UPSC 2004 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Pair (a) is correctly matched: Pitt’s India Act (1784) was introduced during Warren Hastings’ tenure as the Governor-General of India. Pair (b) is correctly matched: The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie, the British Governor-General of India, as a policy to annex Indian states whose rulers died without a male heir. Pair (c) is incorrectly matched: The Vernacular Press Act (1878) was passed by Lord Lytton, not Lord Curzon. It was aimed at curbing nationalist sentiments expressed in vernacular language newspapers. Pair (d) is correctly matched: The Ilbert Bill (1883), introduced by Lord Ripon, was an attempt to allow Indian judges to try European criminals in India. It faced strong opposition from the British community in India and was later modified, but marked a significant step towards equality in the judicial system.

Explanation

Lord Curzon served as Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905. He is known for Partition of Bengal, 1905 - divided Bengal into two provinces, igniting widespread nationalist protests and the Swadeshi Movement. Lord Hardinge served as the Viceroy from 1910 to 1916. He was responsible for the shift of the British Indian capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911, symbolizing British imperial authority. Lord Chelmsford was the Viceroy from 1916 to 1921. He is known for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, 1919 happening during his tenure - British troops fired on unarmed civilians in Amritsar, leading to national outrage and intensified independence demands. Lord Irwin’s tenure as Viceroy lasted from 1926 to 1931. He is known for Gandhi-Irwin Pact(1931), which was an agreement between Gandhi and Irwin that ended the Civil Disobedience Movement’s first phase and facilitated Gandhi’s participation in the Round Table Conference.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Adjournment sine die means the suspension of a sitting without specifying a date for the next meeting by the Speaker. It typically happens at the end of a session. Prorogation is the formal ending of a session by the President. After prorogation, the House can only be summoned again by the President.

Statement 2 is correct: According to article 83(2) of the Constitution of India, the term of the Lok Sabha is five years from the date of its first meeting, unless it is dissolved earlier. At the end of the five-year period it is automatically dissolved by efflux of time, even if no formal order of dissolution is issued by the President.

Statement 3 is correct: The Speaker of Lok Sabha continues to hold office even after the dissolution of the House. The Speaker remains in office until immediately before the first meeting of the newly constituted Lok Sabha.

Explanation

Article 75 of the constitution says that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha can remove the ministry from office by passing a no-confidence motion.

Option (a) is correct: There is no need to set out the grounds on which it is based. No confidence motion is introduced only in the Lok Sabha(Rajya Sabha not empowered entertain introduce this motion) and requires the support of at least 50 members to be admitted. The procedure is governed by Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. If 50 or more members support the motion, the Speaker schedules a date for debate and voting. If the motion is passed by a simple majority vote, it implies that the government has lost the confidence of the House and must resign.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The receipts under Public accounts mainly consist of the receipts of National Savings Certificate, Provident funds and other deposits where the Govt. acts as a banker and returns the fund after completion of the contract. This account is operated by executive action. Therefore, the disbursement out of this account does not need authorization of the Parliament.

Statement 2 is correct: The Indian Constitution provides for the establishment of a Consolidated Fund and a Public Account of India and of the states under Article 266 and a Contingency Fund of India and for each State under Article 267.

Statement 3 is correct: The Railway Budget was presented separately from the General Budget till 2017. In the year when the question was asked The Railway Budget was presented separately and Appropriations and disbursements under the Railway Budget were subject to the same form of parliamentary control as other appropriations and disbursements.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The National Housing Bank, the apex institution of housing finance in India. It was established on July 9, 1988, under the National Housing Bank Act of 1987. It was initially set up as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). However, in 2019, the ownership structure of NHB underwent a significant change. The Government of India acquired the entire stake from the RBI, making NHB a wholly-owned entity of the Government. Given that the question pertains to the year 2004 so the statement is correct.

Statement 2 is correct: The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) was established on April 2, 1990, through an Act of Parliament. It was initially incorporated as a whollyowned subsidiary of the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI). The Shares of SIDBI are now held by the Government of India and twenty-two other institutions / public sector banks / insurance companies owned or controlled by the Central Government. Its key functions are:

Serves as the Principal Financial Institution for the MSME sector. Promotes, finances, and facilitates the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Provides credit, refinance, and developmental support to small industries. Plays a vital role in employment generation and inclusive economic development. Its operations support the government’s initiatives for the growth of small scale industries.

Explanation

The question is based on the principle of buoyancy, which means that an object fully or partly immersed in fluid experiences an upthrust or buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. When a weightless balloon filled with water is immersed into water, it displaces an amount of water equivalent to its own volume, in this case, 200 cc. The weight of this displaced water in terms of gravitational pull is equal to the weight of the balloon under these conditions. Since both weights are identical (as the balloon is also filled with water), they cancel out each other, resulting in a net weight of the balloon in water to be zero.

Explanation

The Kelkar Committee Report (2002) did not recommend raising the personal income tax exemption limit specifically for widows to Rs. 1.20 lakh. Instead, the report focused on simplifying the tax system and broadening the tax base. Key recommendations included:

Abolition of Wealth Tax to streamline the tax structure. Elimination of standard deduction for salaried employees to simplify personal income tax calculations. Exemption from tax on dividends and capital gains from listed equities to encourage market participation. The report emphasized promoting economic grow-th by reducing distortions in the tax system and encouraging compliance.

Explanation

The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC), established on October 12, 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, promotes and protects human rights in India. It investigates complaints, recommends actions, reviews policies, and advises the government.

Option (c) is correct: Originally, the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 allowed only a retired Chief Justice of India to be appointed as NHRC Chairperson. In 2019, this was amended to include retired Supreme Court judges as eligible candidates.

Explanation

The District and Sessions Court is one of the highest courts in a district, and it plays a crucial role in the judicial system of India.

Statement 1 is correct: The highest criminal court at the district level is indeed the Court of the District and Sessions Judge. This court deals with serious criminal cases, including those that may involve the death penalty.

Statement 2 is correct: District Judges are appointed by the Governor of the state, but the appointment is made in consultation with the High Court, ensuring that the process follows legal norms and includes judicial oversight.

Statement 3 is correct: To be eligible for the appointment of District Judge, a person must be either an advocate or pleader with at least seven years of standing or an officer in the judicial service of the Union or State. This ensures that the person has the required legal experience and qualifications.

Statement 4 is correct: When a Sessions Judge awards the death penalty, it must be confirmed by the High Court. This is a safeguard to ensure that the most severe punishment is not handed down without adequate review by a higher court. Thus, all four statements are correct.