UPSC Prelims 2011 Analysis

Explanation

The Consolidated Fund of India is the most important of all government accounts.

This fund was constituted under Article 266 (1) of the Constitution of India. All revenues received by the government by way of direct taxes and indirect taxes, money borrowed and receipts from loans given by the government flow into the Consolidated Fund of India.

All government expenditure is made from this fund, except for some items which are met from the Contingency Fund or the Public Account.

Explanation

In India, if a religious sect/community is designated as a national minority, it is entitled to establish and administer its exclusive educational institutions under Article 30 of the Indian Constitution. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

There is no provision for the automatic nomination of a representative to the Lok Sabha for a national minority. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Minorities can take benefits out of the benefits from the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme. Therefore, only statement 3 is correct.

Explanation

To develop the scientific temper This duty encourages rationality and critical thinking.

To safeguard public property This duty promotes responsible citizenship and discourages vandalism.

To abide by the constitution and respect its ideals This is a foundational duty, emphasizing respect for the law and the core values of the Constitution.

To vote in public elections (Not a fundamental duty) While voting is a vital right and responsibility in a democracy, the Constitution doesn't list it as a fundamental duty. It emphasizes respecting the Constitution and its ideals, which might encompass upholding democratic processes like voting.

Explanation

In India, if the annual Union Budget is not passed by the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament), the most likely consequence is

The Prime Minister submits the resignation of Council of Ministers.

This is because passing the budget is a crucial function of the government, and failing to do so signifies a loss of confidence in the ruling party's ability to manage the country's finances.

Explanation

The Constitution of India makes it mandatory for the States to set up Metropolitan Planning Committees (MPCs) in the metropolitan areas of the country. A metropolitan area is defined as an area having a population of 1 million.

According to Article 243ZE(1), there shall be constituted in every Metropolitan area a Metropolitan Planning Committee to prepare a draft development plan for the Metropolitan area as a whole.

It does not have the sole responsibility of implemneting government sponsored schemes, which is rather the responsivility of the city administration.

Explanation

A vote-on-account contains only the expenditure of the government's budget while an Interim Budget is a complete set of accounts i.e. it includes both expenditure and receipts. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Vote-on-account is passed every year and is used by both the regular and caretaker government. An interim budget essentially means the government seeks the approval of Parliament for meeting expenditure until a new government takes over and presents a full Budget. An Interim Budget gives a complete financial statement that is very similar to a full Budget. Interim Budgets also can be presented by all governments whether incumbent or regular or caretaker. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

Explanation

Karl Marx explained the process of class struggle with the help of Dialectical Materialism.

• Dialectical materialism is a philosophical and sociological theory that emphasizes the role of social conflict in historical change.
• It argues that history progresses through a series of clashes between opposing forces, such as the ruling class and the working class.
• Marx believed that these conflicts would ultimately lead to a socialist revolution and a classless society.

The other options are not as relevant to Marx's theory of class struggle

• Empirical Liberalism focuses on individual rights and freedoms, not class conflict.
• Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom and responsibility.
• Darwin's theory of evolution explains the development of species through natural selection, not social change.

Explanation

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the right to education (Statement 1) is a fundamental human right. Everyone has the right to education and it should be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. The right to equal access to public service (Statement 2) is also a human right under the UDHR. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. Lastly, the right to food (Statement 3) is also a human right under the UDHR.

Explanation

The Constitution (Seventy-Fourth Amendment) Act, 1992 provides for the constitution of District Planning Committees (DPCs) to prepare development plans at the district level. This makes the first statement incorrect. The second statement is correct as the Act provides for the State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections. The third statement is correct as well because the Act provides for the establishment of State Finance Commissions to review the financial position of the panchayats. Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Explanation

The Consolidated Fund of India is the most important of all government accounts. Revenues received by the government and expenses made by it, excluding some items (like provident fund deposits, judicial deposits, saving bank deposits, departmental deposits), are part of the Consolidated Fund. This fund was constituted under Article 266 (1) of the Constitution of India. All revenues received by the government by way of direct taxes and indirect taxes, money borrowed, and receipts from loans given by the government flow into the Consolidated Fund of India. All government expenditure is made from this fund, except for some items which are met from the Contingency Fund or the Public Account. Importantly, no money can be withdrawn from this fund without the Parliament's approval.

Explanation

The correct answer is D. None of the statements a, b and c given above is correct in this context.

The Finance Commission of India is not directly responsible for

A. Encouraging foreign capital inflow (This is more related to government policies and initiatives) B. Distribution of finances among Public Sector Undertakings (This is typically handled by the Ministry of Finance or relevant administrative ministries) C. Ensuring transparency in financial administration (While transparency is important in its work, the Finance Commission's primary focus is on resource allocation)

The Finance Commission's main function is to recommend the distribution of tax revenue and other financial resources between the central government and the state governments, and also among the states themselves. It plays a crucial role in India's federal fiscal system.