UPSC Prelims 2006 · General Studies

Question 23: Polity and Governance

What does the 104th Constitution Amendment Bill relate to?

aAbolition of Legislative Councils in certain States

bIntroduction of dual citizenship for persons of Indian origin living outside India

cProviding reservation to women in Parliament and State Legislatures

dFree and compulsory education to children between the age of 6 and 14 years

AnswerThe answer is (c).

The given answer takes the Constitution Amendment Bill in question to be the one reserving seats for women in Parliament and the State Legislatures, which was pending in 2006. The other options are different matters: a Legislative Council is abolished under Article 169 by a resolution and an ordinary law, India does not allow dual citizenship (Overseas Citizenship of India came through a Citizenship Act amendment), and free and compulsory education for ages 6-14 became Article 21A through the 86th Amendment in 2002.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Abolishing a Legislative Council is done under Article 169, not this bill.
(b) India offers Overseas Citizenship, not dual citizenship, and that came through the Citizenship Act.
(c) The given key: the bill on reserving seats for women in Parliament and State Legislatures.
(d) Free and compulsory education for ages 6-14 came through the 86th Amendment (Article 21A).

Worth knowing: Dated numbering: the 104th Amendment Act of 2019 dealt with SC/ST seats and Anglo-Indian nominations, and women's reservation became the 106th Amendment Act in 2023.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2006, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.