UPSC CSE (Preliminary) Exam 2024 Paper I (GS) – 16 June 2024 (Answer Key)

Explanation –

• In India, such Delimitation Commissions have been constituted 4 times – in 1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952, in 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962, in 1973 under Delimitation Act, 1972 and in 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002.
• Delimitation means the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body.

Explanation –

• Statements 1, 2 and 3 correct: The 71st Amendment Act, 1992, added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali to the Eighth Schedule.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Maithili was added later by the 92nd Amendment Act, 2003.
• The Eighth Schedule to the Indian Constitution lists the official languages recognized by the Constitution. The 71st Amendment Act, 1992, included Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali.

Explanation – 

• Pair 1 is correct: Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was the leader of Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
• Pair 2 is incorrect: C. Rajagopalachari was not the leader of the Socialist Party; he led the Swatantra Party.
• Pair 3 is correct: Jagjivan Ram was associated with the Congress for Democracy.
• Pair 4 is incorrect: Acharya Narendra Dev was not the leader of the Swatantra Party; he was associated with the Socialist Party.
• Political parties in India have had various leaders who played significant roles in shaping the political landscape. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and C. Rajagopalachari led the Swatantra Party.

Explanation –

• Statement 1 is correct: Part IXA of the Constitution of India deals with municipalities.
• Statement 2 is correct: Part XVIII deals with emergency provisions.
• Statement 3 is correct: Part XX deals with the amendment of the Constitution.
• The Constitution of India has distinct parts that address various aspects of governance and administration. Part IXA deals with municipalities, Part XVIII covers emergency provisions, and Part XX addresses constitutional amendments.

Explanation –

• Option (a) is incorrect: Inter-State trade and commerce is a Union subject under the Union List.
• Option (b) is incorrect: Inter-State migration is a Union subject under the Union List.
• Option (c) is correct: Inter-State quarantine is a Union subject under the Union List.
• Option (d) is incorrect: Corporation tax is a Union subject under the Union List.
• The Union List in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution enumerates subjects on which the central government can legislate. These include inter-state trade, quarantine, and corporation tax.

Explanation –

• Option (a) is incorrect: Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Option (b) is incorrect: Article 16 deals with equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
• Option (c) is incorrect: Article 19 guarantees the six freedoms.
• Option (d) is correct: The Supreme Court has placed the Right to Privacy under Article 21, which deals with the protection of life and personal liberty.
• In the landmark case of Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) vs. Union of India, the Supreme Court of India recognized the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Explanation –

• Statement 1 is correct: The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The CDS does not exercise military command over the three Service
  Chiefs.
• Statement 3 is correct: The CDS is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister on all triservice matters.
• The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is a newly created position in the Indian military hierarchy aimed at improving coordination and integration among the three armed forces. The CDS oversees the Department of Military Affairs and advises on tri-service issues.

Explanation –

• Option (a) is incorrect: Operation Sankalp is an Indian Navy mission for maritime security in the Gulf region.
• Option (b) is incorrect: Operation Maitri was the relief operation by India for the earthquake in Nepal.
• Option (c) is correct: Operation Sadbhavana is an initiative by the Indian Army for the upliftment of the local population in remote areas.
• Option (d) is incorrect: Operation Madad was a rescue operation during the Kerala floods.
• Operation Sadbhavana focuses on winning the hearts and minds of the local population in conflict-prone areas through welfare activities such as education, health care, and infrastructure development.

Explanation –

• Option (a) is correct: The longest border between any two countries in the world is between Canada and the United States of America.
• Option (b) is incorrect: The border between Chile and Argentina is long but not the longest.
• Option (c) is incorrect: The border between China and India is not the longest.
• Option (d) is incorrect: The border between Kazakhstan and Russia is long but not the longest.
• The Canada-United States border is the world’s longest international border, stretching approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles). It includes both land and maritime boundaries.

Explanation –

• Statement 1 is correct: The Ethics Committee in the Lok Sabha was initially an ad-hoc Committee.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Complaints regarding unethical conduct of a member can be made by any member of the public or other members.
• Statement 3 is correct: The Committee cannot take up any matter which is sub-judice.
• The Ethics Committee in the Lok Sabha oversees the conduct of its members. It was formed to maintain high standards of ethical behavior and ensure transparency and accountability within the parliamentary framework.