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

Total Questions: 50

41. Survey of India is under the ministry of: [2003]

Correct Answer: (d) Science and Technology
Solution:Survey of India, The National Survey and Mapping Organization of the country under the Department of Science and Technology, is the oldest scientific department of the Govt. of India. It was set up in 1767.
About Survey of India (SoI)
• It is the National Survey and Mapping Organization of the country, under the Department of Science and Technology.
• It is the oldest scientific department of the Govt. of India.
• It was set up in 1767 (Indian under British Rule) and has evolved rich traditions over the years.
• In its assigned role as the nation’s principal mapping agency, SoI bears a special responsibility to ensure that the country’s domain is explored and mapped suitably to provide base maps for expeditious and integrated development.
• Organized into only 5 Directorates in 1950, mainly to look after the mapping needs of Defence Forces in the North West and North East, the Department has now grown into 18 Directorates spread in all parts of the country to provide the basic map coverage required for the development of the country.
• Its technology, latest in the world, has been oriented to meet the needs of defence, planners, and scientists in the fields of geo-sciences, land and resource management.
• Its expert advice is being utilized by various ministries and undertakings of the Govt. of India in many sensitive areas, including the settlement of international borders, state boundaries and in assisting planned development of hitherto under developed areas.
• The department is also assisting in many scientific programmes of the nation related to the field of geo-physics, remote sensing, and digital data transfers.
• It acts as an adviser to the Govt. of Indian on all survey matters viz. Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Mapping, and Map Reproduction.

42. With reference to Indian Parliament, which one of the following is not correct? [ [2004]

Correct Answer: (a) The Appropriation Bill must be passed by both the Houses of Parliament before it can be enacted into law
Solution:The Constitution provides that whether the expenditure is charged on the Consolidated Fund of India or it is an amount voted by the Lok Sabha, no money can be issued out of the Consolidated Fund of India unless the expenditure is authorised by an Appropriation Act [Art. 114(3)]. The procedure for passing the Appropriation Bill is the same as Money Bill. As per Article 109 (Special procedure in respect of Money Bills), A Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. President's recommendation is necessary for introduction of bill in Lok Sabha. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.

43. Consider the following tasks: [2004]

1. Superintendence, direction and conduct of free and fair elections

2. Preparation of electoral rolls for all elections to the Parliament, state Legislatures and the Office of the President and the Vice-President

3. Giving recognition to political, parties and allotting election symbols to political parties and individuals contesting the election.

4. Proclamation of final verdict in case of election disputes

Which of the above are the functions of the Election Commission of India?

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:The High Court (and not the Election Commission) is the final authority to give a final verdict in case of election disputes. In the alternative special election benches may be constituted in high courts and earmarked exclusively for the disposal of election petitions and disputes.

• The ECI performs multiple functions to ensure free, fair, and periodic elections in accordance with democratic principles. Major Functions:
• Conduct of Elections: Supervises, directs, and controls elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and high offices.
• Delimitation: The Election Commission of India (ECI) does not directly have delimitation powers; instead, it oversees the process, which is conducted by a separate, temporary Delimitation Commission established by the Central Government.
• Electoral Rolls: Prepares, revises, and updates voters lists through continuous revision and SR (Special Intensive Revision).
• Registration of Political Parties: Recognizes parties and allots election symbols.
• Voter Education: Promotes awareness under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program.
• Monitoring Expenditure: Ensures transparency through election expenditure audits and monitoring teams.

44. Consider the following statements: [2004]

1. The Speaker of Lok Sabha has the power to adjourn the House sine die but, on prorogation, it is only the President who can summon the House

2. Unless sooner dissolved or there is an extension of the term, there is an automatic dissolution of the Lok Sabha by efflux of time, at the end of the period of five years, even if no formal order of dissolution is issued by the President

3. The Speaker of Lok Sabha continues in office even after the dissolution of the House and until immediately before the first meeting of the House

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 & 3
Solution:After concluding a session, the speaker announces adjournment sine die, ending the session indefinitely. The president then announces prorogation, terminating the session under Article 85(2) (a) of the Constitution. Summoning calls all members to meet, a duty of the President. After the Lok Sabha dissolves, the Speaker remains in office until just before the new Lok Sabha's first meeting. Despite ceasing to be a member, the Speaker doesn't vacate the position. A Speaker Pro Tem presides over the initial session, where the permanent Speaker is elected.

