Constitutional Bodies

293

Q75. A party winning at least four Lok Sabha seats and 6% valid votes in four States may qualify as a national party. What is that vote threshold?

[SSC MTS, 1 October 2024 (Shift 1)]

1. Eight per cent
2. Three per cent
3. One per cent
4. Six per cent

Answer: (D) Six per cent

Explanation: The Election Symbols Order provides various routes to recognition as a national party. One route requires at least six per cent of valid votes in four or more States along with four Lok Sabha seats.

Q74. Who was appointed a national icon by the Election Commission to promote participation before the 2024 polls?

[SSC GD Constable, 26 February 2024 (Shift 2)]

1. M. S. Dhoni
2. Amitabh Bachchan
3. Aamir Khan
4. Sachin Tendulkar

Answer: (D) Sachin Tendulkar

Explanation: The Election Commission associated Sachin Tendulkar with voter-awareness campaigns to motivate eligible electors, particularly younger voters. The initiative aligned with the Commission’s broader voter-education and participation activities.

Q73. Of the following, how many are constitutional bodies:
National Commission for Backward Classes,
National Human Rights Commission,
Law Commission,
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2023]

1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. All four

Answer: (A) One

Explanation: Only the National Commission for Backward Classes is constitutional, under Article 338B. The NHRC and consumer disputes commission are statutory institutions, while the Law Commission is constituted through executive arrangements.

Q72. For Fifteenth Finance Commission horizontal devolution, how many were used besides population,
area and income distance: demographic performance, forest/ecology, governance reform, stable government, tax/fiscal effort?

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2023]

1. Two
2. Three
3. Four
4. Five

Answer: (B) Three

Explanation: The Fifteenth Finance Commission considered demographic performance, forest and ecology, and tax and fiscal efforts. Stable government and general governance reforms were not criteria in the horizontal tax-devolution formula.

Q71. What was the maximum prescribed tenure of India’s Comptroller and Auditor General?

[MPPSC State Services Preliminary GS-I, 17 December 2023]

1. Four years
2. Five years
3. Six years
4. Seven years

Answer: (C) Six years

Explanation: The CAG normally serves for six years from taking office or until attaining age sixty-five, whichever occurs first. The CAG enjoys significant institutional safeguards for independent auditing of Union and State public expenditure.

Q70. Who chaired the Twelfth Finance Commission of India?

[MPPSC State Services Preliminary GS-I, 17 December 2023]

1. A. M. Khusro
2. C. Rangarajan
3. Vijay Kelkar
4. Y. V. Reddy

Answer: (B) C. Rangarajan

Explanation: C. Rangarajan chaired the Twelfth Finance Commission constituted in 2002. Finance Commissions are periodically established under Article 280 to recommend sharing of tax proceeds and principles for grants-in-aid.

Q69. Union Finance Commission statements:
I. consists of a Chairperson and six members;
II. submits its report to NITI Aayog.

Which correct?

[UPPSC PCS Preliminary GS-I, 14 May 2023]

1. Both
2. II only
3. Neither
4. I only

Answer: (C) Neither

Explanation: The Finance Commission consists of a Chairperson and four other members. It submits its report to the President, not NITI Aayog; its fiscal recommendations are constitutional but advisory in nature.

Q68. Which institution formally recognizes political parties in India?

[WBCS Mains (Polity and Economy) 2023]

1. Election Commission
2. Lok Sabha Speaker
3. President
4. Law Commission

Answer: (A) Election Commission

Explanation: The Election Commission recognizes national and State political parties using criteria under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. Recognition also determines entitlement to reserved election symbols and related privileges.

Q67. Who appoints the members of the Election Commission of India?

[WBCS Mains (Polity and Economy) 2023]

1. Vice-President
2. Prime Minister
3. Chief Justice of India
4. President

Answer: (D) President

Explanation: Under Article 324, appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners is formally made by the President, subject to parliamentary legislation governing the selection process and conditions of service.

Q66. Which Article establishes the office of the Attorney General of India?

[WBCS Mains (Polity and Economy) 2023]

1. Article 78
2. Article 76
3. Article 67
4. Article 113

Answer: (B) Article 76

Explanation: Article 76 establishes the Attorney General, appointed by the President from persons qualified to become Supreme Court judges. The Attorney General acts as the Union’s leading legal adviser and enjoys a right of audience throughout India.