Question 1

The First Session of Constituent Assembly was held on

Accepted Answer

The first session of the Constituent Assembly was held on 9th December, 1946. It was attended by only 211 members because the Muslim League boycotted the meeting demanding a separate state of Pakistan. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected as the temporary President of the Assembly. On 11th December 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President, and H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari were chosen as Vice-Presidents. Important associated dates include: 13th December 1946 – Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution; 22nd January 1947 – Objectives Resolution adopted; 26th November 1949 – Constitution adopted (celebrated as Constitution Day); 26th January 1950 – Constitution came into effect (celebrated as Republic Day). [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Question 2

Electoral College for the election of the President of India consists of

Accepted Answer

Article 54 of the Indian Constitution provides that the President of India is elected by an Electoral College. This college includes the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of states and Union Territories of Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir. Nominated members and members of Legislative Councils do not participate. The President is the head of the state, the first citizen of India, symbol of unity, and Supreme Commander of the armed forces. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Question 3

What constitutes the definition of 'Money Bill' under Article 110 of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 110 defines a Money Bill as containing ONLY provisions related to: (1) Imposition, abolition, remission, alteration, or regulation of taxes, (2) Borrowing of money by the Union Government, (3) Custody or withdrawal from Consolidated/Contingency Funds, (4) Appropriation of money out of Consolidated Fund, (5) Declaration of expenditure charged on Consolidated Fund, (6) Receipt of money into Consolidated or Public Account, or audit of Union/State accounts, and (7) Incidental matters. Hence, more than one option in the list qualifies, making the correct answer “None of the above/More than one of the above.” Only the Speaker of Lok Sabha can certify a Money Bill, and his decision is final. Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha on the President’s recommendation. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Question 4

The Supreme Court’s judgment of Indra Sawhney vs Union of India case is related to which issue?

Accepted Answer

In the Indra Sawhney vs Union of India case (1992), also called the Mandal Commission case, a nine-judge bench upheld 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs, imposed a 50% ceiling on total reservations, and struck down the provision of 10% reservation for economically backward sections among higher castes. It is a landmark case in reservation policy. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Question 5

To be recognized as the National Party in India, a party must have secured at least how much percentage of votes in the previous election?

Accepted Answer

As per the Election Commission guidelines, a party is recognized as a national party if it (i) secures 6% of valid votes polled in four or more states in Lok Sabha/Assembly elections and wins at least 4 Lok Sabha seats, OR (ii) wins 2% of Lok Sabha seats from at least 3 states, OR (iii) is recognized as a state party in 4 states. Recognition provides benefits like exclusive symbols, media time, and simplified nomination process. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Question 6

What is the object of Cut Motion?

Accepted Answer

Cut Motion allows Lok Sabha members to move motions to reduce any demand for grants during budget discussions. Types include: Policy Cut (disapproval of policy, reduced to ₹1), Economy Cut (reduction by a specified amount), and Token Cut (reduction by ₹100 to highlight a grievance). The main object is to exercise legislative control over government expenditure. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Question 7

Which of the following Constitutional Amendment Acts restricted the Council of Ministers to 15% of the total members of the Lok Sabha?

Accepted Answer

The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 limited the size of the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, to 15% of the strength of Lok Sabha. Similarly, in states, the Council of Ministers including the CM cannot exceed 15% of the Legislative Assembly strength, and not be less than 12. It also disqualified defectors from holding ministerial posts. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Question 8

Match List I (Committees/Individuals) with List II (Year/Recommendation) and select the correct answer using the codes given below.

A. C.H. Hanumantha Rao – District Planning
B. G.V.K. Rao – Rural Development Review
C. Ashok Mehta – Panchayati Raj Reform
D. L.M. Singhvi – Constitutional recognition of Panchayati Raj
E. Balwant Rai Mehta – Introduction of Panchayati Raj

Accepted Answer

Correct matches are: A (C.H. Hanumantha Rao – District Planning) – 1984, B (G.V.K. Rao – Rural Development review) – 1985, C (Ashok Mehta – Panchayati Raj reform) – 1978, D (L.M. Singhvi – Constitutional recognition of Panchayati Raj) – 1986, E (Balwant Rai Mehta – Panchayati Raj introduction) – 1957. Hence code (A-3), (B-1), (C-5), (D-2), (E-4) is correct. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Question 9

What is Track 1.5 Diplomacy?

Accepted Answer

Track 1 Diplomacy is official negotiation by governments; Track 2 is informal interaction by academics, NGOs, or civil society. Track 1.5 Diplomacy is a hybrid where both officials and non-officials participate, bridging formal and informal dialogue. Track 3 is people-to-people diplomacy. Track 1.5 is useful in conflict resolution as it balances authority and flexibility. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Question 10

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is listed in which list of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 246 with the Seventh Schedule divides powers into Union, State, and Concurrent Lists. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is included in the Concurrent List, meaning both the Union and States can legislate. In case of conflict, the Union law prevails. This subject was shifted from the State List to Concurrent List by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

66th Prelims Re 2021