UPSC Prelims 2024 - General Studies (Paper I)

Explanation

The Delimitation Commissions in India are responsible for redrawing the boundaries of the various parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on the latest census to ensure fair representation. The Government of India has constituted four Delimitation Commissions to date. First Delimitation Commission was established in 1952. Post-independence, this commission was set up to delimit the constituencies for the first general elections. Second Delimitation Commission was established in 1962. Third Delimitation Commission was established in 1972. Fourth Delimitation Commission was established in 2002.

Explanation

The Constitution (71st Amendment) Act, 1992 amended the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to include Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali as officially recognized languages. Maithili was added later by the 92nd Amendment Act in 2003.

Explanation

Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951, which was the precursor to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). C. Rajagopalachari was not associated with the Socialist Party. He founded the Swatantra Party in 1959 to oppose the socialist policies of the Indian National Congress. Jagjivan Ram founded the Congress for Democracy in 1977, which later merged with the Janata Party. Acharya Narendra Dev was a prominent leader of the Congress Socialist Party and the Socialist Party of India. He was not associated with the Swatantra Party, which was founded by C. Rajagopalachari.

Explanation

Part IX A of the Constitution of India, titled “The Municipalities”, was added by the 74th Amendment Act in 1992. It covers provisions related to the constitution, powers, and responsibilities of municipal bodies. Part XVIII of the Constitution, titled “Emergency Provisions”, includes Articles 352 to 360. It deals with provisions for national, state, and financial emergencies. Part XX of the Constitution, titled “Amendment of the Constitution”, contains Article 368, which provides the procedure for amending the Constitution.

Explanation

The Constitution of India divides subjects into three lists – Union List, State List, and Concurrent List – under the Seventh Schedule which determine the distribution of powers and responsibilities between the Union and State governments. Union List (List I): Contains subjects on which only the central government can legislate. State List (List II): Contains subjects on which only the state governments can legislate. Concurrent List (List III): Contains subjects on which both central and state governments can legislate. Entry 81 of the Union List specifically mentions “Quarantine” and provides that the central government has the authority to legislate on this subject to manage and control diseases across state borders. Inter-State trade and commerce falls under Entry 42 of the Union List. The central government regulates trade and commerce among the states to ensure free flow and uniformity. Inter-State migration and the movement of persons fall under Entry 81 of the Union List. The central government can legislate on matters of migration between states. Corporation tax is under Entry 85 of the Union List. The central government has the exclusive power to impose taxes on the income of companies.