IAS Prelims 2014

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.
2. All executive actions of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

• Ain’t statement 2, executive action in the name of PM / president same as power vesting in president/ pm <question prelims 2015>
• Statement 1 is obviously correct as all actions are taken in the name of president and he would obviously do it on the recommendations of PM.

Learning – Powers of president esp discretionary powers, Veto

2. Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State?

1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule
2. Appointing the Ministers
3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only.
3. 2, 3 and 4 only.
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Statement 2 is obviously incorrect as appointment of ministers has to be on the advice of CM. Eliminate statement 2, it’s the only option left

Learning – Discretionary powers of governor vis a vis president, Appointment and removal of governor

3. Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India:

1. There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India.
2. A Motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

• Statement 2 is obviously correct as we discussed above CoM is collectively responsible to LS only.
• Statement is factual, must know this <even zero hour has no mention in the constitution > <we discussed all such things in prelims titbits>

Learning – If you have to remember 3 motions they would be – No confidence motion, Adjournment motion, calling attention motion

4. Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?

1. The Committee on Public Accounts
2. The Committee on Estimates
3. The Committee on Public Undertakings
4. The Committee on Petitions

Has been asked n number of times, 30 members in CoE, all from LS

Learning – Classification of committee, election v/s nomination is imp. 3 must remember  committees are CoE, PAC, CoPU

5. Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?

1. Second Schedule
2. Fifth Schedule
3. Eighth Schedule
4. Tenth Schedule

Again schedules (repeat), 10th schedule anti defection law, 52nd and 91st amendment

Learning – All the schedules esp. 5th v/s 6th, 9th and 10th, 11th and 12th, amendment of schedules, Read up provisions of anti – defection law

6. The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

1. advisory jurisdiction
2. appellate jurisdiction.
3. original jurisdiction  
4. writ jurisdiction

Common sense – No advice is sought, can’t be advisory, Federal disputes can’t be filed in other courts so can’t be appellate, has to be original, writ is for enforcement of writs

Learning – Advisory jurisdiction (Art 143), Writ of high court v/s supreme court

7. The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

1. the President of India
2. the Parliament
3. the Chief Justice of India
4. The Law Commission

• Slightly difficult question. Option 4 the law commission and option 3 the chief justice can be easily eliminated. It has to be the role of legislature or executive.
• Number of judges in supreme court is written in the constitution and only parliament can increase it and this is not considered amendment to the constitution.

Learning – Appointment of judges (process), Qualification of judges of supreme court and high court, Measures to secure independence of judiciary

8. Which of the following are associated with ‘Planning’ in India?

1. The Finance Commission
2. The National Development Council
3. The Union Ministry of Rural Development
4. The Union Ministry of Urban Development
5. The Parliament

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1, 2 and 5 only
2. 1, 3 and 4 only
3. 2 and 5 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Finance commission is concerned with distribution of taxes not planning. Eliminate it, only option left

Learning – Niti Ayog, Governance structure, FC role, qualification of members

9. Which of the following is / are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?

1. Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings
2. Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees
3. Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Statement 3 is clearly incorrect. It’s the function of finance ministry. Other 2 options seem correct, are logically correct, in fact correct

Learning – Functions of Cabinet secretariat, Role of Cabinet secretary (question asked in 2015, chairman of civil services board), Functions and evolution of Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)

10.  In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the

1. Preamble to the Constitution
2. Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
3. Fundamental Duties
4. Ninth Schedule

Repeat questions, has to be directive to the state. Can’t be duty of citizens

Learning – Memorize by Heart FDs, DPSPs, FRs and Preamble

11.Consider the following statements : A Constitutional Government is one which

1. Places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority
2. Places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Constitution places restriction on the authority of state so that it does not become autocratic <that’s why FRs n all>. Rights are actually given to citizens.

Learning – Meaning of terms mentioned in the preamble, Republic, Democratic, Secularism, Social Justice, Fraternity etc.

• Bottom line – Many repeats, no surprises
• 9/11 absolute joke
• 1 question parliament to increase number of judges moderate, 1 no confidence motion not mentioned in the constitution moderately difficult