UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I
Question 98: Polity and Governance
Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?
- 1.The Prime Minister
- 2.The Chairman, Finance Commission
- 3.Ministers of the Union Cabinet
- 4.Chief Ministers of the States
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The National Development Council had as members the Prime Minister (its chairman), the Union Cabinet ministers, the Chief Ministers of all States, the administrators of Union Territories and the members of the Planning Commission. The Chairman of the Finance Commission was not a member. So 1, 3 and 4 only.
- 1. The Prime Minister is the chairman.
- 2. The Finance Commission Chairman is not a member.
- 3. Union Cabinet ministers are members.
- 4. Chief Ministers of all States are members.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: The Finance Commission Chairman is not a member.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 3 or 4.
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. The Finance Commission Chairman is not a member, and Chief Ministers are left out.
- (b) Correct. The Prime Minister, Union Cabinet ministers and Chief Ministers.
- (c) Wrong. This excludes the Prime Minister and includes the Finance Commission Chairman.
- (d) Wrong. The Finance Commission Chairman was not a member.
Worth knowing: The Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog in 2015 and the NDC's role passed to NITI's Governing Council; the 2013 answer stands as it was.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.