Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: A negative conception of liberty implies the absence of restraints and rights to do whatever one likes. It may make the powerful person more powerful to keep the weaker ones at their mercy.

Statement 2 is incorrect: A positive conception of liberty refers to a society in which adequate facilities are available for each and every section of society to enjoy desirable rights. It believes that any individual or section should not hinder the progress of others. People can enjoy all freedoms that are permissible by laws.

Positive liberty ensures the growth of poor, weak, and downtrodden people. It interprets that liberty lies in the removal of hindrances. Hence statement 3 is about the Positive conception of liberty.

Ans: C

Exp:

India has a bicameral legislature, which means it consists of two separate houses: the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The Constitution has given the States the option of establishing either a unicameral or bicameral legislature. At present, only six States have a bicameral legislature. (i) Andhra Pradesh (ii) Bihar (iii) Karnataka (iv) Maharashtra (v) Telangana (vi) Uttar Pradesh.  

Rajasthan has a Unicameral legislature.

Ans: B

Exp:

The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament. It has its own distinctive features and reflects the federal character of the Constitution, and protects the rights of States.

Statement 1 is correct: The Rajya Sabha cannot initiate, reject, or amend money bills. It is the exclusive power of the Lok Sabha. However, it can provide recommendations for money bills which may or may not be accepted by the Lok Sabha.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Parliament in general and to the Lok Sabha in particular. Hence, the Council of Ministers is not responsible to the Rajya Sabha.

Statement 3 is correct: The approval of the Rajya Sabha is necessary if the Union Parliament wishes to remove a matter from the State List (over which only the State Legislature can make law) to either the Union List or Concurrent List in the interest of the nation.

Ans: C

Exp:

“Defection” refers to the act of an elected representative, such as a Member of Parliament (MP) or a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), changing their political party affiliation or leaving their original political party to join another party. 

In the context of the Indian polity,  if a member  (i) remains absent in the House when asked by the party leadership to remain present, (ii) votes against the instructions of the party, or (iii) voluntarily leaves the membership of the party, it is considered as defection.

Ans:  A

Exp:

Statements 1 and 2 are correct: India, with its large size and diversity, usually prefers to have two houses of the national legislature to give representation to all sections of the society, to bring harmony in the society, to cater to the needs of every section of the society, and also to accommodate people from all geographical regions or parts of the country so that the legislature can cater to the needs of every corner of the country.

Statement 3 is correct: Every decision taken by one house goes to the other house for its decision, which means that every bill and policy would be discussed twice.  This ensures a double check on every matter. Even if one house takes a decision in haste,that decision will come up for discussion in another house, and reconsideration will be possible.

Statement 4 is incorrect: If every bill and policy will be discussed twice,it is not easy to pass a bill. This will not fulfil the aspirations of society.  The presence of two houses will facilitate deliberate discussion of a bill or policy brought out by the government.