UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 17
With reference to Union Budget, consider the following statements :
- The Union Finance Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister lays the Annual Financial Statement before both the Houses of Parliament.
- At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C (Both 1 and 2)
Explanation: The Union Budget is laid before Parliament under Article 112 and demands for grants require the President’s recommendation under Article 113. The question’s wording on whose behalf the Finance Minister acts is contested.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Correct/True - The supplied/official key treats the Budget-presentation statement as correct, although Article 112 says the President causes the AFS to be laid; “on behalf of the Prime Minister” is constitutionally imprecise.
2. Correct/True - Article 113(3) requires the President’s recommendation for demands for grants.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-omits correct item 2 (Article 113(3) requires the President’s recommendation for demands for grants.).
B. Incorrect-omits correct item 1 (The supplied/official key treats the Budget-presentation statement as correct, although Article 112 says the President causes the AFS to be laid; “on behalf of the Prime Minister” is constitutionally imprecise.).
C. Correct-includes precisely the true/correct statements or pairs identified above.
D. Incorrect-omits correct item 1 (The supplied/official key treats the Budget-presentation statement as correct, although Article 112 says the President causes the AFS to be laid; “on behalf of the Prime Minister” is constitutionally imprecise.); omits correct item 2 (Article 113(3) requires the President’s recommendation for demands for grants.).
Review note: Official key supplied as C (both). Strict reading of Article 112 would favour B; explicit review recommended.