UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies
Question 52: Polity and Governance
Match List I (Item in the Indian Constitution) with List II (Country from which it was derived) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the list. List I (Item in the Indian Constitution) A. Directive Principles of State Policy B. Fundamental Rights C. Concurrent List in Union-State Relations D. India as a Union of States with greater powers to the Union List II (Country from which it was derived) 1. Australia 2. Canada 3. Ireland 4. United Kingdom 5. USA Codes: A B C D
AnswerThe answer is (d).
India borrowed its Directive Principles of State Policy from Ireland, Fundamental Rights from the USA, the Concurrent List from Australia, and the idea of a Union of States with a strong Centre from Canada. The parliamentary system and the rule of law come from Britain. So A-3, B-5, C-1, D-2. Remember: Ireland gave the Directive Principles and Canada gave the strong Centre.
- A. Directive Principles of State Policy come from Ireland (3).
- B. Fundamental Rights come from the USA (5).
- C. The Concurrent List comes from Australia (1).
- D. A Union of States with greater powers to the Union comes from Canada (2).
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) A-5 and B-4 are wrong: the Directive Principles come from Ireland and Fundamental Rights from the USA.
- (b) C-2 and D-1 are swapped: the Concurrent List is Australian and the strong Union is Canadian.
- (c) All four pairings are wrong.
- (d) Correct: Ireland, USA, Australia, Canada.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.