- Polity Analysis: vs CSAT 2013
- How to approach Polity in CSAT-2015?
- Answers: Polity Executive (2MCQ)
- Answers: Legislature related (3MCQ)
- Answers: Judiciary related (2MCQ)
- Answers: Organizations (2MCQ)
- Answers: Constitution- Basics (2MCQ)
Polity Analysis: vs CSAT 2013
CSAT 2013 | 2014 |
---|---|
18 MCQ from Polity | Only 11. Drastic reduction – to make “space” for environment and agriculture (perhaps for IFoS?) |
no current affairs | same |
majority were easy and could be solved from Laxmikanth | same |
majority MCQs from “executive, legislature and Constitution-basics” | same |
Question involving NDC and Planning commission | Yes |
DPSP list item | Yes |
Governor removal | Governor power |
bodies asked | yes |
Polity: Analysis vs other exam
Among CDS, CAPF and CSAT conducted this year, You can see some continuity and some divergence.
CDS & CAPF 2014 | CSAT-2014 (prelims) |
---|---|
CAPF 2014:Consider the following statements about Constitutional Government:
Then you had to find out correct statements. |
CSAT 2014: Consider the following statements : A Constitutional Government is one which
Then you had to find out correct statements. |
CAPF: asked about functions of governor | Yes they too asked. |
Both CDS and CAPF asked questions about function of parliamentary Committee. | Asked name of Largest Committee. (So in a way, although “ascending-descending” order type MCQs did not come in Economy but that type of question came here in polity. |
Asked current affairs based polity e.g. Expenditure limit in Lok Sabha | Nothing from current based polity- election, representation of people’s act, VVPAT etc. nothing |
Ventured into ULB, PRI | Did not |
Ventured into more details of parliamentary procedures, powers of Dy.Speaker etc. beyond what’s given in Laxmikanth. | Did not. |
Asked questions from Chapters on President and Parliament. | That’s evergreen topic, just like Buddhism, Jainism. Here too, questions came from President and parliament. |
Asked about “Bodies” (e.g. membership in NHRC) | some |
Some questions from NCERT political science (e.g. correct meaning of democracy) | Nope. |
2014 | CDS(I) | CAPF | CSAT |
---|---|---|---|
Polity MCQs | 23 | 20 | 11 |
Total MCQs | 120 | 125 | 100 |
% wise | 19% | 16% | 11% |
Compared tolast yearof the same exam | Drastic Increase | Increased | decreased |
Polity Brief Analysis: CSAT 2014 itself
- Debatable. Depends on preparation level
- 9 out of 11 questions, could be solved DIRECTLY from the book M.Laxmikanth’s book, Therefore putting them under Easy to Moderate level difficulty.
Q | difficulty |
---|---|
President power | Easy |
Gov.power | Easy but prone to silly mistakes. |
no confidence | Easy / debatable depending on how you interpret “only” |
Largest Committee | Moderate. In the pre-CSAT era, Public Administration players used to religiously mugup Committee membership tables for prelims. But in the recent years, players would have stopped bothering with trivial highest-lowest, ascending-descending orders. |
10th Schedule | Ridiculously easy. Some serious players may have even felt this MCQ to be an insult to their intelligence. |
Sc jurisdiction | Same as above |
DPSP international peace | Same as above |
SC no. of judges | Easy. Although some may have got confused about “president” instead of parliament. thinking that President signs and appoints them so he ‘decides’. |
Bodies associated with planning | Easy / debatable depending on how your interpret “planning” |
Detailed explanation scroll down to see individual MCQs
Outside Laxmikanth
Cabinet Secretariat |
|
Constitutional Government | Difficult because multiple interpretations. I could not locate Verbatim answer. |
How to approach Polity in CSAT-2015?
Yes, after all the purpose of doing this answerkey majoori is not cut-off speculation but to fine tune strategy for next year.
- NCERT Political science must be read. Even though no questions came from CSAT-2014), but it has its utilities.
- Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth (Tata Macgrawhill Publication) must be used as Base-book for polity theory. All chapters, appendix must be prepared in thorough detail, all mock questions must be solved. Although recent exams have been mainly focused President, parliament and DPSP chapters and overall easier nature of question compared to last year. BUT you cannot take anything for granted in UPSC.
