Q51. Which of the following statements regarding the Regional Councils of NITI Aayog is incorrect?
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 51–55 of 55 questions
Q52. What was the primary cause for the replacement of the Planning Commission with NITI Aayog?
Explanation
The replacement was driven by the need for a paradigm shift in governance. The old centralized, top-down approach was seen as increasingly out of sync with a diverse and rapidly changing economy. The new institution was designed to promote a bottom-up approach and foster cooperative federalism, where states are equal partners in the national development agenda. This shift acknowledges that development cannot be imposed from the center. By encouraging states to develop their own plans and share best practices, the new body fosters a more participatory and responsive governance model, ensuring that the country’s growth is more balanced and that the benefits of development are more widely distributed.
Q53. Consider the following objectives:
I. To foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives.
II. To develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level.
III. To create a knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurial support system.
IV. To strictly enforce mandatory five-year economic plans on states.
V. To focus on technology upgradation and capacity building.
Which of the above combination(s) correctly identifies the objectives of NITI Aayog?
I. To foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives.
II. To develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level.
III. To create a knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurial support system.
IV. To strictly enforce mandatory five-year economic plans on states.
V. To focus on technology upgradation and capacity building.
Which of the above combination(s) correctly identifies the objectives of NITI Aayog?
Explanation
The institution’s objectives include fostering cooperative federalism, developing village-level planning mechanisms, and creating an innovation support system. It also focuses on technology upgradation and capacity building. Significantly, it does not enforce mandatory plans on states, moving away from the directive nature of the previous planning regime toward a more collaborative and advisory role. These objectives align with the institution’s role as a knowledge hub and a catalyst for change. By focusing on innovation and capacity building, it helps both the center and states to modernize their governance processes, ensuring they are better equipped to handle the complex challenges of sustainable development and economic transformation in the long run.
Q54. The shift from the Planning Commission to NITI Aayog represents a shift towards a ‘bottom-up’ approach. How is this practically applied in policy making?
Explanation
The ‘bottom-up’ approach is implemented by encouraging the formulation of credible development plans at the village level. these local plans are then progressively aggregated at higher levels of government. This ensures that national policies are grounded in local realities and needs, making the planning process more democratic, inclusive, and effective across the country. This methodology ensures that local aspirations are heard at the highest levels of policy making. By starting from the grassroots, the institution helps to create a more responsive and accountable planning system that empowers local communities and ensures that developmental resources are directed toward the most pressing needs of the people.
Q55. How many Union Cabinet Ministers are nominated by the Prime Minister as ex-officio members of NITI Aayog?
Explanation
The institutional structure allows for a maximum of four members from the Union Council of Ministers to serve as ex-officio members. These ministers are nominated by the Prime Minister and provide a direct link between the think-tank and the key executive departments, ensuring that policy advice is integrated with the government’s operational priorities. These ex-officio members represent crucial sectors such as finance, agriculture, home, and defense. Their involvement ensures that the institution’s strategic planning is grounded in administrative reality and that its recommendations are more likely to be implemented effectively across various branches of the central government, fostering better policy coherence and coordination.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 51 | (c) They are chaired by the President of India or their nominee. |
| 52 | (a) A need for a paradigm shift from a centralized, top-down approach to an inclusive, cooperative federalism approach. |
| 53 | (a) I, II, III, and V only |
| 54 | (b) Planning begins at the village level and aggregates progressively at higher levels of government. |
| 55 | (b) Maximum of 4 |
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.