03

GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 987

INDIAN POLITY
The polity section has been given vital role to play in the NDA examination. Around 8-10 questions are
asked from this section. From the executive section questions are asked from the topics like President,
Prime Minister and Council of Minister.
The legislative portion of polity has been emphasised a lot. Questions have been asked from Parliament,
State Legislature, proceedings of Parliament etc. From the judiciary portion questions are asked from the
topics like Supreme Court, High Court, Lok Adalat etc. Apart from these, some of the important articles
of the Constitution, fundamental duties, important schedules have been asked.

• The British came to India in 1600 as traders as a part of East

INDIAN CONSTITUTION India Company. Later in 1765, they got the Diwani Right over
The British Government regulated the affairs of West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. The company which began as a
India by a series of constitutional reforms that were purely commercial corporation gradually attained the status of
totally guided towards ensuring colonial governance a government.
in India. • With this increased power there arose the need of regulation of
The political evolution of India as an independent activities of East India Company. This was done by different Act
and sovereign republic has its immediate historical of Parliament. Like Regulating Act, 1773, Charter Act, 1813,
roots in the period of the British rule. Government of India Act, 1858 etc.
Certain features of our Constitution can better be
comprehended, only if we start with the brief Making of the Constitution
review of the constitutional set-up in the preceding • The demand that India’s political destiny should be determined
period. by the Indian themselves had been put forward by Mahatma
Gandhi as early as in 1922. The idea of a Constitutional
Historical Background Assembly for India was put forward for the first time by MN
Roy in 1934.
• The origin and growth of the Indian Constitution
• The demand for Constituent Assembly was first accepted by
has its roots in Indian history during British the British in August offer (1940), but the Constituent
period from 1773 onwards, various act was passed Assembly was set-up in November, 1946 as per the Cabinet
by the British Government for the governance of Mission Plan of 1946. The first meeting was held on
India. British Administration in India till 1858 9th December, 1946 with Sachidanand Sinha as the interim
was mainly that of the East India Company. President.
988 NDA/NA Pathfinder

• On 11th December, 1946 Dr Rajendra Prasad was • From USA (i) Written Constitution, (ii) Post of
elected as the permanent President of the Vice-President, (iii) Fundamental Rights, (iv) Supreme Court,
Constitutional Assembly. It took almost three (v) Head of the State known as President, (vi) Provision of
years (two years eleven months and eighteen days) States and (vii) Judicial Review.
to complete its historic task of drafting the • From France Republic and ideals of liberty, equality and
Constitution for Independent India. faternity.
• On 29th August, 1947, the Constituent Assembly • From Australia (i) Concurrent List, (ii) Centre-State
set-up a Drafting Committee under the Relationship and (iii) Joint sitting of two House of Parliament.
Chairmanship of Dr BR Ambedkar to prepare a • From USSR (i) Fundamental Duties and (ii) Ideals of justice
Draft Constitution for India. (Social, Economical and Political) in the preamble.
• From Germany Suspension of Fundamental Rights during
Enactment and Enforcement emergency.
• From Japan Procedure established by law.
of the Constitution • From Canada Federal system and Residuary power with
• The Constitution of India was adopted on strong centre and advisory jurisdiction of Supreme Court.
26th November, 1949 and the honourable • From South Africa Procedure of Constitutional Amendment
members appended their signatures to it on that and election of member of Rajya Sabha.
day. In all, 284 members actually signed the • From Ireland Concept of Directive Principles of State Policy
Constitution. 26th November, 1949 is also (originally, it was borrowed from Spain). Mode of election of
mentioned in the Preamble as the date on which President and nomination of members to Rajya Sabha.
the people of India adopted, enacted and gave to
themselves the Constitution. Characteristics of Indian Constitution
• The Constitution came into force on 26th January,
The salient features of Indian Constitution are as follow
1950 was specifically chosen as the date of
i. The lengthiest Constitution in the world
commencement of the Constitution because on
this day in 1930, the Poorna Swaraj day was ii. Universal Adult Franchise
celebrated. iii. Blend of rigidity and flexibility
iv. Parliamentary Government
Constitution Committees and their Chairmen v. Independent judiciary
S.Nos. Major Committees Chairmen vi. Federal system with unitary features
1. Drafting Committee Dr BR Ambedkar vii. Secular state
viii. Single citizenship
2. Union Power Committee Jawaharlal Nehru
ix. Single Constitution
3. Union Constitution Committee Jawaharlal Nehru
x. Division of power between Centre and States
4. Provincial Constitution Sardar Patel xi. Emergency provisions
Committee
xii. Single judiciary
5. Advisory Committee on Sardar Patel
Fundamental Rights and xiii. Power of Parliament to Amend Constitution
Minorities, tribal affairs xiv. Independent bodies like- CAG election commission.
6. Rules of Procedure Committee Dr Rajendra Prasad
Difference between Unitary and Federal Constitution
7. States Committee Jawaharlal Nehru
Unitary Constitution Federal Constitution
8. Steering Committee Dr Rajendra Prasad
1. Single citizenship 1. Dual citizenship
9. Special Committee to examine Sir Alladi Krishna
2. Single Constitution 2. Dual Constitution
the Draft Constitution Swamy lyer
3. Power of union to override on the 3. Division of power between Centre
state matters and States
Borrowed Features 4. Change in the names and boundaries 4. Change in the names and
of the State by the Parliament boundaries of the state by the
• From UK (England) (i) Parliamentary System, Conference of the state.
(ii) Lower House more powerful, (iii) Prime 5. Integrated judiciary 5. Dual judiciary
Minister, (iv) Cabinet System of Ministers, 6. No units have rights to succeed from 6. Units have the right to separate
(v) Single Citizenship, (vi) Bicameral Parliament, centre from centre
(vii) Provision of Speaker in Lok Sabha, (viii) 7. Dependence of state on the centre for 7. Residual power given to states
Council of Ministers responsible to Lower House, economic assistance and grants
(ix) Nominal Head—President. 8. Britain has unitary Constitution 8. US Constitution is a Federal
Constitution
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 989