- India Yearbook’s Chapter 3 (Polity) must be read.
- Polity Current affairs must be prepared throughout the year, from TheHINDU.
- Because, even though current polity not asked in CSAT-2014, but Mains-2013 GS paper II descriptive questions on polity, had the current flavor.
- Besides Current Polity important for interviews and backup exams (SSC, CAPF) etc. anyways.
Answers: Polity Executive (2MCQ)
President’s Powers
Q1. Consider the following statements:
- 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.
- 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 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Ref: Laxmikanth 4th edition. Pg 17.7 Topic: Executive Powers of President.
- Statement 1 is correct. (Article 77(3) uses the same wording “Shall”).
- All executive actions of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the PRESIDENT (not prime minister). Therefore, statement 2 is wrong.
Therefore, Answer: (a) 1 only
Governor’s discretionary power
Q2. Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State?
- Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule
- Appointing the Ministers
- Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
- Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only.
- 2, 3 and 4 only.
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
We must use elimination method, otherwise there is good chance of making silly mistakes.
Ref. Laxmikanth Page26.10, bottom lines: The governor has Constitutional discretion in following cases:
- Reservation of bill for consideration of the President.
- Recommendation of the imposition of President’s rule.
Therefore, statement 1 and 3 are definitely right. Eliminate all choices, that donot have (1 and 3) together.
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only.
- 2, 3 and 4 only.
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Now we are left with B and D. Let’s focus attention to statement 2. Appointing the Ministers
As per Laxmikanth Chapter chief minister, Page 27.2, last section.
“The chief minister enjoys following powers….Governor only appoints those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Chief Minister.”
In other words Governor doesn’t have “Discretion” in appointment of the minister.
Therefore, #2 is wrong. Eliminate choices involving number 2.
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only.
- 2, 3 and 4 only.
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Therefore, B is the final answer.
Answers: Legislature related (3MCQ)
No Confidence motion
1. Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India:
- There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India.
- A Motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) both 1 and 2
Ref: Laxmikanth chapter on parliament, Page 22.15
- Art 75 says that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to Loksabha. In other words, Lok Sabha can remove them by passing a no-confidence motion. But the word “no confidence motion” itself is not given in Constitution itself, it comes from Rule 198 of LokSabha Rules. Therefore statement 1 is right, NCM not in Constitution.
- Same chapter page 22.29. Rajya Sabha cannot pass cannot remove council of ministers by passing no-confidence motion. Meaning- statement 2 also correct- no confidence motion can be introduced, only in Lok Sabha.
- Therefore, Answer C Both 1 and 2 correct.
Counter view:
No confidence motion can be introduced in Vidhan Sabha therefore statement #2 is wrong. because it uses the word “only” Therefore, answer is (B) only 2.
Final Answer? UPSC’s official answerkey. sometimes they drag the “only” logic, sometimes they don’t. (as i’ve observed in some of the economy questions in past exam, so pendulum can swing either way.)
Parliament Committees
Q2. Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?
- The Committee on Public Accounts
- The Committee on Estimates
- The Committee on Public Undertakings
- The Committee on Petitions
Ref: Laxmikanth Chapter on Parliament. Page 22.30 to 22.33
Committee on | No. of members |
---|---|
Public Accounts | 22 |
Estimates | 30 |
Public Undertakings | 22 |
Petitions. | LS(15) , RS(10) |
Therefore, largest Committee is Estimates, given its 30 members. Hence answer is (b)
10th Sch. Anti-defection
1. Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?
- Second Schedule
- Fifth Schedule
- Eighth Schedule
- Tenth Schedule
Ans: (d) Tenth Schedule
Ref: Laxmikanth ch.67, opening paragraph
The 52nd Amendment act of 1985, added 10th schedule to the Constitution. This is often referred to as anti-defection law.
Answers: Judiciary related (2MCQ)
SC jurisdiction
Q1. The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its
- advisory jurisdiction
- appellate jurisdiction.
- original jurisdiction
- writ jurisdiction
Laxmikanth Chapter on Supreme court. Page 25.5. Topic “original jurisdiction”.
“…As a federal court, the supreme court decides the disputes between centre and one or more states….”
