Government & Administration - Solved Questions (2003-2011) | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions PDF Download

Question 1: When the annual Union Budget is not passed by the Lok Sabha ?    [2011 - I]
(a) The Budget is modified and presented again
(b) The Budget is referred to the Rajya Sabha for suggestions
(c) The Union Finance Minister is asked to resign
(d) The Prime Minister submits the resignation of Council of Ministers.

Correct Answer is Option (d)

If annual union budget is not passed by the LOK SABHA, it is tantamount to no confidence motion. So the govt submits the resignation of his council of ministers.

Question 2: The authorization for the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India must come from [2011 - I]
(a) The President of India
(b) The Parliament of India
(c) The Prime Minister of India
(d) The Union Finance Minister

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Parliament shall have power to authorise by law the withdrawal of moneys from the Consolidated Fund of India for the purposes for which the said grants are made.

Question 3: With reference to the Consumer Disputes Redressal at district level in India, which one of the following statements is not correct ? [2010]
(a) A State Government can establish more than one District Forum in a district if it deems fit.
(b) One of the members of the District Forum shall be a woman
(c) The District Forum entertains the complaints where the value of goods or services does not exceed rupees fifty lakhs.
(d) A complaint in relation to any goods sold or any service provided may be filed with a District Forum by the State Government as a representative of the interests
of the consumers in general.

Correct Answer is Option (c)

The District Forum entertains the complaints where the value of goods or services does not exceed rupees twenty lakhs.

Question 4: With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements:    [2009]
1. The Constitution of India provides that all Cabinet Ministers shall be compulsorily be a sitting members of Lok Sabha only.
2. The Union Cabinet Secretariat operates under the direction of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
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

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Statement 1 is incorrect as members of Rajya Sabha can become cabinet ministers. Statement 2 is incorrect as Cabinet secretariat is under the direct charge of the PM.

Question 5: With reference to Union Government, consider the following

statements:    [2009]
1. The Ministries and Departments of the Government of India are created by the Prime Minister on the advice of the Cabinet Secretary.
2. Each of the ministries is assigned to a Minister by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister.
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

Correct Answer is Option (b)

According to Article 70 the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 is made by the President of India under Article 77 of the constitution for the allocation of business of the government of India.
The Ministries/ Departments of the government of India are created by the president on the advice of the prime Minister under these Rules.

Question 6: Consider the following statements:   [2009]
1. The Advocate General of a State in India is appointed by the President of India upon the recommendation of the Governor of the concerned State.
2. As provided in Civil Procedure Code, High Courts have original, appellate and advisory jurisdiction at the State level.
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

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Statement 1 is incorrect as Advocate General of the state is appointed by the governor of the State. Statement 2 is correct. The original civil jurisdiction of the High Courts

has not altogether been abolised but retained in respect of actions of higher value.
The Original Criminal Jurisdiction of High Courts has, however, been completely taken away by the criminal procedure code, 1973.

Question 7: Consider the following statements:    [2009]

1. Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) was set up during the Prime Ministership of Lal Bahadur Shastri.

2. The Members of CAT are drawn from both judicial and administrative streams.
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

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Statement 1 is incorrect as CAT was set up in 1985 during the prime ministership of Rajiv Gandhi.

Question 8: With reference to Union Government, consider the following statements:   [2009]
1. Number of Ministries at the Centre on 15th August 1947 was 18.
2. Number of Ministries at the Centre at present is 36.
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

Correct Answer is Option (a)

The number of ministeries at the Centre can vary based on factors such as volume of work, importance attached to different sectors, changes of orientation of policy etc. On 15 Aug, 1947, the number of ministries at the centre was 18.

Question 9: Who among the following have held the office of the Vice- President of India?    [2008]
1. Mohammad Hidayatullah
2. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
3. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
4. Shankar Dayal Sharma
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 and 4 only

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Mohd. Hidayatullah (1979-84); Shankar Dayal Sharma (1987-92)

Question 10: Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:    [2008]

(a) A-1; B-4; C-2; D-3
(b) A-2; B-3; C-1; D-4
(c) A-1; B-3; C-2; D-4
(d) A-2; B-4; C-1; D-3

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Ashok Desai was Attorney General of India (1996-98); Nagendra Singh was President of International Court of Justice (1985-88); AN Ray was CJI (1973-77); RK Trivedi was Chief Election Commissioner (1982-85)

Question 11: Consider the following statements:    [2008]

The Constitution of India provides that:
1. the Legislative Assembly of each State shall consist of not more than 450 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the State

2. a person shall not be qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in the Legislative Assembly of a State if he/she is less than 25 years of age
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

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Statement 2 is correct as per provisions given under Article 173. Statement 1 is incorrect as according to article 170, the legislative assembly of each state shall consist of not more than 500 and not less than 60 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the state.

