Q11. Identify the odd one out concerning the services to which recruitment is conducted by the UPSC.
Constitutional and Statutory Bodies: RAS Prelims MCQs
55 RAS Prelims MCQs on constitutional and statutory bodies deal with the Election Commission, the Public Service Commissions, the NHRC, the National Commission for Women and NITI Aayog. The questions ask for the source of authority, appointing and removing authority, funding and the body to which each reports.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 55 questions
Q12. The President can exclude certain matters from the purview of the UPSC. However, the UPSC is NOT required to be consulted on which of the following?
Explanation
While the commission must be consulted on promotions, transfers on deputation, and legal expense reimbursements, it is not required to be consulted for selections to the chairmanship of various tribunals. The government handles these high-level judicial or quasi-judicial appointments through different procedures often involving the judiciary or specialized committees. The commission’s advisory role is centered on the career management of permanent civil servants. Specialized posts like tribunal chairpersons often require judicial backgrounds or specific domain expertise that falls outside the standard civil service recruitment and promotion frameworks managed by the commission.
Q13. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The entire expenses of the UPSC are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
Reason (R): This ensures that the expenses of the UPSC are not subject to the vote of Parliament, thereby maintaining its independence.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The entire expenses of the UPSC are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
Reason (R): This ensures that the expenses of the UPSC are not subject to the vote of Parliament, thereby maintaining its independence.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
Charging the commission’s expenses on the Consolidated Fund of India is a vital safeguard for its independence. This arrangement means the budget is not subject to an annual vote in Parliament, preventing the executive or legislature from exerting financial pressure. This ensures the body can perform its recruitment and advisory functions without political interference. This financial autonomy is a hallmark of major constitutional bodies in India. It guarantees that the commission has the necessary resources to conduct massive, nationwide examinations and maintain its administrative infrastructure regardless of the political climate or potential disagreements with the government of the day.
Q14. Which of the following statements regarding the removal of the UPSC Chairman is correct?
Explanation
The Chairman of the commission can only be removed by the President. In cases of alleged misbehavior, the matter must be referred to the Supreme Court for an inquiry. If the Court upholds the cause of removal after a proper investigation, the President then issues the order, ensuring a rigorous legal check. This procedure provides the highest level of protection against arbitrary removal. For other reasons, such as insolvency or engaging in outside employment, the President can remove the Chairman directly. The involvement of the highest court for "misbehavior" cases specifically protects the office from politically motivated dismissals.
Q15. To whom does the Union Public Service Commission submit its annual report on its performance?
Explanation
The commission is constitutionally required to submit an annual report to the President of India detailing its work and recommendations. The President subsequently places this report before both Houses of Parliament, along with a memorandum explaining any cases where the commission’s advice was not accepted, ensuring parliamentary oversight of the merit system. This reporting process is a critical part of the checks and balances within the Indian government. It forces the executive to be transparent about its personnel policies and ensures that the commission’s expert views on recruitment and discipline are shared with the nation’s highest legislative body.
Q16. Consider the following statements regarding the conditions of service of UPSC members:
I. A member of the UPSC is eligible for appointment as the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission.
II. A member of the UPSC is eligible for re-appointment to the same office for a second term.
III. A member holds office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years.
Which of the above combinations is correct?
I. A member of the UPSC is eligible for appointment as the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission.
II. A member of the UPSC is eligible for re-appointment to the same office for a second term.
III. A member holds office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years.
Which of the above combinations is correct?
Explanation
Members of the commission hold office for six years or until they reach sixty-five. While they are ineligible for re-appointment to the same post, they can be appointed as the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission or the Union Commission itself. These rules prevent self-interest and maintain the integrity of the office. The ban on re-appointment to the same position is a crucial feature designed to ensure that members do not act in a way that favors the government in hopes of securing a second term. Eligibility for higher chairmanships, however, allows for the continued use of their valuable experience.
Q17. What is the main cause for the UPSC being recognized as the "watchdog of the merit system" in India?
