Question 1

Which Article of the Constitution of India specifically provides for the imposition of President's Rule in States, that is, for the proclamation of a State Emergency?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: President's Rule is a significant constitutional mechanism in India under which the Union government takes direct control of the administration of a State when the constitutional machinery in that State is deemed to have failed. This is sometimes called a State Emergency. The power to impose such a rule is specifically provided by one Article of the Constitution, and remembering its number is very important for Indian polity exams. Given Data / Assumptions: - The question asks for the Article related to President's Rule in States.- The options are Articles 356, 343, 51A and 80.- Only one of these Articles deals with State Emergency. Concept / Approach: Article 356 of the Constitution empowers the President to issue a proclamation assuming to himself the functions of the government of a State if he is satisfied that the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. This is what is commonly referred to as President's Rule. Article 343 deals with the official language of the Union, Article 51A contains Fundamental Duties and Article 80 relates to the composition of the Rajya Sabha. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that Article 356 is frequently mentioned in political debates about dismissal of State governments and the role of the Governor and President in such situations.Step 2: Article 343 is about the official language of the Union and has nothing to do with emergencies.Step 3: Article 51A lists the Fundamental Duties of citizens, again unrelated to President's Rule.Step 4: Article 80 deals with the composition and maximum strength of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).Step 5: Therefore, the correct Article providing for President's Rule is Article 356. Verification / Alternative check: Many standard polity books discuss the misuse and judicial control of President's Rule under Article 356, especially after the S R Bommai judgment. If you remember reading about Article 356 in that context, it becomes an easy recall in the exam. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B (Article 343) is wrong because it addresses language policy, not emergencies.Option C (Article 51A) is wrong as it relates to Fundamental Duties, not State Emergency provisions.Option D (Article 80) is wrong because it only defines the composition of the Rajya Sabha and has no link with President's Rule. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse Article 356 (State Emergency) with Article 352 (National Emergency) or Article 360 (Financial Emergency). To avoid such mix ups, it is useful to form a mental map of emergency related Articles: 352 for National Emergency, 356 for State Emergency and 360 for Financial Emergency. Regular revision of these three together makes it easier to keep them distinct. Final Answer: Correct answer: Article 356

Question 2

In the earlier institutional set up of national economic planning in India, who, by virtue of office, served as the ex officio Chairman of the Planning Commission?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Before the establishment of NITI Aayog, India had a Planning Commission that was responsible for formulating Five Year Plans and advising on national development priorities. It was an important body in the economic governance of the country. Understanding who headed the Planning Commission as its ex officio Chairman helps you connect the institution with political leadership at the highest level. Given Data / Assumptions: - The question refers to the Planning Commission, which has now been replaced by NITI Aayog.- It asks who served as the Chairman of the Planning Commission by virtue of office.- The options are Defence Minister, Attorney General of India, Prime Minister of India and Finance Minister. Concept / Approach: The Planning Commission was a non constitutional but important advisory body of the Government of India. By established convention and design, the Prime Minister of India always served as its ex officio Chairman. Other ministers, such as the Finance Minister or ministers in charge of particular sectors, might be members or vice chairpersons, but the top leadership position belonged to the Prime Minister. The Attorney General and Defence Minister never served by default as Chairman. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that in discussions about plan documents and Five Year Plans, the Prime Minister was often referred to as the head of the Planning Commission.Step 2: The posts of Deputy Chairman or Vice Chairman were typically given to senior economists or political leaders, but the formal Chairman was the Prime Minister.Step 3: The Defence Minister focuses on national security and armed forces, not on heading the planning body.Step 4: The Attorney General of India is the chief legal advisor to the government and does not chair the Planning Commission.Step 5: The Finance Minister is central to budgetary policy but was not the ex officio Chairman of the Planning Commission.Step 6: Therefore, the correct answer is the Prime Minister of India. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify this by remembering that when new governments came to power, the same Prime Minister who headed the Council of Ministers automatically became the Chairman of the Planning Commission. News reports often referred to the Prime Minister chairing its meetings and approving plan documents, which confirms this association. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (Defence Minister) is wrong because this minister is responsible for defence policy and is not automatically linked with planning leadership.Option B (Attorney General of India) is wrong as this is a legal advisory post, not a planning or executive office.Option D (Finance Minister) is wrong because, although the Finance Minister plays a key role in implementing plans through budgets, the Planning Commission's chairmanship was always with the Prime Minister. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to assume that the Finance Minister, being associated closely with economic policy, might have chaired the Planning Commission. Others might think of a separate full time chairperson distinct from the Prime Minister. To avoid this, it is useful to remember the simple rule: Prime Minister = ex officio head of key national bodies like the NITI Aayog (as Chairperson) and earlier the Planning Commission. Final Answer: Correct answer: Prime Minister of India

Question 3

In India, what is the minimum qualifying age required for a citizen to be registered as a voter in the electoral rolls and to be eligible to vote in elections?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Universal adult franchise is a cornerstone of Indian democracy. It means that every adult citizen, subject to certain minimal conditions, has the right to vote in elections. The minimum age at which a citizen becomes eligible to be entered in the electoral roll is a basic fact tested in almost all general knowledge and polity exams. This minimum voting age is set by the Constitution and subsequent amendment. Given Data / Assumptions: - The question concerns the minimum age for being a voter, not for contesting elections.- Options are 24, 22, 20 and 18 years.- We assume the context of current constitutional provisions. Concept / Approach: Originally, the minimum age for voting in India was 21 years. The Sixty First Constitutional Amendment Act later reduced this age to 18 years, recognising the importance of involving youth in the democratic process. Article 326 of the Constitution now provides that elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies shall be on the basis of adult suffrage, meaning that every citizen who is not otherwise disqualified and who is 18 years or above is entitled to be registered as a voter. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that the current minimum voting age in India is 18 years, widely publicised in civic education materials.Step 2: Understand that 24 and 25 years are associated with eligibility to contest certain elections, such as for the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly, but not with voting itself.Step 3: The options 22 and 20 lie between the former and current voting ages but do not match the official figure codified after the constitutional amendment.Step 4: Therefore, among the options given, 18 years is the correct minimum age to be a voter. Verification / Alternative check: A simple check is to think of standard statements used in awareness campaigns, such as 'Every citizen of India who is 18 years or above has the right to vote'. This line is repeated in election commission advertisements, textbooks and media messages, providing strong confirmation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (24 years) is wrong because it exceeds the required age and is associated more with other eligibility thresholds.Option B (22 years) and Option C (20 years) are wrong as they are intermediate figures that do not correspond to the constitutional age for voting. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may remember that the voting age was once 21 and might get confused if they have not updated their knowledge about the Sixty First Amendment. Others may mix up ages for voting with ages for contesting elections. To avoid this, it is useful to remember a basic age ladder: 18 to vote, 25 to contest for Lok Sabha or State Assembly and 30 to contest for Rajya Sabha or State Legislative Council. Final Answer: Correct answer: 18 years