The Preamble and Its PARTS OF THE CONSTITUTION

Significance There are 25 parts in our Constitution, which can be described
as below
The Objectives Resolution, moved in the Constituent
Assembly by Nehru on 13th December, 1946 was ✦ Part-I (Articles 1-4) Deals with territory of India, formation of new
states, alterations of names and areas of existing
adopted by the assembly on 22nd January, 1947 and states.
later became the Preamble to the Constitution. ✦ Part-II (Articles 5-11) Deals with various provisions related to
Preamble is an integral part of the Constitution. citizenship.
“We, the People of India having solemnly resolved to ✦ Part-III (Articles 12-35) Deals with Fundamental Rights of Indian citizens.
constitute India into a sovereign, socialist, secular, ✦ Part-IV (Articles 36-51) Deals with Directive Principles of State Policy.
democratic, republic and to secure all its citizens.
✦ Part-IV A (Article 51A) Added by 42nd Amendment in 1976. Contains
Justice social, economic and political. the Fundamental Duties of the citizens.
Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and ✦ Part-V (Articles 52-151) Deals with Government at the Union Level (Duties
worship. and Functions of Prime Minister, Minister,
Equality of status and opportunity, and to promote President, Vice-President, Attorney General,
Parliament-Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha,
all of them. Comptroller and Auditor-General).
Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and
✦ Part-VI (Articles 152-237) Deals with Government at State Level (Article 152
the unity and integrity of the nation. exempts Jammu and Kashmir from the category
In our Constituent Assembly, “this 26th day of of ordinary states.) (Duties and functions of Chief
Minister and his Ministers, Governor, State
November, 1949, do hereby adopt, enact and give to Legislature, High Court, Advocate General of the
ourselves this Constitution.” State).
So far, the Preamble has been amended only once in ✦ Part-VII (Article 238) Deals with states in part B, was repealed in 1956
1976 by the 42nd Amendment which inserted the by the 7th Amendment.
words Socialist, the Secular (separation of religion ✦ Part-VIII (Articles 239-241) Deals with Union Territories.
from state) and the Integrity. ✦ Part-IX (Articles 243-2430) Part IX was added by 73rd Amendment in 1992.
and Part-IX A (Articles Contains a new schedule ‘Schedule Eleven’. It
Schedules in Constitution 243P-243 ZG) contain 29 subjects related to Panchayati Raj.
Part IX A was added by 74th Amendment in 1992.
First Schedule List of States and Union Territories. Contains a new schedule ‘Schedule Twelve’. It
contains 18 subjects related to muncipalities.
Second Schedule Salary of President, Governors, Chief Justice,
Judges of High Court and Supreme Court, ✦ Part- IX B Deals with the Cooperative Societies.
Comptroller and Auditor General. (243-ZH to 243-ZT)

