1. The central government has decided to move the following bills in the coming session of parliament. Which of these can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha ?
1. a bill for imposition of fine for spitting on roads as part of Swachha Bharat Abhiyan
2. a bill for limiting the borrowing of money by government to reduced fiscal deficit.
3. a bill for imposition of luxury tax on expensive items
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer & Explanation
c) 2 and 3 only. Basically the question is asking you that which of those are money bill. The definition and details of money bill are given in article 110. Money bill includes – (a) the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax; (b) the regulation of the borrowing of money by the Government of India (c) the custody of the Consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund of India (d) the appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund of India; (e) the declaring of any expenditure to be expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India (f) the receipt of money on account of the Consolidated Fund of India or the public account of India (g) any matter incidental to any of the matters specified in sub-clauses (a) to (f). Imposition of fines/penalties are NOT considered money bill. Also please note that these are just imaginary bills that I framed for the question :)
2. Suppose the Lok Sabha has been adjourned by the speaker. Then which of the following would take place
1. all pending notices would lapse.
2. a bill pending in lok sabha lapses.
3. a bill passed by both houses but pending assent by president does not lapse
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) None
Answer & Explanation
d) None. Yes, none because adjournment just terminates a sitting. Prorogation terminates a session in which all pending notices gets lapsed. It is in dissolution, (which ends the very life of lok sabha ) that certain types of pending bill gets lapsed.
3. The constitution of India establishes a federal system of government. This can be seen from :
1. rigidity of constitution
2. single citizenship
3. all-India services
4. supremacy of constitution
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1 and 4 only
Answer & Explanation
d) 1 and 4 only. A rigid constitution would be difficult to get amended by the central government alone. it would require the support of states. Thus it is a part of federal feature. Similarly supremacy of the constitution protects the powers of states enhancing the federal feature. The rest two – single citizenship and all-India services are unitary feature as it increases the power of the centre.
4. The Indian Supreme Court is a court of records. This means :
1. it has power to punish for contempt of court.
2. it can punish for comment on its administrative side.
3. its judgments are recorded for testimony
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer & Explanation
b) 1 and 3 only. Please note that comment on court’s administrative side is not punishable as are any fair and reasonable criticism. Contempt of court – both civil and criminal are punishable. The court’s judgments are recorded for perpetual memory and serve as a legal reference.
5. With reference to resolutions ,consider the following statements :
1. All resolutions are motion.
2. All resolutions are required to be voted upon.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer & Explanation
c) Both 1 and 2. Resolutions are a type of motion – the substantive motion. A substantive motion is a self-contained independent proposal submitted for the approval of the House and drafted in such a way as to be capable of expressing a decision of the House. They are required to be voted upon by the house.
6. Rajya Sabha is inferior to Lok Sabha in many aspects and thus has unequal status with respect to it in many cases. These include
1. approval of ordinances
2. approval of national emergency
3. voting on demand for grants
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 2 and 3 only
Answer & Explanation
c) 3 only. Rajya Sabha has equal power in both – approval of ordinances and approval of national emergency. Its in revocation of emergency that only Lok Sabha’s approval is needed. And ofcourse, only lok sabha had the power to vote on demand for grants, while rajya sabha can only discuss it.
7. The Indian Parliament is not sovereign. This is because of :
1. institution of CAG as a supreme auditor
2. Judicial review
3. Federal system of government
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer & Explanation
c) 2 and 3 only. Statement is arbitrary. An audit institution like CAG has no relation with sovereignty of Parliament. Both judicial review and federal system constrains the power of parliament and thus Indian parliament is not sovereign. Apart from these, written constitution and Fundamental rights also constrains the power of parliament.
8. With reference to Armed Forces Special powers Act (AFSPA), who among the following can declare an area as ‘disturbed area’?
1. Governor
2. Chief Minister
3. Central Government
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer & Explanation
b) 1 and 3 only.The power to declare an area ‘disturbed’ lies with the Governor or the Central Government, who have to form an opinion that the use of armed forces in the aid of civil power is essential and then notify it as ‘disturbed area’. The declaration of an area as a ‘disturbed area’ is for a limited duration and review of the declaration before the expiry of six months has to be undertaken by the executive. The 1972 amendments to AFSPA extended the power to declare an area disturbed to the Central Government whereas in the 1958 version of AFSPA, only the state Governor had the power
9. India has signed the international treaty for prevention of corruption ( UNCAC ). To implement this treaty throughout the country the Parliament needs the consent of :
a) all states
b) at least half the states
c) two or more states
d) None
Answer & Explanation
d) None. The parliament can make a law for implementation of an international treaty without the consent of any state. This has been clearly stated in article 253 – Parliament has power to make any law for the whole or any part of the territory of India for implementing any treaty, agreement or convention with any other country or countries or any decision made at any international conference, association or other body.
10. The centre and states have their own respective sources of revenues. Which of the following is levied by the centre ?
1. professional tax
2. corporation tax
3. excise duty on liquor
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer & Explanation
b) 2 only. If you are a working employee, you might have noticed a professional tax in your salary slip, which is levied by the state government. Excise duty of liquor is also levied by state government. And Ofcourse, everyone knows that corporation tax is levied by centre.
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Please read these important articles about prelims preparation
1. How UPSC asks current affairs in GS Prelims
2. How to practice prelims MCQs for UPSC
3. Applying logic in UPSC General Studies Prelims
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