Question 1

Which Article in the Indian Constitution is related with the establishment of the Election Commission of India?

Accepted Answer

Part XV [Articles 324-329A] of the Indian Constitution is associated with elections. Article 324 vests the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice President in the Election Commission of India. Elections to Panchayats and Municipalities are conducted by the State Election Commission as per Article 243-K. Article 325 ensures no person is ineligible for inclusion in a special electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex. Article 326 mandates elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies based on adult suffrage. Article 327 empowers Parliament to make provisions regarding elections to legislatures, and Article 329 bars court interference in electoral matters. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2020]

Question 2

What is meant by 'Rule of Law'?

Accepted Answer

The concept of 'Rule of Law' was propounded by A.V. Dicey. It has the following elements: absence of arbitrary power (no person can be punished except for a breach of law) and equality before the law (all citizens are equally subject to the ordinary law administered by ordinary courts). Therefore, 'Rule of Law' means 'One act for all and One Judiciary for all'. The Supreme Court has held that the 'Rule of Law', as embodied in Article 14, is a basic feature of the Constitution. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2020]

Question 3

Which Article gives the list of 29 functions to be performed by the Panchayati Raj Institutions?

Accepted Answer

The Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution contains 29 functional items within the purview of Panchayats, including subjects like Fisheries, Minor Forest Produce, Drinking Water, Fuel and Fodder, Markets, and Fairs. Article 243 (G) is associated with the Eleventh Schedule and mentions the powers, authorities, and responsibilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions. This was added by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2020]

Question 4

When was the Citizenship (Amendment) Act passed?

Accepted Answer

The Citizenship Amendment Act was passed by the Parliament of India on 11th December, 2019 and became effective from 10th January, 2020. It amends the Citizenship Act, 1955, granting citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, and Parsis who arrived in India before December 2014. Part II [Articles 5-11] of the Constitution covers citizenship. Article 5 deals with citizenship at commencement, Article 6 with rights of persons migrated from Pakistan, Article 8 with voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship, and Article 11 empowers Parliament to regulate citizenship. Citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, registration, naturalization, or incorporation of territory; it can be lost by renunciation or deprivation. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2020]

Question 5

The legislative origins of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act can be traced back to which Constitutional Amendment Bill?

Accepted Answer

The 64th Constitutional Amendment Bill was introduced by the Rajiv Gandhi government in July 1989 to constitutionalize Panchayati Raj and empower them. It was passed by the Lok Sabha in August 1989 but not approved by the Rajya Sabha. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, came into force on 24th April, 1993, which is celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Day. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2020]

Question 6

Which of the following is not a characteristic of decentralization?

Accepted Answer

Decentralization is the devolution of powers and authority from the Union and State governments to sub-state organizations like Panchayati Raj Institutions. Its characteristics include autonomy, delegation of authority to lower levels, self-rule, participation of local people, empowerment of local communities, and quick decision-making. Therefore, 'To instill non-confidence among local communities' is not a characteristic. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2020]

Question 7

Which act is not a landmark in the development of the Constitution during British rule?

Accepted Answer

The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, was enacted to abolish untouchability under Article 17 and is post-independence; thus, it is not a British-era landmark. The Regulating Act, 1773 controlled the East India Company and established the Governor General of Bengal and Supreme Court at Calcutta. The Charter Act, 1833 centralized administration. The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced dyarchy, bicameralism, direct elections, and established a Public Service Commission. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2020]

Question 8

About which act did Jawaharlal Nehru say, 'We were provided with a car with all brakes and no engine'?

Accepted Answer

Jawaharlal Nehru referred to the Government of India Act, 1935, as 'a car with all brakes and no engine'. The Act provided for the establishment of an All India Federation of provinces and princely states, abolished dyarchy in provinces, introduced provincial autonomy, maintained dyarchy at the Centre, abolished the Council of India (1858 Act), established the Reserve Bank of India, and separated Burma from India. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2020]

66th Prelims 2020