UPSC Prelims 2003 Q33: Indian Polity – Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
- (a) The Press Council of India is an autonomous quasi - judicial body established under an Act of Parliament.
- (b) The Press Information Bureau provides accreditation to media persons so as to have easy access to information from government sources
- (c) Among all the states of India, Maharashtra publishes the largest number of newspapers
- (d) Press Trust of India is the largest news agency in the country
Answer: (c) Among all the states of India, Maharashtra publishes the largest number of newspapers
Explanation
Statements on the press in India (NOT correct)
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| a. Press Council of India is an autonomous quasi-judicial body under an Act | Correct |
| b. PIB provides accreditation to media persons | Correct |
| c. Maharashtra publishes the largest number of newspapers | Not correct — Uttar Pradesh leads in the number of publications |
| d. PTI is the largest news agency in the country | Correct |
The question asks which statement is NOT correct: it is (c), since Uttar Pradesh publishes the largest number of newspapers and periodicals. (The stored stem had dropped the word NOT; it is restored to the printed form.)
Answer: (c) Among all the states of India, Maharashtra publishes the largest number of newspapers.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Press Council is a statutory quasi-judicial body.
- (b) Incorrect. PIB does accredit journalists.
- (c) CORRECT. This statement is not correct, as Uttar Pradesh leads.
- (d) Incorrect. PTI is the largest news agency.
Key point
Press Council of India: 1966 Act (revived 1978); PIB accreditation; PTI: 1947.
Remember
Uttar Pradesh, not Maharashtra, publishes the most newspapers.
Common mistakes
- Reading the stem as asking for a correct statement.
- Choosing Maharashtra because of Mumbai's media.
- Forgetting UP's large number of Hindi papers.
Exam tip
NOT-questions: find the one false statement.
Sources
- Press Council Act, 1978
- Press Information Bureau, Government of India — About PIB
- Press Trust of India — About PTI (founded 1947)