Therefore, Answer (C)Original Jurisdiction
SC No. of Judges
Q2. The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in
- the President of India
- the Parliament
- the Chief Justice of India
- The Law Commission
Laxmikanth Chapter on Supreme court. Page 25.1 Topic “organization of Supreme court”:- …Parliament has increased number of judges from 10 in 1956 to…..”
Therefore, answer: (b) Parliament.
Answers: Organizations (2MCQ)
Five year Planning
Q1. Which of the following are associated with ‘Planning’ in India?
- The Finance Commission
- The National Development Council
- The Union Ministry of Rural Development
- The Union Ministry of Urban Development
- The Parliament
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1, 2 and 5 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2 and 5 only
- 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Approach 1:
Finance commission is involved in distribution of taxes and grants. It is not involved in planning. So by just eliminating all options involving statement 1, we get answer [C] only 2 and 5 correct.
Approach 2 (just to cross check)
Laxmikanth chapter on National development council, Page 49.1
The draft five-year plan, prepared by the planning commission ‘s first submitted to the union Cabinet. After its approval, it is placed before the National development Council, for its acceptance. Then, the plan is presented to Parliament, with its approval, it emerges as the official plan and published in the official Gazette.
Therefore, 2(NDC) and 5(Parliament) correct. Answer [C]
Counter-argument:
all those are “stakeholders” and therefore involved. Hence answer (D) 1 to 5. Anyways, UPSC’s official answerkey=final judge.
Sidenote: there was also an MCQ on “theme” of five year plan but I classify it under economy.
Cabinet Secretariat, Functions of
Q2. Which of the following is / are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?
- Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings
- Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees
- Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Statement number 1 and 2 are correct. As per following resources
- M.Laxmikanth’s Public Administration book, Chapter on Union Government page 427. Both functions given verbatim.
- Cabinet Secretariat Website :- http://cabsec.nic.in/about_functions.php
- India yearbook 2014, Chapter 3 Polity, page 40. Accordingly statement #2 is correct. (Although its silent on 1 and 3).
Statement #3 outside the realms of cabinet Secretariat. Financial resources are allotted to ministries, as per the provisions in budget prepared by finance ministry. Therefore, answer C only 1 and 2.
Answers: Constitution- Basics (2MCQ)
DPSP
Q1. In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the
- Preamble to the Constitution
- Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
- Fundamental Duties
- Ninth Schedule
Ref: Laxmikanth Chapter 8 on Directive principles of State Policy, page 8.3
Article 51: to promote international peace and security and maintain just an honorable relations between nations between nations; to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and to encourage settlements of international disputes by arbitration.
Therefore, answer (B) DPSP
Constitutional Government
Q2. Consider the following statements : A Constitutional Government is one which
- Places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority
- 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 only
- 2 only.
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
While both statements are correct as such. But are both necessary to explain “what is a Constitutional government?
Viewpoint1 | Viewpoint2 |
---|---|
Answer C, both correct | Answer B, only 2 |
|
|
Final answer: official UPSC answerkey.
Any corrections, do post in comments but with reference source.
Mrunal sir, I got 90+136=226 acc to your answer key. What are my chances? Should I start Mains prep right away? Please guide me as I’m working professional and get 3-4 hrs at Max. Also want to thank you for economic survey articles and videos because of which i solved at least 6 questions which otherwise I’d have skip.
sir my question is that just now i have started preparing for upsc, during this period what type of books should be referred to cope up with such a huge syllabus. basicaly i am not in position to join any short of classes.
sir my question is that just now i have started preparing for upsc, during this period what type of books should be referred to cope up with such a huge syllabus. basically i am not in position to join any short of classes.
can any one plz tell me that marks in csat paper for one question is 2.5 or it is increased as per removel of english portion
well… worthless to talk about cutoff …since anyways we’ll hav to prepapre for mains now or after pre 2014 result or next yr from jan when again we’ll think of preparing for 2015 cse.. so better finish wid mains by dec mid….it’ll pay only…i urge mrunal dada to booster feed for mains …by the way i’m also on borderline in pre score….
I think in constitutional government question both of them are correct because state authority means sovereignty of state and state is sovereign by its constitution. so government can place reasonable restrictions over individual liberty in order to maintain sovereignty. Also in our constitution article 21 says no person shall be deprive….”except according to procedure established by law” i.e, parliament may by law place certain restictions over liberty of citizens and also in “due process of law” state is not prohibited to place reasonable restrictions but only to require that deprivation must not be arbitary or unfair.
