UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A budget without a proper government

Q1. In the constitutional scheme governing Puducherry, the office designated as the 'Administrator' of the Union Territory refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The Chief Secretary heading the Union Territory's civil service
  • B. A Governor appointed for the Union Territory under Article 153
  • C. The Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President as the administrative head of the Union Territory
  • D. The senior-most nominated MLA who presides over the Legislative Assembly

Q2. The Legislative Assembly and the Council of Ministers for the Union Territory of Puducherry are constituted under which one of the following laws?

  • A. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991
  • B. The Government of Union Territories Act, 1963
  • C. The Puducherry (Administration) Act, 1962
  • D. The States Reorganisation Act, 1956

Q3. In the context of Puducherry's government, 'allocation of business (portfolios)' to Ministers is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. The exclusive and permanent power of the Chief Minister alone to distribute all subjects, with no role for the Administrator
  • B. A process that requires the prior approval of the Legislative Assembly for every department before a Minister may act
  • C. A scheme by which all subjects are automatically vested in the Council collectively, with no individual charge to any Minister
  • D. The assignment of specific departments among Ministers, on the Chief Minister's advice, enabling each to formally transact departmental business

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the executive arrangement in the Union Territory of Puducherry with that in a full-fledged State: 1. In Puducherry the Council of Ministers aids and advises the Administrator, whereas in a State the Council of Ministers aids and advises the Governor. 2. The Administrator of Puducherry is designated the Lieutenant Governor and is appointed by the President, unlike a State Governor who is elected by the State legislature. 3. On a difference of opinion between the Administrator and his Ministers, the matter is referred to the President for decision — a mechanism that has no parallel in the Governor's relationship with a State Council of Ministers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In Puducherry the Council of Ministers aids and advises the Administrator, whereas in a State the Council of Ministers aids and advises the Governor.
  2. The Administrator of Puducherry is designated the Lieutenant Governor and is appointed by the President, unlike a State Governor who is elected by the State legislature.
  3. On a difference of opinion between the Administrator and his Ministers, the matter is referred to the President for decision — a mechanism that has no parallel in the Governor's relationship with a State Council of Ministers.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the Speaker of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The Speaker is elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly from amongst themselves. 2. When the office of Speaker is vacant, the duties of the office are performed by the Deputy Speaker. 3. The Speaker of the Puducherry Assembly is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor from among the nominated members. 4. The Speaker may resign from office by writing addressed to the Deputy Speaker. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Speaker is elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly from amongst themselves.
  2. When the office of Speaker is vacant, the duties of the office are performed by the Deputy Speaker.
  3. The Speaker of the Puducherry Assembly is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor from among the nominated members.
  4. The Speaker may resign from office by writing addressed to the Deputy Speaker.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 2, 3 and 4

Q6. In parliamentary practice, a 'pro tem Speaker' of a newly constituted Legislative Assembly is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A permanent presiding officer who holds office for the entire term of the Assembly
  • B. A member, usually the senior-most, appointed temporarily to administer the oath and preside until a regular Speaker is elected
  • C. An officer who exclusively and finally decides all questions of disqualification of members of the House
  • D. A nominee who necessarily must belong to the largest party and cannot be drawn from the opposition

Q7. Because Puducherry is a Union Territory with a legislature, its annual budget and plan proposals require approval from which one of the following before they can be given effect?

  • A. The Finance Commission of India
  • B. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India
  • C. The Central (Union) Government, through the concerned Union authority
  • D. The NITI Aayog governing council

Q8. In Puducherry, the annual Budget is formally presented in the Legislative Assembly by which one of the following functionaries?

  • A. The Lieutenant Governor, in his customary address to the House
  • B. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
  • C. The Chief Secretary of the Union Territory
  • D. The Chief Minister, who holds the Finance portfolio

Q9. The All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), the party leading Puducherry's government, was:

  • A. founded in 2011 by N. Rangasamy as a breakaway faction of the AIADMK
  • B. founded in 2016 by N. Rangasamy after completing a term as Chief Minister
  • C. founded in 2011 by N. Rangasamy after he parted ways with the Indian National Congress
  • D. founded in 2011 by N. Rangasamy in an electoral pact with the DMK

Q10. With reference to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that formed the government in Puducherry after the 2026 Assembly election, consider the following parties: 1. All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) 2. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 3. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) 4. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Which of the above is/are correctly identified as constituents of the ruling NDA in Puducherry?

  1. All India N.R. Congress (AINRC)
  2. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
  3. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
  4. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)
  • A. 1, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. The Supreme Court has recognised a 'sui generis' (uniquely elevated) status under which the Lieutenant Governor enjoys wider constitutionally-recognised discretionary powers than the Administrator of other Union Territories with legislatures. This status applies to which one of the following?

  • A. National Capital Territory of Delhi
  • B. Puducherry
  • C. Jammu and Kashmir
  • D. Chandigarh

Q12. For its administration and its interface with the Centre, the Union Territory of Puducherry functions under the nodal control of which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Finance
  • C. Ministry of Panchayati Raj
  • D. NITI Aayog (Ministry of Planning)