UPSC 2015 Polity & Governance PYQs with Answers

The defining feature of India's parliamentary system is that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

The Directive Principles of State Policy contain the socio-economic goals that express the ideal of a welfare state.

The core aims of Panchayati Raj are people's participation in development and democratic decentralization. Political accountability and financial mobilization may be outcomes/tools, but they are not the fundamental objects as framed here.

The duty to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India is listed among the Fundamental Duties under Article 51A.

A State Legislative Council cannot exceed one-third of the size of the Legislative Assembly, so statement 1 is wrong. Its Chairman is elected by the Council, not nominated by the Governor.

The Supreme Court is regarded as the custodian/guardian of the Constitution because it interprets the Constitution and can invalidate unconstitutional laws or actions through judicial review.

The Union Budget is prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs, not the Department of Revenue. Withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund require parliamentary authorization, whereas Public Account disbursements do not require the same authorization.

The Fifth and Sixth Schedules contain special provisions for administration of Scheduled Areas and tribal areas, aimed at protecting Scheduled Tribes' interests.

The Cabinet Mission proposed a federal/union structure for India. It did not enlarge Indian courts' powers or provide for more Indians in the ICS as its recommendations.

The Union executive power is vested in the President, not the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is not the ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board, so both statements are incorrect.

A bill in a joint sitting is passed by a simple majority of the members of both Houses present and voting.

IceCube is a cubic-kilometre neutrino observatory buried deep in Antarctic ice. It detects high-energy neutrinos and is also used in searches related to dark matter, so all three statements are correct.

The Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers is compiled and released by the Labour Bureau.

The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced dyarchy and more clearly demarcated central and provincial subjects/jurisdiction.

Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill; it can only make recommendations. It also cannot vote on Demands for Grants, though it may discuss the Budget/Annual Financial Statement.

The Fair and Remunerative Price of sugarcane is approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.

Directive Principles set out the socio-economic goals of the Constitution and guide the establishment of social and economic democracy. They are expressly non-justiciable and not enforceable by courts.