Third Schedule Forms of Oaths and Affirmations. ✦ Part-X (Articles 244, 244A) Deals with Scheduled and Tribal Areas.

Allocate seats for each State of India in Rajya

✦ Part-XI (Articles 245-263) Deals with relation between Union and States.
Fourth Schedule
Sabha. ✦ Part-XII (Articles 264-300A) Deals with distribution of Revenue between Union
Administration and control of Scheduled Areas and States, Appointment of Finance Commission
Fifth Schedule (Article 280), Contracts liabilities etc.
and Tribes.
Provisions for administration of tribal area in
✦ Part-XIII (Articles 301-307) Relates to Trade, Commerce and Intercourse
Sixth Schedule within the Territory of India.
Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
✦ Part-XIV (Articles 308-323) Deals with Civil Services and Public Service
Seventh Schedule Gives allocation of powers and functions Commission.
between Union and States.
It contains three lists ✦ Part-XIV A Deals with tribunals
1. Union List (for Central Govt.): 100 subjects (Articles 323A, 323B)
2. States List (Power of State Govt.): 61
subjects ✦ Part-XV Deals with Elections (including Election
3. Concurrent List (Both Union and States): 52 (Articles 324-329 A) Commission).
subjects ✦ Part-XVI (Articles 330-342) Deals with special provisions for Scheduled
List of 22 languages of India recognised by Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Anglo-Indian
Eighth Schedule Constitution. Representation.
Added by 1st Amendment in 1951. Contains ✦ Part-XVII (Articles 343-351) Relates to Official Language.
Ninth Schedule
acts and orders related to land tenure, land ✦ Part-XVIII (Articles 352-360) Deals with Emergency Provisions.
tax, railways and industries.
✦ Part-XIX (Articles 361-367) Miscellaneous Provisions.
Tenth Schedule Added by 52nd Amendment in 1985. Contains
provisions of disqualification on grounds of ✦ Part-XX (Article 368) Deals with Amendment of Constitution.
defection.
✦ Part-XXI (Articles 369-392) Contains Temporary, Transitional and Special
Eleventh Schedule By 73rd Amendment in 1992. Contains Provisions.
provisions of Panchayati Raj.
✦ Part-XXII (Articles 393-395) Concerns the short title, commencement,
Twelfth Schedule By 74th Amendment in 1992. Contains authorative text in Hindi and repeals of the
provisions of Municipal Corporation. Constitution.
990 NDA/NA Pathfinder

