ASKiIMAN™
NEXUS / 2024 / GS1
00:00:00 · 00 XXX 0000

UPSC 2024: Nexus 61—70

Constituent Assembly, Money Bills, Tri-Service Ranks & Population Pyramids. [Set A]

Question 61

Constitutional History

Who was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?

  • (a) C. Rajagopalachari
  • (b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
  • (c) T.T. Krishnamachari
  • (d) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha

Official Verdict: (d) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha

The Core Concept: Following the established French parliamentary practice of honoring the oldest member, Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member of the Constituent Assembly, was appointed as its temporary/provisional President during its very first meeting on December 9, 1946. Two days later, on December 11, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was formally elected as the permanent President of the Assembly.

Tethered to: REALM 03: Constituent Assembly

CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY Dec 9, 1946 Provisional Pres. Dr. S. Sinha Dec 11, 1946 Permanent Pres. Dr. R. Prasad Following the French Practice
All India Federation (1) ✅ Provinces + Princely States RESERVED Defence & Foreign Affairs were under the Governor-General, NOT the Legislature! (2) ❌

Question 62

Colonial Statutes

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:

  1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
  2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official Verdict: (a) 1 only

The Core Concept: The monumental GOI Act 1935 indeed proposed the creation of an All-India Federation comprising British Indian provinces and the Princely States (though the federation never actually materialized because the princes refused to join) (Statement 1 is true). However, at the federal level, the Act introduced dyarchy: critical subjects like Defence, External Affairs, Ecclesiastical Affairs, and Tribal Areas were designated as "Reserved Subjects" and were administered exclusively by the Governor-General (Viceroy), not under the control or oversight of the elected federal legislature (Statement 2 is false).

Tethered to: REALM 41: GOI Act 1935 & Ministries

Question 63

Classical Sanskrit Literature

Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa?

  • (a) Kavyalankara
  • (b) Natyashastra
  • (c) Madhyama-vyayoga
  • (d) Mahabhashya

Official Verdict: (c) Madhyama-vyayoga

The Core Concept: Bhasa was one of the earliest and most celebrated Indian playwrights in Sanskrit. He authored the Madhyama-vyayoga (The Middle One), a short Sanskrit play based on Bhima and Ghatotkacha from the Mahabharata. Process of elimination confirms this: Natyashastra is a treatise on performing arts by Bharata Muni. Kavyalankara is a work on poetics by Bhamaha. Mahabhashya is a monumental commentary on Panini's grammar authored by Patanjali.

Tethered to: REALM 58: Classical Sanskrit Theatre

SANSKRIT CORPUS Natyashastra Bharata Muni Mahabhashya Patanjali Kavyalankara Bhamaha Madhyama-vyayoga BHASA ✅
Sanghabhuti 4th Century AD Translated Text: Sarvastivada Vinaya

Question 64

Buddhist Syncretism

Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on:

  • (a) Prajnaparamita Sutra
  • (b) Visuddhimagga
  • (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya
  • (d) Lalitavistara

Official Verdict: (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya

The Core Concept: Sanghabhuti was an erudite Kashmiri Buddhist monk who travelled to Northern China around 381 CE during the Former Qin dynasty. Recognizing the desperate need for disciplinary codes among Chinese monks, he famously translated the Sarvastivada Vinaya (the monastic disciplinary rules of the Sarvastivada school) into Chinese, laying foundational roots for organized monasticism in East Asia.

Tethered to: REALM 28: Cultural Connections with Asia

Question 65

Heritage Conservation

Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO:

  1. Shantiniketan
  2. Rani-ki-Vav
  3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
  4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya

How many of the above properties were included in 2023?

Official Verdict: (b) Only two

The Core Concept: This maps directly to India's recent cultural diplomacy triumphs. In September 2023, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, exactly two Indian sites were inscribed: Rabindranath Tagore's cultural and educational hub, Santiniketan (India's 41st site), and the incredibly ornate Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka (India's 42nd site). Rani-ki-Vav was inscribed much earlier in 2014, and the Mahabodhi Temple Complex was inscribed in 2002. Only two were included in 2023.

Tethered to: REALM 108: UNESCO World Heritage

1. Shantiniketan 2023 ✅ 2. Rani-ki-Vav 2014 ❌ 3. Hoysalas 2023 ✅ 4. Mahabodhi 2002 ❌ 41st & 42nd
ARTICLE 368 TEXT + Addition Variation - Repeal All three are explicitly codified

Question 66

Constitutional Amendments

As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of:

  1. Addition
  2. Variation
  3. Repeal

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Official Verdict: (d) 1, 2 and 3

The Core Concept: This is a direct test of constitutional verbatim text. Following the 24th Amendment Act (1971), the wording of Article 368(1) was made explicitly exhaustive to overcome judicial roadblocks. It reads: "Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, Parliament may in exercise of its constituent power amend by way of addition, variation or repeal any provision of this Constitution..." All three methods are formally prescribed.

