The 2020 Codex
Questions 1 to 10 (Set A)
Consider the following statements:
1. Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months.
2. State cannot enter into any contract with private corporations for sharing of Aadhaar data.
3. Aadhaar is mandatory for obtaining insurance products.
4. Aadhaar is mandatory for getting benefits funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (b) 2 and 4 only
This question directly tests the monumental 2018 Supreme Court Aadhaar Verdict (Justice K.S. Puttaswamy case).
Statement 1 is False: The Supreme Court struck down the regulation allowing storage of metadata for 5 years, restricting it to 6 months, not 3 months.
Statement 2 is True: The Court famously struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act, declaring it unconstitutional for the state to allow private corporations (like telecom companies or banks) to demand or share biometric Aadhaar data.
Statement 3 is False: Aadhaar is not mandatory for opening bank accounts, getting mobile connections, or obtaining insurance.
Statement 4 is True: Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act was upheld. If a citizen is receiving a subsidy, benefit, or service drawn from the Consolidated Fund of India, the government can mandate Aadhaar.
Route: [REALM 34: Digital Identity & Public Service Delivery] & [REALM 195: Privacy & Data Governance]The Supreme Boundaries
The Absolute Balance
Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (b) amending the Constitution
In India's bicameral system, powers are carefully distributed:
- Creating new All India Services (Art 312): This is the exclusive privilege of the Rajya Sabha. It requires a special resolution from the upper house.
- Removal of government / Cut motions: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha (Art 75). Only the Lok Sabha can pass a No-Confidence Motion or vote on Cut Motions (which relate to the Budget/Money).
- Amending the Constitution (Art 368): Here, both houses have absolutely equal powers. A constitutional amendment bill must be passed by a special majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha separately. There is no provision for a joint sitting.
With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct?
1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.
2. A specified portion of each MP's fund must benefit SC/ST populations.
3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year.
4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year.
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (d) 1, 2 and 4 only
Statement 1 is True: The core objective of MPLADS is to enable MPs to recommend works of a developmental nature with emphasis on the creation of durable community assets.
Statement 2 is True: The guidelines strictly mandate that 15% of MPLADS funds must be recommended for areas inhabited by SC population and 7.5% for ST population.
Statement 3 is False: This is the trap. MPLADS funds are uniquely non-lapsable. If an MP doesn't spend their ₹5 crore quota in one year, it is carried forward to the next year.
Statement 4 is True: Accountability mechanisms require the District Authority to inspect at least 10% of the works under implementation every year.
Route: [REALM 113: MPLADS e-SAKSHI]The Non-Lapsable Purse
The Pillar of Parity
Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability as a form of discrimination?
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (d) Right to Equality
The abolition of untouchability is explicitly enshrined in Article 17 of the Constitution. The Fundamental Rights are grouped logically into categories. Articles 14 through 18 constitute the Right to Equality. Therefore, protection against untouchability is fundamentally a protection of equal status and dignity under the law.
Note: Right against Exploitation covers Articles 23 & 24 (human trafficking and child labor). Right to Freedom covers Articles 19-22.
Route: [REALM 32: Right to Equality]In India, separation of judiciary from the executive is enjoined by
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (b) a Directive Principle of State Policy
This is a direct citation of Article 50 of the Constitution, which lies in Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy). Article 50 explicitly states: "The State shall take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State." This ensures that executive officers (like District Collectors) do not simultaneously wield judicial powers, safeguarding the independence of the courts.
Route: [REALM 52: Administrative & Liberal DPSP]The Wedge of Article 50
The Fiscal Mandate
Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the Parliament which include "The Macro Economic Framework Statement". The aforesaid document is presented because this is mandated by
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (d) Provisions of the FRBM Act, 2003
While the Annual Financial Statement (Budget) is mandated by Article 112 of the Constitution, the presentation of "The Macro Economic Framework Statement" is not a constitutional requirement. It was made a statutory requirement under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act of 2003. The FRBM Act forces the government to submit this statement, along with the Medium-Term Fiscal Policy Statement, to ensure transparency regarding the country's macroeconomic health and debt trajectory.
Route: [REALM 88: Budget Analysis]A constitutional government by definition is a
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (d) limited government
This is a foundational concept in political science. The primary purpose of a Constitution is not just to establish a government, but to draw a strict boundary around its powers. A "Constitutional Government" means a government whose powers are legally constrained (via fundamental rights, checks and balances) so that it cannot act tyrannically. Thus, by definition, it is a limited government.
Route: [REALM 258: Checks & Balances] & [REALM 256: Rule of Law]The Sovereign's Leash
The Universal Light
Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)?
1. Preamble
2. Directive Principles of State Policy
3. Fundamental Duties
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (d) 1, 2 and 3
The UDHR heavily influenced the framers of the Indian Constitution.
- Preamble: Reflects UDHR principles of dignity, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
- Directive Principles (DPSP): Directly reflects Articles 22-27 of the UDHR, which deal with economic, social, and cultural rights (right to work, standard of living, education).
- Fundamental Duties: Article 29(1) of the UDHR explicitly states, "Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible." This is mirrored in India's Part IVA.
In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?
1. Person with an annual income of less than ₹ 1,00,000
2. Transgender with an annual income of less than ₹ 2,00,000
3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than ₹ 3,00,000
4. All Senior Citizens
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (a) 1 and 2 only
The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 provides free legal aid to specific vulnerable sections (like women, children, SC/ST, victims of trafficking) regardless of income. For others, income limits apply.
Statement 1 & 2 are True: A general category citizen is eligible if their annual income is less than ₹1,00,000 (though some states have raised this recently). Transgender persons are eligible if their income is less than ₹2,00,000.
Statement 3 & 4 are False: There is no uniform national provision specifically setting an OBC limit at ₹3 lakh. Furthermore, "All" senior citizens are not automatically eligible; eligibility for senior citizens depends on the specific rules framed by respective State Governments, usually capping it at an income of ₹2,00,000.
Route: [REALM 192: NALSA & Legal Aid]The Free Scales
The Global Pacts
Consider the following pairs: International agreement/set-up vs Subject
| 1. Alma-Ata Declaration | Healthcare of the people |
| 2. Hague Convention | Biological and chemical weapons |
| 3. Talanoa Dialogue | Global climate change |
| 4. Under2 Coalition | Child rights |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (c) 1 and 3 only
This is a broad mapping of global treaties:
- 1. Alma-Ata (1978): True. A milestone declaration by the WHO calling for "Health for All" and primary healthcare.
- 2. Hague Convention: False. While the early Hague conventions dealt with laws of war, modern references usually refer to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Bio/Chem weapons are governed by the BWC and CWC.
- 3. Talanoa Dialogue: True. Launched at COP23 (presided by Fiji), it is a Pacific-island concept of inclusive dialogue used in UNFCCC climate change negotiations.
- 4. Under2 Coalition: False. It has nothing to do with children. It is a coalition of sub-national governments (states/cities) committed to keeping global temperature rises "Under 2 degrees Celsius."