UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies

Question 88: Polity and Governance

With reference to Indian Polity, which one of the following statements is correct?

aPlanning Commission is accountable to Parliament

bPresident can make ordinance only when either of the two Houses of Parliament is not in session

cThe minimum age prescribed for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court is 40 years

dNational Development Council is constituted of Union Finance Minister and the Chief Ministers of all the States

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Under Article 123 the President can issue an ordinance only when Parliament is not in session, that is, when either House is not sitting. The other statements fail: the Planning Commission was an extra-constitutional body, answerable to the Cabinet and not to Parliament; the Constitution fixes no minimum age for a Supreme Court judge (retirement is at 65); and the National Development Council had the Prime Minister, Union ministers, all Chief Ministers and Planning Commission members, not only the Finance Minister and the Chief Ministers.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) The Planning Commission was an extra-constitutional body answerable to the Cabinet, not to Parliament.
(b) Right: an ordinance can be made when either House is not in session (Article 123).
(c) The Constitution lays down no minimum age for a Supreme Court judge.
(d) The NDC also included the Prime Minister, Union ministers and Planning Commission members.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious question Next question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.