Question 4

Under the constitutional scheme of India, the elected members of which body constitute the electoral college that elects the members of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Parliament of India and represents the States and certain Union Territories. Its members are not elected directly by the people, unlike the Lok Sabha members. Instead, members of the Rajya Sabha are chosen through an indirect election process. Understanding which body forms the electoral college for this election is a key part of Indian polity. Given Data / Assumptions: - The question asks who elects the members of the Rajya Sabha.- The options include elected members of the Legislative Council, the people directly, elected members of the Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha.- We focus on the method laid down in the Constitution. Concept / Approach: Under Article 80 and related provisions, representatives of each State in the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assembly using the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The general public does not vote directly for Rajya Sabha members. Legislative Councils at the State level and the Lok Sabha do not form the electoral college for this purpose. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that Rajya Sabha members representing States are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assembly, not by the people directly.Step 2: The people directly elect members of the Lok Sabha, not members of the Rajya Sabha, which confirms that direct popular vote is not the right answer.Step 3: Legislative Councils, where they exist, are upper houses at the State level and their members do not form the electoral college for Rajya Sabha elections.Step 4: Members of the Lok Sabha represent the people at the Union level but do not elect Rajya Sabha members; they are part of Parliament, not of the State level electoral colleges.Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is that elected members of the State Legislative Assembly elect the members of the Rajya Sabha. Verification / Alternative check: One way to verify is to think of the Rajya Sabha as a Council of States. Its members are expected to reflect the composition of the State legislatures, which is why the elected MLAs choose them through proportional representation. This structure ensures that different parties in the State Assembly are represented in the State's Rajya Sabha contingent based on their strength. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (elected members of the Legislative Council) is wrong because Legislative Councils do not elect Rajya Sabha members; they are part of a separate State level chamber.Option B (the people directly) is wrong because the Indian system uses indirect election for Rajya Sabha, distinguishing it from the Lok Sabha.Option D (Lok Sabha) is wrong as Lok Sabha members do not form the electoral college for Rajya Sabha elections. Common Pitfalls: Some students mistakenly assume that all legislators, including members of Legislative Councils or the Lok Sabha, participate in Rajya Sabha elections. Others may confuse the direct election process used for Lok Sabha with the indirect process used for Rajya Sabha. Clear understanding of the separate roles of different elected bodies is essential to avoid these errors. Final Answer: Correct answer: Elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the State

Question 5

In the context of the Indian political and constitutional system, what is the full form of the abbreviation MLA?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Abbreviations for political offices and institutions, such as MP, MLA, MLC and PM, are widely used in everyday news and in exam questions. Knowing their full forms is fundamental to understanding Indian polity. This question asks about the full form of MLA, a term frequently used for elected representatives at the State level. Given Data / Assumptions: - The abbreviation given is MLA.- Four possible expansions are offered, two of which are obviously incorrect.- We must identify the standard and correct full form used in official documents and common usage. Concept / Approach: In India, an MLA is a Member of Legislative Assembly, an elected representative to the lower house of the legislature in a State or Union Territory that has a Legislative Assembly. The House may be unicameral or part of a bicameral legislature where the upper house is the Legislative Council (members then are called MLCs). The other offered expansions like Master of Legislative Assembly or Member of Left Assembly are not used in Indian constitutional or political practice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that MLAs are elected representatives in State Legislative Assembly elections; they form the government at the State level along with the Chief Minister.Step 2: The official and common expansion of MLA is Member of Legislative Assembly, matching this role exactly.Step 3: Master of Legislative Assembly is not a recognised political title in India and does not appear in any constitutional text.Step 4: Member of Left Assembly and Master of Left Assembly are clearly incorrect and appear to be distractors.Step 5: Therefore, the correct expansion is Member of Legislative Assembly. Verification / Alternative check: Reading any standard newspaper report on State politics will show sentences such as 'the MLA from this constituency' or 'Members of the Legislative Assembly voted on the Bill', which confirms that MLA stands for Member of Legislative Assembly. The abbreviation MP is similarly used for Member of Parliament. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B (Master of Legislative Assembly) is wrong because such a title does not exist in Indian political practice.Option C (Member of Left Assembly) is wrong as there is no institution called Left Assembly in the Indian Constitution.Option D (Master of Left Assembly) is wrong for the same reason and appears nonsensical in the context of Indian polity. Common Pitfalls: This question is generally straightforward, but some test takers under pressure might overthink it. The key is not to be confused by unusual sounding distractors and to rely on everyday usage. Familiarity with basic political vocabulary, as used in news and textbooks, will ensure you answer such questions accurately and quickly. Final Answer: Correct answer: Member of Legislative Assembly

Question 6

In which year was the regional political party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) founded in the politics of Tamil Nadu?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Regional political parties play a major role in the federal political system of India, especially in States like Tamil Nadu where Dravidian parties have dominated politics for decades. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is one of the most prominent such parties. Knowing when important regional parties were founded can help you understand the evolution of party systems and is a common topic in general knowledge exams. Given Data / Assumptions: - The question refers to the founding year of AIADMK.- The options given are 1949, 1999, 1972 and 1997.- We assume basic familiarity with Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu. Concept / Approach: AIADMK was formed as a breakaway faction from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The key leader associated with its foundation was M G Ramachandran (MGR), a popular film star and politician. The party was founded in the early 1970s. The year 1949 is associated with the founding of the DMK, not AIADMK. The dates in the late 1990s refer to other political events, not to the creation of AIADMK. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Remember that DMK was founded earlier, in 1949, under leaders like C N Annadurai, which rules out 1949 as the founding year of AIADMK.Step 2: AIADMK emerged later when M G Ramachandran split from DMK, which is historically recorded as happening in 1972.Step 3: The late 1990s, including 1997 and 1999, are too recent and correspond more to later phases of coalition politics at the national level, not to the birth of AIADMK.Step 4: Thus, among the given options, 1972 matches the known founding year of AIADMK. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, you can recall that AIADMK was already a major force by the time of elections in the 1980s and 1990s, which would not be possible if it had been founded as late as 1997 or 1999. At the same time, it could not have been formed before DMK, which was founded in 1949. This reasoning leads naturally to 1972 as the correct year. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (1949) is wrong because it is the founding year of DMK, not AIADMK.Option B (1999) is wrong as AIADMK was already well established and had governed Tamil Nadu before this date.Option D (1997) is wrong for the same reason; the party had long been active in State politics by the late 1990s. Common Pitfalls: Examinees sometimes confuse the founding years of DMK and AIADMK or assume that both were created around the time of independence. Another mistake is to be tempted by more recent dates because of their familiarity. A simple way to avoid this is to pair DMK with 1949 and AIADMK with 1972 when revising Dravidian party history. Final Answer: Correct answer: 1972

