2025 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I

Question 51: Polity and Governance

With reference to the Indian polity, consider the following statements :

  1. IAn Ordinance can amend any Central Act.
  2. IIAn Ordinance can abridge a Fundamental Right.
  3. IIIAn Ordinance can come into effect from a back date.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

aI and II only
bII and III only
cI and III only
dI, II and III

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Under Article 123 an Ordinance promulgated by the President has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament, so it can amend or repeal any Central Act, though not the Constitution. It is also subject to the same limits as a law passed by Parliament, and 'law' in Article 13 includes an Ordinance, so it cannot take away or abridge a Fundamental Right. Like an Act of Parliament, it can be made retrospective. It lapses six weeks after Parliament reassembles unless approved earlier.

  • I. An Ordinance has the force of an Act of Parliament and can amend Central Acts.
  • II. Article 13 treats an Ordinance as a law, so it cannot abridge a Fundamental Right.
  • III. Like a law of Parliament, an Ordinance can take effect from a back date.

How you could have got this

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

    What you needed to know: Article 13 treats an Ordinance as a law, so it cannot abridge a Fundamental Right.

Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 3.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

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: an Ordinance cannot abridge a Fundamental Right.
  • (b) Wrong: Statement II is incorrect.
  • (c) Right: an Ordinance can amend a Central Act and can have retrospective effect, but cannot abridge a Fundamental Right.
  • (d) Wrong: Statement II is incorrect.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious questionNext question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.