UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Appointment of Chairperson and Members in the National Statistical Commission

Q1. The National Statistical Commission (NSC) of India derives its existence from which one of the following?

  • A. An executive Resolution of the Government of India issued in 2005
  • B. The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008
  • C. Article 280 of the Constitution of India
  • D. The Statistical Services Act, 2006

Q2. Who chaired the Commission whose recommendations led the Government of India to set up the National Statistical Commission in 2005?

  • A. Dr. C. Rangarajan
  • B. Dr. Bimal Jalan
  • C. Dr. Y. V. Reddy
  • D. Dr. Vijay Kelkar

Q3. The National Statistical Commission (NSC) was set up by a Government Resolution in 2005 on the recommendation of a Commission that reviewed the Indian Statistical System under the chairmanship of:

  • A. Dr. C. Rangarajan
  • B. Dr. Y. V. Reddy
  • C. Dr. Bimal Jalan
  • D. Dr. Vijay Kelkar

Q4. Which one of the following is designated as the apex authority for statistical coordination between Central Ministries/Departments and the State Governments in India?

  • A. NITI Aayog
  • B. Central Statistics Office
  • C. National Statistical Commission
  • D. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Q5. With reference to the National Statistical Commission (NSC) and the statistical institutions that preceded it, consider the following statements: 1. The NSC has subsumed the functions of the erstwhile Governing Council of the National Sample Survey Office. 2. Unlike the statutory commission originally envisaged by the Rangarajan Commission, the NSC was set up through an executive resolution. 3. The Chief Statistician of India is the ex-officio Chairperson of the NSC. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The NSC has subsumed the functions of the erstwhile Governing Council of the National Sample Survey Office.
  2. Unlike the statutory commission originally envisaged by the Rangarajan Commission, the NSC was set up through an executive resolution.
  3. The Chief Statistician of India is the ex-officio Chairperson of the NSC.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. With reference to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and the Civil Services Board (CSB), consider the following statements: 1. The CSB is headed by the Cabinet Secretary, whereas the ACC is chaired by the Prime Minister with the Union Home Minister as its only other member. 2. The CSB prepares shortlists/panels for empanelment of officers, which are then submitted for approval to the ACC. 3. Unlike the ACC, which derives its authority from the Constitution, the Civil Services Board is constituted only under executive rules. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The CSB is headed by the Cabinet Secretary, whereas the ACC is chaired by the Prime Minister with the Union Home Minister as its only other member.
  2. The CSB prepares shortlists/panels for empanelment of officers, which are then submitted for approval to the ACC.
  3. Unlike the ACC, which derives its authority from the Constitution, the Civil Services Board is constituted only under executive rules.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. As per the Government Resolution codified through Notification No. 478 dated 19 December 2019, how many part-time Members (excluding the Chairperson and the ex-officio Member) does the National Statistical Commission comprise?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q8. With reference to bodies and posts within India's official statistical system, which of the following is/are correctly identified?

  1. National Sample Survey Office (NSSO): an attached office of MoSPI which, along with the CSO, was subsumed into the NSO by a 2019 order.
  2. Central Statistical Office (CSO): a statutory body constituted under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.
  3. National Statistical Commission (NSC): a statutory regulatory body constituted under the National Statistical Commission Act, 2006.
  4. Chief Statistician of India (CSI): heads the National Statistical Office and also functions as Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 4 only