Government & Administration (India & World) (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

1. Consider the following statements: [2006]

1. The Rajya Sabha alone has the power to declare that it would be in national interest for the Parliament to legislate with respect to a matter in the State List.

2. Resolutions approving the proclamation of Emergency are passed only by the Lok Sabha.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:Statement 1 is correct as per provisions under Article 249. Parliament can legislate on State List matters if the Council of States, by a two-thirds majority, resolves it's necessary in the national interest.

This includes goods and services tax under Article 246A; enabling Parliament to make laws for any parts of India while the resolution is in effect. Statement 2 is incorrect as resolutions approving the proclamation of Emergency are passed by both Houses of Parliament (not only LS).

2. Assertion (A): The Council of Ministers in the Union of India is collectively responsible both to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. [2007]

Reason (R) : The Member of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are eligible to be the Ministers of the Union Government.

Correct Answer: (d) A is false but R is true
Solution:Assertion is false, because the Council of Ministers in the Union of India is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha only.
• The Council of Ministers (COM) is the highest decision-making body in the government, headed by the Prime Minister. According to the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act 2003, The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Central Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15 percent of the total strength of the Lok Sabha. In India, the Council of Ministers is divided into the following levels:
• Ministers are responsible for heading the ministries and departments of the Central government.
• Ministers of State are those who may be given independent charge of specific departments or may assist cabinet ministers.
• Deputy Ministers assist both cabinet ministers and ministers of state in their administrative, political, and parliamentary duties.
• Additionally, the Prime Minister may suggest appointing a Deputy Prime Minister, usually for political reasons.
• Note: Cabinet Ministers being a part of the Council of Ministers, hold major ministries such as Home, Defense and Finance.

3. Consider the following statements: [2007]

1. Jawaharlal Nehru was in his fourth term as the Prime Minister of India at the time of his death.

2. Jawaharlal Nehru represented Rae Bareilly constituency as a Member of Parliament.

3. The first non-Congress Prime Minister of India assumed the office in the year 1977.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1 & 3
Solution:Terms of Jawahar Lal Nehru (1947-52; 1952-57; 1957-62; 1962-64). He died in 1964 during his 4th Prime-ministerial term. He represented Phulpur constituency in UP. The first non-congress PM of India was Morarji Desai (Janta Party) from 1977-1979.

Jawaharlal Nehru
• Jawaharlal Nehru was born in Allahabad on November 14, 1889, into the affluent and influential Kashmiri Pandit family. His father, Motilal Nehru, was a wealthy barrister and twice served as President of the Indian National Congress. Nehru grew up in privileged surroundings, receiving education at home with private tutors.
• In 1905, Nehru went to Harrow School in England, followed by Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated in natural sciences.
• He later studied law at the Inner Temple in London and was called to the bar in 1912.
• After returning to India, Nehru briefly practised law at the Allahabad High Court but soon turned to nationalist politics, inspired by the growing struggle for India's freedom.

4. Who was the Speaker of the First Lok Sabha? [2007]

Correct Answer: (b) G.V. Mavalankar
Solution:GV Mavalankar (1952-56), Hukum Singh (1962-67); Κ.Μ. Munshi and U.N. Dhebar were never the Speakers of the Lok Sabha.
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India. According to Article 94, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha shall be chosen from amongst the members of the house and shall vacate his/her office when he/she ceases to be a member of the house.
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the House, requiring 14 days' notice before the resolution is moved. This process is outlined in Article 94 of the Constitution and the rules of procedure..

5. Consider the following statements in respect of financial emergency under Article 360 of the Constitution of India: [2007]

1. A proclamation of financial emergency issued shall cease to operate at the expiration of two months, unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by the resolutions of both Houses of Parliament.

2. If any proclamation of financial emergency is in operation, it is competent for the President of India to issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving in connection with the affairs of the Union but excluding the Judges of Supreme Court and the High Courts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:Statement I is correct as under Article 360, any Proclamation of Financial Emergency issued shall cease to operate at the expiration of two months, unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by the resolutions Passed by both Houses of Parliament. If approved by both Houses, then it operates for 6 months.

