state. Though ETA officially disbanded in 2018, Basque nationalism remains an important political issue in Spain.

Explanation

Argentina was plunged into a devastating economic crisis in December 2001/January 2002, when a partial deposit freeze, a partial default on public debt, and an abandonment of the fixed exchange rate led to a collapse in output, high levels of unemployment, and political and social turmoil. This also caused mass protests, social unrest, and frequent changes in government, bank freezes (Corralito), and a sharp decline in living standards, fueling widespread discontent.

Explanation

The Human Development Report 2003 by UNDP ranked South Asian countries based on the Human Development Index (HDI). Maldives led the region with strong health, literacy, and income levels, followed by Sri Lanka, which excelled in education and healthcare but lagged slightly in economic growth. India showed steady progress in literacy and life expectancy but faced challenges due to its large population and income inequality. Pakistan ranked the lowest among these nations, struggling with lower literacy rates, weaker healthcare, and slower economic growth.

Explanation

According to Article 138(1) of the Constitution of India, Parliament has the power to confer additional jurisdiction on the Supreme Court in matters included in the Union List. This means that if the Parliament deems it necessary, it can pass a law to grant the Supreme Court the authority to hear and decide on specific matters that fall within the jurisdiction of the union list. Also under article 138(2) the Supreme Court shall have such further jurisdiction and powers with respect to any matter as the Government of India and the Government of any State may confer by special agreement.

Explanation

Statement (a) is incorrect: Under article 80(1) (a), The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from people who have special knowledge or practical experience in art, literature, science and social service. Before 2020 2 members were nominated from the Anglo-Indian community in Lok Sabha by the President. Statement (b) is incorrect: Before 2020, the President under article 331 nominated two members from the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha (and not Rajya Sabha) if the community was not adequately represented. This provision was abolished by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, which came into effect in January 2020. Statement (c) is correct: A nominated member of either Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha has mostly the same rights and privileges as an elected member, including the right to be appointed as a Union minister. However, nominated members cannot vote in Presidential elections. Statement (d) is incorrect: Under article 55, only elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union Territories participate in the Presidential election.Therefore nominated members cannot vote in the Presidential election. However, both elected and nominated members can vote in Vice Presidential elections.

Explanation

Joint sitting is an extraordinary machinery provided by the constitution to resolve a deadlock between the two houses over the passage of a bill.

Statement 1 is correct: Article 108 of the Indian Constitution provides for a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament if after a bill is passed by one House and transmitted to the other House - The other House rejects this bill, or The Houses do not agree on the amendments made to the bill, or More than six months elapse with the bill being received by the other House without it being passed.

Statement 2 is correct: The First Joint sitting was held in May, 1961 in which Dowry Prohibition Bill 1960 was passed

Statement 3 is correct: The second joint sitting of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament was held to pass the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill. The Bill had been passed by the Lok Sabha but was rejected by the Rajya Sabha. As a result, a joint sitting was convened to resolve the deadlock, and the Bill was passed.