60. India borrowed the Cabinet form of government principally from which country?
[SSC MTS 2022 Cycle, held 16 May 2023, Shift 2]
(A) United Kingdom
(B) France
(C) South Africa
(D) Australia
Answer: (A) United Kingdom
Explanation: India’s Cabinet system draws from Britain’s Westminster parliamentary tradition. Ministers collectively lead executive administration and are accountable to the popularly elected House. India adapted the model to a written Constitution with judicial review and a republican head of state.
59. Which British constitutional feature was adopted by India?
[SSC MTS 2022 Cycle, held 15 May 2023, Shift 2]
(A) Directive Principles
(B) Cabinet system
(C) Fundamental Duties
(D) Concurrent List
Answer: (B) Cabinet system
Explanation: The Cabinet system came primarily from Britain. Directive Principles drew from Ireland, Fundamental Duties from the former Soviet Union, and the Concurrent List from Australia. These borrowings were adapted to India’s constitutional framework rather than copied without change.
58. Which amendment inserted the word “Cabinet” in the Constitution?
[Andhra Pradesh Police Constable Prelims, 22 January 2023]
(A) 42nd Amendment
(B) 24th Amendment
(C) 44th Amendment
(D) 45th Amendment
Answer: (C) 44th Amendment
Explanation: The Forty-fourth Amendment inserted a reference to the Union Cabinet in Article 352 concerning advice for proclaiming a National Emergency. The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister and Cabinet-rank ministers, a smaller body than the full Council of Ministers.
57. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved PM Vishwakarma in August 2023 with what outlay?
[PGCIL Diploma Trainee Civil, 5 December 2023, Shift 2]
(A) ₹8,000 crore
(B) ₹9,000 crore
(C) ₹11,000 crore
(D) ₹13,000 crore
Answer: (D) ₹13,000 crore
Explanation: The approved outlay was ₹13,000 crore for the PM Vishwakarma scheme. The initiative supports traditional artisans and craft workers through training, equipment and related assistance. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs considers major economic-policy and spending proposals.
56. Consider the 1989 Lok Sabha election:
(i) it signalled the end of the dominant Congress system;
(ii) Congress remained the single largest party.
[Rajasthan RAS Prelims, 2023]
(A) Neither statement
(B) Both statements
(C) Only (ii)
(D) Only (i)
Answer: (B) Both statements
Explanation: The 1989 election weakened the earlier pattern of Congress dominance and advanced coalition politics. Congress remained the largest single party by seats but lacked a governing majority. The National Front formed a government with outside support from other parties.
55. Which parliamentary committee examines the CAG’s audit reports?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims, 12 June 2022]
(A) Public Accounts Committee
(B) Committee on Public Undertakings
(C) Estimates Committee
(D) None of these
Answer: (A) Public Accounts Committee
Explanation: The Public Accounts Committee examines CAG audit reports along with Union government accounts. It assesses whether expenditure was authorised and properly recorded. Unlike the Estimates Committee, its scrutiny focuses chiefly on expenditure already incurred and reported.
54. Check:
(1) Estimates Committee is ad hoc;
(2) Railway Convention Committee is a standing committee.
Which statement is correct?
[CDS-I General Knowledge, 10 April 2022]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: The Estimates Committee is a standing financial committee, not ad hoc. The Railway Convention Committee was conventionally classified as ad hoc, not standing. The question therefore makes two incorrect classifications, highlighting the difference between continuing and purpose-specific committees.
53. How many among M. A. Ayyangar, G. S. Dhillon, Balram Jakhar and P. A. Sangma served as Lok Sabha Speaker?
[CDS-II General Knowledge, 4 September 2022]
(A) One
(B) Two
(C) Three
(D) Four
Answer: (D) Four
Explanation: All four politicians served as Lok Sabha Speaker in different periods. The office is elected by the House from its members. The Speaker presides over debates, interprets procedural rules and plays a central role in legislative business.
52. Which parliamentary standing committee has no Rajya Sabha members?
[CUET General Test, 6 October 2022]
(A) Public Accounts Committee
(B) Estimates Committee
(C) Committee on Public Undertakings
(D) Committee on Government Assurances
Answer: (B) Estimates Committee
Explanation: The Estimates Committee consists exclusively of thirty Lok Sabha members. PAC and the Committee on Public Undertakings contain members from both Houses. The Estimates Committee examines budget estimates and recommends savings, organisational improvements and administrative efficiency.
51. When did the Provisional Parliament adopt the motion for the first Estimates Committee?
[JSSC Junior Engineer Re-examination, 23 October 2022]
(A) 8 March 1948
(B) 15 October 1951
(C) 21 June 1954
(D) 3 April 1950
Answer: (D) 3 April 1950
Explanation: On 3 April 1950, the Provisional Parliament adopted the motion to elect the first post-Independence Estimates Committee. Members were then elected in April. The committee emerged to strengthen legislative scrutiny of expenditure estimates and administrative economy.