Beautifully analysed and explained !
Mrunal sir
Kindly start a series for mains answer Writing.that wud b very helpful
IFS ki cutoff kan jati h kya??????
Wo banaras hoke itarsi jati hai….han kanpur me v rookti hai
Bhai Mukharjee Nagar bhi jati hai kya? :p
Is there any like button ?
: ) Gud one
Hi friendz,i am new to civil services,and just started preparation last month,i have read comments mentioned above regarding laxmikanth,would anyone can suggest me what to study for polity except laxmikanth and ncert.
thnx
Hi Mrunal
Regarding introducing no confidence motion in India.. The statement can be introduced only in lok sabha I hv doubt not referenced to Rajya Sabha but State
legislative assembly ..
What do you think ?
hi everyone.. there are some doubtful questions. My score is around 200.. Is it good? catgory: OBC… should i look forward for mains!!
my score is 200 in obc cat. should i prepare for mains?
What’s wrong with E OMR of CL? I calculated my score through its keys. out of 81 I did 14 were wrong so by simple calculation my score is coming 124 around.Now i did same to recheck on its OMR and it is showing below 90!! I thought i might have filled wrong options or checked different or may be set would be different. But to my surprise nothing was there. I refilled OMR after checking my answers again from its keys. The score should have been 124 but why below 90!! From Byju, Vajiram, GK today,Gaurav Agarwal and Shanker IAS academy, score is coming around 124 only with plus minus 3 range and wrong questions are still same 13-15.. WHy then on earth this E OMR is showing different result. Please someone help me in this calculation.
Ques attempted- 81
Wrong as per as CL test key- 14
My calculation-124
CL E OMR- 89.67
:(
Mrunal ji…dis comment is especially for u nd must be answered by you plz…
Mrunal ji…आपके अदम्य साहस,नायाब बुद्धिमता तथा स्पष्ट लेखों के आशीर्वाद से मैं CSAT-PRE में निकल सकने के करीब हूँ…
मैं आपका अधिक समय न लेते हुए केवल MAINS के लिए SPIPA जैसे संस्थान तथा आप जैसे मार्गदर्शक का नियमित मार्गदर्शन चाहता हूँ..
क्या SPIPA द्वारा सिविल सर्विस परीक्षा के लिए कोई गैर-गुजराती प्रशिक्षण सत्र भी आयोजित किया जाता है..??
अथवा
क्या आप मध्यप्रदेश अथवा भोपाल,इंदौर में आपके किसी साथी का रिफरेन्स दे सकते हैं…
Hey friends. Can anyone tell me abt the quality of shankar ias key of gs
Sir, Are there chances of the optionals papers being scrapped in mains-2014? Do we start preparing for our optionals, or put it on hold for the time being?
Hi Mrunal bhai
there’s a lot of confusion going around
Why everybody is talking only of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for No Confidence Motion, even state assembly have the same procedure of no confidence motion. The question does not ask about parliament. It asks about India. So why should we leave the state assemblies. So even if we ignore the Rajya Sabha point. The statement becomes very clear.
Hi bhai
there’s a lot of confusion going around
Why everybody is talking only of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for No Confidence Motion, even state assembly have the same procedure of no confidence motion. The question does not ask about parliament. It asks about India. So why should we leave the state assemblies. So even if we ignore the Rajya Sabha point. The statement becomes very clear.
why are you not uploading CAPF ASSISTANT COMMANDANT keys.????
itz two months now ???
The best key available is shankars . Based on last yr’s experience. …..
I feel disheartened by the unfair treatment of upsc in conducting civil service exam. When our constitution enshrines the right for equality to all her citizens, why upsc conducts exam in both English and Hindi ?
I think it favors Hindi speaking people and discriminatory to others. If the passage (Paper II) was in my mother tongue, I would have scored full mark. Though I done very well in the reasoning, logical ability and basic arithmetic, I proved wrong in attempting passage where my haste succumbed to gain more negatives. In order to make it level playing, upsc makes it either in English (for all) or in all the 8th schedule languages. As the latter seems inconvenient former makes more sense.
