UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of daily subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Each day, we cover one new subject. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Polity and Governance to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the History, Culture, and Social Issues MCQs. Don’t miss checking the answers and explanations at the end of the quiz. 🚨 The Indian Express UPSC Essentials brings to you the March issue of its monthly magazine. Click Here to read. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨 QUESTION 1 With reference to the composition of the Council of States, consider the following statements: 1. The allocation of seats in the Council of States are filled by representatives of the States shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Fourth Schedule. 2. Twelve members are nominated by the President. 3. The representatives of each State in the Council of States shall be elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly. 4. The members are elected by the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four QUESTION 2 Consider the following pairs: (Article) (Provision) 243-J Powers to impose taxes by, and Funds of, the Panchayats 243-K Elections to the Panchayats 243-H Audit of accounts of Panchayats How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None QUESTION 3 With reference to the Deputy CM, consider the following statements: 1. Article 163(1) of the Constitution says there shall be a Deputy CM to aid and advise the Chief Minister in exercising his functions. 2. The Deputy CM enjoys the same pay and perks as a Chief Minister. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 QUESTION 4 With reference to the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme, consider the following statements: 1. The nominated members of the Rajya Sabha are not eligible for this scheme. 2. It is a central government scheme announced in 1976. 3. The government transfers funds directly to the respective local authorities. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None QUESTION 5 Which of the following articles of the Constitution of India provides for the Secretariat of Parliament? (a) Article 96 (b) Article 97 (c) Article 98 (d) Article 99 ANSWERS TO THE MCQs 1. (d) FYI: — Article 80 of the Constitution of India provides for the composition of the Council of States. — The Council of States shall consist of— (a) twelve members to be nominated by the President; and Hence, statement 2 is correct (b) not more than two hundred and thirty-eight representatives of the States and the Union territories. — The Fourth Schedule's regulations regarding the allotment of seats in the Council of States to be occupied by State representatives shall be followed. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — Those with particular expertise or real-world experience in fields like literature, science, art, or social service will make up the members that the president will appoint. — The elected members of each state's Legislative Assembly will choose each state's representatives in the Council of States using a single transferable vote and the proportional representation method. Hence, statement 3 and statement 4 are correct Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. 2. (a) FYI: (Article) (Provision) 243-J Audit of accounts of Panchayats 243-K Elections to the Panchayats 243-H Powers to impose taxes by, and Funds of, the Panchayats Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. (Other Source: Constitution of India) 3. (d) FYI: — Article 163(1) of the Constitution says “there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions”. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. — The post of Deputy CM is understood as being equivalent in rank to that of Cabinet Minister (in the state). — The Deputy CM enjoys the same pay and perks as a Cabinet Minister. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — At least 13 other states in the country apart from Bihar currently have Deputy CMs. The highest of these is in Andhra Pradesh, with Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy having five Deputies. — The provision of Deputy CM is not mentioned in the Constitution of India. — The first Deputy CM in India was Anugrah Narayan Sinha, an upper caste Rajput leader from Aurangabad, who was the most important leader of the Congress in Bihar after the first Chief Minister of the state, Dr Srikrishna Singh (Sinha). Karpoori Thakur became the second Deputy CM of Bihar in 1967. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. 4. (a) FYI: — MPLAD is a central government scheme, under which MPs can recommend development programmes involving spending of Rs 5 crore every year in their respective constituencies. — The scheme was announced by the Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao on December 23, 1993 in Lok Sabha. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division is entrusted with the responsibility of implementation of Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated ones, can do so. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. — MPs do not receive any money under these schemes. The government transfers it directly to the respective local authorities. Hence, statement 3 is correct. — The legislators can only recommend works in their constituencies based on a set of guidelines. For the MPLAD Scheme, the guidelines focus on the creation of durable community assets like roads, school buildings, etc. — Non-durable asset recommendations can only be made in certain circumstances. For example, last month, the government authorised the use of MPLAD funds to purchase personal protection equipment, coronavirus testing kits, and other items. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. 5. (c) FYI: — Article 98 of the Constitution of India provides for Secretariat of Parliament. — Each House of Parliament will have its own secretarial staff; however, nothing in this provision will impede the establishment of positions shared by the two Houses of Parliament. — The hiring process and the terms of employment for individuals hired to work as secretarial staff in either house of parliament may be regulated by law by the parliament. — The President may, until Parliament makes a provision, make rules governing the hiring process and terms of employment for those appointed to the secretarial staff of the House of the People or the Council of States, after consulting with the Speaker of the House of People or the Chairman of the Council of States, as the case may be. These rules will take effect subject to the provisions of any laws made under the aforementioned clause. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. (Other Source: Constitution of India) Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 53) Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 53) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 53) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 53) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 52) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.
