Test: Class 9 Polity NCERT Based-1 (UPSC Level) - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1 is correct. The President of India is indeed elected by an electoral college, which consists of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union territories, as stated in Article 54 of the Indian Constitution.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The Prime Minister of India is not directly elected by the people. Instead, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President of India and is usually the leader of the party or coalition that has a majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The Rajya Sabha cannot reject a Money Bill. According to Article 110 of the Constitution, a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. Once it is passed by the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments and must return the Bill within 14 days, but it cannot reject or amend it unilaterally. The Lok Sabha may accept or reject all or any of the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha.

Therefore, only Statement 1 is correct, making Option A the right answer.

Let's analyze each statement:
1. The Right to Property is a Fundamental Right under the Indian Constitution.
- This statement is incorrect. The Right to Property was originally a Fundamental Right under Article 31, but it was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment Act of 1978. It is now a legal right under Article 300A of the Indian Constitution.
2. The Right to Education is a Fundamental Right under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution.
- This statement is correct. The Right to Education was made a Fundamental Right under Article 21A by the 86th Amendment Act of 2002. It guarantees free and compulsory education for all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years.
3. The Right to Constitutional Remedies includes the power of the Supreme Court to issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
- This statement is correct. The Right to Constitutional Remedies, articulated in Article 32 of the Constitution, empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs such as Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo Warranto, and Certiorari to enforce Fundamental Rights.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only. However, upon reviewing the options, it appears there's a mismatch in the solution. The correct answer should be Option C: 2 and 3 Only, as statement 1 is incorrect. Apologies for the oversight. The correct answer option that matches the explanation is actually Option C: 2 and 3 Only.

1. Nelson Mandela's Imprisonment and Presidency: Nelson Mandela, a key figure in the fight against apartheid in South Africa, was indeed imprisoned for 28 years. After his release, he became the first President of the Republic of South Africa following the first free multiracial elections held in 1994. This statement is correct.

2. Demand for Indian Constitution: The Indian National Congress first raised the demand for a Constitution in 1934. In 1942, the British Government acknowledged that Indians should frame a new Constitution themselves. This statement accurately reflects the historical progression towards the creation of the Indian Constitution and is correct.

3. The Indian Constitution: The Indian Constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949 and enacted on 26th January 1950. It is indeed the longest written Constitution in the world. This statement is also correct.

All three statements are accurate based on the provided information, making Option D: 1, 2 and 3 the correct answer.

The primary purpose of electoral politics in a democracy is to elect representatives who will govern on behalf of the people. In a democratic system, people do not govern directly but through elected representatives. Electoral politics plays a crucial role in ensuring that the government is accountable to the people and that their interests are represented in decision-making processes.

1. Mandal Commission - Recommended reservation for SEBC: This is correctly matched. The Mandal Commission, officially known as the Second Backward Classes Commission, was established in 1979 and recommended 27% reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) in government jobs.

2. Cabinet Secretariat - Headed by the Prime Minister: This is incorrectly matched. The Cabinet Secretariat is headed by the Cabinet Secretary, who is the senior-most civil servant in the country and not the Prime Minister.

3. President of India - Directly elected by the people: This is incorrectly matched. The President of India is elected indirectly by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union territories.

4. Lok Sabha - Can reject a Money Bill proposed by the Rajya Sabha: This is correctly matched. The Lok Sabha has more power over Money Bills. A Money Bill cannot be rejected by the Rajya Sabha; it can only make recommendations, which the Lok Sabha may or may not accept.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched: Pair 1 and Pair 4.

1. Myanmar - Democracy: Incorrect. Myanmar, where the army rules, is not a democracy as the rulers are not elected by the people. This pair is incorrectly matched.
2. Chile under Pinochet - Non-democratic: Correct. During the rule of General Augusto Pinochet, Chile was not democratic as he came to power through a military coup and not through a democratic electoral process. This pair is correctly matched.
3. Nepal under hereditary kings - Non-democratic: Correct. In Nepal, hereditary kings ruled because they were born into noble families, not through an election by the people. This makes it non-democratic. This pair is correctly matched.
4. Mexico with PRI elections - Democracy: Incorrect. Although elections were held every six years, the same party (PRI) won continuously, often due to electoral rigging and malpractices, which negates the principles of a free and fair election. This pair is incorrectly matched.
Thus, three pairs are correctly matched: pairs 2 and 3 are correct.

- Statement-I is correct because in a democracy, the essence is that elected representatives, chosen by the people, hold the final decision-making power.
- Statement-II is incorrect as it suggests that executive power expansion and limiting democratic freedoms are solutions to political instability, which contradicts democratic principles. Democracy thrives on maintaining freedoms and checks and balances, not reducing them.
- Therefore, the correct answer is C: Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

Statement-I correctly defines rights as reasonable claims of individuals recognized by society and supported by law, essential for the sustenance of democracy. Statement-II, however, discusses greenhouse gases' role in the atmosphere, particularly in the context of solar radiation absorption, which is irrelevant to the discussion on rights. Hence, Statement-II is incorrect in the given context.

Statement-I is accurate because elections in India are indeed conducted by an independent and powerful body known as the Election Commission. This body plays a crucial role in overseeing the electoral process in the country.
Statement-II is also correct as it correctly states that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President of India. Furthermore, the statement accurately highlights that once appointed, the CEC is not answerable to the President or the government. This independence ensures the impartiality and effectiveness of the election process under the Election Commission's supervision.

1. Statement 1: This statement is correct. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is empowered to ensure free and fair elections. It can order a repoll in certain polling booths or even an entire constituency if it determines that the polling was not conducted fairly. This power is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the election process.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. The Model Code of Conduct, which is agreed upon by political parties, includes various regulations intended to maintain fair election practices. It explicitly prohibits the use of government resources, including vehicles, for election campaigning. This rule helps ensure that parties do not gain an unfair advantage through the misuse of state resources.

3. Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India is appointed by the President of India, not the Prime Minister. Furthermore, once appointed, the CEC is not answerable to the President or the government, ensuring the independence of the Election Commission in conducting free and fair elections.

Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect. This leads us to conclude that the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

Statement-I is correct as Nelson Mandela indeed spent 28 years in prison before becoming the first President of the Republic of South Africa. Statement-II is also correct as the Indian Constitution was indeed adopted on 26th November 1949 and enacted on 26th January 1950. However, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I directly. Mandela's imprisonment and subsequent presidency in South Africa and the adoption of the Indian Constitution are separate events in different contexts without a direct explanatory relationship. Hence, option (b) is the most appropriate choice as both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

1. Universal Adult Franchise is correctly matched. It refers to the right of all citizens aged 18 and above to vote in elections without any discrimination based on caste, religion, or gender. This is a fundamental principle of democratic elections in India.

2. Election Commission is incorrectly matched. The Election Commission is indeed responsible for conducting elections, but it is not directed by the President of India. It is an independent constitutional authority. The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President, but once appointed, the Election Commission operates independently and is not under the direction of the President.

3. By-election is correctly matched. A by-election is an election conducted to fill a vacancy in a single constituency, usually due to the death or resignation of the sitting member.

4. Voter Turnout is correctly matched. Voter turnout refers to the percentage of registered voters who actually participate in an election by casting their votes. It is an indicator of public participation in the electoral process.

Therefore, three pairs are correctly matched: Universal Adult Franchise, By-election, and Voter Turnout. The Election Commission pair is not correctly matched due to the stated incorrect direction.

The primary role of the judiciary in a democracy is to act as the guardian of Fundamental Rights. This means that the judiciary ensures that the actions of the government do not violate the rights of the citizens. Through mechanisms like Public Interest Litigation (PIL), individuals can approach the courts if they believe that public interest is being harmed by governmental actions. The independence and powers of the judiciary allow it to protect and uphold the rights and liberties of the people, ensuring a fair and just society.

1. Statement 1 is correct. In a democracy, the final decision-making power must indeed rest with those elected by the people. This is a fundamental characteristic of democratic governance, ensuring that the will of the people is reflected in policy decisions.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. A democratic government cannot operate outside the constitutional limits and citizens' rights, even after winning elections. Democracies are bound by constitutional frameworks and are accountable to the law and citizens, ensuring that government actions do not override basic rights and legal norms.

3. Statement 3 is correct. Democracy is fundamentally based on the principle of political equality, where every adult citizen is entitled to one vote, and each vote carries equal weight. This principle ensures that all citizens have an equal say in the formation of the government.

Therefore, Statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C the right answer.

The Right to Equality in a democracy is foundational as it ensures that the government cannot deny equality before the law or equal protection of the laws to any person. This means that laws apply equally to all individuals, regardless of their status. It prevents discrimination based on factors like religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, emphasizing that no person is above the law and that everyone should have access to public places and facilities without any restrictions.

A constitution is crucial for a country as it helps in limiting the powers of the government, ensuring that the government operates within defined boundaries and does not exceed its authority. By specifying the limits of governmental powers, a constitution safeguards the rights and freedoms of the citizens, preventing any potential abuse of power. It also establishes the framework for the organization of the government, the distribution of power among different branches, and the protection of individual rights. Therefore, having a constitution is essential for maintaining a balance of power and upholding the rule of law in a country.

1. Nelson Mandela - Correctly matched. Nelson Mandela was indeed imprisoned for 28 years and became the first President of the Republic of South Africa. Mandela’s presidency marked the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era in South Africa.

2. Apartheid System - Correctly matched. The apartheid system began to disintegrate in the 1980s, and in 1994, the first free multiracial elections took place, leading to the establishment of a democracy in South Africa.

3. Jawaharlal Nehru - Incorrectly matched. The demand for a Constituent Assembly was actually raised in 1938 by Jawaharlal Nehru, not in 1942. In 1934, the Indian National Congress had already raised the demand for a Constitution.

4. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar - Correctly matched. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution and played a pivotal role in its formulation.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Guantanamo Bay - Incorrectly matched. Guantanamo Bay is known for holding prisoners without trial, as reported in various human rights documents, including reports by Amnesty International.

2. Saudi Arabia - Incorrectly matched. Saudi Arabia is ruled by a hereditary monarchy, and citizens do not have the right to elect or change their rulers.

3. Kosovo - Correctly matched. Kosovo experienced a brutal massacre where ethnic Albanians were targeted, leading to international intervention and eventual independence.

4. Right to Equality - Correctly matched. The Right to Equality in the Indian Constitution ensures that there is no discrimination based on caste, sex, religion, and other grounds.

Only pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly highlights the role of institutions like the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary in a democracy, emphasizing their significance in major decision-making processes. On the other hand, Statement-II inaccurately compares the President of India to the Queen of Britain, where the President in India holds more than ceremonial powers, unlike the British monarch. Thus, while Statement-I is accurate in describing the democratic institutional setup, Statement-II misrepresents the role and powers of the President, making the correct answer option C.

In a democratic government, a key feature that distinguishes it from non-democratic rulers like in Myanmar, Chile under Dictator Pinochet, or Ghana under President Nkrumah is that the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people. This fundamental aspect of democracy ensures that the authority to make decisions on behalf of the country lies with individuals chosen through a process of free and fair elections, where the citizens have the opportunity to select their representatives based on their will and choice.