Black Smith — 2018 — Official Paper — Kerala PSC PYQ Practice with Answers

Correct answer (Option A):\n\nQuo Warranto is a prerogative writ issued by the judiciary to inquire into the legality of the claim which a person asserts to a public office. It effectively restrains an individual from illegally usurping or holding an office to which they are not rightfully entitled, preventing unlawful governance.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\n\nOption B (Certiorari) is issued by a higher court to quash an order already passed by a lower court. Option C (Habeas Corpus) is used to protect personal liberty against illegal detention. Option D (Prohibition) is issued to prevent a lower court from exceeding its jurisdiction before judgment.\n\nRemember:\n\nWrits are constitutional remedies provided under Article 32 (Supreme Court) and Article 226 (High Courts) of the Indian Constitution to safeguard fundamental rights.

Correct answer (Option D):\n\nAbsolutism is a political system in which a single ruler holds total, unrestricted power, which is the direct opposite of democratic principles. Democracy relies on shared power, democratic governance, checks and balances, and citizen representation.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\n\nOption A (Consent) is essential as democratic governments derive authority from the consent of the governed. Option B (Accountability) dictates that representatives are answerable to the citizens. Option C (Participation) reflects the active involvement of citizens in public decision-making.\n\nRemember:\n\nCore elements of democracy include the protection of fundamental human rights, fair competitive elections, rule of law, and active political civic engagement.

Correct answer (Option B):\n\nUttar Pradesh holds the highest total absolute number of Scheduled Caste (SC) population among all states in India according to census data. It accounts for a massive share of the country's overall Scheduled Caste demographic tracking.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\n\nOption A (Madhya Pradesh) has a very prominent Scheduled Tribe population but not the maximum SC count. Option C (Himachal Pradesh) has a high percentage of SC population relative to its total state population, but its absolute headcount is lower. Option D (Maharashtra) is home to a smaller total count compared to UP.\n\nRemember:\n\nWhile Uttar Pradesh leads in absolute total headcount numbers for Scheduled Castes, Punjab holds the highest percentage of Scheduled Caste population relative to its own total state population.

Correct answer (Option C):\n\nAccording to Article 62(2) of the Indian Constitution, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of the President occurring by reason of death, resignation, removal, or otherwise must be held as soon as possible, and in no case later than six months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\n\nOption A (90 days) is an incorrect timeframe not provided under any presidential vacancy guidelines. Option B (60 days) is the timeframe typically tied to certain legislative notifications or general bills but not a presidential vacancy limit. Option D (One year) is too long a delay for a critical constitutional office.\n\nRemember:\n\nIn the event of a vacancy, the Vice-President acts as the President until a newly elected official assumes the office, which must happen within the mandatory 6-month window.

Correct answer (Option D):\n\nThe Regulating Act of 1773 was passed by the British Parliament to oversee and regulate the affairs of the East India Company. This historic constitutional act altered the administrative structure by designating the Governor of Bengal as the Governor-General of Bengal.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\n\nOption A (Indian Councils Act, 1861) introduced modifications to the institutional executive council framework and portfolios. Option B (Indian Councils Act, 1893) subtly expanded the size of the legislative councils. Option C (Minto Morley Reforms, 1909) introduced a system of separate electorates based on religion.\n\nRemember:\n\nWarren Hastings served as the first Governor-General of Bengal following the execution of the Regulating Act of 1773. Later, the Charter Act of 1833 renamed the post to the Governor-General of India.