Free Topic-Wise General Studies MCQs
Understand the "Watchdog of the Merit System." Focus on the composition, independence, functions, and the advisory role of the UPSC as a constitutional body.
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Explanation: With the promulgation of the Indian Constitution in 1950, the Federal Public Service Commission was officially transformed and renamed as the Union Public Service Commission.
Explanation: To ensure accountability, if the government deviates from the UPSC's advice, it must present a memorandum explaining the reasons for non-acceptance to both Houses of Parliament.
Explanation: The UPSC (The Commission) is the sole authority responsible for drafting, finalizing, and issuing the official examination notifications and managing the recruitment cycle.
Explanation: Just like the UPSC, the members and Chairman of a JPSC submit their resignations in writing directly to the President of India.
Explanation: All expenses of the UPSC, including salaries and pensions of its members, are charged directly upon the Consolidated Fund of India, shielding them from parliamentary vote.
Explanation: To ensure accountability, if the government deviates from the UPSC's advice, it must present a memorandum explaining the reasons for non-acceptance to both Houses of Parliament.
Explanation: Article 311 provides critical constitutional safeguards to civil servants, ensuring they cannot be dismissed by an authority subordinate to that by which they were appointed.
Explanation: Under the explicit provisions of Article 317(3), engaging in paid employment outside the duties of the office allows the President to remove the member immediately without a Supreme Court inquiry.
Explanation: Article 317(3)(c) empowers the President to directly remove the Chairman or any other member if they are unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity.
Explanation: Under Article 312, Parliament can create new All-India Services only if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution declaring it necessary in the national interest.
Explanation: Under Article 321, the Union Parliament possesses the legislative power to extend the functions of the UPSC regarding the services of the Union or any local authority.
Explanation: The UPSC can perform duties for a state upon the request of the Governor, but this arrangement must receive the formal, prior approval of the President of India.
Explanation: Under Article 320(3), the President holds the power to make regulations specifying the matters in which it shall not be necessary to consult the UPSC for All-India and Central services.
Explanation: The Secretariat of the UPSC, which manages its massive day-to-day operations and exam logistics, is headed by a Secretary, usually a senior IAS officer.
Explanation: Article 317(3)(c) empowers the President to directly remove the Chairman or any other member if they are, in the opinion of the President, unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity.
Explanation: Article 315(4) allows the UPSC to serve the needs of a State, provided there is a formal request from the State Governor and subsequent approval by the President.
Explanation: While the President handles its composition, Article 321 specifically vests the power to expand the jurisdictional functions of the UPSC entirely with the Union Parliament.
Explanation: The UPSC is termed the 'watchdog of the merit system' as its primary constitutional mandate is to ensure fair, impartial recruitment based strictly on merit.
Explanation: The Secretariat of the UPSC, which manages its massive day-to-day operations and exam logistics, is headed by a Secretary, usually a senior IAS officer.
Explanation: The UPSC can perform duties for a state upon the request of the Governor, but this arrangement must receive the formal, prior approval of the President.
Explanation: Sir Ross Barker, a member of the British Home Civil Service, was appointed as the first Chairman of the Central Public Service Commission when it was set up in 1926.
Explanation: Just like the UPSC, the members and Chairman of a JPSC submit their resignations in writing directly to the President of India.
Explanation: Article 315(4) allows the UPSC to serve all or any of the needs of a State, provided there is a formal request from the State Governor and subsequent approval by the President.
Explanation: All expenses of the UPSC, including salaries and pensions of its members, are charged directly upon the Consolidated Fund of India, shielding them from parliamentary vote.
Explanation: Under Article 312, Parliament can create new All-India Services only if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution declaring it necessary in the national interest.
Explanation: The UPSC is an independent constitutional body, deriving its authority, structure, and existence directly from Part XIV of the Constitution.
Explanation: Under Article 321, the Union Parliament possesses the legislative power to extend the functions of the UPSC regarding the services of the Union or any local authority.
Explanation: While the UPSC and SPSCs are directly created by the Constitution, a Joint Public Service Commission (JPSC) can be created by an act of Parliament upon the request of the concerned state legislatures.
Explanation: The proviso to Article 320(3) explicitly empowers the President to make regulations specifying the matters in which it shall not be necessary for the UPSC to be consulted.
