UPSC CSE Prelims
Rights Issues and Governance Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Rights Issues and Governance
Topic Breakdown: Scroll →
With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct?
- MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.
- A specified portion of each MP’s fund must benefit SC/ST populations
- MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next years
- The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 4 only
The MPLADS scheme focuses on creating durable community assets, mandates reservation of funds for SC/ST areas, and requires district-level inspection of works. Statement 3 is incorrect because MPLADS funds are non-lapsable and can be carried forward to subsequent years.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, and other community facilities.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: At least 15% of MPLADS entitlement must be allocated for SC population areas and 7.5% for ST population areas.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: MPLADS funds are non-lapsable; unused funds can be carried forward to subsequent years.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: The District Authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year.
In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?
- Person with an annual income of less than Rs 1,00,000
- Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs 2,00,000
- Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than Rs 3,00,000
- All Senior Citizens
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 and 2 only
The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 provides free legal services to economically weaker sections and marginalized groups. Persons with annual income below Rs 1,00,000 and transgenders with income below Rs 2,00,000 (in certain states like Delhi) are eligible, while OBCs have no specific income-based provision and senior citizens' eligibility depends on state-specific rules.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Persons with annual income less than Rs 1,00,000 are eligible for free legal services under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Transgenders with annual income less than Rs 2,00,000 are provided free legal aid in states like Delhi, though not uniformly implemented across India.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: OBCs are not provided free legal services based on income criteria; only SC/ST members have specific provisions.
❌ Statement 4 – Incorrect: Not all senior citizens are eligible; eligibility depends on state-specific rules and income limits.
📝 Short Notes: Legal Services Authorities and Free Legal Aid
- Legal Framework: Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 establishes the framework for providing free legal services to eligible citizens.
- Eligible Categories: Women and children, SC/ST members, industrial workmen, persons with disabilities, victims of mass disasters, persons in custody, victims of human trafficking.
- Income Criterion: General category persons with annual income below Rs 1,00,000 are eligible.
- Transgender Provision: States like Delhi provide free legal aid to transgenders up to Rs 2,00,000 annual income.
- Senior Citizens: Eligibility varies by state; not automatically eligible unless they meet state-prescribed income limits.
- State Legal Services Authorities: Each state has its own authority under the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to implement these provisions.
Consider the following statements :
- Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile.
- Once issued, the Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the Issuing Authority.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — None of the above
Both statements regarding Aadhaar are incorrect. The Aadhaar Act explicitly clarifies that Aadhaar is only a proof of identity and residence, not citizenship or domicile. Additionally, UIDAI has the authority to deactivate or omit Aadhaar numbers under specific circumstances, making Statement 2 also incorrect.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Aadhaar card cannot be used as proof of citizenship or domicile; it only serves as proof of identity and residence as per the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The UIDAI can deactivate Aadhaar numbers temporarily and in certain cases can permanently omit them from the database.
📝 Short Notes: Aadhaar - Key Legal Provisions
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 |
| Purpose | Proof of identity and residence only; NOT proof of citizenship or domicile |
| Issuing Authority | Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), statutory authority under Ministry of Electronics and IT |
| Constitutional Validity | Upheld by Supreme Court in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2018) with certain restrictions |
| Deactivation/Omission | UIDAI can deactivate (temporarily) or omit (permanently) Aadhaar numbers under specific conditions like duplicate enrollment, false information, or security concerns |
| Voluntary Nature | SC ruled that Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory for bank accounts, mobile connections, school admissions; mandatory only for PAN, filing IT returns, and welfare schemes |
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