Question 7

In the context of the powers of the Supreme Court of India, which term refers to the power under which the President of India can refer any question of public importance or a question involving interpretation of the Constitution to the Court for its…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Supreme Court of India exercises several types of jurisdiction, reflecting the variety of cases it can hear and the roles it plays in the constitutional framework. These include original, appellate, writ and advisory jurisdictions. One of these allows the Court to give its opinion when the President of India refers a matter that involves questions of law or constitutional interpretation. Understanding the name of this jurisdiction is essential for mastering topics in Indian judiciary and polity. Given Data / Assumptions: - The question describes a situation in which the President refers questions of public importance or constitutional interpretation to the Supreme Court.- The options given are original, writ, appellate and advisory jurisdiction.- We must match the description to the correct technical term. Concept / Approach: Article 143 of the Constitution of India empowers the President to refer questions to the Supreme Court for its opinion. The Court, acting under this Article, exercises what is known as its advisory jurisdiction. In such cases, the Court does not decide a dispute between parties but gives an opinion when requested by the President. Original jurisdiction refers to cases that start directly in the Supreme Court, such as disputes between States and the Union. Appellate jurisdiction refers to appeals from lower courts. Writ jurisdiction relates to enforcement of Fundamental Rights. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that the described power involves the President seeking an opinion, not a typical adversarial case between two parties.Step 2: Recognise that this process is governed by Article 143, commonly described in textbooks as the Supreme Court's advisory jurisdiction.Step 3: Original jurisdiction cannot be correct because that concerns suits such as inter State disputes that begin directly in the Supreme Court.Step 4: Writ jurisdiction is used to enforce Fundamental Rights under Article 32, where the Court issues writs like habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari.Step 5: Appellate jurisdiction involves the Court hearing appeals against judgments of High Courts and certain tribunals, not giving advisory opinions to the President.Step 6: Therefore, the correct term for the President's reference power is advisory jurisdiction. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify by recalling famous instances where the President referred questions to the Supreme Court, such as disputes about Presidential elections, scope of constitutional amendments or powers of certain offices. These are always discussed under the heading of advisory opinions and advisory jurisdiction, confirming the terminology. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (original jurisdiction) is wrong because it relates to direct suits between the Union and States or between States, not to presidential references.Option B (writ jurisdiction) is wrong because this jurisdiction deals with enforcement of Fundamental Rights through writs, not with non binding advisory opinions.Option C (appellate jurisdiction) is wrong because it involves hearing appeals from lower courts, not responding to questions from the President. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse advisory jurisdiction with original jurisdiction because both are mentioned together when describing the Supreme Court's powers. Others may choose writ jurisdiction simply because it is frequently tested. To avoid such mistakes, link each jurisdiction clearly with its defining feature: original with disputes starting in the Supreme Court, appellate with appeals, writ with Fundamental Rights and advisory with presidential references under Article 143. Final Answer: Correct answer: Advisory jurisdiction

Question 8

In the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), how many parliamentary seats are allocated to the State of Tripura under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Parliament of India is bicameral, consisting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha represents the States and Union Territories at the Union level, and each State is allocated a fixed number of seats based mainly on population. This question focuses on the specific number of Rajya Sabha seats allotted to the small north eastern State of Tripura. Knowing such allocations helps learners understand the federal and representative structure of India. Given Data / Assumptions: - The question is about the Council of States, that is, the Rajya Sabha. - The State under consideration is Tripura, a relatively small State in north eastern India. - The options provided are 7, 1, 18 and 10 seats. - The allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha is as per the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India and related laws. Concept / Approach: The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House with a maximum strength defined by the Constitution. Seats are allocated to the States and Union Territories largely in proportion to their population. Larger States like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have many seats, while smaller States and Union Territories have very few. Tripura is one of the smaller States in terms of population, so it has a small representation in the Rajya Sabha. The correct approach is to recall or logically infer that Tripura gets only a single seat in the Upper House, not a large number like 7, 10 or 18. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that the total membership of the Rajya Sabha is capped at 250, out of which most seats are distributed among the States according to population. Step 2: Recognise that very large States such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Bihar have double digit seat allocations, whereas small north eastern States have one or a very small number of seats. Step 3: Tripura is a geographically and demographically small State compared to major States of India. Step 4: The allocation for Tripura in the Rajya Sabha is therefore only one seat, reflecting its relatively small population. Step 5: Among the options given, the value that matches this known allocation is 1. Verification / Alternative check: A learner can verify this by consulting a current list of Rajya Sabha members organised by State, where Tripura will show only one member at any given time. Alternatively, standard political science and polity compendiums that list the distribution of Rajya Sabha seats by State clearly show Tripura with one seat. The consistency of this information across sources confirms that the correct answer is 1 and not any of the larger numbers suggested by the other options. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, 7 seats, is too high for a small State like Tripura; such numbers are associated with larger States or those with higher populations. Option C, 18 seats, is clearly inappropriate for Tripura and would correspond to very large States, not a small north eastern State. Option D, 10 seats, is also much higher than the actual allocation and does not match any standard reference for Tripura's representation in the Rajya Sabha. Common Pitfalls: One common mistake is to confuse Lok Sabha seats with Rajya Sabha seats, because Lok Sabha constituencies are often discussed more frequently in the news. Another error is to assume that every State must have a larger presence in the Rajya Sabha than it actually does, without considering population size. Students may also mix up the seat allocations of different north eastern States. To avoid such confusion, it is helpful to remember that several small States, including Tripura, have just one Rajya Sabha seat. Final Answer: Tripura has only 1 parliamentary seat in the Rajya Sabha.

Question 9

Which of the following centrally launched schemes is a special social security scheme for overseas Indian workers that includes both pension and life insurance benefits?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Government of India runs many schemes aimed at different target groups, such as rural youth, farmers, urban poor and overseas workers. Some of these schemes are specifically designed as social security packages, combining pension and insurance benefits. This question asks you to identify which named scheme is a special social security scheme for overseas Indian workers that includes pension and life insurance, so that you can distinguish it from other development or infrastructure programmes. Given Data / Assumptions: - The schemes listed include skill development and rural energy schemes as well as a scheme aimed at overseas Indians. - Option A refers to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, which is a rural skill development scheme. - Option B refers to Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, which is related to rural electricity infrastructure. - Option C refers to Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana, which is a social security scheme for Indian workers abroad. - Option D, Indradanush Scheme, relates to sectoral reforms such as banking or immunisation, not directly to a bundled pension and life insurance for overseas workers. Concept / Approach: The key words in the question are special social security scheme, overseas Indian workers, pension and life insurance. Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana was designed to provide a combination of pension, life insurance and other social security benefits to Indian emigrant workers, particularly those in certain foreign labour markets. The approach is to match these features to the scheme names and purposes. The other schemes listed either focus on rural skill training, power distribution or unrelated reform areas and do not fit the description of a combined pension and insurance social security scheme for overseas workers. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the target group specified in the question: overseas Indian workers, sometimes referred to as expatriate or migrant workers. Step 2: Look for a scheme name that clearly suggests a connection with overseas Indians. The term Pravasi in Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana directly indicates non resident or migrant Indians. Step 3: Recall that Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana was framed as a social security scheme, offering pension, life insurance and other related benefits for eligible workers. Step 4: Note that Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana relates to skill development of rural youth within India, not overseas workers. Step 5: Observe that Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana deals with rural power supply and not social security. Step 6: Recognise that Indradanush Scheme is linked to other sectors and does not specifically provide a combined pension and life insurance package for overseas workers. Step 7: Therefore, the correct choice that fits all parts of the description is Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, a learner can consult summaries of major Government schemes in standard current affairs material. These clearly describe Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana as a social security scheme meant for overseas Indian workers, with components such as pension and life insurance. In contrast, the skill development and power schemes are always grouped under rural and infrastructure development, and Indradanush is discussed in different contexts such as public sector banking reforms or immunisation drives. This clear separation of subject areas supports the conclusion that Option C is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, is wrong because it aims at enhancing employable skills among rural youth and does not bundle pension and life insurance as a social security package for overseas workers. Option B, Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, is wrong because it focuses on ensuring quality power supply in rural areas and strengthening the distribution network, not on social security for migrants. Option D, Indradanush Scheme, is wrong because it relates to other policy areas, such as banking recapitalisation or immunisation, and not to a dedicated pension and life insurance scheme for overseas workers. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is to select a scheme solely based on familiarity with the name, without checking whether its objective matches the description in the question. Another pitfall is confusing various schemes named after national leaders and assuming they all have similar goals. Students may also overlook the significance of the word Pravasi, which clearly indicates overseas or migrant Indians. Reading scheme names carefully and linking them to their core objectives is essential for avoiding such errors. Final Answer: The special social security scheme that includes both pension and life insurance benefits for overseas Indian workers is Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana.

