UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz: Polity and Governance MCQs on National Crime Records Bureau, office as Speaker or Deputy Speaker and more (Week 133)

QUESTION 1

With reference to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), consider the following statements:

1. It was established in 1966 to compile crime data.

2. It functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

3. It engages in the “Collection, coordination and exchange of information on inter-state and international criminals to the respective states”.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released the Crime in India report for 2023, which is the most authoritative compilation of offences across the country. From violent crime and caste-based offences to economic frauds, the annual report provides crucial data that informs policymaking and law enforcement priorities.

NCRB

— The NCRB was established in 1986 to compile crime data, functioning under the Union Home Ministry. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are not correct.

— Apart from publishing annual reports, it engages in the “Collection, coordination and exchange of information on inter-state and international criminals to the respective states”. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— NCRB also acts as a “national warehouse” for the fingerprint records of Indian and foreign criminals, and assists in locating interstate criminals through fingerprint search.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

The President may from time to time —

1. prorogue the Houses or either House

2. dissolve the House of the People

3. dissolve the Council of States

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— The President shall from time to time summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session.

— The President may from time to time —

(a) prorogue the Houses or either House; Hence, statement 1 is correct.

(b) dissolve the House of the People. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The Council of States (Rajya Sabha) is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved — only one-third of its members retire every two years. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Source: Constitution of India)

QUESTION 3

A member holding office as Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of the People —

1. shall vacate his office if he ceases to be a member of the House of the People

2. are appointed directly by the President of India

3. can simultaneously hold a ministerial post in the Union Cabinet

4. may be removed from his office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then members of the House

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1 and 4 only

Explanation

— A member holding office as Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of the People —

(a) shall vacate his office if he ceases to be a member of the House of the People; Hence, statement 1 is correct.

(b) may at any time, by writing under his hand addressed, if such member is the Speaker, to the Deputy Speaker, and if such member is the Deputy Speaker, to the Speaker, resign his office; and

(c) may be removed from his office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then members of the House: Hence, statement 4 is correct.

— Provided that no resolution for the purpose of clause (c) shall be moved unless at least fourteen days’ notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution.

— The Speaker cannot hold any office of profit, including a ministerial position and both Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by the members of the House, not appointed by the President. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are not correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Source: Constitution of India)

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, consider the following statements:

1. The act does not define an ancient monument.

2. It extends to the whole of India except the union territories.

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 Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has prohibited the ritual of animal sacrifice at the Sikandar Badusha Dargah, located atop the Thiruparankundram Hill in Madurai.

— The petitions before the court concerned whether the dargah could continue the practice of animal sacrifice during its annual festival and if such practices are protected under Article 25 of the Constitution. The ruling settles the dispute before the temple and dargah atop a hill, which is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, where religious customs are subject to statutory regulation.

— The Act, Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 extends to the whole of India. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— It defines “Ancient Monument” as any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than 100 years and includes — Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

(i) remains of an ancient monument,

(ii) site of an ancient monument,

(iii) such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument as may be required for fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving such monument, and

(iv) the means of access to, and convenient inspection of, an ancient monument;

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: asichennai.gov.in)

QUESTION 5

With reference to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), consider the following statements:

1. It is governed by a chairman and a body of members, all appointed by the President.

2. The chairman and members serve a fixed term of six years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.

3. Article 320 provides for the functions of the Commission.

4. The UPSC is India’s premier body for conducting examinations for appointments to the All-India Services.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— The UPSC is governed by a chairman and a body of members, all appointed by the President. The Constitution mandates that at least half of the members must have a minimum of ten years of experience in government service. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The chairman and members serve a fixed term of six years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The commission’s work is supported by its secretariat, which includes dedicated wings for examinations and direct recruitment. Earlier this year, Dr. Ajay Kumar, a distinguished retired IAS officer and former Defence Secretary, was appointed as the new Chairman.

— The UPSC’s constitutional mandate is laid out in Articles 315-323 of the Constitution, with Article 320 detailing its core functions. The UPSC is India’s premier body for conducting examinations for appointments to the three All-India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS), the Central Services, and various other key government posts. It also frames and amends recruitment rules for various services and posts. Hence, statements 3 and 4 are correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 128)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 132)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 132)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 132)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 132)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 132)

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