QUESTION 1

Consider the following statements:

1. The 93rd Amendment Act of 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

2. The National Panchayati Raj Day was established in 2012.

3. The Panchayati Raj System gives local bodies power to govern themselves and promotes participatory democracy.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 2

Consider the following statements:

1. The largest number of Indians who relinquished Indian citizenship in 2021 went to Canada.

2. Taking up the citizenship of another country automatically results in the cancellation of Indian citizenship.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

QUESTION 3

Which of the following articles of the Constitution of India provides for the power of the President to grant pardons, and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases?

(a) Article 70

(b) Article 71

(c) Article 72

(d) Article 73

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Constitution Day, consider the following statements:

1. Constitution Day is celebrated on November 26.

2. It was declared in 2003.

3. It is a public holiday.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 5

Consider the following:

1. To promote international peace and security.

2. To maintain just and honorable relations between nations.

3. To encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

How many of the above are included under the directive principles of state policies?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

ANSWERS TO THE MCQs

1. (a)

FYI:

— Every year in April, India celebrates National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24 to honor the establishment of the Panchayati Raj System.

— The Panchayati Raj System represents a huge step towards grassroots democracy and rural empowerment. The system encourages participatory democracy by empowering local bodies to govern themselves. This allows individuals to actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their communities. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— National Panchayati Raj Day emphasizes the importance of decentralized government in ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.

— This year marks the 31st year of National Panchayati Raj Day, which is observed on April 24th. The day was established in 1993following the passage of the 73rd Amendment Act, which instituted a three-tier structure at the village, block, and district levels. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The 73rd Amendment Act of 1992which went into effect on April 24, 1993, granted constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), a watershed milestone in the history of political authority decentralization at the grassroots level. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

2. (b)

FYI:

— The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that over 1.6 lakh Indians relinquished their Indian citizenship in 2021.

— According to government data, the largest number of Indians who relinquished Indian citizenship in 2021 went to the United States (78,284), followed by Australia (23,533), Canada (21,597), and the United Kingdom (14,637). Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— India does not allow dual citizenship, and taking up the citizenship of another country automatically results in the cancellation of Indian citizenship. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The reasons differ between countries and within socioeconomic and ethnic groupings. People leave their home countries in search of better jobs and living conditions, and some are driven out by climate change or adverse political situations.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

3. (c)

FYI:

— Article 72 of the Constitution of India provides for the power of President to grant pardons and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases..

— The President shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence—

(a) in all cases where the punishment or sentence is by a Court Martial;

(b) in all cases where the punishment or sentence is for an offense against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends;

(c) in all cases where the sentence is a sentence of death.

(2) Nothing in sub-clause (a) of clause (1) shall affect the power conferred by law on any officer of the Armed Forces of the Union to suspend, remit or commute a sentence passed by a Court Martial.

(3) Nothing in sub-clause (c) of clause (1) shall affect the power to suspend, remit or commute a sentence of death exercisable by the Governor of a State under any law for the time being in force.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Source: Constitution of India)

4. (a)

FYI:

— Constitution Day is celebrated on November 26 every year to mark the day on which the Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The Drafting Committee of the Constitution was headed by BR Ambedkar who is often referred to as the ‘architect of the Indian Constitution’.

— On December 9, 1947, the Constituent Assembly had its first session, with 207 members in attendance.

— Over the next two years, the group made key choices about the Constitution’s objectives, principles, and other characteristics. It was finally adopted on November 26, 1949, and went into effect two months later, on January 26, 1950, which is known as Republic Day.

— The government declared November 26 to be observed as Constitution Day on November 19, 2015. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Constitution Day is not a public holiday. However, schools, universities and other cultural and educational institutions are advised to observe the day by disseminating information on the Constitution through quizzes, debates, extempore etc. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

5. (c)

FYI:

— Article 51 of the Constitution of India provides for the promotion of international peace and security.

— The State shall endeavor to—

(a) promote international peace and security;

(b) maintain just and honorable relations between nations;

(c) foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organized peoples with one another; and

(d) encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Source: Constitution of India)