Constitutional Bodies

292

Q15. Match CAG, Finance Commission, Administrative Tribunal and UPSC to Articles 148, 280, 323A and 315. Which mapping is right?

[UPPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2016]

1. CAG–148, FC–280, Tribunal–323A, UPSC–315
2. CAG–148, FC–323A, Tribunal–280, UPSC–315
3. CAG–315, FC–280, Tribunal–323A, UPSC–148
4. CAG–323A, FC–315, Tribunal–148, UPSC–280

Answer: (A) CAG–148, FC–280, Tribunal–323A, UPSC–315

Explanation: The Constitution places the CAG under Article 148, Finance Commission under Article 280, administrative tribunals under Article 323A and Public Service Commissions under Article 315. These are distinct constitutional provisions.

Q14. What is the constitutional status of a State Finance Commission?

[UPPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2016]

1. Legal body only
2. Non-statutory body
3. Constitutional body
4. None of these

Answer: (C) Constitutional body

Explanation: State Finance Commissions are constitutional bodies established under Articles 243I and 243Y. Their five-year reviews help determine financial arrangements for Panchayats and Municipalities within each State.

Q13. Who suggested merging the Finance Commission and Planning Commission?

[MPPSC General Studies Official Paper 2015]

1. D. D. Basu
2. Bhalchandra Goswami
3. M. V. Mathur
4. Ashutosh Pandey

Answer: (C) M. V. Mathur

Explanation: M. V. Mathur was associated with the proposal to merge the Finance and Planning Commissions. The Finance Commission has constitutional backing through Article 280, unlike the erstwhile executive Planning Commission.

Q12. Assertion: State Finance Commission is constitutional.
Reason: Union Finance Commission cannot recommend support for Panchayats.

Select correct.

[UPPSC Civil Services Preliminary, 10 May 2015]

1. Both true; reason explains
2. Both true; not explanation
3. Assertion true; reason false
4. Assertion false; reason true

Answer: (C) Assertion true; reason false

Explanation: State Finance Commissions are constitutional institutions under Article 243I. But the Union Finance Commission can recommend measures under Article 280 to augment State funds supporting Panchayats; therefore the reason is false.

Q11. Which Article contains the core provision concerning the Election Commission?

[MPPSC General Studies Official Paper 2014]

1. Article 320
2. Article 322
3. Article 324
4. None of these

Answer: (C) Article 324

Explanation: Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control over specified election processes in the Election Commission of India. Articles 320 and 322 relate to Public Service Commission functions and expenses, respectively.

Q10. Can the Attorney General of India (
1) participate in Lok Sabha proceedings,
(2) sit on its committee,
(3) speak there,
(4) vote there?

Which apply?

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2013]

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 4
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. 1 and 3 only

Answer: (C) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: The Attorney General may speak in and participate in parliamentary proceedings, joint sittings and committees to which the officeholder belongs. The special right under Article 88 never includes voting power.

Q9. CAG claims:
I. controls exchequer in emergencies;
II. PAC discusses its project audits;
III. audits may inform investigators;
IV. has prosecution powers for companies.

Which correct?

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2012]

1. I, II and IV only
2. II only
3. II and III only
4. All four

Answer: (C) II and III only

Explanation: The Public Accounts Committee examines CAG findings, and audit evidence may assist investigations. The CAG neither exercises emergency exchequer control nor possesses prosecution powers over audited companies.

Q8. Regarding Thirteenth Finance Commission:
I. GST design with compensation;
II. plan for lakhs of new jobs;
III. local-body grants.

Which correct?

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2012]

1. I only
2. II and III only
3. I and III only
4. All three

Answer: (C) I and III only

Explanation: The Thirteenth Finance Commission discussed a GST framework and compensation arrangements, as well as grants benefiting local bodies. A ten-year job-creation design was not one of the specified recommendations in this question.

Q7. Who chaired the Thirteenth Finance Commission?

[UPPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2012]

1. Indira Rajaraman
2. C. Rangarajan
3. Vijay Kelkar
4. None of these

Answer: (C) Vijay Kelkar

Explanation: Vijay Kelkar chaired the Thirteenth Finance Commission, constituted in 2007. Its recommendations covered financial arrangements for 2010–15, including Centre–State tax sharing and grants.

Q6. Which statement describes the Finance Commission: encourages foreign investment; shares funds among PSUs; assures financial-administration transparency; or none?

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2011]

1. Encourages external investment
2. Distributes funds among PSUs
3. Ensures all financial transparency
4. None of the above

Answer: (D) None of the above

Explanation: The Finance Commission’s constitutional focus is on Union–State tax distribution and grants, not foreign investment, public-enterprise allocations or government audit. Financial transparency through examination of accounts is associated more directly with the CAG.