Prologue
- Out of the 100 Questions in CSAT-2013, there were 18 questions from Indian Polity. In 2012 too, they had asked 18 questions from Polity.
- All questions were ‘static’ in nature. No question from Current affairs related with Polity e.g. various acts and bills passed in 2012-13, various committees and their reports, constitution of 14th Finance commission etc.
- Anyways, doesn’t mean your current affairs preparation has gone in vain because whatever you had prepared in current affairs, should help in mains/essay/interview (or atleast let’s hope so hahaha)
- Among the polity MCQs asked, the topicwise internal breakup looks like this
Basics | History, FR, FD, DPSP, Amendment | 4 |
Executive | PM, Ministers, Attorney general, governor | 4 |
Legislature | Money bill, Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha etc. | 4 |
Non-constitutional bodies | Planning comm, NDC | 3 |
Rights issue |
|
3 |
Total | 18 |
Majority of these Polity questions can be solved with the help of
- Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth
- India 2013 (Yearbook): Chapters on Polity, Justice and Law, Welfare.
Constitution: Basics
1. With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were
- directly elected by the people of those Provinces
- nominated by the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League
- elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies
- selected by the Government for their expertise in constitutional matters
Laxmikanth Page 2.1 seats (in constitutional assembly) allocated to each British province were to be decided among the three principal communities – Muslims, Sikh and General. The representatives of each community were to be elected by the members of that community in the provincial legislative assembly and voting was to be done by the method of proportional representation by the means of single transferable vote
Hence answer is (C) elected by the provincial legislative assembly.
2. ‘Economic Justice’ the objectives of Constitution has been as one of the Indian provided in
- the Preamble and Fundamental Rights
- the Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy
- the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy
- None of the above
Preamble: Justice…social, economic and political.
DPSP Art. 38: To promote welfare of people by securing a social order permeated by justice-Social, economic and political- and to minimize the inequalities of income, status, facilities and opportunities.
Hence answer is (B)
3. According to the Constitution of India, which of the following are fundamental for the governance of the country?
- Fundamental Rights
- Fundamental Duties
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties
Directive principles of state policy because they guide executive on how to govern.
4. Consider the following statements
- An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by an introduction of a bill in the Lok Sabha only.
- If such an amendment seeks to make changes in the federal character of the Constitution, the amendment also requires to be ratified by the legislature of all the States of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Laxmikanth page 10.1
An amendment of the Constitution can be initiated by introduction of a bill in either house of the Parliament.=> 1st statement is wrong.
If the bill seeks to amends the Federal provisions of the Constitution, it must also be ratified by the legislatures of half of the states by a simple majority.=>2nd statement is also wrong.
Final answer (D) neither 1 nor 2.
Executive
1. In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government?
- Members of the Cabinet are Members of the Parliament.
- Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament.
- Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Laxmikanth page 11.1: features of parliamentary government –>1) Nominal and real executives.
President is head of the state and PM is head of the government. Art. 74 provides for council of ministers headed by PM (=head of government)……
Hence Statement 3 is incorrect. Any option involving #3 is wrong.
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Thus we’re left with Answer (A) 1 and 2 only.
2. Consider the following statements:
- The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
- The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
- The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for Legislation.
- only 1
- only 2 and 3
- only 1 and 3
- 1, 2 and 3
Laxmikanth Page 21.3 Article 75 clearly states that the Council of Minister is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha => statement #1 is incorrect
Laxmikanth Page 21.3, Article 75 also contains principle of individual responsibility. It states that the ministers hold office during the pleasure of the president=> Statement #2 is correct.
Eliminate answer choices accordingly and thus we’re left with final answer (B) only 2 and 3.
By the way, Laxmikanth page 20.3: It is the duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the president all decisions of councils of Minister relating to the administration of the affairs of union and proposal for legislation=> Statement #3 is also correct.
3. Consider the following statements:
Attorney General of India can
- take part in the proceedings of the Lok Sabha
- be a member of a committee of the Lok Sabha
- speak in the Lok Sabha
- vote in the Lok Sabha
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 and 4
- 1, 2 and 3
- 1 and 3 only
Laxmikanth Page 42.1
He has the right to speak and to take part in the proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament or their joint sittings and in any committee of the Parliament of which he may be named a member, but without the right to vote.
Thus, first three statements are correct, fouth is wrong.
Final answer (C) 1, 2 and 3 only.
