UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Manipur probe panel gets sixth extension; no sign of report yet

Q1. With reference to the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A commission under the Act can summon any person from any part of India and examine that person on oath.
  2. A commission can be appointed under the Act only to inquire into a definite matter of public importance.
  3. The appointing government may, by notification, give a commission additional powers, such as entering a building and seizing documents related to the inquiry, if it considers that the nature of the inquiry requires it.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. As of November 2026, the statutory six-month period for laying the report of the Commission of Inquiry on the 2023 Manipur violence before Parliament has not begun to run.
  2. Under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, the period for laying a commission's report before the legislature is counted from the date the commission submits its report to the appropriate Government.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Consider the following facts: The Commission of Inquiry on the 2023 Manipur violence was appointed by the Union Government. Its terms of reference cover the causes, extent and sequence of the violence that broke out in 2023. In February 2026 its chairperson resigned and a former Supreme Court judge took over, and an elected State government was restored in Manipur in the same month. Fresh clashes between Naga and Kuki groups have since claimed over 60 lives. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. The chairperson's resignation did not by itself end the inquiry.
  2. The commission's terms of reference now automatically cover the Naga-Kuki clashes of 2026.
  3. When submitted, the commission's report is to be laid before Parliament rather than the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q4. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A government that receives the report of a Commission of Inquiry is not legally bound to accept its recommendations.
  2. A Commission of Inquiry can receive evidence on affidavits and requisition public records from any court or office.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q5. Consider the following assertion: Although 'public order' is a State List subject, the Union Government could validly appoint, in June 2023, the Commission of Inquiry into the ethnic violence in Manipur. Which of the statements given above support/supports the assertion?

  1. When the commission was appointed, Manipur was under President's Rule, so the State Legislature's powers were exercisable by Parliament.
  2. The Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 lets the Central Government appoint a commission on any matter relatable to the Union, State or Concurrent List.
  3. Article 371C gives the Governor of Manipur a special responsibility for the proper functioning of the Hill Areas Committee.
  4. Article 355 makes it the duty of the Union to protect every State against internal disturbance.
  • A. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q6. With reference to the specification of Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A presidential notification specifying the Scheduled Tribes of a State can later be modified by a fresh presidential notification.
  2. After the initial notification, a community can be included in a State's list of Scheduled Tribes only by a law made by Parliament.
  3. A High Court, in exercise of its writ jurisdiction, can validly direct the inclusion of a community in a State's list of Scheduled Tribes.
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q7. A community notified as a Scheduled Tribe in one State may not be recognised as a Scheduled Tribe in a neighbouring State. Which of the following best explains this?

  • A. Each State Legislature specifies, by enacting a law, the tribes residing in that State.
  • B. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes certifies tribal status separately for each State.
  • C. The Governor notifies the tribes of each State on the advice of the State Council of Ministers.
  • D. Tribes are specified by presidential notification in relation to each State or Union territory.

Q8. With reference to the constitutional arrangements for the Hill Areas of Manipur, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Article 371C enables the President, by order, to provide for a committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly consisting of members elected from the Hill Areas.
  2. Under Article 371C, the executive power of the Union extends to giving directions to the State as to the administration of the Hill Areas.
  3. The Hill Areas of Manipur are governed by autonomous district councils constituted under the Sixth Schedule.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only