Day 6

Important Constitutional And Non-Constitutional Bodies

This is an all time favourite topic for UPSC, as a lot of questions have been asked over the years. By analyzing the kind of questions asked on this topic, one can have a fair idea on what can be expected in the prelims.

Constitutional Bodies

Non-Constitutional Bodies

Previous Year Questions on Schedules in Important Constitutional And Non-Constitutional Bodies

Q. Consider the following statements: (2017)

  1. The Election Commission of India is a five member body.
  2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections.
  3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Q. Consider the following statements: (2013)

Attorney General of India can

  1. take part in the proceedings of the Lok Sabha
  2. be a member of a committee of the Lok Sabha
  3. speak in the Lok Sabha
  4. vote in the Lok Sabha

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 4

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 3 only

Q. In India, other than ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and for intended purpose, what is the importance of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)? (2012)

  1. CAG exercises exchequer control on behalf of the Parliament when the President of India declares national emergency/financial emergency.
  2. CAG reports on the execution of projects or programmes by the ministries are discussed by the Public Accounts Committee.
  3. Information from CAG reports can be used by investigating agencies to press charges against those who have violated the law while managing public finances.
  4. While dealing with the audit and accounting of government companies, CAG has certain judicial powers for prosecuting those who violate the law.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q. Who of the following shall cause every recommendation made by the Finance Commission to be laid before each House of Parliament? (2010)

(a) The President of India

(b) The Speaker of Lok Sabha

(c) The Prime Minister of India

(d) The Union Finance Minister

Q. How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? (2018)

  1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
  2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.

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

Q. Consider the following statements: (2018)

  1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
  2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

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

Q. The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the: (2015)

(a) Human Rights Commission

(b) Finance Commission

(c) Law Commission

(d) Planning Commission

Right To Information

This is an important topic for this year's prelims, as it has remained in the news because of the controversy over the PM CARES, RTI Amendment 2019, 15th anniversary of RTI Act. Apart from it, many questions have been asked on aspects related to this topic. One can find all streamlined and exam oriented information in the following links:

Context:

Wetlands

There has been a trend that quite often UPSC asks about the latest news related to different wetlands/water bodies etc. This can be depicted from the previous year questions. Thus, in this context, the present topic becomes very important for this year's prelims.

Context: Destruction of wetlands

Previous Year Questions on Schedules on Wetlands

Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
  2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.
  3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q. Consider the following pairs: (2014)

   Wetlands                 Confluence of rivers

  1. Harike Wetlands      : Confluence of Beas and Satluj/Sutlej
  2. Keoladeo Ghana      : Confluence of Banas and National Park Chambal
  3. Kolleru Lake            : Confluence of Musi and Krishna

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q. With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements: (2012)

  1. The country’s total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States.
  2. In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands is larger than that of inland wetlands.

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

Panchayati Raj Institution

It remains a very important topic for UPSC. A lot of questions have been asked over the years. Questions on Panchayati Raj Institution have been repeatedly asked in the successive years. So there is a fair bit of chance that the question can be asked on it this year too.

Context:

Previous Year Questions on Schedules in Panchayati Raj Institution

Q. Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in: (2017)

(a) Federalism

(b) Democratic decentralisation

(c) Administrative delegation

(d) Direct democracy

Q. The fundamental object of the Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following? (2015)

  1. People’s participation in development
  2. Political accountability
  3. Democratic decentralization
  4. Financial mobilization

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q. The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective? (2013)

(a) To provide self-governance

(b) To recognize traditional rights

(c) To create autonomous regions in tribal areas

(d) To free tribal people from exploitation

Coalition For Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

Indian Prime Minister, at the Hamburg G20 meet in 2017, proposed a Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and many disasters this year. Thus, in this context this topic becomes a hot topic for this year’s prelims. One can find related articles in the following links.