2021 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I

Question 86: Polity and Governance

Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character?

aThe independence of judiciary is safeguarded.
bThe Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units.
cThe Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties.
dThe Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

An independent judiciary is essential to a federation because it acts as umpire in disputes between the Centre and the States and guards the Constitution's division of powers. The other options are common to many constitutions, federal or not: representation of units in the Union legislature, regional parties in the cabinet and enforceable fundamental rights. UPSC treats the independence of the judiciary as the essential indicator of federal character.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Right: an independent judiciary arbitrates Centre-State disputes.
  • (b) Wrong: representation of units in the upper house is a common feature but not the essential indicator in UPSC's key.
  • (c) Wrong: regional parties in the cabinet is a political feature, not a constitutional one.
  • (d) Wrong: enforceable fundamental rights exist in unitary states as well.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.