UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Kiren Rijiju flags Rahul’s ‘undeclared’ foreign visits

Q1. For an official foreign visit by a Member of Parliament, the mandatory 'political clearance' is granted exclusively by which one of the following authorities?

  • A. The Ministry of External Affairs
  • B. The Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. The Lok Sabha / Rajya Sabha Secretariat
  • D. The Cabinet Secretariat

Q2. In the context of overseas travel by public servants and MPs, what precisely does a 'Political Clearance' from the MEA denote?

  • A. Prior governmental approval required before a public servant/MP undertakes an official visit abroad
  • B. A visa endorsement obtained from the destination country's mission
  • C. An income-source verification carried out by the Enforcement Directorate before travel
  • D. A diplomatic passport automatically issued to all serving MPs

Q3. Permission for a member of a legislature to accept foreign hospitality abroad under Section 6 of the FCRA, 2010 is granted/operationalised by which ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of External Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Finance
  • D. Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Q4. Under Section 6 of the FCRA, 2010, acceptance of 'foreign hospitality' by a member of a legislature while abroad is correctly described as which one of the following?

  • A. Permissible only with prior permission of the Central Government, except emergent medical aid (which must be intimated within one month)
  • B. Absolutely prohibited in every circumstance without exception
  • C. Freely permitted, requiring only a post-facto declaration of assets
  • D. Permissible only if the hospitality is funded by an Indian diplomatic mission

Q5. Following the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Act, 2019, the sole serving constitutional functionary who is the primary designated SPG protectee is which one of the following?

  • A. The Prime Minister
  • B. The President
  • C. The Leader of the Opposition
  • D. The Union Home Minister

Q6. The Special Protection Group derives its statutory mandate from which one of the following enactments?

  • A. The Special Protection Group Act, 1988
  • B. The Special Protection Group Act, 1985
  • C. The National Security Guard Act, 1986
  • D. The Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949

Q7. With reference to the office of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Parliament, consider the following statements: 1. It is a post created directly by the Constitution of India. 2. It is governed by the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977. 3. The LoP enjoys a rank and facilities equivalent to a Cabinet Minister. 4. Recognition requires the opposition party to have the greatest numerical strength (by convention at least one-tenth of the House's seats). Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is a post created directly by the Constitution of India.
  2. It is governed by the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.
  3. The LoP enjoys a rank and facilities equivalent to a Cabinet Minister.
  4. Recognition requires the opposition party to have the greatest numerical strength (by convention at least one-tenth of the House's seats).
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 4 only

Q8. The Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977 and the rules thereunder are administered by which one of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions