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The Chairman of State Public Service Commission is appointed by the ______.
- Chief Minister
- Governor
- President
- Chief Justice of High Court
Answer: Governor
Article 316(1): SPSC Chairman and members appointed by Governor. However, removal conditions same as UPSC: President can remove on Supreme Court inquiry report for misbehaviour. Ensures SPSC independence from State executive while maintaining accountability. SPSC advises State government on recruitment, promotions, disciplinary matters.
Under Article 243K, the State Election Commission conducts elections to Panchayats and Municipalities, and the State Election Commissioner can be removed only on grounds and in manner as a Judge of ______.
- District Court
- High Court
- Supreme Court
- Administrative Tribunal
Answer: High Court
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.
Which of the following is a common feature of Election Commission, UPSC, and CAG?
- Members appointed by Prime Minister
- Expenses charged on Consolidated Fund
- Removal by simple Parliamentary majority
- Fixed tenure of 6 years
Answer: Expenses charged on Consolidated Fund
Common safeguards for independence: (a) Expenses charged on Consolidated Fund (Articles 322, 148, 324), (b) Removal only via special Parliamentary procedure (like SC Judge), (c) Fixed tenure (CEC: 6 years/65 years; UPSC: 6 years/65; CAG: 6 years/65), (d) Post-tenure restrictions on employment. These insulate constitutional bodies from executive pressure.
The recommendations of the Finance Commission are binding on the Union and State Governments.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 280(3): Finance Commission recommendations are advisory, not binding. However, by convention and political consensus, most recommendations are accepted. President lays FC report before Parliament with action-taken report. States often lobby for favorable devolution. FC's moral authority and technical expertise ensure significant influence on fiscal policy.
The reports of the CAG relating to Union accounts are submitted to the ______, who causes them to be laid before Parliament.
- Prime Minister
- Finance Minister
- President
- Speaker
Answer: President
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.
The CAG audits only the expenditures of the Union Government and not those of State Governments.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 149: CAG audits: (a) Union Government accounts, (b) State Government accounts, (c) Bodies substantially financed by Union/State funds (as Parliament/State Legislature may prescribe). CAG reports on Union accounts submitted to President (laid before Parliament); on State accounts to Governor (laid before State Legislature). Ensures financial accountability at all levels.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is appointed by the President and can be removed from office in like manner as a ______.
- Governor
- High Court Judge
- Supreme Court Judge
- Chief Election Commissioner
Answer: Supreme Court Judge
Article 148(1): CAG appointed by President. Article 148(1) proviso: CAG can be removed only like Supreme Court Judge (Article 124): Presidential order after Parliament address with special majority on grounds of proved misbehaviour/incapacity. Ensures CAG's independence to audit government accounts without fear or favour.
The expenses of UPSC, including salaries and pensions of members, are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 322: UPSC expenses charged on Consolidated Fund of India (not subject to annual parliamentary vote). Similar provision for State PSCs (Article 322). Financial insulation protects UPSC from executive pressure, ensuring impartial conduct of recruitment and advisory functions. Critical for merit-based civil services.
Which of the following is NOT a function of UPSC under Article 320?
- Conducting examinations for Union services
- Advising on disciplinary matters affecting civil servants
- Appointing officers to All India Services
- Advising on suitability of candidates for promotions
Answer: Appointing officers to All India Services
Article 320: UPSC functions include: (a) Conduct exams for Union services, (b) Advise on appointments, promotions, transfers, disciplinary matters, (c) Advise on suitability of candidates. However, appointments to All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFoS) are made by President; UPSC only conducts exams and recommends candidates. Executive makes final appointments.
The Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates is a statutory provision enforceable by courts.
- True
- False
Answer: False
MCC is not statutory; it's a set of guidelines evolved by consensus among political parties and enforced by EC under Article 324's plenary powers. Violations can lead to EC actions: censure, campaign ban, derecognition, but not criminal prosecution. Supreme Court has upheld EC's power to enforce MCC as part of 'direction and control' of elections.
Under Article 324, the superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and offices of President and Vice President is vested in the ______.
- Union Home Ministry
- Election Commission
- Supreme Court
- President
Answer: Election Commission
Article 324(1): EC has plenary power over: (a) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections, (b) State Legislative Assembly and Council elections, (c) Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections. Includes preparation of electoral rolls, conduct of polls, enforcement of model code, recognition of parties. Makes EC one of world's most powerful election authorities.
The Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 324(2): President appoints CEC and ECs. Conventionally, appointments made based on recommendations of selection committee. 2023 Supreme Court judgment (Anoop Baranwal case) mandated selection committee: PM + Leader of Opposition + CJI. Parliament can make alternative law; as of 2024, new law under consideration. Aims to depoliticize appointments.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj's ______ initiative aims to digitize Panchayat functions, improve transparency, and enable direct benefit transfers.
- e-GramSwaraj
- Digital India
- Smart Cities
- UMANG
Answer: e-GramSwaraj
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.
Studies show that reservation for women in Panchayats has led to increased investment in public goods like water, roads, and education, reflecting women's policy priorities.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Research (e.g., Chattopadhyay & Duflo, 2004) indicates women leaders in Panchayats prioritize public goods aligned with women's needs: drinking water, sanitation, education, health. Reservation has also increased women's political participation beyond quotas, challenged gender stereotypes, and empowered women at grassroots. Demonstrates transformative potential of inclusive decentralization.
The concept of social audit of Panchayat/Municipality works by Gram Sabha/Wards Committee is promoted under the ______ Act, 2005.
- Right to Information
- Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
- National Rural Health Mission
- Swachh Bharat
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
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.
The 73rd and 74th Amendments have successfully ensured regular elections, reservation implementation, and financial devolution to local bodies across all States.
- True
- False
Answer: False
While 73rd/74th Amendments institutionalized local self-government, implementation gaps persist: (a) Irregular elections in some States, (b) Inadequate devolution of functions/funds/functionaries (3 Fs), (c) Limited capacity building, (d) Political interference in State Election Commissions. Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2007) highlighted need for genuine empowerment. Progress is uneven but significant.
Accounts of Panchayats and Municipalities are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India directly.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 243J: State Legislature may make provisions for maintenance/audit of Panchayat/Municipality accounts. CAG audits only if State law so provides. Most States have local fund audit departments. CAG's role is limited to grants/loans from Consolidated Fund. Ensures accountability while respecting State autonomy over local bodies.
Disqualification for membership of Panchayats/Municipalities is determined by State Legislature, subject to provisions of which Article?
- Article 243F
- Article 243G
- Article 243H
- Article 243I
Answer: Article 243F
Article 243F: Disqualifications for Panchayat/Municipality membership: (a) As per State law, (b) Subject to Constitution: unsound mind (court declaration), undischarged insolvent, holding office of profit (as State law determines). State Election Commission decides disqualification questions. Balances State flexibility with constitutional safeguards.
The Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution, added by 74th Amendment, contains how many functional items for Municipalities?
- 12
- 18
- 29
- 35
Answer: 18
Twelfth Schedule (Article 243W): 18 functional items for Municipalities including urban planning, regulation of land use, water supply, public health, slum improvement, urban poverty alleviation, parks, gardens, cemeteries, fire services, vital statistics, etc. States devolve powers/functions to Municipalities by law, enabling effective urban service delivery.
Under Article 243S, Wards Committees must be constituted in Municipalities with population of ______ lakhs or more.
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 10
Answer: 3
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.