UPSC Polity Question Paper 2011: UPSC Prelims Solved Question Paper

1.Consider the following:
1. Right to education.
2. Right to equal access to public service.
3. Right to food.
Which of the above is/are Human Right/Human Rights under “Universal Declaration of
Human Rights”?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. (d)
Explanation
Article 25 says everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health
and wellbeing of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical
care and necessary social services,
And the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood,
old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
Article 21(2) says– everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his
country.
Article 26(1) says–Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least
in the elementary and fundamental stages.
2. The Constitution (Seventy-Third Amendment) Act. 1992, which aims at promoting
the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country, provides for which of the following?
1. Constitution of District Planning Committees.
2. State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections.
3. Establishment of state Finance Commissions.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. (C)
Explanation
The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act was passed in 1992 and it came into effect on
24 April 1993. The Act empowered state governments to take the necessary steps that
would lead to the formalisation of the gram panchayats and help them operate as units
of self-governance.

The chief features of the act are mentioned below:
This Act made the Panchayati Raj institutions in the country constitutional bodies.
Under Article 243-B, it has become compulsory for every state to establish panchayats
in their territories.
Article 243-G makes it mandatory for the state governments to devolve powers,
responsibilities and authority to the panchayats.
The gram panchayats have a fixed tenure of 5 years.
State election commissions have been provided with the mechanism to conduct
independent elections to the village panchayats.
Article 243-D gives provisions for the due representation of women and SC/STs.
The State Finance Commission should also evaluate the financial position of the
panchayats every five years.

Also Read: Polity Solved Question Paper 2010: Here’re the Insights to Boost Your UPSC Preparation

3. In India, if a religious sect/community is given the status of a national minority, what
special advantages it is entitled to?
1. It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions.
2. The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to
Lok Sabha.
3. It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. (C)
Explanation
2 is obviously wrong, there is no communal representation, seats in LS for anglo indians
are not automatic.

Minority education institutions have the power to reserve only upto 50% seats for
students belonging to its own community. (Supreme Court Judgement on St. Stephens
College Case, 1992, S.C.C. 558).

4. The authorization for the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India
must come from
(a) The President of India
(b) The Parliament of India
(c) The Prime Minister of India
(d) The Union Finance Minister
Ans. (B)
Explanation
The correct answer is The Parliament of India. Consolidated Fund of India:
Consolidated Fund is constituted under Article 266 (1) of the Constitution of India.
The taxes received by the government including central tax, income tax, excise tax and
certain non tax revenues are credited in the Consolidated Fund. All expenditures of the
Govt. are incurred from this fund. Authority of Parliament is required for withdrawing
any amount from this fund.
5. All revenues received by the Union Government by way of taxes and other receipts
for the conduct of Government business are credited to the
(a) Contingency Fund of India
(b) Public Account
(c) Consolidated Fund of India
(d) Deposits and Advances Fund
Ans. (C)
Explanation

All revenues received by the Union Government by way of taxes and other receipts for
the conduct of Government business are credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.

The Consolidated Fund of India is the most important of all government accounts.
This fund was constituted under Article 266 (1) of the Constitution of India. .

6. When the annual Union Budget is not passed by the Lok Sabha,
(a) The Budget is modified and presented again
(b) The Budget is referred to the Rajya Sabha for suggestions
(c) The Union Finance Minister is asked to resign
(d) The Prime Minister submits the resignation of Council of Ministers
Ans. (D)
Explanation
If Lok Sabha fails to pass the annual union budget, the Prime Minister submits to the
Council of Ministers to resign. If the budget does not pass any conditions in the
parliament, then it is understandable that the ruling party is a minority.
Then the Prime Minister submits the resignation of the Council of Ministers.
Technically it means the government has lost the confidence vote in the Lok Sabha and
it has to resign. In Indian history, this has not happened so far.
7.Under the constitution of India, which one of the following is not a fundamental duty?
(a) To vote in public elections
(b) To develop the scientific temper
(c) To safeguard public property
(d) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals
Ans. (A)
Explanation
The correct answer is Casting a vote in the election. Casting a vote in an election is not a
fundamental duty, It is a legal right.
The Fundamental Duties are defined as the moral obligations of all citizens to help
promote a spirit of patriotism and to uphold the unity of India. The DUTIES

incorporated in the constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act , are statutory duties and
are not enforceable by courts.
Eleven fundamental duties for citizens are:
1. To abide by and respect the constitution, the national flag and national anthem.
2. To cherish and follow the noble ideas of the freedom struggle.
3. To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of india.
4. To defend the country and render national service when required.
5. To promote common brotherhood and establish dignity of women.
6. To preserve the rich heritage of nation’s composite culture.
7. To protect and improve natural environment.
8. To develop scientific temper, humanism and spirit of inquiry.
9. To safeguard public property and abjure violence.
10. To strive for excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity.
11. It shall be the duty of every citizen of India who is a parent or guardian to provide
opportunity for education to his child or as the case may be , ward between the age of 6
and 14 (added by 86th amendment act , 2002).

8. With reference to the Finance Commission of India, which of the following statements
is correct?
(a) It encourages the inflow of foreign capital for infrastructure development
(b) It facilitates the proper distribution of finances among the Public Sector
Undertakings
(c) It ensures transparency in financial administration
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is
correct in this context

Ans. (d)
Explanation
the Commission shall make recommendations as to the following matters, namely : (i)
The distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are
to be, or may be, divided between them under Chapter I Part XII of the Constitution
and the allocation between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds; (ii) The
principles which should govern the grants in- aid of the revenues of the States out of the
Consolidated Fund of India and the sums to be paid to the States which are in need of
assistance by way of grants-in-aid of their revenues under article 275 of the Constitution
for purposes other than those specified in the provisions to clause (1) of that article; and
(iii) The measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement
the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities in the State on the basis of the
recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State

9. Consider the following statements:
In India, a Metropolitan Planning Committee
1. Is constituted under the provisions of the constitution of India.
2. Prepares the draft development plans for the metropolitan area.
3. Has the sole responsibility for implementing Government sponsored schemes in the
metropolitan area.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b)2 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Ans (A)
Explanation
The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.
Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC): Article 243 ZE of Part IX-A of the Indian
Constitution provides for the establishment of the Metropolitan Planning Committee
(MPC). Hence, statement 1 is correct.

10. What is the difference between “vote-on-account” and
“interim budget”?
1. The provision of a “vote-on-account” is used by a regular
Government, while an “interim budget” is a provision used
by a caretaker Government.
2. A “vote-on-account” only deals with the expenditure in
Government’s budget, while an “interims budget” includes
both expenditure and receipts.
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
Ans. (B)
Explanation
Government (executive) requires the approval of the Parliament before drawing and
expending funds. The presentation and passing of the budget take time more than
predicted. Since Parliament is not able to vote the full budget before the commencement
of the new financial year, there is a requirement of funds by the government to keep
things running as usual.
Vote on the account is a grant in advance which enables the government to carry on
until the full budget, demand of grants, finance bill, and appropriation bill is passed.
The vote on account only deals with the expenditure side of the government’s budget.
An interim budget in a way is a full budget but it is made by the government in last year
of its term i.e., before the election. It includes both expenditure and receipts.