Explanation: The UPSC is responsible for recruiting commissioned officers for the armed forces by conducting examinations like the NDA (National Defence Academy) and CDS.
Explanation: Under Article 317(3), the President can bypass the Supreme Court inquiry and directly remove a member if they are adjudged an insolvent or engage in paid outside employment.
Explanation: While the UPSC and SPSCs are directly created by the Constitution, a Joint Public Service Commission can be created by an act of Parliament upon the request of the concerned state legislatures.
Explanation: The Supreme Court has clarified that the advice of the UPSC is directory, not mandatory. The government is not legally bound by its recommendations in any of these matters.
Explanation: Since a JPSC serves multiple states, to ensure neutrality and proper constitutional hierarchy, its chairman and members are appointed by the President, not the State Governors.
Explanation: The Supreme Court has clarified that the advice of the UPSC is directory and advisory, not mandatory. The government is not legally bound to accept its recommendations.
Explanation: While the President handles its composition, Article 321 specifically vests the power to expand the jurisdictional functions of the UPSC entirely with the Union Parliament.
Explanation: Article 312 mandates that the Rajya Sabha must pass the resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting.
Explanation: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), typically headed by the Prime Minister, is the final executive authority that approves and finalizes these senior appointments.
Explanation: Both the UPSC and the CVC advise the government on disciplinary actions against civil servants, sometimes leading to overlapping or conflicting recommendations.
Explanation: The UPSC is an independent constitutional body, deriving its authority, structure, and existence directly from Part XIV of the Constitution.
Explanation: The UPSC is the sole authority responsible for drafting, finalizing, and issuing the official examination notifications and managing the entire recruitment cycle.
Explanation: Article 312 gives the Rajya Sabha the special power to initiate the creation of one or more All-India Services common to the Union and the States.
Explanation: With the promulgation of the Indian Constitution in 1950, the Federal Public Service Commission was officially transformed and renamed as the Union Public Service Commission.
Explanation: Because the UPSC is an independent constitutional body while the CVC is a statutory body, the government generally gives primacy to the advice of the UPSC in case of a conflict.
Explanation: Article 319 restricts post-retirement employment. An SPSC member can elevate to the UPSC, but is otherwise barred from employment under the Union or State governments.
Explanation: The Constitution has not fixed the strength of the Commission. Article 318 leaves the exact number of members entirely to the discretion of the President.
Explanation: Since a JPSC serves multiple states, its chairman and members are appointed by the President, not the State Governors, to ensure neutrality.
Explanation: Because the UPSC is an independent constitutional body while the CVC is a statutory body, the government generally gives primacy to the advice of the UPSC in case of a conflict.
Explanation: The UPSC is solely a recruiting agency. Matters of service classification, pay, cadre management, and training are handled directly by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Explanation: Article 311 provides critical constitutional safeguards to civil servants, ensuring they cannot be dismissed by an authority subordinate to that by which they were appointed.
Explanation: The UPSC is termed the 'watchdog of the merit system' as its primary constitutional mandate is to ensure fair, impartial recruitment based strictly on merit.
Explanation: Sir Ross Barker, a member of the British Home Civil Service, was appointed as the first Chairman of the Central Public Service Commission when it was set up in 1926.
Explanation: The UPSC is responsible for recruiting commissioned officers for the armed forces by conducting examinations like the NDA (National Defence Academy) and CDS.
Explanation: Article 320(4) expressly states that the UPSC does not need to be consulted regarding the manner in which reservations are made for backward classes, SCs, and STs.
Explanation: Article 320(4) expressly states that the UPSC does not need to be consulted regarding the manner in which reservations are made for backward classes, SCs, and STs.
Explanation: Under Article 320(3), the President holds the power to make regulations specifying the matters in which it shall not be necessary to consult the UPSC.
Explanation: Under Article 317(3), the President can bypass the Supreme Court inquiry and directly remove a member if they are adjudged an insolvent.
Explanation: Both the UPSC and the CVC advise the government on disciplinary actions against civil servants, sometimes leading to overlapping or conflicting recommendations.
Explanation: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by the Prime Minister, is the final executive authority that approves and finalizes these senior appointments.
Explanation: The Constitution has not fixed the strength of the Commission. Article 318 leaves the exact number of members entirely to the discretion of the President.