UPSC Essentials : Daily subject-wise quiz | Polity and Governance MCQs on Article 19, tenure of Manmohan Singh as PM and more (Week 91)

1. to assemble peaceably and without arms

2. to freedom of speech and expression

3. to move freely throughout the territory of India

4. to form co-operative societies

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Explanation

— Article 19 of the Constitution of India provides for the protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.

— All citizens shall have the right—

(a) to freedom of speech and expression;

(b) to assemble peaceably and without arms;

(c) to form associations or unions or co-operative societies;

(d) to move freely throughout the territory of India;

(e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India;

(f) to acquire, hold, and dispose of property. However, this right was omitted by the 44th amendment to the Constitution.

(g) to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: Constitution of India)

QUESTION 2

With reference to the Vice-President of India, consider the following statements:

1. He/she shall be elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the elected and nominated members of the Rajya Sabha.

2. The system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote is used for the election of the Vice-President.

3. A person shall be eligible for election as Vice-President even if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Recently, the Opposition filed a notice of no confidence against Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar. This is the first such measure in India’s parliamentary history.

— The Vice-President must be elected by members of an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament using the proportional representation system and a single transferable vote, with voting conducted by secret ballot. Hence, statement 2 is correct and statement 1 is not correct.

— The Vice-President shall not be a member of either House of Parliament or a House of the Legislature of any State; and if a member of either House of Parliament or a House of the Legislature of any State is elected Vice-President, he shall be deemed to have vacated his seat in that House on the date he assumes office as Vice-President.

— A person shall not be eligible for election as Vice-President if he occupies a profit-making office under the Government of India, the Government of any State, or any local or other authority controlled by any of the aforementioned Governments. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: Constitution of India)

QUESTION 3

Consider the following acts:

1. Right to Education Act

2. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

3. Right To Information (RTI) Act

4. Biological Diversity Act

5. National Food Security Act

Which of the following acts given above were passed during the tenure of Manmohan Singh?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5

(c) 2, 3 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 5

Explanation

— An economist, a bureaucrat, a finance minister, and finally a Prime Minister. Momentous developments marked different stages of Manmohan Singh’s career.

— Singh became Finance Minister under PV Narasimha Rao in 1991. At the time, India was in a balance-of-payments crisis, had only enough foreign cash to cover two to three weeks of imports, and had to mortgage its gold. Singh implemented structural changes proposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in his 1991 Budget, eliminating the license raj system that made it impossible for enterprises to function, lowering tariffs, and opening up the economy to private investment.

— As Prime Minister of India, Singh made significant investments in the Indo-US civil nuclear pact, even putting his own administration at risk.

— Singh noted India’s exceptional record on nuclear nonproliferation as part of the agreement. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) accepted India’s safeguards agreement on August 1, 2008. The United States then petitioned the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for an India-specific waiver to begin civilian nuclear trade. On September 6, 2008, the NSG granted India a waiver, granting it access to civilian nuclear technology and fuel. The deal was signed on October 10, 2008.

— His government also enacted landmark legislation that was viewed as empowering for individuals. The Right To Information (RTI) Act, introduced in 2005, granted citizens the right to obtain information from public authorities.

— The next year, Singh signed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, which ensures 100 days of employment per year for every rural household in the country.

— The Right to Education Act, passed in 2009, provided free and compulsory education for all children aged six to fourteen. Singh signed the National Food Security Act in 2013, which provides food grain subsidies to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population.

— The Parliament of India passed the Biological Diversity Act in 2002, under the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

In either of the houses of the Parliament, the Attorney-General of India:

1. can speak

2. can take part in proceedings

3. cannot become a member in any committee of Parliament

4. cannot take part in the joint sitting of the Houses

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

— The A-G position is granted special status in the Indian Constitution. The Attorney General of India is the country’s first law officer and has the right of audience in all courts.

— Every Minister and the Attorney-General of India shall have the right to speak in, and otherwise participate in, the proceedings of either House, any joint sitting of the Houses, and any committee of Parliament to which he may be appointed, but shall not be entitled to vote under this article.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: Constitution of India)

QUESTION 5

Consider the following statements:

1. Criminal proceedings can be instituted against the President or the Governor in any court during his term of office.

2. The President or the Governor of a State, shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his office.

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

Explanation

— Article 361 of the Constitution protects the President and Governor from criminal prosecution and prohibits judicial review of their conduct.

— According to Article 361 of the Constitution, the President or Governor of a state “shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his office or for any act done or purporting to be done by him in the exercise and performance of those powers and duties” unless impeached by Parliament. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The article further states that “no criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued” and that “no process for arrest or imprisonment” may take place while the President or Governor is in office. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 90)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 90)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 90)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 90)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 90)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 90)

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