Question 10

Which Central Government scheme was launched to provide basic financial services, such as bank accounts, remittance, credit, insurance and pension, to the weaker sections of society and promote financial inclusion?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Financial inclusion is a key policy goal in India, aimed at ensuring that every household has access to basic banking services and formal financial products. The Government of India has launched several flagship schemes to bring the weaker sections of society into the formal financial system. This question tests whether you can correctly identify the scheme that specifically focuses on opening bank accounts and providing basic financial services like savings, remittance, credit, insurance and pension to the unbanked population. Given Data / Assumptions: - The scheme in question is aimed at weaker sections of society and financial inclusion. - It includes services such as bank accounts, remittance, credit, insurance and pension under one umbrella. - The options mention Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Bal Swachhta Mission, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana. - Only one of these is widely known as the main national financial inclusion programme. Concept / Approach: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is the flagship financial inclusion scheme that encourages every household to open a bank account, often with zero balance, and provides access to a RuPay card, overdraft facilities, insurance cover and links to pension schemes. The other schemes listed have different goals: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana focuses on savings for the girl child, Bal Swachhta Mission focuses on cleanliness, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao focuses on improving the status of the girl child. The approach is to match the broad financial inclusion and multi service description with the correct scheme. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the key features described in the question: bank accounts, remittance, credit, insurance and pension for weaker sections of society. Step 2: Recall that Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was launched as a massive drive to open bank accounts for unbanked households across India and to connect them with basic financial services. Step 3: Recognise that under Jan Dhan, account holders receive benefits such as accident insurance, overdraft facilities and links to social security schemes, which fits the description given. Step 4: Note that Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a targeted small savings scheme for the girl child and does not represent a universal financial inclusion programme. Step 5: Understand that Bal Swachhta Mission is related to cleanliness and hygiene for children, not banking services. Step 6: Remember that Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana is an awareness and support campaign for protecting and educating the girl child, not a general financial services scheme. Step 7: Therefore, the only scheme that meets all aspects of the description is Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. Verification / Alternative check: Verification can be done by looking at official descriptions or standard exam notes that refer to Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana as the world's largest financial inclusion programme. They highlight features such as zero balance accounts, RuPay debit cards, insurance cover and later linkages with pension schemes. The other schemes are always discussed in separate thematic sections relating to girl child welfare or cleanliness, and not under financial inclusion headlines. This confirms that option C is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, is wrong because it is a small savings scheme for the girl child, not a general financial inclusion programme for all weaker sections of society. Option B, Bal Swachhta Mission, is wrong because it is focused on cleanliness and hygiene awareness among children, not on financial services or banking access. Option D, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, is wrong because it is aimed at enhancing the status of girls through awareness and support programmes, not at providing bank accounts, insurance or pension to the general population. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse different flagship schemes because many of them were launched around similar times and share high visibility in the media. Another pitfall is to focus on the name of the scheme instead of its objective; for example, some may choose Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana simply because it is a financial product, without noticing that it is not universal. To avoid such errors, it is important to link each scheme to its core goal: Jan Dhan with financial inclusion, Sukanya Samriddhi with girl child savings, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao with social awareness. Final Answer: The scheme launched to provide basic financial services to weaker sections of society and promote financial inclusion is Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.

Question 11

In the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, the subject “Taxes on lands and buildings” appears in which of the following lists?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Constitution of India divides legislative subjects between the Union and the States through the Union List, State List and Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule. Taxation powers are distributed among these lists. Understanding which tier of government can levy particular taxes is a key part of Indian polity and public finance. This question asks where the subject Taxes on lands and buildings is placed, which indicates which level of government has primary authority to legislate on this tax. Given Data / Assumptions: - The subject named is Taxes on lands and buildings. - The lists available are Union List, State List and Concurrent List; Global List is not a constitutional category and is clearly incorrect as a term. - The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution divides subjects between Union and States for legislation. - Property related taxes like those on land and buildings are generally associated with local and State level governance in many federal systems. Concept / Approach: In India, taxes closely connected to property, such as taxes on lands and buildings, are placed in the State List. This means State legislatures have the primary power to make laws on these taxes, including authorising local bodies like municipalities and panchayats to collect them. The Union List covers taxes like customs, income tax (excluding agricultural income) and corporation tax, while the Concurrent List covers subjects where both Union and States can legislate, such as criminal law and social security. The approach is to recall that Taxes on lands and buildings is specifically mentioned in the State List. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that the Seventh Schedule contains three main lists: Union List, State List and Concurrent List. Step 2: Think about the nature of the tax in question. Taxes on lands and buildings are closely tied to immovable property within a State, and they are often administered by State and local governments. Step 3: Remember that entries dealing with property and local taxation appear primarily in the State List, giving States the power to legislate and delegate collection. Step 4: Recognise that there is no Global List in the Constitution of India, so option C is not even a valid constitutional category. Step 5: Understand that the Union List generally concentrates on national level taxes and subjects like defence, foreign affairs and railways, not local property taxes. Step 6: The Concurrent List is used for subjects like criminal law or social welfare where both levels can legislate, not for this particular tax entry. Step 7: Therefore, Taxes on lands and buildings is correctly located in the State List. Verification / Alternative check: Verification can be carried out by examining a standard summary of the Seventh Schedule in an Indian polity textbook. These summaries show an entry in the State List for Taxes on lands and buildings. Additionally, in practice, property tax is levied by local bodies under State laws, confirming that the primary legislative power rests with the State. There is no mention of this tax in the Union or Concurrent Lists, which supports the conclusion that the State List is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, Union List, is wrong because the Union government does not have primary legislative authority over taxes on lands and buildings; instead, it handles broader taxes like customs and income tax (except agricultural income). Option C, Global List, is wrong because no such list exists in the Indian Constitution; it is not a recognised constitutional classification. Option D, Concurrent List, is wrong because this list does not include Taxes on lands and buildings; it covers subjects where both Union and State can legislate, but this property tax is reserved for State legislation. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to assume that because many major taxes are collected by the Union government, most tax powers must fall under the Union List. Another pitfall is to overlook how federal systems often allocate property related taxes to States and local bodies for reasons of administrative convenience and accountability. Students may also get confused between different entries on taxes and not notice that each specific tax has a clearly assigned place. Carefully reviewing the structure of the Seventh Schedule and the nature of each tax helps avoid such confusion. Final Answer: The subject Taxes on lands and buildings appears in the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.

