Q1. Which part of the Constitution of India deals with the establishment, functions, and independence of the State Public Service Commissions?
Statutory Accountability Bodies: RAS Prelims MCQs
78 RAS Prelims MCQs on statutory accountability bodies in Rajasthan cover the Rajasthan Public Service Commission, the State Election Commission, the Rajasthan Information Commission and the State Women Commission. They ask about the constitutional provisions, appointment, removal, powers and penalties of each body, so learn who appoints, who removes and to whom each reports.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 78 questions
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the constitutional basis of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission:
Statement I: Article 315 of the Constitution mandates the creation of a Public Service Commission for the Union and for each State.
Statement II: Two or more states cannot have a Joint Public Service Commission under any circumstance.
Identify the correct option:
Statement I: Article 315 of the Constitution mandates the creation of a Public Service Commission for the Union and for each State.
Statement II: Two or more states cannot have a Joint Public Service Commission under any circumstance.
Identify the correct option:
Explanation
Article 315 explicitly mandates the establishment of Public Service Commissions for the Union and individual States. However, the Constitution also provides for Joint State Public Service Commissions. Under Article 315(2), two or more states can agree to have a single commission if their legislatures pass a resolution to that effect, followed by a law enacted by the Parliament.
Q3. Match List-I (Constitutional Articles) with List- II (Provisions related to State Public Service Commissions):
Select the correct code:
| Constitutional Articles | Provisions |
|---|---|
| A. Article 315 | i. Functions of Public Service Commissions |
| B. Article 316 | ii. Removal and suspension of a member of a Public Service Commission |
| C. Article 317 | iii. Appointment and term of office of members |
| D. Article 320 | iv. Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the States |
Explanation
The Constitution allocates specific regulatory aspects to different articles. Article 315 establishes the commissions, while Article 316 governs the appointment and term of members. Article 317 details the removal and suspension procedures. Finally, Article 320 outlines the various functions the commissions perform, such as conducting examinations and providing advice on disciplinary matters concerning civil servants in the state.
Q4. On which date did the Rajasthan Public Service Commission Ordinance, 1949 come into effect, marking the establishment of the RPSC?
Explanation
The Rajasthan Public Service Commission was established through an ordinance promulgated in 1949. Although the formal inauguration occurred later, the ordinance officially came into effect on August 20, 1949. This date marks the institutional beginning of the commission, which was created to ensure merit-based selection for various administrative posts during the integration of the diverse princely states into Rajasthan.
Q5. Which of the following statements regarding the inception of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission is incorrect?
Explanation
When the Rajasthan Public Service Commission was initially established in 1949, its structure was significantly smaller than today. The original composition consisted of only one Chairman and two other members. Over time, the number of members increased through various government notifications to handle the growing volume of recruitment examinations and administrative responsibilities for the state’s expanding civil services.
Q6. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Irregularity in consulting the RPSC on a disciplinary matter does not invalidate the final penalty imposed by the government.
Reason (R): The provisions of Article 320(3) regarding consultation with the Commission are directory in nature, not mandatory.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Irregularity in consulting the RPSC on a disciplinary matter does not invalidate the final penalty imposed by the government.
Reason (R): The provisions of Article 320(3) regarding consultation with the Commission are directory in nature, not mandatory.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
Failure to consult the RPSC under Article 320(3) does not invalidate the penalty, because the provision is directory and not mandatory. R explains A.
Q7. Which of the following best describes the consequence if the State Government completely fails to consult the RPSC in making rules regarding the method of recruitment to a service?
Explanation
Since the constitutional provisions regarding consultation with the State Public Service Commission are directory in nature, the failure to consult does not render the resulting recruitment rules or administrative actions void. The commission serves an advisory role to assist the government in merit-based selection. While consultation is standard practice for good governance, its absence does not legally dismantle the government’s authority.
Q8. Who holds the constitutional authority to remove the Chairman or any member of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission?
Explanation
Although the Governor of Rajasthan appoints the Chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission, the power to remove them is reserved exclusively for the President of India. This constitutional safeguard is designed to ensure the independence of the commission from local political pressure. It prevents the state executive from arbitrarily removing members who may take independent or unpopular recruitment decisions.
Q9. On which of the following grounds can the President remove a member of the RPSC without making a reference to the Supreme Court for an inquiry?
Explanation
Under Article 317(3), the President can remove a member of the State Public Service Commission without a Supreme Court inquiry under specific conditions. These include if the member is adjudged an insolvent, engages in paid employment outside their official duties, or is, in the President’s opinion, unfit due to infirmity of mind or body. Removal for misbehavior, however, requires a mandatory inquiry.
Q10. Match List-I (Grounds/Process for Action against RPSC Member) with List-II (Constitutional Provision):
Select the correct code:
| Grounds/Process for Action against RPSC Member | Constitutional Provision |
|---|---|
| A. Suspension by Governor during inquiry | i. Article 317(3) |
| B. Removal for being adjudged an insolvent | ii. Article 319 |
| C. Removal on ground of misbehavior | iii. Article 317(2) |
| D. Prohibition of holding other employment post-retirement | iv. Article 317(1) |
Explanation
Suspension by the Governor during an inquiry is under Article 317(2), removal for insolvency under Article 317(3), removal for misbehaviour under Article 317(1) and the bar on later employment under Article 319. This gives A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Part XIV |
| 2 | (a) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect |
| 3 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i |
| 4 | (b) 20 August 1949 |
| 5 | (c) The initial composition of the RPSC included a Chairman and five members. |
| 6 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 7 | (d) The rules remain valid as the function of the RPSC is purely advisory. |
| 8 | (c) The President of India |
| 9 | (b) Engaging in paid employment outside the duties of their office |
| 10 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
Key facts from Statutory Accountability Bodies
- The Rajasthan Public Service Commission Ordinance came into effect on 20 August 1949.
- The President removes the Chairman or a member of the RPSC, after an inquiry by the Supreme Court on a reference.
- Article 243K provides for the State Election Commission, which conducts Panchayati Raj elections; the Rajasthan SEC was constituted in July 1994 and its Commissioner is appointed by the Governor.
- A second appeal to the Information Commission must be made within 90 days; the penalty on an officer is Rs 250 per day, up to Rs 25,000.
- The burden of proving a denial of information rests on the Public Information Officer.
- The Rajasthan State Women Commission has a Chairperson, three non-official members and a Member-Secretary.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Statutory Accountability Bodies?
This page has 78 practice MCQs on Statutory Accountability Bodies (Rajasthan Polity and Administration). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
When was the Rajasthan Public Service Commission set up?
The Rajasthan Public Service Commission Ordinance, 1949 came into effect on 20 August 1949. The Commission is a constitutional body under Part XIV, and its Chairman and members can be removed only by the President.
Who appoints the State Election Commissioner of Rajasthan?
The Governor, under Article 243K. The State Election Commission was constituted in July 1994 and is responsible for the superintendence, direction and control of elections to Panchayats and Municipalities.
What is the maximum penalty under the RTI Act on an officer?
Rs 250 for each day of delay in providing information, up to a maximum of Rs 25,000. The Information Commission imposes it, and the Public Information Officer must prove that a refusal was justified.