Tethered to: REALM 60: Constitutional Amendment

Question 67

Global Demographics

Consider the following countries:

  1. Italy
  2. Japan
  3. Nigeria
  4. South Korea
  5. South Africa

Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, or ageing population or declining population?

Official Verdict: (a) 1, 2 and 4

The Core Concept: Demographic transitions vary starkly by region. Japan, Italy, and South Korea (1, 2, 4) are currently undergoing severe demographic crises characterized by record-low Total Fertility Rates (TFR well below the 2.1 replacement level) and rapidly "greying" (ageing) populations, leading to workforce shortages and economic strain. Conversely, Nigeria and South Africa have significantly younger demographic profiles with much higher birth rates and expanding populations.

Tethered to: REALM 13: Ageing Population

Italy / Japan / S.Korea Low Births / Ageing ✅ Inverted Pyramid Nigeria / South Africa High Births / Youth ❌
BILL LOK SABHA Full Authority May reject RS edits RAJYA SABHA Cannot Reject LS is NOT forced to accept RS edits (St 4 False)

Question 68

Parliamentary Procedure

Which of the following statements are correct in respect of a Money Bill in the Parliament?

  1. Article 109 mentions special procedure in respect of Money Bills.
  2. A Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States.
  3. The Rajya Sabha can either approve the Bill or suggest changes but cannot reject it.
  4. Amendments to a Money Bill suggested by the Rajya Sabha have to be accepted by the Lok Sabha.

Select the answer using the code given below:

Official Verdict: (c) 1, 2 and 3

The Core Concept: Money Bills are the exclusive domain of the Lok Sabha, reflecting the democratic principle that taxation requires direct representation. Article 109 specifically lays down this "special procedure" (1 is true). It explicitly prohibits the introduction of a Money Bill in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) (2 is true). The Rajya Sabha only has a maximum of 14 days to review it; they can approve it or suggest recommendations, but they have no power to reject it (3 is true). Crucially, the Lok Sabha has absolute discretion—it can either accept or completely reject any or all of the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha (Statement 4 is false).

Tethered to: REALM 139: Money & Financial Bills

Question 69

Defence Hierarchy

Which of the following is/are correctly matched in terms of equivalent rank in the three services of Indian Defence forces?

Army Airforce Navy
1. Brigadier Air Commodore Commander
2. Major General Air Vice Marshal Vice Admiral
3. Major Squadron Leader Lieutenant Commander
4. Lieutenant Colonel Group Captain Captain

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Official Verdict: (d) 3 only

The Core Concept: Cross-service equivalencies are rigorously codified. 1. Brigadier = Air Commodore = Commodore (not Commander, which is equivalent to a Lt. Colonel). 2. Major General = Air Vice Marshal = Rear Admiral (Vice Admiral equates to Lt. General). 3. Major = Squadron Leader = Lieutenant Commander (Correct). 4. Lieutenant Colonel = Wing Commander = Commander (Group Captain & Captain equate to a full Colonel). Thus, only row 3 is correct.

Tethered to: REALM 149: National Security Architecture

RANK EQUIVALENCE 1. Brigadier Navy: Commodore (Not Commander) ❌ 2. Major Gen. Navy: Rear Admiral (Not Vice) ❌ 3. Major Sqn Ldr Lt Cdr ✅ 4. Lt. Colonel IAF: Wing Commander (Not Grp Cpt) ❌
NEC (2002 Act) Govs CMs 3 Noms Home Minister is Chairman, but the 2002 Act definition specifies 1, 2, and 3 as the Core Members.

Question 70

Regional Governance Bodies

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises which of the following members?

  1. Governor of the Constituent State
  2. Chief Minister of the Constituent State
  3. Three Members to be nominated by the President of India
  4. The Home Minister of India

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Official Verdict: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

The Core Concept: The original 1971 Act composed the NEC strictly of the Governors and Chief Ministers of the constituent North Eastern states. The pivotal 2002 Amendment Act added Sikkim as the 8th member state and specifically inserted a provision stating that the Council shall additionally consist of three members to be nominated by the President of India (often bringing in the DoNER Minister). While the Union Cabinet later resolved (in 2018) to make the Home Minister the ex-officio Chairman of the NEC, the strict statutory membership parameters introduced by the 2002 Act encompass options 1, 2, and 3.

Tethered to: REALM 79: Zonal Councils