Explanation
The commission is designated as the watchdog of the merit system because it ensures that recruitment to the civil services is based strictly on talent and capability. By conducting objective and transparent examinations, it protects the bureaucracy from political patronage, ensuring that only the most qualified individuals are selected for public service. Its role as a watchdog extends to advising on promotions and disciplinary matters, ensuring that merit is respected throughout a civil servant’s career. While the government makes the final appointments, the commission’s rigorous selection process provides the foundation for a professional and impartial administrative framework in India.
Q18. Match the Appointment/Removal types in List I with the corresponding Authorities in List II:
| Process | Authority |
|---|---|
| A. SPSC Appointment | i. President |
| B. UPSC Appointment | ii. Governor |
| C. SPSC Removal | iii. President |
| D. UPSC Removal | iv. President |
Explanation
The Governor appoints members of the State Public Service Commission, while the President appoints those of the Union Commission. Crucially, the removal of members from both the State and Union Commissions is the exclusive power of the President, ensuring that state-level commissions remain independent of local political pressure during disciplinary actions. This constitutional arrangement provides a uniform standard of protection for all public service commissioners in the country. By vesting the removal power in the President, even for state-level bodies, the Constitution ensures that members cannot be easily intimidated or dismissed by state governments for making unpopular but principled decisions.
Q19. Identify the correct pair regarding the State Public Service Commission (SPSC):
Explanation
Members of the State Public Service Commission are appointed by the Governor and retire at sixty-two. However, their removal is handled only by the President. The commission is mandated to submit its annual performance report to the Governor, who then ensures it is presented to the State Legislature for review and discussion. This reporting mechanism allows for regional oversight of the state’s merit system. Like the national report, the state report must be accompanied by an explanation from the government for any disagreement with the commission’s advice, ensuring that the state executive remains accountable to its own legislature.
Q20. In the context of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), its establishment was notified on which date?
Explanation
The Rajasthan Public Service Commission was established through an ordinance promulgated in August 1949. This was a significant step in organizing the state’s administrative recruitment process. The commission began its operations in Jaipur and has since played a central role in conducting competitive examinations for various posts within the Rajasthan state government. Its establishment followed the merger of various princely states into the United State of Rajasthan. Since its inception, the commission has evolved to manage a large volume of state-level recruitment, ensuring that the selection process for the state bureaucracy is conducted in a centralized and merit-based manner.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (a) State Civil Services |
| 12 | (d) Selections for chairmanship of tribunals |
| 13 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 14 | (c) The Chairman can be removed by the President on the ground of misbehavior only after an inquiry by the Supreme Court. |
| 15 | (d) The President of India |
| 16 | (b) I and III only |
| 17 | (b) It ensures fair and impartial recruitment based solely on capability and talent. |
| 18 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv |
| 19 | (c) Submission of annual report - To the Governor |
| 20 | (b) 20th August 1949 |
Key facts from Constitutional and Statutory Bodies
- Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission; the President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and the other Election Commissioners.
- A political party gets National Party status if it meets the Election Commission’s criteria on vote share and seats.
- The UPSC submits its annual report to the President; a State Public Service Commission submits it to the Governor.
- The NHRC is a statutory body under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, funded by grants-in-aid from the Centre.
- A member of a Public Service Commission is removed by the President after a Supreme Court inquiry on a reference.
- NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was set up on 1 January 2015; its Vice-Chairperson is appointed by the Prime Minister.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Constitutional and Statutory Bodies?
This page has 55 practice MCQs on Constitutional and Statutory Bodies (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Under which Article does the Election Commission work?
Article 324. It gives the Election Commission the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures and the offices of President and Vice President.
When was NITI Aayog established?
On 1 January 2015, by a resolution of the Union Cabinet, replacing the Planning Commission. NITI stands for National Institution for Transforming India, and the Prime Minister is its Chairperson.
To whom does a State Public Service Commission report?
To the Governor, who places the annual report before the State Legislature. The UPSC reports to the President, who lays its report before Parliament, along with a memorandum explaining any case in which its advice was not accepted.