Medium Level – GK Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Answer: True

Article 243T: Reservation in Municipalities mirrors Panchayats: (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. Has significantly increased women's representation in urban local governance.

Answer: Cantonment Board

Article 243Q: Three types of Municipalities based on population, density, revenue: (a) Nagar Panchayat (transitional area), (b) Municipal Council (smaller urban area), (c) Municipal Corporation (larger urban area). Cantonment Boards are under Ministry of Defence, governed by Cantonments Act, 2006, not Part IXA.