UPSC EPFO (APFC) anmol vachan

A. Second Schedule – Salaries and Allowances of Constitutional Authorities - Correct The Second Schedule contains provisions relating to the salaries, allowances, privileges and pensions of constitutional authorities such as the President, Governors, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), etc. B. Third Schedule – Forms of Oaths and Affirmations - Correct The Third Schedule prescribes the forms of oaths or affirmations to be taken by Union and State Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of State Legislatures, Judges, the CAG, and other constitutional office holders. C. Fourth Schedule – Allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha - Incorrect The Fourth Schedule provides for the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the States and Union Territories. Allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha is not dealt with in the Fourth Schedule. D. Seventh Schedule – Distribution of Legislative Powers - Correct The Seventh Schedule contains the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List, thereby distributing legislative powers between the Union and the States.

• A. Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain: This case challenged the 39th Amendment (which tried to place the PM's election beyond judicial review). → (iii) • B. Minerva Mills v. Union of India: This case challenged the 42nd Amendment (specifically sections that gave Parliament unlimited amending power). → (i) • C. Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillu: This case challenged the 52nd Amendment (the Anti-Defection Law/10th Schedule). → (ii) • D. P. Sambamurthy v. State of A.P.: This case challenged the 32nd Amendment (regarding administrative tribunals in Andhra Pradesh). → (iv)

(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are correct and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A) 1. Evaluation of Assertion (A) Statement: The 43 Constitutional Amendment reversed certain provisions of the 42 Constitutional Amendment. Analysis: This statement is correct. The 42 Constitutional Amendment Act (1976), often called the "Mini-Constitution," enacted massive distortions in the constitutional framework during the Emergency. When the Janata Party government came to power, they enacted the 43 constitutional (1977) and 44 constitutional (1978) Amendments specifically to roll back these controversial changes and restore constitutional balance. 2. Evaluation of Reason (R) Statement: It restored the jurisdiction of the High Courts and Supreme Court. Analysis: This statement is also correct. The 42 Constitutional Amendment had severely curtailed the power of judicial review. It stripped the High Courts of their power to judge the constitutional validity of Central laws and restricted the Supreme Court's jurisdiction. The 43 Constitutional Amendment Act, 1977 explicitly restored the power of judicial review to both the Supreme Court (under Article 32) and the High Courts (under Article 226) regarding the constitutional validity of laws. It also omitted Article 31D, which had previously allowed the curtailment of fundamental rights under the guise of anti-national activities.

18 items included in the 12th Schedule of the Constitution of India (Article 243W): 1. Urban planning including town planning. 2. Regulation of land-use and construction of buildings. 3. Planning for economic and social development. 4. Roads and bridges. 5. Water supply for domestic, industrial, and commercial purposes. 6. Public health, sanitation conservancy, and solid waste management. 7. Fire services. 8. Urban forestry, protection of the environment, and promotion of ecological aspects. 9. Safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society, including the handicapped and mentally retarded. 10. Slum improvement and upgradation. 11. Urban poverty alleviation. 12. Provision of urban amenities and facilities such as parks, gardens, and playgrounds. 13. Promotion of cultural, educational, and aesthetic aspects. 14. Burials and burial grounds; cremations, cremation grounds, and electric crematoriums. 15. Cattle pounds; prevention of cruelty to animals. 16. Vital statistics including registration of births and deaths. 17. Public amenities including street lighting, parking lots, bus stops, and public conveniences. 18. Regulation of slaughterhouses and tanneries.

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