<p>The latest UPSC daily subject‑wise quiz on <strong>Polity and Governance</strong> examined five core constitutional topics that frequently appear in the prelims and mains. Below is a concise, exam‑ready breakdown of each question, the correct answer, and the underlying provisions.</p>
<h3>1. Deputy Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Statement 1 – Vacates office upon ceasing to be a member – <strong>Correct</strong>.</li>
<li>Statement 2 – Resignation by a letter to the President – <strong>Incorrect</strong> (resignation is addressed to the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Chairman of the Rajya Sabha – the presiding officer of the Upper House; resignation must be addressed to him (GS2: Polity)">Chairman</span>).</li>
<li>Statement 3 – Cannot be removed – <strong>Incorrect</strong> (removal by a majority resolution of the Council).</li>
</ul>
<p>Correct option: <strong>(b) 1 only</strong>. The rule is enshrined in <span class="key-term" data-definition="Article 90 of the Indian Constitution – deals with the offices of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, including their resignation, vacation and removal (GS2: Polity)">Article 90</span>.</p>
<h3>2. Scope of Article 3 – Territorial Reorganisation</h3>
<ul>
<li>Permits formation of new states, alteration of boundaries, increase/decrease of area, and change of name.</li>
<li>Does <strong>not</strong> empower Parliament to abolish a state or alter its representation in the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Rajya Sabha – Upper House of Parliament representing the states; its composition is fixed by the Constitution (GS2: Polity)">Rajya Sabha</span>.</li>
</ul>
<p>Correct option: <strong>(d) 3 and 4 only</strong>. This distinction is crucial for questions on federal restructuring.</p>
<h3>3. Supplementary/Additional Grants – Who Lays the Statement?</h3>
<p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="President of India – constitutional head of the executive; responsible for laying supplementary financial statements before Parliament (GS2: Polity)">President</span> must lay a statement of excess or supplementary expenditure before both Houses when the authorized amount is insufficient.</p>
<p>Correct option: <strong>(a) President</strong>. This reflects Article 114 and the financial control mechanisms of the Union.</p>
<h3>4. Removal of Chairman or Member of a Public Service Commission</h3>
<ul>
<li>Only the <span class="key-term" data-definition="President of India – can remove PSC members on grounds of misbehaviour after a Supreme Court inquiry (GS2: Polity)">President</span> may remove them, and only after a reference to the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Supreme Court of India – apex judicial body; conducts inquiry on PSC removal as per Article 317 (GS2: Polity)">Supreme Court</span> has conducted an inquiry.</li>
<li>Neither the Chief Justice of India nor Parliament can remove PSC members.</li>
</ul>
<p>Correct option: <strong>(c) 3 only</strong>. The procedure is detailed in <span class="key-term" data-definition="Article 317 of the Constitution – outlines appointment, tenure and removal of Public Service Commission members (GS2: Polity)">Article 317</span>.</p>
<h3>5. Panchayat Eligibility and Tenure</h3>
<ul>
<li>Disqualification age: a person aged 21‑24 is not disqualified; the minimum age is 21, not 25. Hence statement 1 is wrong.</li>
<li>If a Panchayat is dissolved early, the reconstituted body serves only the remainder of the original term, not a fresh five‑year period. Hence statement 2 is wrong.</li>
</ul>
<p>Correct option: <strong>(d) Neither 1 nor 2</strong>. These provisions stem from the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Constitutional provisions on Panchayats – Articles 243‑243‑G (GS2: Polity) governing eligibility, tenure and dissolution of rural local bodies.">Panchayat clauses</span>.</p>
<h3>Important Takeaways for UPSC</h3>
<ul>
<li>Know the exact wording of Articles 90, 3, 114, 317 and the Panchayat provisions – questions often test subtle differences (e.g., resignation address vs. removal).</li>
<li>Remember the procedural hierarchy: <span class="key-term" data-definition="Supreme Court – final interpreter of constitutional provisions; its opinion is decisive in removal of constitutional office‑holders (GS2: Polity)">Supreme Court</span> inquiry precedes presidential action for PSC removal.</li>
<li>Financial statements: the President’s role underscores the executive’s accountability to Parliament.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward for Aspirants</h3>
<p>Integrate these articles into your revision notes with flashcards highlighting:</p>
<ul>
<li>Key clauses (vacancy, resignation, removal) and the authority involved.</li>
<li>Exceptions (e.g., age‑disqualification clause for Panchayats).</li>
<li>Procedural steps (President → Parliament; President → Supreme Court → President).</li>
</ul>
<p>Practice MCQs that mix correct and incorrect statements to sharpen elimination skills – a proven strategy for both prelims and mains.</p>