UPSC Essentials : Daily subject-wise quiz | Polity and Governance (Week 51)

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of daily subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Each day, we cover one new subject. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Polity and Governance to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the History, Culture, and Social Issues MCQs. Don’t miss checking the answers and explanations at the end of the quiz.

With reference to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), consider the following statements:

1. It is constituted by the Parliament of India for the purpose of auditing the revenue and the expenditure of the Government of India.

2. The members of the committee are allowed to be ministers in the government.

3. The Public Accounts Committee consists of not more than twenty-two members.

4. The chairperson is appointed by the President.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Consider the following statements about the passing of bills in the parliament:

1. A Bill pending in Parliament shall not lapse by reason of the prorogation of the Houses.

2. If there are more than six months elapse from the date of the reception of the Bill by the other House without the Bill being passed, then there is a provision for joint sitting.

3. A Bill pending in the Council of States which the House of the People has not passed shall lapse on a dissolution of the House of the People.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) None

Which of the following is not a fundamental duty incorporated in Part IV-A of the Constitution?

(a) To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.

(b) To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.

(d) To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India

With reference to the Attorney-General for India, consider the following statements:

1. He shall hold office at the pleasure of the President.

2. He gives advice to the Government of India upon such legal matters, and to perform such other duties of a legal character.

3. He should be qualified to be appointed a Judge of the High Court.

4. He does not have the right to an audience in any courts in the territory of India.

How many of the statements given above are not correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Which of the following amendment of the constitution introduced Article 15(5) that empowers the state to make such provision for the advancement of SC, ST, and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes in educational institutions?

(a) 93rd Amendment

(b) 91st Amendment

(d) 97th Amendment

FYI:

— The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a body of selected members of parliament appointed by the Parliament of India to audit the government’s revenue and expenditure. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— It acts as a check on the government, particularly with regard to expenditure bills, and its principal job is to study the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (C&AG) audit report when it is brought before Parliament.

— The committee’s primary job is to determine whether the money provided by parliament was used by the government within the scope of the demand.

— The Public Accounts Committee consists of not more than twenty-two members, fifteen elected by Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament, and not more than seven members of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

The members of the committee are not allowed to be ministers in the government. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Every year, members are elected from among the members of their respective houses using the basis of proportional representation and a single transferable vote. The chairman is chosen by the Lok Sabha speaker. The members’ terms of office last one year. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— In Article 107 of the Constitution of India, there is a provision as to introduction and passing of Bills.

— Subject to the provisions of articles 109 and 117 with respect to Money Bills and other financial Bills, a Bill may originate in either House of Parliament.

— A Bill shall not be deemed to have been passed by the Houses of Parliament unless it has been agreed to by both Houses, either without amendment or with such amendments only as are agreed to by both Houses.

— A Bill pending in Parliament shall not lapse by reason of the prorogation of the Houses. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— A Bill pending in the Council of States which the House of the People has not passed shall not lapse on a dissolution of the House of the People. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— A Bill which is pending in the House of the People, or which having been passed by the House of the People is pending in the Council of States, shall, subject to the provisions of article 108, lapse on a dissolution of the House of the People.

Joint sitting of both Houses in certain cases:

— If after a Bill has been passed by one House and transmitted to the other House —

(a) the Bill is rejected by the other House; or

(b) the Houses have finally disagreed as to the amendments to be made in the Bill; or

(c) more than six months elapse from the date of the reception of the Bill by the other House without the Bill being passed by it. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: Constitution of India)

FYI:

— The fundamental duties were incorporated in Part IV-A of the Constitution by The Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976, during Indira Gandhi’s Emergency. Article 51(A) describes 11 fundamental duties — 10 came with the 42nd Amendment; the 11th was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002.

— These duties are not enforceable by law. However, a court may take them into account while adjudicating on a matter.

— Article 51(A) says it shall be the duty of every citizen of India:

(a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;

(b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;

(d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;

(e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;

(f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;

(g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;

(h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;

(i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;

(j) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement;

(k) who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.

— Article 49 of the Constitution of India provides for protection of monuments and places and objects of national importance.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: Constitution of India)

FYI:

— The President shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court to be Attorney-General for India. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— It shall be the duty of the Attorney-General to give advice to the Government of India upon such legal matters, and to perform such other duties of a legal character, as may from time to time be referred or assigned to him by the President, and to discharge the functions conferred on him by or under this Constitution or any other law for the time being in force. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— In the performance of his duties, the Attorney-General shall have the right to audience in all courts in the territory of India. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

— The Attorney-General shall hold office during the pleasure of the President and shall receive such remuneration as the President may determine. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: Constitution of India)

FYI:

— Article 15 guarantees the Fundamental Right of prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Articles 15(1) and (2) broadly state that the “State” shall not discriminate “any citizen” on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them; and there shall be no restriction on any person to access and use the public places and places of public resort maintained wholly or partly by the state or dedicated to the use of the general public.

— Articles 15(3) and 15(4) are the foundation for reservations in education and employment in the country. Article 15(3) empowers the state to make special provisions for women and children; Article 15(4) empowers the state to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backwards, and SC/STs.

— Article 15(5) was introduced by The Constitution (Ninety-Third Amendment) Act, 2005. It is an enabling clause that empowers the state to make such provision for the advancement of SC, ST and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) of citizens in relation to a specific subject, namely, admission to educational institutions including private educational institutions whether aided or unaided by the State notwithstanding the provisions of Article 19(1)(g).

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: Constitution of India)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 50)

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