UPSC Prelims 2012 Q56: Indian Polity – Union & State Executive
According to the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the President of India to cause to be
laid before the Parliament which of the following?
1. The Recommendations of the Union Finance Commission
2. The Report of the Public Accounts Committee
3. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
4. The Report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 4 only
- (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation
Reports the President causes to be laid before Parliament
| Report | Laid by the President? | Article |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Recommendations of the Union Finance Commission | Yes | Article 281, with a memorandum on action taken |
| 2. The Report of the Public Accounts Committee | No | The Committee is a body of Parliament; it presents its report to the House itself |
| 3. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General | Yes | Article 151 |
| 4. The Report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes | Yes | Article 338 |
Others laid by the President:
| Report | Article |
|---|---|
| Annual Financial Statement (Budget) | 112 |
| Union Public Service Commission report | 323 |
| National Commission for Scheduled Tribes report | 338A |
Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The reports of the CAG and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes are also laid.
- (b) Incorrect. The Public Accounts Committee report is not laid by the President.
- (c) CORRECT. The Finance Commission, CAG and National Commission for Scheduled Castes reports are laid.
- (d) Incorrect. The Public Accounts Committee presents its own report to the House.
Key point
President lays: Finance Commission (Article 281), CAG (151), UPSC (323), SC and ST Commissions (338, 338A), Budget (112). Parliamentary committees report to the House directly.
Remember
Finance Commission, CAG, SC Commission: laid by the President.
Common mistakes
- Including the Public Accounts Committee, which is Parliament's own committee.
- Forgetting that the Finance Commission report goes to Parliament through the President.
- Mixing up bodies outside Parliament with committees inside it.
Exam tip
The President lays reports of bodies outside Parliament. A parliamentary committee needs no one to lay its report.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Articles 151, 281 and 338
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity, Ch on President (legislative powers)