UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies
Question 75: Polity and Governance
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists: List I (Functionaries) I. President of India II. Judges of the Supreme Court III. Members of Parliament IV. Ministers for the Union List II (Oaths or affirmations) A) Secrecy of Information B) Faithful Discharge of Duties C) Faith and Allegiance to the Constitution of India D) Upholding the Constitution and the Law
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The oaths are laid down in the Constitution. The President's oath (Article 60) is to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law. Judges of the Supreme Court swear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution (Third Schedule). Members of Parliament swear faith and allegiance and also to discharge their duty faithfully, and Union ministers take a separate oath of secrecy. Matched by best fit among these options, the pairing is I-D, II-C, III-B, IV-A.
- I. I-D: the President's oath is to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law.
- II. II-C: Supreme Court judges swear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution.
- III. III-B: Members of Parliament promise to discharge their duty faithfully.
- IV. IV-A: Union ministers take an oath of secrecy.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) All four pairs are wrong: the President's oath is to uphold the Constitution and the law, and ministers take the oath of secrecy.
- (b) Right: President-upholding the Constitution and the law, judges-faith and allegiance, MPs-faithful discharge, ministers-secrecy.
- (c) I-C and II-D are wrong: the President's oath is to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law.
- (d) I-D and II-C are right, but III-A and IV-B are swapped: ministers take the oath of secrecy.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.