45. Which one of the following statements is not correct? [2004]

Correct Answer: (a) In the Lok Sabha, a no-confidence motion has to set out the grounds on which it is based.
Solution:In case of a No-confidence motion, there is no need to set out the grounds on which it is based. No-Confidence motion is introduced only in the Lok Sabha by the opposition and needs a support of not less than 50 members of LS for its introduction.

Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha specifies the procedure for a motion of no-confidence. Any member may give a written notice; the speaker shall read the motion of no-confidence in the House and ask all those persons to rise who favours that the motion be taken up. If there are 50 MPs in favour, the speaker allots a date for discussing the motion.

46. The resolution for removing the Vice-President of India can be moved in the: [2004]

Correct Answer: (d) Rajya Sabha alone
Solution:Article 67(b) in the Constitution of India states, a Vice President may be removed from his office by a resolution of the council of States passed by a majority of all the then members of the council and agreed to by the House of the People, but no resolution for the purpose of this clause shall be moved unless at least fourteen days notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution.

47. With reference to the Constitution of India, which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [2004]

Correct Answer: (b) Stock Exchange : Concurrent List
Solution:Stock Exchanges are listed in the Seventh Schedule (Article 246) List I-Union List, item no. 90 that reads, taxes other than stamp duties on transactions in stock exchanges and futures markets. Forests-Concurrent List, 17-A, Post Office Savings Bank-Union List-3, Public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries - State List -6.

The concept of the 7th Schedule of Indian Constitution has its discussion in the Government of India Act, 1935, which introduced a three-fold division of legislative subjects into:
• Federal List
• Provincial List
• Concurrent List
This model was later adopted and modified by the Constitution of India in 1950. While drafting the Constitution, the Constituent Assembly took into account India’s complex realities such as its cultural diversity, need for unity, and uneven levels of development. Hence, the Seventh Schedule was included to maintain a functional balance between the powers of the Centre and the States. India is a quasi-federal country with a strong unitary bias, unlike classical federations like the United States. The Constitution allows the Centre to step into State affairs under specific conditions, a provision that became especially important in the early post-Independence period, when ensuring national integration was critical.

48. Consider the following statements: [2004]

1. The highest deciding body for planning in India is the Planning Commission of India

2. The Secretary of the Planning Commission of India is also the Secretary of National Development Council

3. The Constitution includes economic and social planning in the Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 & 3
Solution:The highest decision making body for planning in India is the Parliament, National Development Council is at second position and Planning Commission at third position. Economic and social planning is placed under Entry 20 in the Concurrent list.

NITI Aayog or the National Institution for Transforming India, established on January 1, 2015, is the policy think tank of the Indian government, replacing the Planning Commission. It focuses on inclusive development, cooperative federalism, and sustainable growth. The organization is led by the Prime Minister and members include state representatives and experts.
NITI Aayog works on key initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission and the Aspirational District Programme, promoting innovation and addressing socio-economic disparities. Despite its advisory role and limitations in resource allocation, it plays a pivotal role in policy formulation and governance.

49. Consider the following events: [2004]

1. Fourth general elections in India.

2. Formation of Haryana state.

3. Mysore named as Karnataka state.

4. Meghalaya and Tripura become full states.

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the above?

Correct Answer: (a) 2, 1, 4, 3
Solution:Haryana was founded in 1966 when the former state of Punjab was divided into Haryana and the modern Punjab.

The 1967 general elections or the 4th Lok Sabha was held in February. Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya became full-fledged states on Jan 21, 1972. Mysore state was renamed Karnataka in 1997.

50. Under which one of the Ministries of the Government of India does the Food and Nutrition Board work? [2005]

Correct Answer: (e) None of these
Solution:

Food and Nutrition Board (FNB)
• The Food and Nutrition Board was initially established under the Ministry of Agriculture.
• However, in 1993, it was transferred to the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD).
• The Food & Nutrition Board (FNB) is a technical support wing under Child Development Bureau of the Ministry.
• The FNB played a crucial role in supporting community nutrition programs across India through its extensive network of offices and laboratories.
• It maintained four regional offices, four quality control laboratories in Faridabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, and 43 Community Food and Nutrition Extension Units (CFNEUs) throughout the country.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) has officially dissolved the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), a body responsible for providing technical and logistical support for community nutrition programmes.