2013 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I

Question 19: Polity and Governance

Which of the following bodies does not/do not find mention in the Constitution?

  1. 1.National Development Council
  2. 2.Planning Commission
  3. 3.Zonal Councils

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

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

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

None of the three is mentioned in the Constitution. The Planning Commission was set up in 1950 and the National Development Council in 1952, both by resolutions of the Union Cabinet, so they are extra-constitutional. Zonal Councils were created by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, a statute. By contrast, the Inter-State Council is mentioned in Article 263. All three are therefore bodies that find no mention in the Constitution.

  • 1. The NDC was created in 1952 by executive resolution, not by the Constitution.
  • 2. The Planning Commission was set up in 1950 by Cabinet resolution.
  • 3. Zonal Councils exist under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

How you could have got this

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

    What you needed to know: The Planning Commission was set up in 1950 by Cabinet resolution.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) and (b) go: each of them leaves 3 out.

    What you needed to know: Zonal Councils exist under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 1.

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) Wrong. Zonal Councils are also not mentioned in the Constitution.
  • (b) Wrong. The NDC and Zonal Councils are also missing from the Constitution.
  • (c) Wrong. The Planning Commission is also not mentioned.
  • (d) Correct. All three come from Cabinet resolutions or statute, not the Constitution.

Worth knowing: The Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog in 2015, and the NDC's role has effectively passed to NITI Aayog's Governing Council; the 2013 answer stands as it was.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.