Fill in the Blank – GK Questions

15th FC used 2011 census for population criterion (weight: 15%), while earlier FCs used 1971 census to avoid penalizing States that controlled population growth. Shift to 2011 data reflects demographic reality but raised concerns among high-fertility States. FC balanced this by giving weight to demographic performance (effort to control population) as separate criterion.

CAG (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971: Defines CAG's audit mandate: (a) Union/State accounts, (b) Bodies substantially financed by government funds, (c) Grants/loans to other bodies. Includes compliance, financial, and performance audits. Empowers CAG to access records, summon officials, ensuring comprehensive financial oversight.

Article 243K(2): State Election Commissioner's removal conditions same as High Court Judge (Article 217): Presidential order after Parliament address with special majority. Ensures independence of State Election Commission from State executive, enabling impartial conduct of local elections. Critical for democratic decentralization at grassroots.

Article 280(3): FC recommends: (a) Vertical devolution: share of Union taxes to States (e.g., 41% by 15th FC), (b) Horizontal devolution: distribution among States using criteria like population (1971/2011), area, forest cover, income distance, demographic performance. Balances equity (needier States get more) and efficiency (rewarding reforms).

Article 151(1): CAG reports on Union accounts submitted to President, who lays them before Parliament. Article 151(2): Reports on State accounts submitted to Governor, laid before State Legislature. Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines CAG reports to ensure executive accountability for public expenditure. Critical for legislative financial oversight.

Article 317: UPSC member can be removed by President on grounds of: (a) insolvency, (b) engaging in paid employment outside duties, (c) infirmity of mind/body, (d) misbehaviour. For misbehaviour, President must refer matter to Supreme Court; removal only if SC upholds charges after inquiry. Ensures due process and protects members from arbitrary removal.

Article 315(1): UPSC comprises Chairman + members as President determines. Currently, UPSC has 1 Chairman + up to 10 members. Members appointed by President; half should be civil servants with 10+ years experience. Ensures expertise in recruitment while maintaining institutional independence from executive.

Article 324(5): CEC can be removed only by Presidential order after Parliament passes address with special majority (majority of total membership + 2/3 present and voting) on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. Same procedure as Supreme Court Judge removal (Article 124). Other ECs can be removed only on CEC's recommendation. Ensures EC's independence from executive.

e-GramSwaraj: Web-based platform for Panchayat planning, accounting, monitoring. Integrates with PFMS for direct fund transfers, GIS for asset mapping, and public dashboards for transparency. Part of Digital India initiative to strengthen grassroots governance through technology. Enhances efficiency, accountability, and citizen access to services.

MGNREGA, 2005: Mandates social audit of works by Gram Sabha to ensure transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. Social audit involves public verification of records, expenditure, beneficiary selection. Has been extended to other schemes. Strengthens grassroots democracy by empowering citizens to monitor local governance.

Article 243L: Part IX (Panchayats) has exceptions: States <20 lakhs population, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, hill areas of Manipur, scheduled areas (Fifth Schedule), Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. Article 243M: Part IXA (Municipalities) applies to UTs as President may specify by notification. Allows tailored decentralization for diverse regions.

Article 243ZE: Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) for areas with population >10 lakhs: (a) At least 2/3 members elected by elected members of Municipalities/Panchayats in proportion to population, (b) Chairperson as State law determines. Prepares draft development plan for metropolitan area, ensuring coordinated urban-rural planning.

Article 243S: Wards Committees (comprising elected members from wards) mandatory for Municipalities with population of 3 lakhs or more. Facilitates micro-level planning, citizen participation, and accountability. State Legislatures may constitute Wards Committees for smaller Municipalities. Strengthens participatory urban governance.

74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 added Part IXA (Articles 243P-243ZG) giving constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities). Came into force on 01.06.1993. Complements 73rd Amendment for rural areas. Together, they institutionalize democratic decentralization at grassroots level across India.

Article 243-I: Governor constitutes State Finance Commission every 5 years to: (a) review financial position of Panchayats, (b) recommend principles for tax/grant distribution between State and Panchayats, (c) suggest measures to improve Panchayat finances. Mirrors Union Finance Commission's role for local bodies, ensuring fiscal decentralization.

Article 243D(3): Reservation of seats: (a) SCs/STs in proportion to population, (b) Not less than 1/3 for women (including within SC/ST quotas), (c) States may reserve for OBCs. Chairperson positions also reserved similarly. 73rd Amendment made India a global leader in women's political representation at local level.

Article 352(4): Emergency proclamation must be laid before each House and approved within one month by special majority (majority of total membership + 2/3 present and voting). If Lok Sabha is dissolved, Rajya Sabha approves, but Lok Sabha must approve within 30 days of reconstitution. 44th Amendment (1978) tightened approval requirements to prevent misuse.

Article 131 proviso: SC's original jurisdiction in federal disputes excludes matters arising from treaties, agreements, covenants, engagements, sanads entered into before Constitution commencement and continuing thereafter. Such disputes resolved per terms of instrument. Preserves historical arrangements while enabling judicial resolution of new federal conflicts.

Article 360(3): During Financial Emergency, President may issue directions to States: (a) observe canons of financial propriety, (b) reduce salaries of government servants including HC Judges, (c) reserve Money Bills for Presidential consideration. Never invoked in India. Designed to protect national financial stability.

Article 343(2): English to continue for 15 years (till 1965) for official Union purposes. Official Languages Act, 1963 extended English indefinitely alongside Hindi. Article 345 allows States to adopt official language(s). Article 346 provides for language for communication between States and with Union. Balances national integration with linguistic diversity.