UPSC 2011 Polity & Governance Previous Year Questions

Question 1

Consider the following statements: In India, a Metropolitan Planning Committee 1. is constituted under the provisions of the Constitution of India. 2. prepares the draft development plans for metropolitan area. 3. has the sole responsibility for implementing Government sponsored schemes in the metropolitan area. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 and 2 only | 2 only | 1 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Metropolitan Planning Committees are constitutional bodies under Article 243ZE and prepare draft development plans for metropolitan areas. They do not have sole responsibility for implementing all government schemes.

Question 2

What was the purpose with which Sir William Wedderburn and W. S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. To agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons | To campaign for the entry of Indians into the Imperial Judiciary | To facilitate a discussion on India's Independence in the British Parliament | To agitate for the entry of eminent Indians into the British Parliament. Wedderburn and Caine formed the Indian Parliamentary Committee to influence British MPs and press for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons.

Question 3

Consider the following: 1. Right to education. 2. Right to equal access to public service. 3. Right to food. Which of the above is/are Human Right/Human Rights under Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1 only | 1 and 2 only | 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes education, equal access to public service, and an adequate standard of living including food. Hence all three are human rights in the UDHR framework.

Question 4

Under the Constitution of India, which one of the following is not a fundamental duty?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. To vote in public elections | To develop the scientific temper | To safeguard public property | To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals. Developing scientific temper, safeguarding public property, and respecting the Constitution are Fundamental Duties under Article 51A. Voting in public elections is a democratic responsibility, but it is not listed as a Fundamental Duty.

Question 5

When the annual Union Budget is not passed by the Lok Sabha,

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. the Budget is modified and presented again | the Budget is referred to the Rajya Sabha for suggestions | the Union Finance Minister is asked to resign | the Prime Minister submits the resignation of Council of Ministers. Failure to pass the Budget in Lok Sabha means the government has lost the confidence of the House. Conventionally the Prime Minister submits the resignation of the Council of Ministers.

Question 6

A company marketing food products advertises that its items do not contain trans-fats. What does this campaign signify to the customers? 1. The food products are not made out of hydrogenated oils. 2. The food products are not made out of animal fats/oils. 3. The oils used are not likely to damage the cardiovascular health of the consumers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 1 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Industrial trans-fats are commonly associated with partially hydrogenated oils and are harmful to cardiovascular health. Absence of trans-fats does not mean absence of animal fats or oils.

Question 7

The authorization for the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India must come from

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. The President of India | The Parliament of India | The Prime Minister of India | The Union Finance Minister. Money can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India only after authorization by Parliament through appropriation. The President recommends demands, but parliamentary authorization is required.

Question 8

India is home to lakhs of persons with disabilities. What are the benefits available to them under the law? 1. Free schooling till the age of 18 years in government-run schools. 2. Preferential allotment of land for setting up business. 3. Ramps in public buildings. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 1 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Disability law provides educational support, accessibility measures such as ramps, and preferential allotment or support for livelihood purposes. All three listed benefits are covered in the broad legal framework then applicable.

Question 9

In India, if a religious sect/community is given the status of a national minority, what special advantages it is entitled to? 1. It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions. 2. The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to Lok Sabha. 3. It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 1 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Minority communities have constitutional rights to establish and administer educational institutions and may benefit from welfare programmes such as the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme. There is no automatic Lok Sabha nomination by the President.

Question 10

Which one of the following is not a feature of "Value Added Tax"?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. It is a multi-point destination-based system of taxation | It is a tax levied on value addition at each stage of transaction in the production-distribution chain | It is a tax on the final consumption of goods or services and must ultimately be borne by the consumer | It is basically a subject of the Central Government and the State Governments are only a facilitator for its successful implementation. VAT is a destination-based multi-point tax on value addition, ultimately bor

UPSC 2011 Polity & Governance PYQs with Answers