National Symbols IMPORTANT ARTICLES OF THE

National Flag It was designed by ‘Pingali
Venkaiah’ of Andhra Pradesh. On 22nd
CONSTITUTION
July, 1947, it was adopted by
The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest in the world comprising of 465
Constituent Assembly. It follows 3 : 2
Articles (in 2013) divided in 25 parts, alongwith 12 schedules.
ratio between length and breadth. It has
three colours saffron, white and green.
Middle portion has Ashoka Chakra, in
blue with 24 spokes.
THE UNION AND ITS TERRITORIES
National Emblem It has been taken from (ARTICLES 1-4)
the ‘Sarnath’ (Varanasi) Pillar of Ashoka
and on 26th January, 1950. It was
• Article 1 Deals with name and Territory of the Union. It describes
adopted by Government of India. The India, that is Bharat as Union of States. The Territory of India
word Satyameva Jayate which was written includes territories of states, union territories and territories that may
at the base in Devnagari script (taken be acquired by the Government of India at any time.
from Mundaka Upanishad) is the • Article 2 Admission or establishment of new states.
National Motto of India.
• Article 3 Formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries
National Anthem It was written by or names of the existing states.
‘Rabindranath Tagore’. Its recitation
period is 52 seconds. First time it was • Article 4 Laws made under Articles 2 and 3 for the amendment of the
sung in Calcutta Congress Session on first and fourth schedules on supplemental, incidental and consequential
27th December, 1911. On 24th January, matters.
1950, Constituent Assembly adopted it
(Jan Gan Man). Reorganisation of States
National Song Vande Mataram taken from
• In 1956, there were 14 States and 6 Union Territories. Andhra Pradesh
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s work
‘Anandmath’, was officially adopted on was created in 1953 and Kerala in 1956.
24th January, 1950. It was sung for the • In 1956, Karnataka was created.
first time as Kolkata session of Congress • In 1960, Bombay was bifurcated into Gujarat and Maharashtra.
in 1896. • In 1963, Nagaland was created as separate state.
National Calendar Based on the Saka • In 1966, Haryana was carved out of Punjab and Chandigarh became a
Era, Chaitra is its first month and a Union Territory.
normal year of 365 days along with the
Gregorian calendar. It was adopted by
• In 1970, the Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh was elevated to the
the Central Government on 22nd status of a state.
March, 1957. • In 1971, Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya were granted statehood.
National Animal It is tiger. It has eight • In 1974, Sikkim became an associate state of the Indian Union. By the
species around the world and Indian 36th Constitutional Amendment Act (1975), Sikkim became a full
species is known as ‘Royal Bengal fledged State of the Indian Union.
Tiger’. The majestic tiger (Panthera • In 1986, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh came into being.
Tigris) is the National Animal of India. • In 1987, Goa came into existence.
National Bird Indian peacock (Pavo • In 2000, three more new states : Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and
Cristatus). It is fully protected under the Jharkhand were created.
Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• On 2nd June, 2014, Telengana state came into existence, after
reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh.
Other National Symbols
of India
National tree Indian Banyan CITIZENSHIP (ARTICLES 5-11)
National aquatic animal River dolphin
• The Constitution of India provides for single citizenship. There is no
National river Ganga
separate citizenship of state. According to the Constitution, the
National fruit Mango following three categories of person are entitled to citizenship
National flower Lotus i. Persons domiciled in India.
National heritage animal Indian Elephant ii. Refugees who migrated to India from Pakistan.
National reptile King Cobra iii. Indians living in other countries.
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 991

