2020 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I

Question 8: Polity and Governance

Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) ?

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

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The Constitution reflects the Universal Declaration of Human Rights beyond Part III. The Preamble's justice, liberty, equality and fraternity echo the Declaration's founding principles. The Directive Principles carry its economic and social rights, such as work, education and an adequate standard of living. The Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) mirror its Article 29, which speaks of the individual's duties to the community. All three reflect it.

  • 1. The Preamble's justice, liberty, equality and fraternity echo the Declaration.
  • 2. Directive Principles carry social and economic rights such as work and education.
  • 3. Fundamental Duties parallel the Declaration's emphasis on duties to the community.

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: Directive Principles carry social and economic rights such as work and education.

  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: Fundamental Duties parallel the Declaration's emphasis on duties to the community.

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: leaves out the Fundamental Duties, which echo Article 29 of the Declaration.
  • (b) Wrong: the Directive Principles are not the only part; the Preamble and Duties also reflect it.
  • (c) Wrong: omits the Directive Principles, which carry its social and economic rights.
  • (d) Right: the Preamble, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties all reflect the Declaration.

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.