65th Prelims 2019

Explanation:

Part VI [Articles 168-212] of the Indian Constitution deals with the organization, composition, duration, officers, procedures, privileges, and powers of the State legislature. There is no uniformity in State legislatures; most have a unicameral system, while six states (Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka) have a bicameral system. Article 170 specifies the composition of Legislative Assemblies, with a maximum strength of 500 and minimum of 60. Himachal Pradesh has 68 members, Arunachal Pradesh 60, Manipur 60, and Meghalaya 60. Therefore, Himachal Pradesh has the largest number of members among the given options, though Uttar Pradesh has the overall highest number of 403 members. [65TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2019]

Explanation:

The Order of Precedence establishes the ceremonial ranking of officials of the Union and State governments and does not affect daily governance. According to the current order: 1) President of India, 2) Vice President, 3) Prime Minister, 4) Governors within their respective states, 5) Former Presidents, 5A) Deputy Prime Minister, 6) Chief Justice of India, Speaker of Lok Sabha, 7) Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers within states, Vice-Chairperson NITI Aayog, Former Prime Ministers, Leaders of Opposition, 7A) Bharat Ratna holders, 8) Ambassadors and High Commissioners, 9) Supreme Court Judges, 9A) UPSC Chairperson, Chief Election Commissioner, CAG, 10) Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chief Ministers, Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha, NITI Aayog Members, Ministers of State, 11) Attorney General, Cabinet Secretary, Lieutenant Governors. Among the given options, the Chief Justice of High Court comes first in the Order of Precedence. [65TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2019]

Explanation:

The Constitution of India provides for a Parliamentary form of government at both the Centre (Articles 74, 75) and in the States (Articles 163, 164). The fundamental principle is collective responsibility: all ministers collectively own responsibility to the legislature for acts of omission and commission. Cabinet decisions bind all ministers, who must support them both inside and outside the legislature. None of the given statements fully describe this principle; hence, option 'e' (None of the above/More than one) is correct in the original exam. In this corrected 4-option format, the closest to accurate understanding is that the legislature is independent from direct judicial control, but overall collective responsibility is key. [65TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2019]

Explanation:

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, institutionalized local self-governance in India through a three-tier Panchayati Raj system: village (Gram Panchayat), intermediate, and district levels. States with a population less than 20 lakh may not have intermediate level panchayats. It decentralizes administrative powers and decision-making. Article 40 mandates the organization of village panchayats, Part IX (Articles 243-243O) governs Panchayats, and the Eleventh Schedule (Article 243G) lists 29 functional items. [65TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2019]

Explanation:

A Unitary form of government consists of a single central government which may create regional authorities. Powers are centralized; the constitution may be written or unwritten, rigid or flexible, and judiciary may be independent or not. Unitary governments allow swift decision-making and uniform laws but are not ideal for large countries like India due to administrative challenges. [65TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2019]

Explanation:

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is fundamentally a Registered Political Party. On 10th April 2023, it was granted National Party status by the Election Commission of India. Apart from Delhi and Punjab, it is recognized as a State Party in Goa and Gujarat. Since it falls under multiple categories (Registered Party, State Party, National Party), the correct choice is 'More than one of the above'. [65TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2019]

Explanation:

Writs under Articles 32 & 226: Habeas Corpus: Latin for 'to have the body of'; orders the detained person to be produced before the court. Mandamus: 'We command'; orders a public official to perform duties. Prohibition: 'to forbid'; issued by a higher court to prevent lower courts from exceeding jurisdiction. Certiorari: 'to be certified'; issued by a higher court to transfer or quash cases/orders of lower courts, applicable to judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative authorities. Known as 'postmortem' as it examines legality of past actions. Quo Warranto: 'by what authority'; challenges legality of a person's claim to a public office. [65TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2019]

Explanation:

The M3 version of VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) is used in India. It allows voters to verify that their votes are correctly cast, enhancing transparency and trust in elections. The machine generates a printed slip as instant feedback for the voter. [65TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2019]

Explanation:

Special Category Status (SCS) is a classification to accelerate development in states facing geographical and socio-economic challenges. Not in Constitution; based on Gadgil Formula (Fifth Finance Commission, 1969). Criteria include hilly terrain, low population density, strategic location, economic/infrastructure backwardness, non-viable finances. States initially granted SCS: Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Nagaland (1969), followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand. Bihar has never received SCS. The 14th Finance Commission abolished SCS except for northeastern and three hill states. [65TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2019]