4. Which one of the following statements is correct?
- In India, the same person cannot be appointed as Governor for two or more States at the same time
- The Judges of the High Court of the States in India are appointed by the Governor of the State just as the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President
- No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post
- In the case of a Union Territory having a legislative setup, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lt. Governor on the basis of majority support
Laxmikanth Page number 24.5 The Constitution does not lay down any grounds upon which a governor may be removed by the president. Hence answer is (C)
Legislature
1. The Parliament can make any law for whole or any part of India for implementing international treaties
- with the consent of all the States
- with the consent of the majority of States
- with the consent of the States concerned
- without the consent of any State
Laxmikanth pg. 13.3, constitution empowers parliament to make laws on any matter in state list under five extra ordinary circumstances
- Rajya sabha passes resolution
- national emergency
- states make a request
- to implement international agreements
- during president’s rule.
Hence Answer is D.
2. Consider the following statements: The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (PAC)
- consists of not more than 25 Members of the Lok Sabha
- scrutinizes appropriation and finance accounts of Government
- Examines the report of CAG.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct? `
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
- It has 22 members (15 from LS, 7 from Rajya Sabha). Meaning #1 is false
- Function of the committee does include examination of appropriation account and finance account of Government. (ref Laxmikanth Page 22.35 or India 2013 yearbook page 32).=> Statement #2 is correct.
- Statement #3 is correct also correct (ref Laxmikanth Page 22.35 or India 2013 yearbook page 32
- Answer (B) only 2 and 3.
3. Consider the following statements:
- The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House.
- While the nominated members of the two Houses of the Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Laxmikanth Page 22.11, Deputy chairman is elected by the Rajya Sabha itself, among its members=> Statement #1 is incorrect.
Laxmikanth Page 19.1, Vice President Subtopic: Election–>Bullet no.1 It (electoral college for VP) consists of both elected and nominated members of parliament (in case of president only elected members) =>Statement #2 is correct.
Hence final answer (B) only 2.
4. What will follow if a Money Bill is substantially amended by the Rajya Sabha?
- The Lok Sabha may still proceed with the Bill, accepting or not accepting the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha
- The Lok Sabha cannot consider the Bill further
- The Lok Sabha may send the Bill to the Rajya Sabha for reconsideration
- The President may call a joint sitting for passing the Bill
Laxmikanth page 22.33, Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject a money bill. The Lok Sabha can either accept or reject all or any of recommendation of the Rajya Sabha. In both cases, the money bill is deemed to have passed by the two houses.
Hence answer is (A).
NDC, Planning commission
1. Consider the following statements:
- National Development Council is an organ of the Planning Commission.
- The Economic and Social Planning is kept in the Concurrent List in the Constitution of India.
- The Constitution of India prescribes that Panchayats should be assigned the task of preparation of plans for economic development and social justice.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
NDC is not an ‘organ’ of planning commission. It is an advisory body that approves the Five year plans=>statement 1 is false.
Laxmikanth appendix 4: Concurrent list, point #20: Economic and social planning =>#2 is correct.
Laxmikanth page 30.10: voluntary provisions: devolution of powers and responsibilities upon panchayats to prepare plans for economic development and social justice.=> #3 is correct.
Thus final answer (B) 2 and 3 only.
2. Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?
- The Prime Minister
- The Chairman, Finance Commission
- Ministers of the Union Cabinet
- Chief Ministers of the States
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Composition of NDC given on page 45.1 of Laxmikanth.
Chairman Finance commission is not a member of NDC. Hence any option involving #2 is wrong.
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Thus we’re left with (B).
3. Which of the following bodies does not/do not find mention in the Constitution?
- National Development Council
- Planning Commission
- Zonal Councils
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
- Laxmikanth page 45.1 like it (National Development council) is neither a constitutional or statutory body.
- Laxmikanth page 14.4, Zonal councils are statutory (and not the constitutional) bodies.
- Hence answer is (D) 1,2 and 3 do not find mention in constitution.
Rights Issue
1. The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective?
- To provide self-governance
- To recognize traditional rights
- To create autonomous regions in tribal areas
- To free tribal people from exploitation
PESA doesn’t deal with creation of autonomous regions in tribal areas hence Answer (C).
2. Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both?
- State Forest Department
- District Collector/Deputy Commissioner
- Tahsildar /Block Development Officer / Mandai Revenue Officer
- Gram Sabha
http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=77574
Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, the Gram Sabha has been assigned …..To initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both that may be given….
Answer is (D)
3. With reference to National Legal Services Authority, consider the following statements :
- Its objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society on the basis of equal opportunity.
- It issues guidelines for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the legal programs and schemes throughout the country.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements are correct as per Page 628, India 2013 (Yearbook) hence answer (C).
Answerkeys for remaining topics, coming soon + thanks Mr. Palas Nuwal and Mr.Shiva Ram for providing inputs.
PESA act is for giving autonomy for tribal areas …refer clause( n )and( o) of the act wich says administrative arrangement can be made as per fifth and sixth schedules …
Nothing is mentioned about exploitation of trible people in this act .
link plz…….
