UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Rajasthan okays Uniform Civil Code, tree protection Bills

Q1. With reference to the progress of State-level Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legislation in India up to the Rajasthan Cabinet's approval of its draft UCC Bill, consider the following statements: 1. Uttarakhand was the first State to bring a Uniform Civil Code into force, doing so in January 2025. 2. The Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed a Uniform Civil Code Bill in March 2026. 3. The Assam Legislative Assembly passed a Uniform Civil Code Bill in May 2026, becoming the third State to do so. 4. West Bengal enacted a Uniform Civil Code in July 2026, thereby preceding Rajasthan's Cabinet approval. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Uttarakhand was the first State to bring a Uniform Civil Code into force, doing so in January 2025.
  2. The Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed a Uniform Civil Code Bill in March 2026.
  3. The Assam Legislative Assembly passed a Uniform Civil Code Bill in May 2026, becoming the third State to do so.
  4. West Bengal enacted a Uniform Civil Code in July 2026, thereby preceding Rajasthan's Cabinet approval.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q2. At the time the Rajasthan Cabinet cleared its draft Uniform Civil Code Bill in August 2026, how many Indian States had already had a Uniform Civil Code Bill passed by their legislature?

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

Q3. In the constitutional scheme, the obligation cast on the State by Article 44 of the Constitution of India is best described as one which —

  • A. is not enforceable by any court, but is fundamental in the governance of the country and a duty of the State in making laws
  • B. is enforceable against the State through a writ petition under Article 32, subject to restrictions imposed by a law made by Parliament
  • C. binds Parliament alone, State legislatures being barred from legislating on the subject matter that it covers
  • D. becomes operative only upon a resolution of the legislatures of half the States, as expressly provided in Part IV

Q4. With reference to the drafts cleared by the Rajasthan Cabinet in August 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The draft Uniform Civil Code covers marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance and live-in relationships. 2. Customary practices of tribal communities have been kept outside the scope of the draft Code. 3. The Cabinet's approval by itself brings the Code into force throughout the entire State, no further legislative step being necessary. 4. The Cabinet simultaneously cleared a draft Bill for the protection of specified tree species in the State. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The draft Uniform Civil Code covers marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance and live-in relationships.
  2. Customary practices of tribal communities have been kept outside the scope of the draft Code.
  3. The Cabinet's approval by itself brings the Code into force throughout the entire State, no further legislative step being necessary.
  4. The Cabinet simultaneously cleared a draft Bill for the protection of specified tree species in the State.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q5. A State law on a Concurrent List subject such as marriage and succession, which is repugnant to an earlier law made by Parliament on the same subject, can prevail within that State only if it has received the assent of which one of the following?

  • A. The President, the Bill having been reserved for his consideration by the Governor of the State
  • B. The Governor of the State, acting on the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers
  • C. The Union Ministry of Law and Justice, by way of prior sanction communicated to the State
  • D. The Supreme Court, by way of an opinion rendered on a reference made to it by the President

Q6. Consider the following statements comparing the tree-protection regime proposed for Rajasthan in 2026 with the arrangements that preceded it: 1. Before the new Bill, felling of khejri attracted a penalty of the order of only ₹100 per tree under decades-old rules dating to the 1950s. 2. In September 2024 the State had announced a policy requiring ten trees to be planted for every khejri felled. 3. The 2026 Bill extends statutory protection to a list of 29 tree species rather than to khejri alone. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Before the new Bill, felling of khejri attracted a penalty of the order of only ₹100 per tree under decades-old rules dating to the 1950s.
  2. In September 2024 the State had announced a policy requiring ten trees to be planted for every khejri felled.
  3. The 2026 Bill extends statutory protection to a list of 29 tree species rather than to khejri alone.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. In the Khejarli episode of 1730, how many members of the Bishnoi community are traditionally held to have been killed while resisting the felling of khejri trees?

  • A. 84
  • B. 129
  • C. 363
  • D. 517

Q8. The felling of khejri trees that led to the Khejarli killings of 1730 was carried out on the orders of which one of the following rulers?

  • A. Maharaja Abhay Singh of Jodhpur, for timber required for the construction of his palace
  • B. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Amber, for timber required for his observatory works
  • C. Maharana Sangram Singh II of Mewar, for timber required for his lakeside palaces
  • D. Maharaja Ajit Singh of Marwar, for timber required for his fortifications

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding the Model Code of Conduct as it applies to elections to panchayats and municipalities, as compared with elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies: 1. For panchayat and municipal elections the Code is administered by the State Election Commission, whereas for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections it is administered by the Election Commission of India. 2. The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor of the State under Article 243K of the Constitution. 3. In both cases the Code comes into force on the date the results are declared and remains in force until the new House or body is duly constituted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. For panchayat and municipal elections the Code is administered by the State Election Commission, whereas for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections it is administered by the Election Commission of India.
  2. The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor of the State under Article 243K of the Constitution.
  3. In both cases the Code comes into force on the date the results are declared and remains in force until the new House or body is duly constituted.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. The competence of a State legislature to enact a code governing marriage, divorce and succession for all communities within the State is derived principally from which one of the following?

  • A. Entry 5 of the Concurrent List, covering marriage and divorce, wills, intestacy and succession, and matters governed by personal law
  • B. Entry 1 of the State List, covering public order and the maintenance of peace and tranquillity within the State
  • C. Entry 97 of the Union List, the residuary entry covering matters not enumerated in the State or Concurrent Lists
  • D. Entry 20 of the Concurrent List, covering economic and social planning undertaken jointly by the Union and the States