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

Total Questions: 51

21. In India, which of the following review the independent regulators in sectors like telecommunications, insurance, electricity etc.? [2019-1]

1. Ad Hoc Committees set up by the Parliament.

2. Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committees

3. Finance Commission

4. Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission

5. NITI Aayog

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (a) 1 & 2
Solution:Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission was setup for a limited time period under Justice B.N. Srikrishna's chairmanship. And its mandate did not include reviewing the electricity regulator. #4 is wrong. Similar reason eliminates Finance Commission (#3) which is setup periodically for the tax distribution between Union and States. Thus B and Care eliminated.
NITI Ayog is a think tank and policy advisor for the Government. Yes, it reviews development work in the Aspirational districts and SDG implementation across India but reviewing independent regulators is not under its purview. So, #5 is wrong. This eliminates D. Thus by elimination, we are left with Answer A: only 1 and 2.

22. In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the most appropriate definition of liberty? [2019-1]

Correct Answer: (d) Opportunity to develop oneself fully
Solution:Historically speaking, the term liberty was initially defined as absence of all restraints on an individual. This is known as the negative concept of liberty. Early liberalism championed negative liberty. John Stuart Mill, the nineteenth century English political philosopher, described, "Restraint as an evil". So, (d) is appropriate.
However, after the examination, many of the coaching classes felt that answer should be "b" based on another interpretation by D.D.Basu.
But as per the official UPSC Answerkey, correct answer is "d".

23. In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy? [2020-1]

Correct Answer: (d) An agency for the implementation of public policy
Solution:
  • Bureaucracy plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of government policies, facilitating socio-economic development, and managing the functions of a modern state.
  • Bureaucratic institutions are expected to respond effectively to leadership, translating policy decisions into actionable programs.
  • As sociologist Ferrel Heady rightly states, “bureaucracy should be basically instrumental in its operation that it should serve as an agent and not as a master.”
  • This means that bureaucracy functions as a tool to implement government policies and serve the interests of the public.
  • Bureaucracies are essential for the operationalization of policies, bringing about change, and maintaining administrative efficiency.
  • In the context of a modern state, where roles and responsibilities span across social, economic, and developmental sectors, bureaucracy provides the machinery necessary to fulfill these roles.
  • Whether it is for welfare programs, developmental missions, or institutional modernization, the bureaucracy is indispensable in translating these initiatives into tangible results.
  • Thus, bureaucracy is both the instrument and the means by which governance goals are realized.

24. Consider the following statements: [2020-1]

1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a state for six months even if he/she is not a member of that state.

2. According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:Every citizen who is 18 years old on the qualifying date unless disqualified, is eligible to be enrolled as a voter. An individual who is not an MLA can become a minister if he gets himself elected to the State Legislature within six months from the date of his appointment.
The voting age is at 18 years, a person can be an MLA only after 25 years of age. Hence Statement 1 is NOT Correct.
According to the Section 8(3) of the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years shall be disqualified for contesting an election (MLA or MP) from the date of such conviction and shall continue to be disqualified for a further period of six years since his release. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

25. Consider the following statements: [2020-1]

1. The president of India can summon a session of Parliament at such place as he/she thinks fit.

2. The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions

3. There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) 1 & 3 only
Solution:Article 85(1) of the Constitution states that the President shall from time to time summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session. Hence Statement 1 is Correct.

Constitution does not state that three sessions of the Parliament should be called in a year. The session of Lok Sabha is called for at least two times a year.

Hence Statement 2 is Not Correct. There is no provision of the minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year. Hence Statement 3 is Correct.

26. Rajyasabha has equal powers with Loksabha in : [2020-1]

Correct Answer: (b) Amending the Constitution
Solution:Article 312: With regards to the creation of All India Services, Rajya Sabha has special powers such that if Rajya Sabha is passing a resolution by a majority of 2/3rd of the members present and voting, Parliament may, by law, create one or more All India Services in national interest. So A is wrong.
Article 75(3) hold the government collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Hence, in this regards, Lok Sabha has greater power as compared to Rajya Sabha. So C is wrong.
Cut Motions, which are meant to reduce the amount allocated to the ministries in the demand for grants, can be made only in Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations with regards to the cut motion. So d is wrong. Article 368 of the Indian Constitution, a bill to amend the Constitution can be introduced in either house of the Parliament and both the houses have equal powers in respect to the Constitutional Amendment Bill. So b is right.

27. A constitutional government by definition is a : [2020-1]

Correct Answer: (d) Limited government
Solution:In India, the constitutional government is a limited government. The powers of the government are limited by means of the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Part-III of the Indian Constitution, that are essentially given to us against the state actions.

Constitutionalism is built upon several fundamental elements that collectively ensure a government operates within the bounds of law and protects individual rights. These elements create a framework for governance that emphasizes accountability, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. The key elements of Constitutionalism include:

  • Supremacy: The Constitution is the supreme law, and all government actions must conform to its provisions.
  • Rule of Law: The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable under the law.
  • Limited Government: Constitutionalism emphasizes the limitation of governmental power to prevent authoritarianism and protect individual freedoms.
  • Separation of Powers: The division of government powers among different branches to prevent the concentration of power.
  • Checks and Balances: Mechanisms to ensure that no branch of government becomes too powerful.
  • Protection of Rights: Constitutionalism guarantees the protection of fundamental rights, ensuring that individuals have legal recourse against violations.
  • Judicial Review: The power of courts to review and invalidate laws and actions that violate the Constitution.

28. Constitutional government means. [2021-1]

Correct Answer: (d) a government limited by the terms of the Constitution
Solution:The constitutional government is a limited government. The powers of the government are limited by means of the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Part-III of the Indian Constitution, that are essentially given to us against the state actions. So the correct answer is "d".

Constitutionalism is built upon several fundamental elements that collectively ensure a government operates within the bounds of law and protects individual rights. These elements create a framework for governance that emphasizes accountability, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. The key elements of Constitutionalism include:

  • Supremacy: The Constitution is the supreme law, and all government actions must conform to its provisions.
  • Rule of Law: The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable under the law.
  • Limited Government: Constitutionalism emphasizes the limitation of governmental power to prevent authoritarianism and protect individual freedoms.
  • Separation of Powers: The division of government powers among different branches to prevent the concentration of power.
  • Checks and Balances: Mechanisms to ensure that no branch of government becomes too powerful.
  • Protection of Rights: Constitutionalism guarantees the protection of fundamental rights, ensuring that individuals have legal recourse against violations.
  • Judicial Review: The power of courts to review and invalidate laws and actions that violate the Constitution.

29. A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of the application of law violates which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India? [2021-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Article 14
Solution:Article 14. Equality before law. -The State shall not deny to any person equality before
The law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. So, if officer
Given uncontrolled discretionary power then it'll violate Article 14.

Article 28- Freedom from attending religious instruction. → not fitting

Article 32- Remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights. It makes the Apex Court

Both the guarantor and defender of Fundamental Rights. It entitles the Indian citizens

To move to the Supreme Court for the remedy against the breach of Fundamental Rights.

This could also be an answer, but Article 14 is more fitting.

Article 44- Uniform civil code. →

Not fitting.

30. Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character? [2021-1]

Correct Answer: (a) The independence of the judiciary is safeguarded
Solution:In a federal structure, the fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be unilaterally changed by one level of government.

Courts have the power to interpret the constitution.

Independent Judiciary is the prerequisite. So, the correct answer is "(a)".