Being a hot topic, I don’t want anyone of you to plunge in to this debate. But I will be very happy if some one can help me in this regard. Though I tried meticulously to improve my English comprehension by practicing many tests, I incline to make mistakes at the time of exam to prove my incompetency in comprehension.
Can some one please help???????????
To improve english start thinking in english instead of your mother tongue..try to converse in english..watch english news and discussions and over a period of time you will realize your english is improving
tried and tested formula
and for comprehension- read as much english as possible
Man, respect for you. Indeed the pattern is against non-hindi speaking people who graduated in their native languages. But the way you wrote I feel you have excellent command over English. Would you like to share your marks in paper 2?
Get a practice book for reading comprehension… Manhattan GRE guide is a superb book (from self experience)… you can try it out
http://www.amazon.in/Reading-Comprehension-Essays-Strategy-Instructional/dp/1937707881/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409066602&sr=1-1&keywords=Manhattan+GRE+English+Comprehension
Thank you for the suggestions. Paper 1 51+ and 21- and Paper II 45+ and 17 –
MRUNAL sir, this is what I got after filing RTI for my evaluated answer sheets of IAS MAIN-2013-
Dear Applicant,
With reference to your online RTI application, it is informed that Public Authority is of the considered view that the evaluation of answer sheets of Civil Services (Main) Examination comes under the core functioning of their working. Hence Section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act, 2005 is invoked to deny your evaluated answer sheets of Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2013, Public Authority being the affected third party.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. Kulbir Singh)
Joint Director & Central Public Information Officer.
WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT ?
Just appeal to higher authority. Yadi fir b nai di information to high court
thanks a lot sir
Mrunal, for the last question i.e. ” Constitutional Government…” Answer should be None of the Above as we can talk about these rights in a democracy and not in constitutional government, and Constitutional government can be a democracy or autocratic. NCERT mentions that Its necessary for a democratic country to have constitution but not vice- versa.
Hi Sir,
Just a quick question i have. I am 31 now and have got eligibility due to the increased two additional attempts. Paper I – 110+/-2 and Paper II – 70+/-5, i do not have a hope (even by chance) that i would be eligible for mains.
DOB – 08 May 1983 , will i be eligible to write csat 2015 ????? if i do not have a chance are there any other exams which i would be eligible ????
Please suggest :-)
“If political leadership fails to emerge, there
is likelihood of military taking over power
in developing countries. Radical student
groups or labour may try to raise revolution
but they are not likely to compete with the
military. Military intervention, rule, and
withdrawal from politics is closely related
to a society’s level of political
development”.
In the context of political development, the
assumption in the above passage is that
(a) political leadership is not an effective
instrument.
(b) military fills in political vacuum.
(c) military intervention is inevitable for
development.
(d) None of the above
Guys in this question, option (b) looks like an implication and not assumption.
I marked (d) with this logic.
Any comments…..
i think it is opposite of what u said,,,,implication follows assumption..it’s ok… but assumption is a particular line of thinking …and the person tries to prove it right…by way of explaining consequences….that may have some real world examples in particular…like in above statement…key words like developing countries, radical student groups,labour…etc… thus military fills the political vacuum can be proved right by that given situation this is my take ..may be incorrect
If political leadership fails to emerge, there
is likelihood of military taking over power
in developing countries
I felt above statement from passage implies military filling political vaccum.
I felt there is nothing to assume as it is already said.
I am proved wrong as all keys have marked it (b).
I think i need to do lot of practice to know the thin line between implication and assumption.
Hey guys my score is 188 both paper 1and 2,combined…and I belong to sc category…is there any chance I ll clear…
Anybody with History optional here ?? Need suggestions for books in Ancient History.
The Wonder That was India A.L Basham, Ashoka and Decline of Mauryan Empire- Romila Thapar, Early India -Romila Thapar
Thanks..
mrunal sir and friends,, please help me in this regard. while attemping paper 2 of csat exam, iam doubting whether i have marked my booklet code as B. i have filled in all the other details like my roll no. etc. in the answer sheet. even in the invigilators sheet, i have entered every thing correctly. i doubt if i have forgotten to shade the booklet code B in the answer sheet. any problem. please reply.
If you hadn’t shaded it..invigilator must have noticed it.. Also it’s for invigilator too to shade booklet series in column assigned to them.. So relax. U can send letter to UPSC if u want to.