UPSC Prelims 2008 Q45: Indian Polity – Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
Match List - I with List - II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:
List - I (Person)
A. Nagender Singh
B.
A. N. Ray
C. R. K. Trivedi
D. Ashok Desai
List - II (Position)
1. Chief Election Commissioner of India
2. President, International Court of Justice
3. Chief Justice of India
4. Attorney General of India
Code:
- (a) A - 1 B - 4 C - 2 D - 3
- (b) A - 2 B - 3 C - 1 D - 4
- (c) A - 1 B - 3 C - 2 D - 4
- (d) A - 2 B - 4 C - 1 D - 3
Answer: (b) A - 2 B - 3 C - 1 D - 4
Explanation
Matching persons to their constitutional/legal positions
Four notable Indian figures are matched here to the specific offices they held.
| Person | Position |
|---|---|
| A. Nagender Singh | 2. President, International Court of Justice |
| B. A.N. Ray | 3. Chief Justice of India |
| C. R.K. Trivedi | 1. Chief Election Commissioner of India |
| D. Ashok Desai | 4. Attorney General of India |
Why this matching is correct:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nagendra Singh | Served as President of the ICJ |
| A.N. Ray | Served as Chief Justice of India |
| R.K. Trivedi | Served as Chief Election Commissioner |
| Ashok Desai | Served as Attorney General of India |
Answer: (b) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. This misassigns A, B, and D, reversing their correct positions.
- (b) CORRECT. A-2 (ICJ President), B-3 (CJI), C-1 (CEC), D-4 (Attorney General) is the accurate matching.
- (c) Incorrect. This swaps A and D, misattributing their correct positions.
- (d) Incorrect. This misassigns multiple pairs, reversing their correct positions.
Key point
Nagendra Singh-President of the ICJ, A.N. Ray-Chief Justice of India, R.K. Trivedi-Chief Election Commissioner, Ashok Desai-Attorney General of India — the correct matching.
Remember
Person-position matching: Nagendra Singh-ICJ President, A.N. Ray-CJI, R.K. Trivedi-CEC, Ashok Desai-Attorney General.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Nagendra Singh's international (ICJ) role with a domestic Indian constitutional position.
- Mixing up A.N. Ray's Chief Justice role with the Chief Election Commissioner position.
- Not knowing Ashok Desai's specific Attorney General tenure.
Exam tip
Nagendra Singh=ICJ President, A.N. Ray=CJI, R.K. Trivedi=CEC, Ashok Desai=Attorney General. Four distinct high constitutional/international offices.
Sources
- International Court of Justice — Judges since 1946: Nagendra Singh (President, 1985–88)
- Supreme Court of India — Former Chief Justices of India: A. N. Ray (1973–77)
- Election Commission of India — Former Chief Election Commissioners: R. K. Trivedi