Question 12

In the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), how many parliamentary seats are allocated to the State of Maharashtra under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of the Indian Parliament and represents the States and Union Territories. Seats in the Rajya Sabha are allocated to each State largely according to population, so larger States receive more seats. Maharashtra is one of the largest and most populous States in India, and therefore has a relatively high number of seats in the Rajya Sabha. This question checks whether you know the exact number of seats allocated to Maharashtra. Given Data / Assumptions: - The question concerns the number of Rajya Sabha seats allocated to Maharashtra. - The options provided are 11, 19, 10 and 1 seats. - The allocation of seats is governed by the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution and related laws. - Maharashtra is a large State in terms of both population and contribution to the national economy. Concept / Approach: In the Rajya Sabha, representation is weighted by population, although not in a strictly proportional manner. Large States such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal have significant numbers of seats. Maharashtra, being one of the most populous States, has a seat allocation in the high teens rather than a single digit figure. The correct approach is to recall that Maharashtra has 19 seats in the Rajya Sabha, which places it among the States with substantial representation in the Upper House. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that Maharashtra is one of the largest States in India by population, second only to a very few States such as Uttar Pradesh. Step 2: In the Rajya Sabha, larger States have many more seats compared to smaller States like Tripura or Sikkim. Step 3: Think about the fact that a State with Maharashtra's population would have a seat allocation greater than 10 and certainly more than 1. Step 4: Among common exam facts, Maharashtra is known to have 19 seats in the Rajya Sabha. Step 5: Compare this with the options and identify 19 as the only figure that matches both the known allocation and the expected magnitude for such a large State. Verification / Alternative check: A student can verify this figure from standard polity books or official Rajya Sabha records, which list members State wise. The entry for Maharashtra shows a total of 19 seats. Smaller figures such as 10 or 11 are associated with medium sized States, whereas 1 is typical of very small States or some Union Territories. Since Maharashtra is consistently listed with 19 seats in reliable references, this confirms the correctness of option B. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, 11 seats, is wrong because that number is too low for a State as populous as Maharashtra; it would correspond more closely to a medium sized State. Option C, 10 seats, is similarly wrong for the same reason; it understates the representation of Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha. Option D, 1 seat, is clearly incorrect because such a small allocation is reserved for small States or certain Union Territories, not for one of India's largest States. Common Pitfalls: A common pitfall is to mix up the number of seats for different large States, such as confusing the figures for Maharashtra and other big States. Another mistake is to assume all large States have the same number of seats without remembering the specific allocation. Students may also occasionally confuse Lok Sabha seats with Rajya Sabha seats, which have different numbers for each State. Keeping a simple table of Rajya Sabha seat distribution for major States in memory can help avoid such errors. Final Answer: Maharashtra has 19 seats allocated to it in the Rajya Sabha.

Question 13

Which Central Government initiative was launched with the aim of improving rural livelihoods, promoting rural development and strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions across the country?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Rural development in India is supported through a wide range of programmes that target livelihoods, infrastructure and local governance. Some initiatives specifically highlight the role of Panchayati Raj institutions and village level participation in planning and development. This question asks you to identify which named initiative focuses on improving rural livelihoods, promoting rural development and strengthening Panchayati Raj across the country. Given Data / Assumptions: - The key goals mentioned are improving rural livelihoods, promoting rural development and strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions. - The options are Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan, Stand Up India scheme and National Rurban Mission. - Only one of these is explicitly framed as a broad rural development and Panchayati Raj strengthening campaign. Concept / Approach: Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan literally translates to Village uplift leads to Nation uplift campaign. It was launched to highlight rural development, agricultural prosperity and the role of Panchayati Raj institutions. By comparison, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a crop insurance scheme, Stand Up India focuses on bank loans for entrepreneurs from specific categories, and National Rurban Mission aims to develop urban like facilities in rural clusters. The approach is to match the emphasis on Panchayati Raj and comprehensive rural development with the correct initiative. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the phrase strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions across the country, which points to a campaign involving Gram Sabhas and village level governance. Step 2: Recall that Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan was designed to promote awareness and activities around rural development, agricultural improvement and empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions. Step 3: Recognise that Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana deals specifically with crop insurance and risk coverage for farmers, not with Panchayati Raj strengthening as its core theme. Step 4: Note that Stand Up India is a financial inclusion and entrepreneurship scheme encouraging bank loans to women and members of disadvantaged communities, not a Panchayati Raj centred campaign. Step 5: Understand that National Rurban Mission is about developing rural clusters with urban like amenities, and although it concerns rural development, it is not primarily framed as a Panchayati Raj strengthening initiative. Step 6: Therefore, the initiative that best matches all parts of the description is Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan. Verification / Alternative check: Verification can be done by reading summaries of major rural development initiatives where Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan is clearly described as a nationwide campaign focusing on villages, farmers and Panchayati Raj institutions. It often includes programmes around Gram Sabhas, discussions on schemes and public participation in local governance. In contrast, crop insurance, entrepreneurship promotion and rurban clusters are covered separately under Fasal Bima, Stand Up India and National Rurban Mission. This separation confirms that option B is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, is wrong because it deals with crop insurance to protect farmers against yield losses due to natural risks and does not focus on Panchayati Raj institutions. Option C, Stand Up India scheme, is wrong because it aims at promoting entrepreneurship among women and certain disadvantaged communities through bank loans, not at comprehensive rural development and Panchayati Raj strengthening. Option D, National Rurban Mission, is wrong because it focuses on creating urban like clusters in rural areas by providing infrastructure and economic opportunities; it does not primarily project itself as a Panchayati Raj centric livelihood campaign. Common Pitfalls: One common pitfall is to choose a scheme that sounds vaguely rural or development oriented without carefully matching the exact description in the question. Another error is to associate any agriculture related scheme automatically with rural livelihoods and local governance, even if its primary focus is on insurance or credit. To avoid such mistakes, students should connect Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday with villages and Panchayati Raj, Fasal Bima with crop insurance, Stand Up India with bank loans and National Rurban Mission with rural clusters. Final Answer: The initiative aimed at improving rural livelihoods, promoting rural development and strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions is Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan.

