2003 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies

Question 88: Polity and Governance

Consider the following statements:

  1. 1.The joint sitting of the two Houses of the Parliament in India is sanctioned under Article 108 of the Constitution.
  2. 2.The first joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha was held in the year 1961.
  3. 3.The second joint sitting of the two Houses of Indian Parliament was held to pass the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill.

Which of these statements are correct?

a1 and 2
b2 and 3
c1 and 3
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Article 108 provides for a joint sitting of both Houses to resolve a deadlock on an ordinary Bill, with the Speaker presiding. Joint sittings have been held three times: in 1961 (the Dowry Prohibition Bill), in 1978 (the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill) and in 2002 (the Prevention of Terrorism Bill). So all three statements are correct.

  • 1. Article 108 provides for a joint sitting.
  • 2. The first joint sitting was held in 1961, on the Dowry Prohibition Bill.
  • 3. The second joint sitting, in 1978, was on the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: Article 108 provides for a joint sitting.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: The first joint sitting was held in 1961, on the Dowry Prohibition Bill.

  3. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.

    What you needed to know: The second joint sitting, in 1978, was on the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill.

Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Statement 3 is also correct, so 1 and 2 alone is incomplete.
  • (b) Statement 1 is also correct, so 2 and 3 alone is incomplete.
  • (c) Statement 2 is also correct, so 1 and 3 alone is incomplete.
  • (d) Correct: all three.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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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.