2010 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies

Question 3: Polity and Governance

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following :

  1. 1.Fundamental Rights
  2. 2.Fundamental Duties
  3. 3.Directive Principles of State Policy

Which of the above provisions of the Constitution of India is/are fulfilled by the National Social Assistance Programme launched by the Government of India ?

a1 only
b3 only
c1 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerThe answer is (b).

The National Social Assistance Programme (1995) gives pensions and family benefits to the elderly, widows, disabled people and poor families that lose their breadwinner. That is public assistance in old age, sickness and disablement, which is the Directive Principle in Article 41. Directive Principles are goals the state works towards through welfare schemes. Fundamental Rights are enforceable claims against the state, and Fundamental Duties are obligations on citizens; a pension scheme fulfils neither. Remember: welfare schemes map to the Directive Principles.

  • 1. Fundamental Rights are enforceable claims such as equality and liberty; this scheme is not one of them.
  • 2. Duties bind citizens; a state pension does not fulfil them.
  • 3. Public assistance in old age and disablement is a Directive Principle (Article 41).

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.

    What you needed to know: Fundamental Rights are enforceable claims such as equality and liberty; this scheme is not one of them.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 2 or 3.

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) Fundamental Rights are justiciable guarantees such as equality and liberty; a welfare pension does not fulfil them.
  • (b) Right: assistance to the old, widowed and disabled is a Directive Principle (Article 41).
  • (c) The scheme does not fulfil Fundamental Rights, so adding them to the Directive Principle is wrong.
  • (d) Fundamental Duties bind citizens; no government scheme can fulfil them.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.