(n) the State Legislations that may endow Panchayats with powers and authority as
may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government shall
contain safeguards to ensure that Panchayats at the higher level do not assume the powers
and authority of any Panchayat at the lower level or of the Gram Sabha;
(o) the State Legislature shall endeavour to follow the pattern of the Sixth Schedule to
the Constitution while designing the administrative arrangements in the Panchayats at
district levels in the Scheduled Areas.
Hence autonomy is clearly mentioned and ‘saving from exploitation’ is not mentioned in official docement hence option D should b right answer
exactly my point..!
im saying this from starting..bt strangely people r not discussing dz tricky question..
(n) the State Legislations that may endow Panchayats with powers and authority as
may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government shall
contain safeguards to ensure that Panchayats at the higher level do not assume the powers
and authority of any Panchayat at the lower level or of the Gram Sabha;
(o) the State Legislature shall endeavour to follow the pattern of the Sixth Schedule to
the Constitution while designing the administrative arrangements in the Panchayats at
district levels in the Scheduled Areas.
Hence autonomy is clearly mentioned and ‘saving from exploitation’ is not mentioned in official docement hence option D should b right answer
I feel ‘c’ is the correct option as there is a difference between “giving autonomy to a institution” and “creating autonomous regions” ….As pas as “exploitation is concerned it is implicit when the law provides safeguards against procurement of forest produce, mining of minor minerals, land etc. in the tribal areas.
yes i follow the same please provide the link
Art 88 says attornry genaral can take part in proceedings of parliamentary commitee, he cant be member …like recent jpc …in which AG took part in proceedings and not a member ..
thank you for the answer and the explanation Mrunal ji. its really helpful.
Dear Mrunal,
Now preparing for the Mains. Can you help me out with book list?
You have been spoon-feeding a lot. So kindly instead of vague/broad resources, can you please pin point the matter? It will save thousands of your followers years of search(cumulatively).
For example in Indian culture you simply directed to NIOS, Tourism Studies, websites etc. But these resources are really quite comprehensive! Mind helping us out? I request so because since you are suggesting, I think you would have also traversed through them at least once.
Bhaiya,Yeh National Legal Service Authority wale question me second option me Legal Programme metioned hai(Par act me Legal Service programme hai),I think only 1 should be correct because Legal programme contains lot of other programme as well.Please comment
KYA KOI BATA SAKTA HAI MERA KYA HOGA…MERA 180 MARKS AA RAHA HAI AUR MAI SC CAT SE HOON …2012 ME SC KA CUTOFF 185 GAYA THA …TO KYA IS BAAR KOI CHANCE HAI 180 ME HONE KA MERA…PLZZZ REPLY ANY1…
thnxx in advance….!!!!!!!!!!
yaa neha due to easy and close option in gs paper and lenghty csat..cuttoff sud be aroud 170 for sc.!!!i hav also 185 frm sc…gud luck!!
dekhiYe kYa hota hai ab …50 50 hi chance hai abto…bhagwan ki daya rahegi to i guess nikal jaega …aur sab log kYa kah rahe hai ???
SAME……….
I am from Gen catagory getting 85 in GS & 122 in Csat. Can anyone advise me about my chance to qualify for mains.Please
a border line case..so better start preparing and leave the result to god.peace
Sir,
plz tell me abt the marks distribution system in decision making system. How many will b given for the 2nd best choice. Plz help me. I’m in tension.
as far as i know mpsc is also following upsc strategy as syllabus and question paper was same. so as per answer key published by mpsc, the second best option will get 2 marks then 1.5 then 1. but every question has varying number for each option. hope this will help you.
My score is about 198
Is there any chance for me, i belong OBC
upsc mains analysis sir plz
My score is between 190-200 OBC category. Can anybody tell if i have any chance?
Thanks
Mrunal sir,
What could be cut-off for 2013 prelims for general category?
A rough estimation would be helpful
The cut-off’s can never be predicted
Delhi based coaching factories prediction = 210-220
Same with Hyd.
Around 230 should be good IMHO.
getting around 224 in CSAT..from SC category…..
any chance guys ?
Nice….hahaha
No cutt off discussion on this site pls.
If someone has given his mains in english medium, can he give interview in Hindi?
NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!
yes he/she can……..
now who is correct?
yes he can give in hindhi….last year sc gave verdict on that issue…i remember that….
YES
I respect the way u help providing necessary latest info.my que is i can express in good way by applying “maulik” vichar. I m engineer. Wht will b better 4 me pol science or guj literature?
@ALL Friends ……….kya UPSC ke itihas me kisi hindi madhyam vale ne Ist rank prapt kiya he ?????????/
@ALL Friends ……….kya UPSC ke itihas me kisi hindi madhyam vale ne Ist rank prapt kiya he ?????????/
haven’t heard. may be an R.T.I should be filed.