Question 12: 

Assertion (A): The Council of Ministers in the Union of India is collectively responsible both to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.    [2007]

Reason (R): The Members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are eligible to be the Ministers of the Union Government.
(a) Both A are R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Assertion is false, because the Council of Ministers in the Union of India is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha only.

Question 13: Consider the following statements:    [2007]
1. Jawaharlal Nehru was in his fourth term as the Prime Minister of India at the time of his death.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru represented Rae Bareilly constituency as a Member of Parliament.

3. The first non-Congress Prime Minister of India assumed the office in the year 1977.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1 and 3

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Terms of Jawahar Lal Nehru (1947-52; 1952-57; 1957- 62; 1962-64). He died in 1964 during his 4th Prime-ministerial term. He represented Phulpur constituency in UP. The first non-congress PM of India was Morarji Desai (Janta Party) from 1977-1979.

Question 14: Who was the Speaker of the First Lok Sabha?   [2007]
(a) Hukum Singh
(b) G.V. Mavalankar
(c) K. M. Munshi
(d) U.N. Dhebar

Correct Answer is Option (b)

GV Mavalankar (1952-56), Hukum Singh (1962-67); K.M. Munshi and U.N. Dhebar were never the Speakers of the Lok Sabha.

Question 15: Consider the following statements in respect of financial emergency under Article 360 of the Constitution of India:    [2007]
1. A proclamation of financial emergency issued shall cease to operate at the expiration of two months, unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by the resolutions of both Houses of Parliament.
2. If any proclamation of financial emergency is in operation, it is competent for the President of India to issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving in connection with the affairs of the Union but excluding the Judges of Supreme Court and the High Courts.
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

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Statement 1 is correct as under Article 360, any Proclamation of Financial Emergency issued shall cease to operate at the expiration of two months, unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by the resolutions Passed by both Houses of Parliament. If approved by both Houses, then it operates for 6 months. During the proclamation of financial emergency. President of India can issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving in connection with the affairs of the union including the judges of supreme court and the High warts.

Question 16: Consider the following statements:    [2007]
1. The Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

2. The Committee on Public Accounts comprises Members of Lok Sabha, Members of Rajya Sabha and few eminent persons of industry and trade.
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

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Statement 2 is incorrect as Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members: 15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha.

Question 17: Consider the following statements:     [2006]
1. The Rajya Sabha alone has the power to declare that it would be in national interest for the Parliament to legislate with respect to a matter in the State List.
2. Resolutions approving the proclamation of Emergency are passed only by the Lok Sabha.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Statement 1 is correct as per provisions under Article 249. Statement 2 is incorrect as resolutions approving the proclamation of Emergency are passed by both Houses of Parliament (not only LS).

Question 18: Under which one of the Ministries of the Government of India does the Food and Nutrition Board work?    [2005]
(a) Ministry of Agriculture
(b) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(c) Ministry of Human Resource Development
(d) Ministry of Rural Development

Correct Answer is Option (*)

Food and Nutrition Board works under Ministry of Women and Child Development. It is a technical support wing under Child Development Bureau of the Ministry. None of the given options is correct.

Question 19: With reference to Indian Parliament, which one of the following is not correct?     [2004]
(a) The Appropriation Bill must be passed by both the Houses of Parliament before it can be enacted into law
(b) No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India except under the appropriation made by the Appropriation Act
(c) Finance Bill is required for proposing new taxes but no additional Bill/Act is required for making changes in the rates of taxes which are already under operation.
(d) No Money Bill can be introduced except on the recommendation of the President

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Appropriation Bill is a money bill. In case of money bill, RS has only recommendatory power and need not to be passed by RS.