• Article 5 Citizenship at the commencement of the • The Act also introduces a new provision which allows
Constitution. the Central Government to register a person as an
• Article 6 Rights of Citizenship of certain persons who overseas citizen of India cardholder even, if she does not
have migrated to India from Pakistan. satisfy any of the listed qualifications, if special case
exists.
• Article 7 Rights of Citizenship of certain migrants to
• The Act provides for merger of overseas citizen of India
Pakistan.
and persons of Indian origin scheme. Thus, the Central
• Article 8 Rights of Citizenship of certain persons of Government may notify that persons of Indian origin
Indian origin residing outside India. cardholders shall be considered to be overseas citizen of
• Article 9 Persons voluntarily acquiring Citizenship of a India cardholders from a specified date.
Foreign State not to be citizens. • The Act also allows Central Government to cancel the
• Article 10 Continuance of the Rights of Citizenship. overseas citizenship of India card where it is obtained by
• Article 11 Parliament to regulate the Right of the spouse of an Indian citizen or overseas citizen of
Citizenship by Law. India cardholder if
– marriage is dissolved by a court or
– the spouse enters into another marriage even while the
Acquisition and Termination of first marriage has not been dissolved.
Citizenship
• Rules regarding acquisition and termination of Indian Overseas Citizen of India
citizenship have been laid down in the Citizenship Act Government of India recognises those person and provide
of 1955. A person can acquire citizenship of India in five them overseas citizen of India card
ways;
i. who have following credentials are now citizen of
– (BRAND) B-by birth, R-by registration, A-by
another country but was citizen of India at time of or
acquisition of territory, N-by naturalisation and D-by at any time after commencement of Constitution,
descent. ii. who were citizen of other country but were eligible to
Termination of citizenship can be terminated in three ways become citizen of India at time of commencement of
i. It can be voluntarily renounced by a citizen. Constitution,
ii. It can be terminated, if a person acquires citizenship iii. who is citizen of another country but belonged to a
of some other country. territory that became part of India and
iii. The Central Government can deprive a naturalised iv. child/grand child/great grand child of the above such
citizen, if it is satisfied that the citizenship was citizens. Person of Pakistan and Bangladesh can’t get
acquired by fraud, false representation or concealment an OCI. Recently, government has merged people of
Indian origin card with overseas citizen card.
of material facts or if the person shows disloyalty
towards the Indian Constitution or indulges in trade
with enemy countries or if the person has been
Non-Resident Indian
sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 2 years or A citizen of India, having Indian passport and staying
more within 5 years of his registration or if he has temporarily in another country for purpose of
been continuously residing out of India for more than employment, education for more than 6 months.
7 years.
• Article 11 Under this Article, Parliament has the power Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas
to enact laws regarding citizenship. It has the power to • It is celebrated on 9th January every year to recognise
regulate the right of citizenship in India. contribution of overseas Indian community in the
development of India. 9th January is selected because on
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, this date, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South
Africa.
2015 • This celebration provide opportunity to overseas citizen
to interact with government and people of their
The Act seeks to amend Citizenship Act, 1955. The major homeland. Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) started from
provisions of the Act are as follow year 2003.
• In case of citizenship by naturalisation, the Act allows • The 14th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas was held on 9th
the Central Government to relax the requirement of 12 January, 2016 in New Delhi. The event was attended by
months stay or in service of government, if special Priti Patel, MOS for Employment, United Kingdom. It
circumstances exist. Relaxation upto 30 days may be was the first limited edition of the PBD. It was
permitted. organised for the first time by the Ministry of External
• The Act provides certain additional grounds for Affairs (MEA) after the government’s decision to merge
registering an overseas citizen of India card. Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) with it.
992 NDA/NA Pathfinder

(iii) Right Against Exploitation

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS (Articles 23 and 24)
Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles have a • Article 23 It entails prohibition of traffic in human
common origin. Nehru Report 1928 which incorporate beings and forced labour.
some Fundamental Rights. The framers of Constitution • Article 24 No child below the age of 14 can be employed in
derived inspiration from the Constitution of USA i.e. Bill factories or mines or in hazardous employment.
of Right. Part III of Constitution is rightly described as
Magna Carta of India. (iv) Right to Freedom of Religion
• Article 12 Definition of ‘State’. (Articles 25 to 28)
• Article 13 Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of • Article 25 Freedom of conscience and free profession,
the Fundamental Rights. practice and propagation of religion.
• Article 26 Freedom to manage religious affairs.
TYPES OF FUNDAMENTAL • Article 27 Freedom from payment of taxes for
promotion of any particular religion.
RIGHTS • Article 28 It prohibits any religious instruction in
Fundamental Rights are six in numbers viz educational institutions wholly maintained by state
funds. In other institutions aided and recognised by the
(i) Right to Equality (Articles 14 to 18) state, every person will be free not to participate in
religious instruction or worship.
• Article 14 Equality before law and equal protection of
India.
(v) Cultural and Educational Rights
• Article 15 Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of
(Articles 29 to 30)
religion, race, caste sex or place of birth.
• Article 29 It allows every community to conserve its
• Article 16 Equality of opportunities in matter of Public
distinct language, script or culture. It also bars
Employment. disallowing a citizen admission to any educational
• Article 17 Abolition of untouchability and prohibition institution maintained or aided by the state only on
of its practise. grounds of religion, race, caste or language.
• Article 18 Abolition of titles except military and • Article 30 Right of minorities to establish and
academic. administer educational institutions.

