2020 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I

Question 13: Polity and Governance

Consider the following statements :

  1. 1.The Constitution of India defines its ‘basic structure’ in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and democracy.
  2. 2.The Constitution of India provides for ‘judicial review’ to safeguard the citizens’ liberties and to preserve the ideals on which the Constitution is based.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a1 only
b2 only
cBoth 1 and 2
dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The Constitution nowhere defines or lists its basic structure. The doctrine was evolved by the Supreme Court in Kesavananda Bharati (1973), and the features it has recognised (federalism, secularism, fundamental rights, democracy and many others) are examples that case law keeps adding to. So statement 1 fails. UPSC's key also treats statement 2 as incorrect, since no provision is labelled judicial review and the power is derived from Articles 13, 32 and 226.

  • 1. The Constitution does not define basic structure; the Supreme Court evolved the doctrine in Kesavananda Bharati.
  • 2. UPSC's key rejects it; the Constitution has no article titled judicial review, which courts derive from Articles 13, 32 and 226.

How you could have got this

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

    What you needed to know: The Constitution does not define basic structure; the Supreme Court evolved the doctrine in Kesavananda Bharati.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 2.

    What you needed to know: UPSC's key rejects it; the Constitution has no article titled judicial review, which courts derive from Articles 13, 32 and 226.

Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.

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 Constitution does not define its basic structure; courts identified it, and the list is open.
  • (b) Wrong in UPSC's key: statement 2 is treated as incorrect too.
  • (c) Wrong: both statements are marked incorrect.
  • (d) Right per UPSC: neither statement is accepted.

Worth knowing: Many solvers read statement 2 as correct, because Articles 13, 32 and 226 give courts the power of judicial review, which would make the answer (b); UPSC's key is (d).

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.