Question 20: Consider the following tasks: [2004]
1. Superintendence, direction and conduct of free and fair elections
2. Preparation of electoral rolls for all elections to the Parliament, state Legislatures and the Office of the President and the Vice-President
3. Giving recognition to political, parties and allotting election symbols to political parties and individuals contesting the election.
4. Proclamation of final verdict in case of election disputes
Which of the above are the functions of the Election Commission of India?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 4

Correct Answer is Option (a)

The High Court (and not the Election Commission) is the final authority to give a final verdict in case of election disputes. In the alternative special election benches may be constituted in high courts and earmarked exclusively for the disposal of election petitions and disputes.

Question 21: Consider the following statements:    [2004]
1. The Speaker of Lok Sabha has the power to adjourn the House sine die but, on prorogation, it is only the President who can summon the House
2. Unless sooner dissolved or there is an extension of the term, there is an automatic dissolution of the Lok Sabha by efflux of time, at the end of the period of five years, even if no formal order of dissolution is issued by the President
3. The Speaker of Lok Sabha continues in office even after the dissolution of the House and until immediately before the first meeting of the House
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3 .
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Lok Sabha speaker is the presiding officer or head of Lok Sabha. He is the guardian of power and privileges of members and committees of Lok Sabha. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over the joint sitting of the two Houses. "Adjournment" is a postponement of the sitting or proceedings of the House from one time to another specified for the reassembling of the House. During the course of a session, the Lok sabha may be adjourned from day to day or for more than a day. It may also be adjourned sine die which means the termination of a sitting of the House without any definite date being fixed for its next sitting.

Question 22: Which one of the following statements is not correct?   [2004]
(a) In the Lok Sabha, a no-confidence motion has to set out the grounds on which it is based
(b) In the case of a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha, no conditions of admissibility have been laid down in the Rules
(c) A motion of no-confidence once admitted, has to be taken up within ten days of the leave being granted
(d) Rajya Sabha is not empowered to entertain a motion of no-confidence

Correct Answer is Option (a)

In case of a No-confidence motion, there is no need to set out the grounds on which it is based. No-Confidence motion is introduced only in the Lok Sabha by the opposition and needs a support of not less than 50 members of LS for its introduction. Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha specifies the procedure for a motion of no-confidence. Any member may give a written notice; the speaker shall read the motion of no-confidence in the House and ask all those persons to rise who favours that the motion be taken up. If there are 50 MPs in favour, the speaker allots a date for discussing the motion

Question 23: The resolution for removing the Vice-President of India can be moved in the:     [2004]
(a) Lok Sabha alone
(b) Either House of Parliament
(c) Joint Sitting of Parliament
(d) Rajya Sabha alone

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Article 67(b) in the Constitution of India states, a Vice President may be removed from his office by a resolution of the council of States passed by a majority of all the then members of the council and agreed to by the House of the People; but no resolution for the purpose of this clause shall be moved unless at least fourteen days notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution.

Question 24: With reference to the Constitution of India, which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?    [2004]
(a) Forests : Concurrent List
(b) Stock Exchange : Concurrent List
(c) Post Office Savings Bank : Union List
(d) Public Health : State List

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Stock Exchanges are listed in the Seventh Schedule (Article 246) List I-Union List, item no. 90 that reads, taxes other than stamp duties on transactions in stock exchanges and futures markets. Forests-Concurrent List, 17-A, Post Office Savings Bank -Union List-3, Public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries - State List -6.

Question 25: Consider the following statements:    [2004]
1. The highest deciding body for planning in India is the Planning Commission of India

2. The Secretary of the Planning Commission of India is also the Secretary of National Development Council
3. The Constitution includes economic and social planning in the Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 2 only
(d) 3 only

Correct Answer is Option (b)

The highest decision making body for planning in India is the Parliament, National Development Council is at second position and Planning Commission at third position. Economic and social planning is placed under Entry 20 in the Concurrent list.

Question 26: Consider the following events:    [2004]
1. Fourth general elections in India
2. Formation of Haryana state
3. Mysore named as Karnataka state
4. Meghalaya and Tripura become full states
Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the above?
(a) 2, 1, 4, 3
(b) 4, 3, 2, 1
(c) 2, 3, 4, 1
(d) 4, 1, 2, 3

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Haryana was founded in 1966 when the former state of Punjab was divided into Haryana and the modern Punjab. The 1967 general elections or the 4th Lok Sabha was held in February. Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya became fullfledged states on Jan 21, 1972. Mysore state was renamed Karnataka in 1997.

