Q2moderatePartial Truth
With reference to the Fourteenth Finance Commission, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It has increased the share of States in the central divisible pool from 32 percent to 42 percent.
2. It has made recommendations concerning sector-specific grants.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 2 sounds plausible because Finance Commissions do make grant recommendations, but the 14th FC specifically moved away from sector-specific grants toward untied grants, giving states more flexibility.
Q7easy
Consider the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy:
1. The Principles spell out the socio-economic democracy in the country.
2. The provisions contained in these Principles are not enforceable by any court.
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: (c)
Q27moderatePartial Truth
Consider the following statements:
1. The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill.
2. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on the Demands for Grants.
3. The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 3 is the trap. While Rajya Sabha cannot vote on Demands for Grants, it CAN discuss the Annual Financial Statement (budget). Many confuse 'discuss' with 'vote'. Rajya Sabha has the right to discuss but not grant.
Q28moderatePartial Truth
The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined
(a) the separation of power between the judiciary and the legislature
(b) the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments
(c) the powers of the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b)
Trap: Partial Truth
Option (c) is a strong distractor because the 1919 Act did deal with the Secretary of State and Viceroy's roles, but the defining feature was the division of subjects between centre and provinces (reserved and transferred subjects under dyarchy).
Q37moderateCommon Misconception
When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by
(a) a simple majority of members present and voting
(b) three-fourths majority of members present and voting
(c) two-thirds majority of the Houses
(d) absolute majority of the Houses
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Many aspirants assume a special majority is needed for joint sittings since they are extraordinary. But Article 108 requires only a simple majority of members present and voting. Options (b), (c), (d) are increasingly stringent majorities that sound more 'important'.
Q42easy
The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the
(a) Human Rights Commission
(b) Finance Commission
(c) Law Commission
(d) Planning Commission
Answer: (d)
Q44moderate
Consider the following statements:
1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister.
2. The Prime Minister is the ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
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: (d)
Q53easy
Amnesty International is
(a) an agency of the United Nations to help refugees of civil wars
(b) a global Human Rights Movement
(c) a non-governmental voluntary organization to help very poor people
(d) an inter-governmental agency to cater to medical emergencies in war-ravaged regions
Answer: (b)
Q59easy
The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to
(a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
(b) determine the boundaries between States
(c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats
(d) protect the interests of all the border States
Answer: (a)
Q60easyPartial Truth
With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements:
1. The Department of Revenue is responsible for the preparation of Union Budget that is presented to the Parliament.
2. No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the authorization from the Parliament of India.
3. All the disbursements made from Public Account also need the authorization from the Parliament of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 1 is a trap - Budget is prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs (Budget Division), not Department of Revenue. Statement 3 is wrong because Public Account disbursements do NOT need Parliament's authorization (unlike Consolidated Fund). Only statement 2 is correct.
Q61easy
Who/Which of the following is the custodian of the Constitution of India?
(a) The President of India
(b) The Prime Minister of India
(c) The Lok Sabha Secretariat
(d) The Supreme Court of India
Answer: (d)
Q79moderateSimilar Sounding
'Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action', often seen in the news, is
(a) a strategy to tackle the regional terrorism, an outcome of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(b) a plan of action for sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific Region, an outcome of the deliberations of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum
(c) an agenda for women's empowerment, an outcome of a World Conference convened by the United Nations
(d) a strategy to combat wildlife trafficking, a declaration of the East Asia Summit
Answer: (c)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Options (a) and (b) associate 'Beijing' with China-related organizations (SCO, APEC). But the Beijing Declaration (1995) is specifically about women's rights from the Fourth World Conference on Women. The 'Beijing' in the name is just the venue.
Q82moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following statements:
1. The Legislative Council of a State in India can be larger in size than half of the Legislative Assembly of that particular State.
2. The Governor of a State nominates the Chairman of Legislative Council of that particular State.
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: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1: The Legislative Council's size cannot exceed 1/3 of the Legislative Assembly (not 1/2). Statement 2: The Chairman of the Legislative Council is elected by the members of the Council themselves, not nominated by the Governor. Both are common errors.
Q83moderateSimilar Sounding
"To uphold and protect the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India" is a provision made in the
(a) Preamble of the Constitution
(b) Directive Principles of State Policy
(c) Fundamental Rights
(d) Fundamental Duties
Answer: (d)
Trap: Similar Sounding
The Preamble (a) also mentions sovereignty, unity and integrity, making it a strong distractor. But the exact phrase 'to uphold and protect' is a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A(a). The Preamble states the goal; Fundamental Duties impose the obligation.
Q85moderateAbsolute Qualifier
The fundamental object of Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following?
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
Answer: (c)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Options 2 (political accountability) and 4 (financial mobilization) are outcomes/features but not the FUNDAMENTAL objects of Panchayati Raj. The core objectives are people's participation in development and democratic decentralization.
Q88moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following countries:
1. China
2. France
3. India
4. Israel
5. Pakistan
Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
The key word is 'recognized by NPT'. While India, Israel, and Pakistan have nuclear weapons, they are NOT recognized nuclear weapon states under the NPT. India and Pakistan never signed NPT. Only the P5 (US, UK, France, Russia, China) are NPT-recognized. Option (d) is the major trap.
Q89easy
The ideal of 'Welfare State' in the Indian Constitution is enshrined in its
(a) Preamble
(b) Directive Principles of State Policy
(c) Fundamental Rights
(d) Seventh Schedule
Answer: (b)
Q91easy
There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the
(a) Lok Sabha is elected directly by the people
(b) Parliament can amend the Constitution
(c) Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved
(d) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha
Answer: (d)