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Q1Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2025
With reference to the Indian polity, consider the following statements:
Statement I: An Ordinance can amend any Central Act.
Statement II: An Ordinance can abridge a Fundamental Right.
Statement III: An Ordinance can come into effect from a back date.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- AI and II only
- BII and III only
- CI and III onlyCorrect
- DI, II and III
Explanation
Correct. An ordinance has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament, so it can amend an existing Central Act (Statement I correct). It may also be given retrospective effect, i.e., come into effect from a back date (Statement III correct). However, Statement II is wrong because the ordinance power is subject to the Constitution and cannot abridge Fundamental Rights.
Q2Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2025
Consider the following statements with regard to the pardoning power of the President of India:
Statement I: The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected to limited judicial review.
Statement II: The President can exercise this power without the advice of the Central Government.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- AStatement I is correct but Statement II is incorrectCorrect
- BStatement II is correct but Statement I is incorrect
- CBoth Statements I and II are correct
- DNeither Statement I nor Statement II is correct
Explanation
Correct. Statement I is correct because the Supreme Court in Maru Ram v. Union of India and Epuru Sudhakar v. Government of Andhra Pradesh recognized limited judicial review of the pardoning power on grounds of mala fides, arbitrariness, or non-application of mind. Statement II is wrong because the President exercises pardon power under Article 72 on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
Q3Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2023
Consider the following statements in respect of election to the President of India:
1. Members nominated to either House of Parliament or to State Legislative Assemblies are included in the Electoral College.
2. The higher the number of elective Assembly seats, the higher is the value of vote of each MLA of that State.
3. The value of vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that of Kerala.
4. The value of vote of each MLA of Puducherry is higher than that of Arunachal Pradesh because the population-to-elected-seat ratio is greater in Puducherry.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- AOnly oneCorrect
- BOnly two
- COnly three
- DAll four
Explanation
Correct. Only Statement 4 is correct. Nominated members are excluded from the Electoral College (Statement 1 wrong). The vote value depends on the population-to-seat ratio, not just the number of seats (Statement 2 wrong). Kerala's MLA vote value is higher than Madhya Pradesh's (Statement 3 wrong). Puducherry's higher population-to-seat ratio does produce a higher vote value than Arunachal Pradesh's (Statement 4 correct).
Q4Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2023
Consider the following statements:
1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court, all acts done by the President before the date of decision become invalid.
2. Election for the post of President can be postponed on the ground that some Legislative Assemblies have been dissolved and elections are yet to take place.
3. When a Bill is presented to the President, the Constitution prescribes time limits within which assent must be declared.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- AOnly one
- BOnly two
- CAll three
- DNoneCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Article 71 protects acts done by the President before the election is declared void (Statement 1 false). Presidential election is not postponed merely because some Assemblies are dissolved (Statement 2 false). The Constitution fixes no time limit for presidential assent to ordinary bills (Statement 3 false).
Q5Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2022
Consider the following statements:
1. The Constitution of India classifies ministers into four ranks, namely Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State, and Deputy Minister.
2. The total number of ministers in the Union Government, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members of the Lok Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 onlyCorrect
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. Statement 1 is wrong because the Constitution does not prescribe ministerial ranks; they are conventional. Statement 2 is correct as Article 75(1A), inserted by the 91st Amendment, caps Union ministers at 15% of Lok Sabha's total strength.
Q6Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2021
With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements:
1. The Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing administrative reform.
2. In 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission and was placed under the Prime Minister's charge.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 onlyCorrect
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. The Department of Personnel was established in 1970 following the recommendations of the first Administrative Reforms Commission and was placed under the Prime Minister's charge.
Q7Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2018
With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements:
1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State.
2. The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 onlyCorrect
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. The value of each MLA's vote depends on the population of that State divided by the number of elected assembly members, so it varies across States. However, all elected MPs (both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) have the same vote value in the presidential election.
Q8Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2015
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?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2Correct
Explanation
Correct. The executive power of the Union is formally vested in the President under Article 53, not in the Prime Minister. The Civil Services Board is not chaired ex officio by the Prime Minister but by the Cabinet Secretary.
Q9Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2014
Consider the following statements:
1. The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.
2. All executive actions of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Prime Minister.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 onlyCorrect
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. Article 77(3) empowers the President to make rules for the more convenient transaction of business of the Government of India and for the allocation among ministers of the said business. Statement 2 is false because executive action is expressed in the name of the President, not the Prime Minister.
Q10Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2013
Consider the following statements:
1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to Parliament.
2. The Union Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the President of India.
3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about proposals for legislation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Statement 2 is correct under Article 75(2) which says ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President. Statement 3 is correct under Article 78(b) which requires the PM to communicate proposals for legislation to the President.
Q11Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2012
The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment:
- ANeed not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of Parliament but must become a member of one of the Houses within six monthsCorrect
- BNeed not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of Parliament but must become a member of the Lok Sabha within six months
- CMust be a member of one of the Houses of Parliament
- DMust be a member of the Lok Sabha
Explanation
Correct. Under Article 75(5), a minister (including the Prime Minister) who is not a member of either House of Parliament for a consecutive period of six months ceases to be a minister. So a PM may be appointed without being a member, but must secure membership in either House within six months.
Q12Polity & Governance·Union ExecutivePYQ 2009
With reference to Union Government, consider the following statements:
1. The Constitution of India provides that all Cabinet Ministers shall be compulsorily the 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?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2Correct
Explanation
Correct. Article 75 allows ministers to be from either House of Parliament, so Statement 1 is wrong. The Cabinet Secretariat functions under the Prime Minister, not the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, so Statement 2 is also wrong.