UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz: Polity and Governance MCQs on bypolls, removal of a judge and more (Week 112)

QUESTION 1

With reference to the removal of a judge through impeachment, consider the following statements:

1. It is largely a political process, initiated by parliamentarians, which ensures due process for a judge.

2. A Judge of the Supreme Court shall not be removed from his office except by an order of the President passed after an address by each House of Parliament.

3. In the 75 years since the SC and the Constitution came into being, four attempts at impeachment have been successful.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stated that the Supreme Court’s in-house investigation into the unaccounted cash discovered at Justice Yashwant Varma’s apartment in March “does not have any constitutional premise or legal sanctity” and urged an FIR against the judge.

— Judges must be empowered to make decisions without fear of personal consequences, including criminal prosecution, in order for the judiciary to be truly independent.

— The only procedure outlined by the Constitution is to remove a judge by impeachment. According to Article 124, impeachment is primarily a political process started by MPs to safeguard a judge’s due process rights. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— A Judge of the Supreme Court shall not be removed from his office except by an order of the President passed after an address by each House of Parliament supported by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting has been presented to the President in the same session for such removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— However, in the 75 years since the Supreme Court and the Constitution were established, no impeachment attempt has been successful. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

With reference to the bypolls, consider the following statements:

1. The Election Commission is required to fill casual vacancies in Parliament and State Legislatures within three months.

2. The term ‘bypoll’ has been mentioned in the Constitution.

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

— The Election Commission (EC) announced Assembly elections for five seats in four states on June 19. The elections will be held in two seats in Gujarat and one each in Kerala, Punjab, and West Bengal, and the votes will be counted on June 23.

— As per Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission is required to fill casual vacancies in Parliament and State Legislatures within six months. However, the EC, in consultation with the Central government, can go beyond this period if it is difficult to hold the by-election within the said period. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are not correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

With reference to the reservation of seats at Panchayats, consider the following statements:

1. One-third of the seats have to be reserved for the women of the SC and ST.

2. The offices of the Chairpersons in the Panchayats at the village or any other level shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and women in such manner as decided by the Central Government.

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 234(d) of the Constitution of India provides for the reservation of seats at Panchayats.

— Seats shall be reserved for—

(a) the Scheduled Castes; and

(b) the Scheduled Tribes

— Not less than one-third of the total number of seats must be allocated for women from Scheduled Castes or, as the case may be, Scheduled Tribes. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Not less than one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in each Panchayat shall be reserved for women, and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies within a Panchayat.

— The offices of the Chairpersons in the Panchayats at the village or any other level shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in such manner as the Legislature of a State may prescribe by law. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Source: Constitution of India)

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Attorney-General for India, consider the following statements:

1. The Attorney-General for India is appointed by the committee consisting of the Prime Minister, Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the opposition leader of the Lower House.

2. It shall be the duty of the Attorney-General to give advice to the Government of India upon such legal matters, and to perform such other duties of a legal character, as may from time to time be referred or assigned to him by the President.

3. The Attorney-General shall have the right of audience in all courts in the territory of India.

4. A person who is qualified to be appointed a Judge of the High Court can be appointed as the Attorney-General.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— The Constitution of India places the post of the Attorney General for India (A-G) on a special footing. The A-G is the Government of India’s first law officer, and has the right of audience in all courts of the country. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— Article 76(2) of the Constitution says “it shall be the duty of the Attorney-General to give advice to the Government of India upon such legal matters, and to perform such other duties of a legal character, as may from time to time be referred or assigned to him by the President”. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The President shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court to be Attorney-General for India. Hence, statements 1 and 4 are not correct.

— Under Article 88, the “Attorney-General of India shall have the right to speak in, and otherwise to take part in the proceedings of, either House, any joint sitting of the Houses, and any committee of Parliament of which he may be named a member”. However, he “shall not by virtue of this article be entitled to vote” in the House.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

Which of the following provides for the provision of early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years?

(a) Fundamental Duties

(b) Fundamental Rights

(c) Directive Principles of State Policy

(d) Both (a) and (b)

Explanation

— Article 45 of the Constitution of India (Directive Principles of State Policy) provides for the provision of early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years.

— The State shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Source: Constitution of India)

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 112)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 111)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 111)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 111)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 111)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 111)

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