IAS Prelims 2025 — Polity & Governance | Question 1
Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk
📍 The Question
With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information:
| Organization | Some of its functions | It works under |
|---|---|---|
| I. Directorate of Enforcement | Enforcement of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 | Internal Security Division-I, Ministry of Home Affairs |
| II. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence | Enforces the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 | Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance |
| III. Directorate General of Systems and Data Management | Carrying out big data analytics to assist tax officers for better policy and nabbing tax evaders | Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance |
In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None
✅ Correct Answer: (a) Only one
🎯 Theme of the Question
Polity & Governance
Central Government Organizations
Ministries and Departments
Law Enforcement & Revenue Administration
This question tests administrative placement, not just functions.
🧠 Classroom Explanation
Let us evaluate each row carefully.
🔹 Row I: Directorate of Enforcement (ED) ❌
- Function: Enforcement of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 → ✔️ Correct
- Administrative Control:
- ED functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance
- NOT under the Ministry of Home Affairs
📌 Verdict: ❌ Incorrectly matched
🔹 Row II: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) ✅
- Function:
- Enforces the Customs Act, 1962
- Also enforces NDPS Act, COFEPOSA, Arms Act, Wildlife Act, etc.
- Administrative Control:
- Works under CBIC
- CBIC is under Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance
📌 Verdict: ✅ Correctly matched
🔹 Row III: Directorate General of Systems & Data Management ❌
- This Directorate:
- Develops and manages IT systems for Customs, GST, and Central Excise
- Functions under CBIC, Department of Revenue
- Big data analytics & risk profiling is primarily done by:
- DGARM (Directorate General of Analytics and Risk Management)
📌 Verdict: ❌ Incorrectly matched
📊 Final Assessment
| Row | Status |
|---|---|
| I | ❌ Incorrect |
| II | ✅ Correct |
| III | ❌ Incorrect |
✔️ Only ONE row is correctly matched
🧩 Prelims Trap Alert
- UPSC frequently mixes up Ministries:
- ED ❌ Home Ministry
- ED ✅ Finance Ministry
- Analytics ≠ IT Systems
- DGARM ≠ DG Systems & Data Management
🧠 One-Line Memory Hook
ED & DRI sit with Finance — not Home. Analytics lives with DGARM.
🧭 IAS Monk Whisper
In UPSC Polity, who controls an institution matters more than what it does.