Q60 · UPSC Prelims 2015 · Set A · Economy

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With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements:1.The Department of Revenue is responsible for the preparation of Union Budget that is presented to the Parliament.2.No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the authorization from the Parliament of India.3.All the disbursements made from Public Account also need the authorization from the Parliament of India.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A 1 and 2 only
B 2 and 3 only
C 2 only
D 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: (c) 2 only

Explanation

  1. A

    1 and 2 only

    This pairing includes statement 1. The Union Budget is prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance, not by the Department of Revenue. Statement 1 is false, so 1 and 2 only cannot be the key.

  2. B

    2 and 3 only

    This pairing includes statement 3. Disbursements from the Public Account of India do not require parliamentary authorisation in the same way as the Consolidated Fund; the Public Account holds funds in which the government is a banker. Statement 3 is false, so 2 and 3 only is not the key.

  3. C

    2 only

    Statement 2 is correct: no money can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India except under appropriation by Parliament (Articles 114 and 266). Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect. Hence 2 only is the official key.

  4. D

    1, 2 and 3

    All three would require 1 and 3 to be true. Revenue does not prepare the Budget, and Public Account outgoes are not similarly voted. This option is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (c) 2 only. Parliamentary control over the Consolidated Fund is a core financial rule. The Budget is a Department of Economic Affairs product, not a Department of Revenue product. The Public Account is not subject to the same appropriation lock as the Consolidated Fund. Therefore only statement 2 survives. Options that keep 1 or 3 fail.

Same topic · past papers

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    Consider the following statements: I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member. II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified. III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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