(ii) Right to Freedom (Articles 19 to 22) (vi) Right to Constitutional Remedies

• Article 19 It guarantees to the citizen of India. • Article 32 It provides the right to the citizens to move to
Six fundamental freedoms which are as follow the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the
i. Freedom of speech and expression (freedom of enforcement of the Fundamental Rights and it empowers
press, media). the Supreme Court to issue directions or writs for the
ii. To assemble peacefully and without arms. enforcement of the Fundamental Rights. The writs include
iii. To form association or unions. Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo-warranto
iv. To move freely throughout the territory of India. and Certiorari, Dr BR Ambedkar termed the Right to
Constitutional Remedies as the heart and soul of the
v. To reside and settle in any part of the territory of
Constitution.
India.
vi. Freedom to choose any profession and business. • Article 33 Enables Parliament to modify Fundamental
Rights in relation to military or para-military forces, police
• Article 20 It gives protection in respect of conviction
forces and analogous forces.
for offences.
• Article 21 It gives protection of life and personal liberty • Article 34 Empowers Parliament to make any law for
to both citizens and non-citizens. Articles 20 and 21 indemnifying any person for acts done during the
remain in force even during emergency. operation of martial law.
• Article 21 (A) Right to education from age 6 to 14 • Article 35 This article provides for powers to make laws
years made a Fundamental Right by 86th Constitutional on certain articles in this part only on the Parliament
Amendment, 2002. and excludes the state legislatures jurisdiction from them.
• Article 22 It entails protection against arrest and Right to Property
detention in certain cases. This right is not available to
an enemy alien and a person arrested or detained under • Article 31 Right to Property, repealed by the 44th
a law providing preventive detention (detention of a Amendment Act, 1978. Now, it is only a legal right.
person without trial).
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 993

Right to Information
• Right to information has been granted to every citizen
Gandhian Principles
of Indian under RTI Act, 2005 which came into force on • Article 40 The establishment of Village Panchayats and
12th October, 2005. make them powerful enough to function as a units of
• It is not a Fundamental Right, it entails a clause for self-government.
penalty in case of delay in giving information to the • Article 43 To promote cottage industries.
applicant. • Article 43 B The promotion of co-operative societies.
• Information Commission has been set-up at central and
• Article 46 The promotion of educational and economic
state levels to oversee the implementation of the act. interest of weaker sections.
• Article 47 The prohibition of intoxicating drugs and
DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF drinks.
• Article 48 Prevention of the slaughter of cows and
STATE POLICY other milk cattle.
• Dr BR Ambedkar described the DPSPs as ‘novel feature of
the Constitution’. DPSPs are constitutional instructions or Liberal Principles
guidelines to state in the legislative, executive and • Article 44 A Uniform civil code.
administrative affairs. It provides the social and economic
base of a genuine democracy.
• Article 45 Provision for free and compulsory education
for children.
• The Constitution does not contain any classification of
directive principles. However, on the basis of their • Article 48 Organisation of agriculture and animal
content and direction, they can be classified into three husbandry.
broad categories; socialistic, Gandhian and liberal. • Article 48 A Protection and improvement of
environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife.
Socio-Economic or Socialist • Article 49 Protection of monuments and places and
objects of national importance.
Principles • Article 50 Separation of judiciary from executive.
• Article 38 To secure a social order which stands for the • Article 51 Promotion of International Peace and
welfare of the people.
Security.
• Article 39 The state shall direct its policy towards
securing equal access Difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive
– to provide adequate means of livelihood.
Principles of State Policy
– to prevent concentration in wealth and means of Directive Principles of State
Fundamental Rights
wealth and material resources. Policy
– to secure equal pay for equal work for both men and The democratic political system The economic welfare of the state
women. has been established by providing is established by the
the FRs. implementation of the DPSPs.
– to provide necessary opportunities and facilities to
children and youth to prevent their exploitation. FRs are subject to court of law at While DPSPs are not enforceable
any point of time if anybody feels by the court of law.
• Article 41 To make efforts to secure the right to work, that his FR are being violated.
education and public assistance in case of FRs can be suspended except the DPSP can never be suspended
unemployment, sickness, old age etc. right mentioned in Articles 20 and under any condition.
22 during emergency.
• Article 42 Provision for just and humane condition of
work and maternity relief. FRS are assumed negatively. DPSP are always affirmative
Sometimes, because of their because they direct the states for
• Article 43 To ensure a decent standard of living, and restrictive attitudes towards the definite activity.
social and cultural opportunities for all workers. states.
• Article 43 A Securing the participation of workers in the The Fundamental Rights are a bit While, the scope of Directive
management of industries. limited in its scope. Principle of State policy is endless.
In DPSP, the political administrative,
• Article 47 Duty of the State to raise the level of economic and subjects like
nutrition and the standard of living and to improve international peace are also
public health. included.
994 NDA/NA Pathfinder

FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES Election (Articles 54, 55 and 71)

• The President of India is not directly elected by
(ARTICLE 51 A) the people, but by the members of electoral
The Fundamental Duties in the Constitution serve as a reminder to college consisting of
the citizens that while enjoying their rights, they should also be i. the elected members of both the Houses
conscious of their duties towards the country. They were added by of Parliament.
42nd Amendment Act, 1976. It contains the duties of the citizens. ii. the elected members of the Legislative
It shall be the duty of every citizen of India Assemblies of the state.
i. to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals iii. the elected members of the Legislative
and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem. Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry.
ii. to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our • Nominated members do not take part in the
national struggle for freedom. election of the President.
iii. to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of • Election is held through the system of
India. proportional representation by means of the
iv. to defend the country and render national service when called single transferable vote by secret ballot. The
upon to do so. candidate who gets minimum 50% of votes, is
v. to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood considered elected.
amongst all the people of India transcending religious, • States have different representation in the
linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce presidential election depending on the
practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
population and the number of elected members
vi. to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite of Legislative Assembly.
culture.
• Value of vote of an MLA = State population
vii. to protect and improve the natural environment including
÷ Total numbers of elected MLAs × 1000
forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for
living creatures. • Value of vote of an MP = Total value of MLAs
viii. to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of of all states ÷ Total number of elected MPs (Lok
inquiry and reform. Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
ix. to safeguard public property and to abjure violence. • This formula secures the uniformity between all
x. to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and the states on one hand and the Parliament on
collective activity, so that the nation constantly rises to higher the other
levels of endeavour and achievement. – Security deposit ` 15000 only.

xi. for every citizen who is a parent or guardian, to provide – Only Supreme Court enquires all disputes
opportunities for education to his child or as the case may be, regarding presidential election.
ward between the age of 6 and 14 years. – President takes oath in presence of Chief
• The 11th Fundamental Duty was added by 86th Constitution Justice of India and in his absence, the
Amendment in 2002. seniormost judge of Supreme Court
administers oath to the President.

THE UNION IMPORTANT POINTS

It deals with Union Government. It contains the duties and
●
Presidents who died on their posts—Zakir
function of Prime Minister, Minister, President both houses, Hussain and Fakruddin Ali Ahmed.
Attorney General, Comptroller and Auditor-General. ●
Only President elected unopposed—Neelam
Sanjeeva Reddy.
President who served as Speaker of Lok
PRESIDENT (ARTICLES 52-78)
●

Sabha before becoming President—Neelam

• Article 52 provides for the office of President of India. The Sanjeeva Reddy.
President of India is the highest executive authority. The ●
Only Chief Justice who acted as
Constitution vests in him all the executive powers of Union. All President—Justice Hidayatullah.
executive actions are taken on his name. ●
Only President who was elected twice—Dr
• He is the head of the state and represents the Republic of India Rajendra Prasad.
and is the first citizen of India.
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 995

