Answer: D

Explanation:

The 73rd (Amendment) Act of the Constitution, also known as the Panchayati Raj Act, establishes the three-tier Panchayati Raj system in India. This Act came into force on 24 April 1993.

This Act does not apply to the following states:

Nagaland: Nagaland has its own Panchayati Raj system which came into force in 1976.

Mizoram: Mizoram also has its own Panchayati Raj system which was implemented in 1972.

Jammu and Kashmir: The Panchayati Raj system in Jammu and Kashmir was implemented in  1989, but it is separate from the 73rd Amendment Act.

Meghalaya: Meghalaya also has its own Panchayati Raj system which was implemented in  1997.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The principle of 'parliamentary sovereignty' pertains to the British Parliament. Sovereignty means the supreme power of the state. In Great Britain, supreme power is vested in Parliament, with no legal restrictions on its influence and jurisdiction. Therefore, the sovereignty of Parliament (Parliamentary Supremacy) is an important feature of the British constitutional system. Supreme power in Britain is vested in Parliament. Hence, option (c) is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

The origin/formation of the Estimates Committee can be seen in the Standing Finance Committee established in 1921. For the first time after independence, the first Estimates Committee was formed in 1950 on the recommendation of John Mathai. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Mathai was the Finance Minister at that time. Originally it had 25 members but in 1956 its membership was increased to 30. These thirty members are Lok Sabha members. Rajya Sabha has no representation in this committee. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Its members are elected annually by the Lok Sabha from among its members and follow the principle of proportional representation through the single transferable vote. The tenure of the committee is one year. No minister can be a member of the committee. The chairman of the committee is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from among the members of the Lok Sabha and is invariably from the ruling party. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: B

Explanation:

The Committee on Public Undertakings was formed for the first time in 1964 on the recommendation of Krishna Menon Committee. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Initially it had 15 members (10 from Lok Sabha and 5 from Rajya Sabha). However, in 1974, its membership was increased to 22 (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha). Hence, statement 2 is correct.

The members of the Committee are elected by the Parliament from among its members on the basis of the principle of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. In this way representation of each party is ensured. The tenure is of one year. No minister can become a member of the committee. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha appoints one of the Lok Sabha members as the chairman of the committee. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: B

Explanation:

The inclusion of fundamental duties in the Constitution was done on the recommendation of the Swarn Singh Committee. This committee was constituted in 1976 and was headed by the then Foreign Minister Swaran Singh. The committee had recommended 10 fundamental duties, which were included in the Constitution in 1976 through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment. The objective of the fundamental duties is to motivate the citizens to be loyal and responsible towards the country. Hence, option (b) is correct.