2021

Statement 1 is Correct: Genetic engineering is fundamental to the development of recombinant vector vaccines. This process involves isolating the gene that codes for a specific antigen (a protein that triggers an immune response) from a pathogen and inserting it into the genetic material of a harmless carrier, known as a vector. Unlike recombinant protein vaccines (like Hepatitis B) where the antigen is produced in a lab, recombinant vector vaccines use the vector to deliver the genetic instructions directly into the human body.

Statement 2 is Correct: Both viruses and bacteria can serve as vectors in these vaccines. Viral vectors, such as Adenoviruses (used in the AstraZeneca/Covishield COVID-19 vaccine) or the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (used in Ebola vaccines), are common. Bacterial vectors, such as attenuated strains of Salmonella or Mycobacterium bovis (BCG), are also used in research and development to deliver antigens and stimulate a robust immune response.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Section 33(7) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, was amended in 1996 to restrict a candidate from contesting from more than two constituencies in a single general election or bye-elections held simultaneously.

Statement 2 is Correct: In the 1991 Lok Sabha elections, Shri Devi Lal contested from three constituencies: Rohtak (Haryana), Sikar (Rajasthan), and Ferozepur (Punjab). This was permissible at the time as the two-constituency limit was only introduced in 1996.

Statement 3 is Incorrect: There is no provision in the Representation of the People Act or election rules that requires a candidate or their party to bear the cost of bye-elections. Currently, the expenditure for conducting bye-elections is borne by the respective State Governments and the Central Government through the Election Commission.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The "Right to the City" is not a formally agreed universal human right in international law. It is a normative and political concept. UN-Habitat uses the idea in the New Urban Agenda, but: it does not legally monitor binding national commitments.

Statement 2 is correct. The Right to the City is the right of all inhabitants (present and future, permanent and temporary) to inhabit, use, occupy, produce, transform, govern, and enjoy cities, towns, and human settlements that are just, inclusive, safe, sustainable and democratic, defined as common goods for enjoying life with dignity and peace. The right to the city further implies responsibilities on governments and people to claim, defend, and promote this right.

Statement 3 is correct. "Right to the City" is interpreted as an inclusive urban citizenship right. The concept says that all city dwellers, including: migrants, slum dwellers, residents of unauthorized colonies, have a claim to urban services and dignity. It views residents not as "encroachers" but as rights-bearing urban citizens who contribute to the city economy. Hence: denial of water, sanitation, waste management, etc. merely because a settlement is "unauthorized" is seen as violating the spirit of Right to the City. Indian courts have also held that basic services cannot be denied even to illegal settlements, as they are part of Article 21 – Right to Life.

Note: UPSC usually takes welfare centric approach in questions.

The right to privacy in India is not explicitly mentioned in a single article of the Constitution. However, it is considered an intrinsic part of the fundamental right to life and liberty guaranteed under Article 21.

This recognition came about through a landmark Supreme Court judgment in 2017, K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd) vs Union of India. The court ruled that the right to privacy is an inseparable part of the right to life and personal liberty, and is protected under Article 21.


A constitutional government seeks to limit and regulate the exercise of political power by the government. Constitutional government is by definition limited government. It means government is conducted according to rules and principles, which are binding on all political actors.

Therefore constitutional government helps to constrain the unfettered exercise of power by separating or dividing it. The constitutional government provides a framework in which the government can be both responsible and representative managing conflicts, Protecting the rights, promoting participation, and maintaining the security of the citizens.

Statement 1 is Correct: The key difference lies in Parliamentary Supremacy. In the British model, Parliament is considered sovereign. This means its legislative powers are supreme, and its laws cannot be challenged by any other body. In India, the Constitution is supreme. Parliament's power to legislate is limited by the Constitution. The judiciary can review laws passed by Parliament and strike them down if they violate the Constitution.

Statement 2 is also Correct: This is a specific example of the limitation on Parliament's power in India. The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has the authority to review amendments made to existing laws (Acts) and determine if they are constitutional. This power of judicial review ensures the Constitution remains the supreme law.

The exact constitutional status of India on 26th January 1950 was a Sovereign Democratic Republic.

- The Constitution of India was adopted on 26th November 1949, but it came into effect on 26th January 1950. - The Preamble of the Constitution, adopted in 1949, defined India as a "Sovereign Democratic Republic." - The terms "Socialist" and "Secular" were added to the Preamble much later, through the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976.

Therefore, on 26th January 1950, India wasn't yet classified as "Socialist" or "Secular" in its constitution.


Statement 1 is Incorrect: The recommendation to designate a minister and a secretary solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform was made by the first Administrative Reforms Commission (1966), not the N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee. The N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee (1949) focused on the reorganization of the machinery of the Central Government, the grouping of ministries, and the establishment of the Organisation and Methods (O&M) Division.

Statement 2 is Correct: In 1970, the Department of Personnel was established following the recommendations of the first Administrative Reforms Commission (1966). It was initially placed under the Cabinet Secretariat, which functions under the direct charge of the Prime Minister. In 1985, it was reorganized into the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, which remains under the Prime Minister's charge.

Previously a Fundamental Right - Before 1978, the Indian Constitution guaranteed the right to property as a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(f) and Article 31. - This meant citizens had the right to acquire, hold, and dispose of their property. - Article 31 also ensured that the government couldn't take over private property without due compensation and for public purposes only.

Change in 1978 - The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 changed the status of the Right to Property. - Articles 19(1)(f) and 31 were removed from the list of fundamental rights. - A new Article, 300-A, was introduced under Part XII of the Constitution.

Current Status: A legal right available to any person. - Article 300-A states, "No person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law." - This means the government can still acquire private property, but only under legal authorization. - The law should be fair and reasonable, and the government has the power to decide the quantum of compensation.

Statement 1 is Correct: Article 5 of the Indian Constitution explicitly mentions "domicile" in the territory of India. Furthermore, the Supreme Court in the *Pradeep Jain v. Union of India* case ruled that India has only one domicile—the domicile of India—and does not recognize separate state domiciles.

Statement 2 is Incorrect: Under Article 58 of the Constitution, any person who is a citizen of India is eligible for the office of the President (Head of State). Unlike the United States, where only a natural-born citizen can become President, in India, both a citizen by birth and a naturalized citizen are eligible for the post.

Statement 3 is Incorrect: According to the Citizenship Act, 1955, the Central Government can deprive a person of their citizenship (Deprivation) if it was obtained by fraud, false representation, concealment of material facts, or if the citizen has shown disloyalty to the Constitution of India.