2024 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2024 · GS Paper I

Question 85: Economy and Social Development

With reference to Union Budget, consider the following statements :

  1. 1.The Union Finance Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister lays the Annual Financial Statement before both the Houses of Parliament.
  2. 2.At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President of India.

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 (c).

Statement 2 is correct: under Article 113(3), no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President. UPSC's key also accepts statement 1, treating the Finance Minister's laying of the Annual Financial Statement before both Houses as done on behalf of the Government headed by the Prime Minister. So both are counted correct.

  • 1. UPSC's key accepts that the Finance Minister lays the Annual Financial Statement before both Houses.
  • 2. No demand for a grant can be made except on the President's recommendation.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: UPSC's key accepts that the Finance Minister lays the Annual Financial Statement before both Houses.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: No demand for a grant can be made except on the President's recommendation.

Only (c) 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: statement 2 is also correct.
  • (b) Wrong: UPSC's key also accepts statement 1.
  • (c) Right: UPSC's key accepts both statements.
  • (d) Wrong: statement 2 is plainly correct under Article 113.

Worth knowing: Article 112 says the President causes the Annual Financial Statement to be laid before Parliament, and 'on behalf of the Prime Minister' is not constitutional text, so statement 1 is arguable; UPSC's key accepts it.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.