2018 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I

Question 1: Polity and Governance

Consider the following statements :

  1. 1.In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party.
  2. 2.In the Lok Sabha, a “Leader of the Opposition” was recognised for the first time in 1969.
  3. 3.In the Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum of 75 members, its leader cannot be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a1 and 3 only
b2 only
c2 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

In the first Lok Sabha (1952) the Congress won overwhelmingly and the largest opposition party was the CPI; the Swatantra Party was founded only in 1959. A Leader of the Opposition was first recognised in the Lok Sabha in 1969, when Ram Subhag Singh of the Congress (O) was given the post. The qualifying test is a party holding at least 10 per cent of the House (about 55 seats), not 75 members. Remember: CPI in 1952, recognition in 1969, the 10 per cent rule.

  • 1. The largest opposition party in 1952 was the CPI; Swatantra did not exist until 1959.
  • 2. The Leader of the Opposition was first recognised in 1969.
  • 3. The test is 10 per cent of the House (about 55 seats), not 75 members.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.

    What you needed to know: The test is 10 per cent of the House (about 55 seats), not 75 members.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 2.

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: statement 1 is false (CPI, not Swatantra) and statement 3 uses the wrong threshold.
  • (b) Right: only statement 2 holds.
  • (c) Wrong: statement 3 gives 75 members, but the working rule is 10 per cent of the House.
  • (d) Wrong: statements 1 and 3 are both false.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.