UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 35

This question tests separation of judiciary from executive. The key concept is: Article 50, a Directive Principle, directs the state to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the state. The principle is therefore found in Part IV rather than in the Preamble, Seventh Schedule or mere convention. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option B. Option A — the Preamble of the Constitution: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Article 50, a Directive Principle, directs the state to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the state. The principle is therefore found in Part IV rather than in the Preamble, Seventh Schedule or mere convention. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option B — a Directive Principle of State Policy: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because Article 50, a Directive Principle, directs the state to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the state. The principle is therefore found in Part IV rather than in the Preamble, Seventh Schedule or mere convention. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option C — the Seventh Schedule: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Article 50, a Directive Principle, directs the state to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the state. The principle is therefore found in Part IV rather than in the Preamble, Seventh Schedule or mere convention. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — the conventional practice: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Article 50, a Directive Principle, directs the state to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the state. The principle is therefore found in Part IV rather than in the Preamble, Seventh Schedule or mere convention. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option B is the verified answer.