Question 14

According to Dr B. R. Ambedkar, which Article of the Constitution of India is the most important and has been described as the “heart and soul” of the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Dr B. R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, made several important remarks about the provisions of the Constitution of India. One of his most quoted statements concerns a particular Article that he described as the heart and soul of the Constitution because it gives citizens a powerful remedy to protect their fundamental rights. This question asks you to recall which Article he considered so central. Given Data / Assumptions: - The options include Article 21, Article 24, Article 32 and Article 256. - Dr Ambedkar referred to one of these Articles as the heart and soul of the Constitution. - The Article in question must be closely connected with enforcement of fundamental rights. - The learner is assumed to be aware of the basic content of these Articles, especially the one relating to constitutional remedies. Concept / Approach: Article 32 of the Constitution of India provides the right to constitutional remedies, allowing individuals to move the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of fundamental rights. Dr Ambedkar emphasised that without such a remedy, fundamental rights would be ineffective, which is why he called Article 32 the heart and soul of the Constitution. Articles 21 and 24 deal with specific rights, and Article 256 deals with the obligation of States and the Union, but none of these were given the same description by Dr Ambedkar. The approach is to match his famous statement to Article 32. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that fundamental rights are only meaningful if there is an effective remedy when they are violated. Step 2: Remember that Article 32 empowers citizens to approach the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of their fundamental rights and authorises the Court to issue writs. Step 3: Dr Ambedkar highlighted the importance of this Article in the Constituent Assembly and described it as the heart and soul of the Constitution. Step 4: Article 21 deals with protection of life and personal liberty, which is extremely important but was not specifically given this particular phrase by Dr Ambedkar. Step 5: Article 24 prohibits child labour in certain hazardous employments, and Article 256 deals with the obligation of States and the Union, neither of which were described as the heart and soul of the Constitution. Step 6: Therefore, the Article referred to by Dr Ambedkar is Article 32. Verification / Alternative check: Standard Indian polity textbooks and discussions of the Constituent Assembly debates consistently quote Dr Ambedkar's statement describing Article 32 as the heart and soul of the Constitution. They emphasise that this Article guarantees the right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights. No similar description is attributed to Articles 21, 24 or 256 in authoritative sources. This repeated emphasis across references confirms that Article 32 is the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, Article 21, is wrong because although it is one of the most important fundamental rights relating to life and personal liberty, it was not the Article that Dr Ambedkar described as the heart and soul of the Constitution. Option B, Article 24, is wrong because it specifically deals with prohibition of child labour in certain hazardous occupations and was not singled out by Dr Ambedkar in this way. Option D, Article 256, is wrong because it concerns the obligation of States and the Union to ensure that State governments act in accordance with the Constitution, and has no direct connection with the enforcement of fundamental rights through the Supreme Court. Common Pitfalls: A common pitfall is to choose Article 21 because it is widely regarded as one of the most significant fundamental rights and has been expansively interpreted by the Supreme Court. However, the question is not about which Article is substantively broadest; it is about which Article Dr Ambedkar explicitly labelled as the heart and soul of the Constitution. Another mistake is to assume that any important rights provision could have been given that description without recalling the specific historical context of the Constituent Assembly debates. Careful reading of standard references helps avoid this confusion. Final Answer: According to Dr B. R. Ambedkar, Article 32 is the most important Article and is the heart and soul of the Constitution of India.

Question 15

Under the Seventy-Fourth Constitutional Amendment relating to urban local bodies, what fraction of the total number of seats in a Municipality is reserved for women, including the seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Schedu…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Seventy-Third and Seventy-Fourth Constitutional Amendments introduced major reforms in rural and urban local governance in India. One of the key features of these amendments is the reservation of seats for women in Panchayats and Municipalities. This question asks about the fraction of seats reserved for women in Municipalities under the Seventy-Fourth Amendment, which is important for understanding gender representation in local self government. Given Data / Assumptions: - The question focuses on Municipalities, that is, urban local bodies created under the Seventy-Fourth Amendment. - It specifically includes seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes within the overall reservation for women. - The options provided are 1/5, 1/7, 1/3 and 1/4. - The learner is expected to know the general rule on reservation for women in local bodies. Concept / Approach: The Constitution, through the Seventy-Third and Seventy-Fourth Amendments, mandated that not less than one-third of the total number of seats in Panchayats and Municipalities shall be reserved for women. This one-third quota applies to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election, and includes the seats reserved for women of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The approach is to recall this one-third rule and apply it to the context of Municipalities. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the general provision that in local self government institutions, at least one-third of the total number of seats shall be reserved for women. Step 2: Understand that this rule applies both to rural bodies (Panchayats) under the Seventy-Third Amendment and to urban bodies (Municipalities) under the Seventy-Fourth Amendment. Step 3: Note that the reservation for women is calculated out of the total seats to be filled by direct election and includes seats separately reserved for women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Step 4: Among the fractions given, 1/3 matches the constitutional minimum requirement of not less than one-third. Step 5: The other fractions (1/5, 1/7, 1/4) are lower than one-third and do not reflect the constitutional standard. Step 6: Therefore, the correct fraction is 1/3. Verification / Alternative check: Verification can be done by referring to the text of Part IXA of the Constitution, which deals with Municipalities, and to standard polity books that summarise the Seventy-Fourth Amendment. They clearly state that not less than one-third of the total number of seats in Municipalities are reserved for women. Many exam oriented guides repeat this fact because it is a commonly asked question. Since all such references consistently mention the one-third requirement, 1/3 is confirmed as the correct fraction. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, 1/5, is wrong because it represents only twenty percent of the seats, which is significantly less than the constitutional requirement of at least one-third. Option B, 1/7, is wrong because it would give women a very small share of seats, around fourteen percent, which is far below the mandated minimum. Option D, 1/4, is wrong because it indicates only twenty five percent reservation, which again does not reach the one-third threshold that the Constitution requires. Common Pitfalls: A common pitfall is to confuse the exact fraction for women's reservation with other numeric provisions in local government, such as the proportion of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, or to mix it up with different proposals for higher reservation percentages. Another mistake is to assume that reservation for women might be lower than one-third due to older municipal practices, without recognising the clear constitutional mandate. To avoid these errors, students should remember that the phrase not less than one-third is central to women's reservation in local bodies. Final Answer: In a Municipality, at least 1/3 of the total number of seats are reserved for women, including seats reserved for women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Question 16