Question 27: Which one of the following statements is correct?    [2003]

(a) Only the Rajya Sabha and not the Lok Sabha can have nominated members

(b) There is a constitutional provision for nominating two members belonging to the Anglo-Indian community to the Rajya Sabha

(c) There is no constitutional bar for a nominated member to be appointed as a Union minister

(d) A nominated member can vote both in the Presidential and Vice Presidential elections

Correct Answer is Option (c)

In Rajya Sabha, 12 members are nominated by the President from the persons who have special knowledge in art, science, literature and social service. In Lok Sabha, 2 members are nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community (Art 331). A nominated member can vote only in the Vice-Presidential elections.

Question 28: Consider the following statements:    [2003]
1. The joint sitting of the two houses of the Parliament in India is sanctioned under Article 108 of the Constitution
2. The first joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha was held in the year 1961
3. The second joint sitting of the two Houses of Indian Parliament was held to pass the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill
Which of these statements is correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer is Option (d)

So far three joint sittings have been held, First was held on Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1961, Second was held on Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1978 and Third was held on Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002. The presiding officer of joint sitting is Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Question 29: Which one of the following Bills must be passed by each House of the Indian Parliamentary separately by special majority?    [2003]
(a) Ordinary Bill
(b) Money Bill
(c) Finance Bill
(d) Constitution Amendment Bill

Correct Answer is Option (d)

According to Article 368 an amendment of this Constitution may be initiated only by the introduction of a Bill for the purpose in either House of Parliament, and when the Bill is passed in each House by a majority of the total membership of that House present and voting, it shall be presented to the President who shall give his assent to the Bill and thereupon the Constitution shall stand amended in accordance with the terms of the Bill.

Question 30: As per Indian Protocol, who among the following ranks highest in the order of precedence?    [2003]
(a) Deputy Prime Minister
(b) Former Presidents
(c) Governor of a State within his State
(d) Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Order of precedence is President, Vice President, PM, Governor of State within their respective states, Former Presidents and Deputy PM, CJI and Speaker of LS.

Question 31: Consider the following statements:    [2003]
The function(s) of the Finance commission is/are:
1. to allow the withdrawal of the money out of the Consolidated Fund of India
2. to allocate between the States the shares of proceeds of taxes
3. to consider applications for grants-in-aid from States
4. to supervise and report on whether the Union and State governments are levying taxes in accordance with the budgetary provisions
Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2 and 4

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Article 280 of the Constitution of India provides for a Finance Commission as a quasi-judicial body. It is constituted by the President of India every fifth year or at such earlier time as he considers necessary. The commission makes recommendations to the president with regard to the distribution of the proceeds of taxes between the union and the states. The principles which should govern the grantsin- aid to be given to the states. Any other matter referred to the Commission by the President in the interest of sound finance.

Question 32: Consider the following statements:    [2003]
In the electoral college for Presidential Election in India,
1. the value of the vote of an elected Member of Legislative Assembly equals

2. the value of the vote of an elected Member of Parliament equals to total value of the votes of all elected MLA’s and total number of elected MP’s

3. there were more than 5000 members in the latest elections.
Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 3
(d) Only 3

Correct Answer is Option (b)

The value of a MP's vote is calculated by dividing the total value of all MLAs' votes by the number of MPs.

Value of an MP vote

Question 33: Consider the following statements: [2003]
1. While members of the Rajya Sabha are associated with Committees on Public Accounts and Public Undertakings, members of Committee on Estimates are drawn entirely from the Lok Sabha
2. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs works under the overall direction of Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
3. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs nominates Members of Parliament on Committees, Councils, Board and Commissions etc. set up by the Government of India in the various ministries.

Which of these statements is are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer is Option (a)

The PAC is formed every year with a strength of not more than 22 members of which 15 are from Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament, and 7 from Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament. The term of office of the members is one year. The Estimates Committee, constituted for the first time in 1950, is a Parliamentary Committee consisting of 30 Members, elected every year by the Lok Sabha from amongst its Members. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs renders secretarial assistance to the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, which, inter-alia recommends prorogation of both the Houses of the Parliament, Govt's stand on Private Members' Bills and Resolutions. Option 3 is not correct.

Question 34: Survey of India is under the ministry of:     [2003]
(a) Defence
(b) Environment and Forests
(c) Home Affairs
(d) Science and Technology

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Survey of India, The National Survey and Mapping Organization of the country under the Department of Science and Technology, is the oldest scientific department of the Govt. of India. It was set up in 1767.