UPSC 2013 Polity & Governance PYQs with Answers

The National Development Council consisted of the Prime Minister, Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers and administrators of Union Territories. The Finance Commission Chairman was not a constituent member.

Limbu is associated with Sikkim and Dongaria Kondh with Odisha. Karbi are mainly in Assam, and Bonda are in Odisha, not Tamil Nadu.

NALSA provides free competent legal services to weaker sections and frames guidelines for State Legal Services Authorities to implement legal-aid programmes. Both statements are correct.

The Chairman of Rajya Sabha is the Vice President and not a member of the House, but the Deputy Chairman is elected from among Rajya Sabha members. Nominated MPs do not vote in presidential elections but do vote in vice-presidential elections.

Economic and social planning is in the Concurrent List, and Panchayats may be entrusted with plans for economic development and social justice. The National Development Council was not an organ of the Planning Commission.

Union Ministers hold office during the President's pleasure, and the Prime Minister must communicate legislative proposals and decisions to the President. Collective responsibility is specifically to the Lok Sabha, not Parliament as a whole.

In parliamentary government, ministers are normally members of Parliament and remain in office only while enjoying legislative confidence. The Cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister, not the Head of State.

The Public Accounts Committee examines appropriation accounts, finance accounts and CAG reports. It has 22 members, not 25 Lok Sabha members, so statement 1 is wrong.

Article 37 says Directive Principles are fundamental in the governance of the country. They are not enforceable by courts, but guide law and policy.

Economic justice is stated in the Preamble and is also pursued through Directive Principles such as equitable distribution of resources and livelihood provisions. It is not directly listed as a Fundamental Right phrase.

Under the Forest Rights Act, the Gram Sabha initiates the process of determining individual and community forest rights. It receives claims and begins local verification before higher-level scrutiny.

PESA aims to extend self-governance to Scheduled Areas, recognize customary/traditional rights and protect tribal people from exploitation. Creating autonomous regions is not its stated objective.

Under Article 253, Parliament can make laws for the whole or any part of India to implement international treaties, agreements or conventions without requiring State consent.

The National Development Council, Planning Commission and Zonal Councils are not constitutional bodies mentioned in the Constitution. Zonal Councils were created by statute, and the others by executive arrangements.

The Attorney General has the right to speak and take part in proceedings of either House and committees of Parliament, but cannot vote. Thus statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct.

A constitutional amendment bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament, not only Lok Sabha. Amendments affecting federal provisions require ratification by at least half of the State legislatures, not all States.

Members of the Constituent Assembly from provinces were indirectly elected by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies under the Cabinet Mission Plan.

The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President, and the Constitution does not lay down an impeachment-like procedure for removal. The other statements misstate appointment/removal or UT practice.

For a Money Bill, Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations within 14 days. Lok Sabha may accept or reject those recommendations and proceed; there is no joint sitting for a Money Bill.