In the scheme “Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)”, launched as a sub-scheme under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), what does the letter “E” stand for in the acronym “AGEY”?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Government schemes in India often use acronyms, and understanding these acronyms helps in remembering the schemes and their objectives. Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) is a sub-scheme under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission, aimed at providing safe and affordable rural transport services while creating self employment opportunities. This question focuses on decoding the letter E in the acronym AGEY. Given Data / Assumptions: - The full name of the scheme in the question is Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY). - AGEY is associated with rural transport and livelihoods under the National Rural Livelihood Mission framework. - The options for the letter E are Enterprise, Energy, Express and Engineering. - The learner is assumed to know or infer that the scheme involves vehicle based transport services. Concept / Approach: Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana is designed to help Self Help Groups operating under DAY-NRLM to operate transport services in rural areas by purchasing vehicles and running them on specific routes. The word Express in the title reflects its transport oriented character, similar to names of bus or transport services. The other options such as Enterprise, Energy and Engineering do not match the official expanded form of the acronym or the nature of the scheme. The approach is to map the initial letters of Aajeevika, Grameen, Express and Yojana to A, G, E and Y respectively. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Break down the full name Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana into four main words: Aajeevika, Grameen, Express and Yojana. Step 2: Match each word to the letters in the acronym: A for Aajeevika, G for Grameen, E for Express and Y for Yojana. Step 3: Recognise that E therefore stands for Express in the scheme's official name. Step 4: Recall that the scheme supports rural transport services such as small vehicles or minibuses operated by Self Help Groups, making Express a natural fit in terms of meaning as well. Step 5: Consider that Enterprise, Energy and Engineering do not appear in the official name of the scheme and do not align with the acronym letter positions. Step 6: Conclude that the correct expansion for E in AGEY is Express. Verification / Alternative check: The expansion Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana is frequently cited in Government documents and exam oriented study material that discuss rural livelihood programmes. In these references, the acronym AGEY is always explained as Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana, confirming that E stands for Express. None of the materials expand AGEY as using Enterprise, Energy or Engineering in the official title. This consistency across sources confirms that Express is the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, Enterprise, is wrong because although the scheme does promote entrepreneurship and self employment, the official title does not use the word Enterprise; therefore it cannot be the letter E in AGEY. Option B, Energy, is wrong because the scheme is not an energy sector initiative and the word Energy does not appear in the name of the scheme. Option D, Engineering, is wrong because the scheme does not focus on engineering services or infrastructure construction, and the official expansion of AGEY does not use this word. Common Pitfalls: A common pitfall is to guess the expansion of the acronym based on the general idea of livelihoods or entrepreneurship and choose Enterprise, which sounds plausible but is not correct. Another mistake is to ignore the explicit wording of the scheme title and rely only on memory of the acronym. To avoid such errors, students should practice expanding major scheme acronyms using their full official names and link the letters to the specific words used in those names. Final Answer: In Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY), the letter E stands for Express.

Question 17

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Third Amendment) Bill, 2017, passed by the Lok Sabha on 10 April 2017, sought to give Constitutional status to which national body?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Constitutional amendment Bills often aim to strengthen certain institutions by giving them Constitutional status. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Third Amendment) Bill, 2017, is important in the context of social justice and the rights of socially and educationally backward classes. This question asks you to identify which national body was proposed to be given Constitutional status by this specific amendment Bill. Given Data / Assumptions: - The Bill mentioned is the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Third Amendment) Bill, 2017. - It was passed by the Lok Sabha on 10 April 2017. - The options list four national level institutions: National Human Rights Commission, National Commission on Backward Classes, National Finance Commission and National Commission for Women. - Only one of these was the subject of the 123rd Amendment in the context of obtaining Constitutional status. Concept / Approach: The National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC) was originally a statutory body created under an Act of Parliament. There was a long standing demand to give it Constitutional status similar to that enjoyed by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. The 123rd Amendment Bill aimed to insert relevant provisions in the Constitution to elevate NCBC to a Constitutional body. The other listed bodies either already have a different type of status or were not linked to this particular amendment. The approach is to recall this association between the 123rd Amendment and NCBC. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that the 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill dealt with issues related to socially and educationally backward classes. Step 2: Remember that the National Commission on Backward Classes was a statutory body whose status was proposed to be raised to that of a Constitutional body through this amendment. Step 3: Note that the National Human Rights Commission functions under a separate Act and was not the focus of the 123rd Amendment Bill. Step 4: Understand that the Finance Commission already has Constitutional status under Article 280 and therefore does not match the description of an institution being newly granted such status by this amendment. Step 5: Recognise that the National Commission for Women is also a statutory body but was not the subject of this particular amendment Bill. Step 6: Conclude that the body whose Constitutional status was sought by the 123rd Amendment Bill is the National Commission on Backward Classes. Verification / Alternative check: Standard current affairs notes and Constitutional law references discussing the 123rd Amendment Bill consistently state that it aimed to give Constitutional status to the National Commission on Backward Classes. They highlight proposed changes such as insertion of new Articles and modifications regarding the powers and functions of NCBC. The same sources do not link this amendment Bill to the National Human Rights Commission, Finance Commission or National Commission for Women, which confirms that option B is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, National Human Rights Commission, is wrong because this commission was set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act and was not the institution targeted by the 123rd Amendment Bill for Constitutional status. Option C, National Finance Commission, is wrong because the Finance Commission is already a Constitutional body under Article 280, and the amendment in question did not seek to change that status. Option D, National Commission for Women, is wrong because, although it is a statutory body, it was not the subject of the 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill that was debated and passed in 2017. Common Pitfalls: A common pitfall is to confuse different commissions because many have similar sounding names and overlapping themes such as human rights, women's rights and social justice. Another mistake is to assume that any commission dealing with rights must have been the focus of this amendment without checking the specific context of backward classes. To avoid such errors, students should remember that the 123rd Amendment is associated with the National Commission on Backward Classes and the broader debate on reservations and identification of backward classes. Final Answer: The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Third Amendment) Bill, 2017, sought to give Constitutional status to the National Commission on Backward Classes.

Question 18

Under Article 368 of the Constitution of India, an amendment of the Constitution may be initiated in which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The procedure for amending the Constitution of India is laid down in Article 368. Constitutional amendments are more formal and often require special majorities compared to ordinary laws. For examinations, it is important to know exactly how an amendment can be initiated and which authorities are empowered to start the amendment process. This question focuses on the very first step: who can introduce an amendment Bill and in which House. Given Data / Assumptions: - The options mention the President, the Rajya Sabha, Governors of States and either House of Parliament. - Article 368 deals with the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and the procedure for it. - The question asks about initiation, that is, introduction of the Bill, not the subsequent approval process in Parliament and the States. - It is assumed that the learner knows that constitutional amendment Bills are distinct from ordinary Bills in certain respects but still follow a legislative route. Concept / Approach: Article 368 provides that an amendment of the Constitution can be initiated only by the introduction of a Bill for that purpose in either House of Parliament. There is no provision for State legislatures, Governors or the President to directly introduce such a Bill. The President is involved at the assent stage, and some amendments require State ratification after Parliament passes the Bill, but initiation is strictly through Parliament. The approach is to identify the option that correctly reflects this starting point. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that the Constitution can be amended only by Parliament under Article 368 and that the process begins with a Bill. Step 2: The Article specifies that the amendment process is initiated by introducing a Bill in either House of Parliament, that is, either in the Lok Sabha or in the Rajya Sabha. Step 3: The President does not introduce Bills; Bills are introduced by ministers or private members in the Houses, so initiation by the President is not envisaged. Step 4: Governors of States have no direct role in initiating a Constitutional Amendment Bill; they may be involved indirectly when State legislatures ratify certain amendments. Step 5: There is also no requirement that an amendment Bill must originate only in the Rajya Sabha; it can originate in either House. Step 6: Therefore, the correct initiation method is the introduction of a Bill in either House of Parliament. Verification / Alternative check: This can be verified by reading the text of Article 368 in any standard edition of the Constitution or a polity textbook, which clearly states that an amendment of the Constitution can be initiated only by the introduction of a Bill for that purpose in either House of Parliament. No mention is made of initiation by the President, Governors or State legislatures. The Parliamentary practice of introducing amendment Bills in either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha further supports this interpretation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, initiation by introduction of a Bill by the President of India, is wrong because the President does not introduce Bills; the President grants assent after both Houses have passed the Bill. Option B, initiation only in the Rajya Sabha, is wrong because the Constitution does not restrict the introduction of amendment Bills to one House; either House may introduce such a Bill. Option C, initiation by the Governors of States, is wrong because Governors have no Constitutional role in initiating amendments; at most, State legislatures ratify some amendments after Parliament has passed them. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to assume that because some countries allow constitutional amendments to be initiated by States or public petitions, India might also allow initiation by State Governors or legislatures. Another pitfall is to confuse the special majority and ratification steps with the initiation step. Students must clearly separate who starts the process, who must approve it in Parliament and which amendments require State ratification. Remembering that only Parliament can initiate amendments through a Bill introduced in either House helps avoid such confusion. Final Answer: An amendment of the Constitution of India may be initiated by the introduction of a Bill in either House of Parliament.