During the proclamation of financial emergency. President of India can issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving in connection with the affairs of the union including the judges of supreme court and the High warts.

Financial emergency is the type of emergency when country is dealing with great depression in economic terms and a certain kind of objection are put throughout the country although no fundamental restrictions are put on basic rights.

6. Consider the following statements: [2007]

1. The Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

2. The Committee on Public Accounts comprises Members of Lok Sabha, Members of Rajya Sabha and few eminent persons of industry and trade.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:Statement 2 is incorrect as Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members: 15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a parliamentary committee that examines all associated financial records, including reports given by the Auditor-General, to hold government institutions accountable for the use of public monies and resources. The Committee investigates several areas of the government’s tax administration while evaluating the C&AG Reports on Revenue Receipts

7. Who among the following have held the office of the Vice-President of India? [2008]

1. Mohammad Hidayatullah

2. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

3. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy

4. Shankar Dayal Sharma

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 4 only
Solution:Mohd. Hidayatullah (1979-84); Shankar Dayal Sharma (1987-92)
The Vice President of India hold the second-highest constitutional office after the President. As per Article 65 of the Indian Constitution, the Vice President is in charge during situations where the President is unable to fulfill their duties whether due to resignation, removal, death, impeachment, or incapacity. By default, the Vice Presidents of India also serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, presiding over its sessions and ensuring the smooth conduct of proceedings. Since the role was established, 15 strong personalities have been Vice Presidents of India.

8. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: [2008]

List-I (Person) List-II (Position) 
A. Nagendra Singh1. Chief Election Commissioner of India
B. A. N. Ray2. President, International Court of Justice
C. R. K. Trivedi3. Chief Justice of India
D. Ashok Desai4. Attorney General of India

Codes:

ABCD
(a)1423
(b)2314
(c)1324
(d)2413
Correct Answer: (b)
Solution:Ashok Desai was Attorney General of India (1996-98); Nagendra Singh was President of International Court of Justice (1985-88); AN Ray was CJI (1973-77); RK Trivedi was Chief Election Commissioner (1982-85)

9. Consider the following statements: [2008]

The Constitution of India provides that:

1. the Legislative Assembly of each State shall consist of not more than 450 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the State

2. a person shall not be qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in the Legislative Assembly of a State if he/she is less than 25 years of age

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:Statement 2 is correct as per provisions given under Article 173. Statement 1 is incorrect as according to article 170, the legislative assembly of each state shall consist of not more than 500 and not less than 60 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the state.

10. With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: [2008]

1. The Constitution of India provides that all Cabinet Ministers shall be compulsorily be a sitting members of Lok Sabha only.

2. The Union Cabinet Secretariat operates under the direction of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:Statement 1 is incorrect as members of Rajya Sabha can become cabinet ministers. Statement 2 is incorrect as Cabinet secretariat is under the direct charge of the PM.

Cabinet Ministers of India Structure

The Cabinet Ministers of India are responsible to collectively take decisions of the Government of India. The body is composed of various ministers each having different roles and responsibilities.

• Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the head of the government of India and the leader of the executive branch. He is responsible for ensuring smooth functioning of the government and manages the setting of Agenda for the Cabinet.
• Cabinet Ministers: Cabinet Ministers consist of the senior ministers who head the important ministries like Defence, Finance, Home Affairs and External Affairs. These ministers participate in all the important policy discussions and decisions that are responsible for the functioning of the government.
• Ministers of State: These are junior-level ministers who may either be assigned independent charge of a ministry or be attached to Cabinet Ministers to assist them in managing their portfolios. They are often responsible for handling specific functions or departments within a larger ministry.
• Deputy Ministers: Now relatively uncommon, Deputy Ministers were traditionally appointed to support Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State in carrying out administrative responsibilities and coordinating routine functions..