8th rank tak to aayi hai ek ladki… Haryana se
bhai…1950 SE 80 KE BEECH MAX LOG UP. BOARD SE HOTE THE AS THERE WAS NO CBSE AND OTHER ENGLISH BOARDS…SO MAX PROBABILITY HAI..TOPPPERS FROM IT…
CSAT 2013 EXPECTED CUT OFF
GEN–214-216
OBC–203-206
SC–193-196
ST–188-190
BEST OF LUCK……
Hi Mrunal,
Regarding “The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament” —as Lok Sabha is a part of Parliament so CoM is (indirectly) collectively responsible to Parliament. Can this statement be correct?
I know NONE of the question keys has corrected it but just curious if it could be correct.
Please reply.
Thanks
Yes, I have the same doubt..
Even MPs from Rajya Sabha also resign …….. So parliament should be right because UPSC has not cited the reference of any Article of constitution.
Union COM is only responsible to LS as you know the no-confidence/confidence motion can only be introduced in LS and if it is not in favour of ruling party then the COM is bound to resign. RS has no business… and individual Minister is responsible to the President.
im getting 200 is it safe score for SC category
4. Which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) In India, the same person cannot be appointed as Governor for two or more States at the same time
(b) The Judges of the High Court of the States in India are appointed by the Governor of the State just as the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President
(c) No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post
(d) In the case of a Union Territory having a legislative setup, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lt. Governor on the basis of majority support
He has given wrong answer (c). Governor can be removed anytime by President of India…..Article 156(1) stipulates – “The Governor shall hold office during the “pleasure” of the President” or
he can resign himself….but their is no provision of Impeachment for governor.
Amith Answer C is right
Please read option carefully….
There is no procedure laid down in the constitution of India for the removal of a governor
Can you tell on what basis or procedure can president remove the governor…any criteria like insolvent or absolute or misbehavior……constitution did not mention any criteria or procedure for this….so answer is right….
“Pleasure of President” is also a procedure…….every way is method or procedure……but final outcome is removal. So Governor can also be removed anytime. !!!!
Moreover everyone knows how easily a Governor is removed every time a new Government is formed !!!! New government immediately removes the old governor & put their men of choice on that post !!!!
There is no specific provision in our Constitution either to dismiss the Governor or impeach him in case of misbehaviour, delinquency of constitutional obligation or abuse of power. Nevertheless the Governors have been unceremoniously dismissed under Article 156 (1) which states that the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President. The pleasure of the President translates into the pleasure of the party in power.
Hi Mrunal
Do cabinet ministers vote, when a bill is put to vote in the third reading????
Dear Mrunal , My query is regarding the following question :
In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government?
1.Members of the Cabinet are Members of the Parliament.
2.Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament.
3.Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State
yes statement 3 is outrightly incorrect.
But regarding statement 1 – a person can be member of the cabinet without being a member of the Parliament (although within six months he must become member of either house).
So , statement 1 is also not implied institutionally in the parliamentary government.
Thanks.
you are correct
Even statement 2 isn’t consistently correct w.r.t. answer of other Qs of Council of ministers.
In this above Qs if ‘Ministers hold office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament’ is correct then in that other Qs ‘council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to Parliament’ should also be correct.
3. According to the Constitution of India, which of the following are fundamental for the governance of the country?
Fundamental Rights
Fundamental Duties
Directive Principles of State Policy
Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties
Correct me if wrong: Directive principles do provide guidance/direction about what states may do for governance or to aim some targets..viz..liqour ban, employment, etc (mostly they give guidance to policy formulation).
On the other hand if we see, Fundamental rights & its clauses, they apply to policies as well as all kinds of governance, if an act of government jeopardizing the rights (governance fails), but if it dsnt follow directives (not an issue). So priority should be F.Rights.
in the constituent assembly meetings Dr. Ambetkar told that
” DPSP’s are the fundamental for the governance of the country”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directive_Principles_in_India
hi
frnz
Paper II question regarding A B C D & E are seated around a round table – here the question says that (i) C is seated next to A then how answer could be E is seated next to A (the 2nd option )
Mrunal sir kindly reply to this .
Thanx in advance.
@mrunal your answer for attorney general is wrong .. there is no commitee for loksabha … its commitee of parliament … ! Thats what i feel .. kindly cross check
I am from SC Category. My date of birth is 9.3.1979. Am I Eligible to appear for civil services next year (by availing of age relaxation) or age limit crossed?
Please reply.
in respect to executive section question 4. According to NIOS Polity chapter 13 page 139
He/she may resign before the expiry of the term or may be
removed by the President earlier. As a matter of fact while appointing or removing the
Governor the President goes by the advise of the Prime Minister.