Question 19

The Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV of the Constitution of India were primarily inspired and adopted from the Constitution of which country?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The framers of the Constitution of India studied many foreign constitutions and selectively borrowed useful features from them. The Directive Principles of State Policy, contained in Part IV, lay down guidelines for the State to achieve social and economic justice. This question tests whether you know which foreign constitution was the main inspiration for these Directive Principles. Given Data / Assumptions: - The question refers specifically to Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV of the Indian Constitution. - The options are the constitutions of the United States, Britain, Ireland and France. - The learner is expected to know the broad mapping between foreign influences and specific parts of the Indian Constitution. - It is assumed that other features like Fundamental Rights or parliamentary form of government may have different sources of inspiration. Concept / Approach: The idea of non justiciable guiding principles to direct the State towards social and economic goals was adopted from the Irish Constitution. In particular, the Directive Principles in Ireland influenced the drafting of Part IV in India. Other elements of the Indian Constitution came from different sources: the United States inspired the Fundamental Rights and judicial review, the British system inspired the parliamentary form of government, and the French ideas influenced concepts like liberty, equality and fraternity. The approach is to connect Directive Principles specifically with the Irish Constitution. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that Directive Principles of State Policy are non justiciable guidelines that direct the State to work towards social and economic justice, welfare of the people and reduction of inequalities. Step 2: Remember that the Indian framers looked to the Irish Constitution, which contained similar directive principles for social policy, as a model for Part IV. Step 3: Recognise that the United States Constitution mainly inspired the Fundamental Rights and certain aspects of the federal structure, not the Directive Principles. Step 4: Understand that the British Constitution, being unwritten and based on conventions, influenced parliamentary practices, cabinet government and the role of the Speaker, rather than Directive Principles. Step 5: Note that the French Constitution and the French Revolution influenced the general values of liberty, equality and fraternity, but not the specific structure of Directive Principles as found in Part IV. Step 6: Therefore, the correct source for the Directive Principles is the Irish Constitution. Verification / Alternative check: Standard Indian polity textbooks clearly state in their comparative tables that the Directive Principles of State Policy were taken from the Constitution of Ireland. These references usually list out a chart showing features such as Fundamental Rights from the United States, parliamentary system from Britain, Directive Principles from Ireland and the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity from France. This repeated mapping across textbooks and exam guides confirms that the Irish Constitution is the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, United States Constitution, is wrong because although it contributed to the model of justiciable Fundamental Rights and judicial review, it did not serve as the main template for the non justiciable Directive Principles. Option B, British Constitution, is wrong because it influenced the parliamentary form of government, rule of law and relationship between the executive and legislature, but not the codified Directive Principles contained in Part IV. Option D, French Constitution, is wrong because its major influence was on the adoption of values like liberty, equality and fraternity in the Preamble and political thought, rather than the structure of Directive Principles. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to confuse the sources of different parts of the Indian Constitution, especially when memorising multiple influences together. Students may mistakenly attribute Directive Principles to the United States or Britain because those countries are mentioned frequently in discussions of Indian constitutional features. Another pitfall is not distinguishing between inspiration for values and inspiration for specific institutional arrangements. To avoid such confusion, it is useful to remember a simple mapping: Directive Principles from Ireland, Fundamental Rights from the United States and parliamentary system from Britain. Final Answer: The Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV of the Constitution of India were primarily inspired and adopted from the Irish Constitution.

Question 20

Which Schedule of the Constitution of India contains special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the north-eastern States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Constitution of India includes several Schedules that deal with specific subjects. One important area is the administration of tribal areas, particularly in the north eastern region, where special arrangements have been made to recognise traditional institutions and protect the rights of tribal communities. This question asks which Schedule contains special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. Given Data / Assumptions: - The States mentioned are Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, all located in north eastern India. - The question is specifically about special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in these States. - The options list the First, Second, Third and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution. - It is assumed that the learner knows that different Schedules have different functions, such as listing States, specifying emoluments or describing tribal area administration. Concept / Approach: The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India provides for special administrative arrangements in certain tribal areas of north eastern States, including District Councils and Regional Councils with legislative, judicial and executive powers in specified matters. This is distinct from the Fifth Schedule, which covers Scheduled Areas in other parts of India, and from the First to Fourth Schedules, which deal with other subjects such as names of States and allocation of seats. The approach is to recall that the Sixth Schedule is the one associated with tribal areas in the specific north eastern States listed in the question. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that the question is about tribal area administration in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. Step 2: Recall that the Constitution has two major Schedules dealing with tribal areas and administration: the Fifth Schedule and the Sixth Schedule. Step 3: The Fifth Schedule deals with Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in most parts of India, but not the special tribal areas of the listed north eastern States. Step 4: The Sixth Schedule specifically provides for Autonomous District Councils and Regional Councils in tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, granting them powers over land, forests, customary laws and local governance. Step 5: Compare this with the options: First, Second and Third Schedules have different functions and do not deal with tribal area administration. Step 6: Therefore, the correct answer is the Sixth Schedule. Verification / Alternative check: Standard polity textbooks include a table summarising the content of each Schedule. In that table, the Sixth Schedule is described as dealing with the administration of tribal areas in the north eastern region, including provisions for District and Regional Councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. The First Schedule is listed as containing the names of States and Union Territories, the Second Schedule as detailing salaries and allowances of constitutional office holders, and the Third Schedule as containing forms of oaths. This confirms that the Sixth Schedule is the correct one for the subject described. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, First Schedule, is wrong because it lists the names of States and Union Territories and their territorial extent, not special tribal area administration. Option B, Second Schedule, is wrong because it lays down the emoluments, allowances and privileges of various constitutional authorities such as the President, Judges and others. Option C, Third Schedule, is wrong because it contains the forms of oaths or affirmations for Union and State offices and does not address tribal area governance. Common Pitfalls: A common pitfall is to confuse the Fifth and Sixth Schedules since both relate to Scheduled Tribes and special areas. Students may remember that some Schedule deals with tribal areas but not recall which one applies to the north eastern States. Another error is to think of the First Schedule whenever States are mentioned, without noticing that this question is about special administrative provisions rather than just listing State names. To avoid such confusion, it helps to remember a simple association: Sixth Schedule for tribal areas in north eastern States and Fifth Schedule for Scheduled Areas in other regions. Final Answer: Special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are contained in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

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