Term of Office and Vacancy (Article 62) • Laying down some reports at the
floor of the Parliament.
Emolument • In the case of vacant seat due to any
reason e.g. death, resignation or removal • Prior consent on some bills. (e.g.,
• Tenure 5 years (Article 56) then the Vice-President acts as the Money Bill)
• Article 57 There is no limit, as President, if he is not available then • Any bill becomes law only after
to how many times a person Chief Justice of India, if not then the assent of President.
can become President. seniormost Judge of Supreme Court.
• He can give his resignation to • The election is to be held within 6 Ordinance Making Power
the Vice-President before the months for the vacancy. of President
full term completes.
Article 123 of the Constitution
• The President may be removed Powers and Functions empower the President to
from office before the expiry fromulgate ordinances during the
of his tenure through a special
(Article 77)
recess of Parliament. These
procedure called impeachment. • The President has a very important role. ordinance have the same force and
He has vast powers to be exercised effect as and act of Parliament but
Qualifications during normal time as well as in are in the nature of temporary laws.
• Article 58 deals with the emergency period.
qualification of a person to be • These powers however are actually Veto Power
the President of India. exercised by the Prime Minister and the President have three types of veto
Council of Ministers.
• Must be a citizen of India. power (Article-111)
• Should have completed the age Executive Powers of President i. Absolute veto
of 35 years. • He appoints Prime Minister who enjoys ii. Suspensive veto
• Should not hold any office of the support of the majority in the Lok iii. Pocket veto
profit under the government. Sabha, appoints the members for the President can also veto bills of State
He should be qualified to Council of Ministers and distributes
• Legislature which are sent for his
become a member of the portfolios among them on the advice of
the Prime Minister. approval. President cannot return
Lok Sabha. Money Bill and constitutional
• He appoints Chief Justice and judges of
amendments cannot be vetoed.
Impeachment Supreme Court and High Court,
Chairman and Members of UPSC, CAG,
• Article 61 The President can Attorney General, Chief Election Financial Powers
be impeached only on the Commissioner and other members of All Money Bills can originate in
ground of violation of the Election Commission, Governors,
Constitution. Parliament only on the
members of Finance Commission, recommendation of the President.
• The process may start from Ambassadors etc.
Appointment of Finance
any house of the Parliament. • He can seek any information relating to
Commissioner every 5th year.
• The charges are contained in a the administration of affairs of the Union
notice which has to be signed and the proposal for legislation from the
Prime Minister.
Diplomatic Powers
by at least one-fourth of the
All kinds of international treaties
total members of that houses
Legislative Powers and agreements concluded on his
14 days notice is sent to the behalf.
President. The President of India is an integral part of
• He represents country on the
• A resolution to impeach the the Parliament. Though legislation is the
international forum.
President has to be passed by a primary responsibility of Parliament, the
President has the right to influence the • He sends ambassadors and
two-third majority of the total
members of that house. It is legislative process in following ways receives diplomats.
then sent to the other house • The dissolution and prorogation of
which investigates this charges. Military Powers
Parliament.
The President has the right to • He is the Supreme Commander of
• Right of President to address and send
defend himself through an armed forces.
authorised council. If the messages to both the houses.
• He appoints the chiefs of army,
second house also approves the • Nomination of the Members of
navy and airforce staff.
charges by a two-third Parliament (12 members to Rajya Sabha
• He declares wars and conclude
majority, the President is and 2 members from Anglo-Indian
peace.
removed from the office. Community in Lok Sabha).
996 NDA/NA Pathfinder

Emergency Powers Tenure Emoluments

Name
• National Emergency (Article 352) From To The Vice-President derives his salary
• President’s Rule (Articles 356 and Giani Zail Singh 25.07.1982 25.07.1987 as the Ex-officio Chairman of the
365) Rajya Sabha, which is currently
R Venkatraman 25.07.1987 25.07.1992
• Financial Emergency (Article 360) ` 1.25 lakh per month. During the
Dr SD Sharma 25.07.1992 25.07.1997 period he acts as the President, he
Judicial Powers (Article 77) KR Narayanan 25.07.1997 25.07.2002 receives the salary and allowances of
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam 25.07.2002 25.07.2007 that of President.
President can grant pardon or reduce
the sentence of any convicted person. Mrs Pratibha Patil 25.07.2007 25.07.2012
Removal
Shri Pranab 25.07.2012 Till Date
• The Vice-President can be removed
Various Pardoning Power Mukherjee
from his office by a resolution of
of the President (Article 72) the Rajya Sabha passed by a
• Pardon it removes both the VICE-PRESIDENT majority of all the then members
sentences and the conviction and of the Rajya Sabha and agreed to
completely absolves the offender
• As per the Article 63, there shall be by the House of People (Lok
from all punishments and a Vice-President of India. He Sabha). Regarding Vice-President,
disqualifications. occupies the second highest office in there is no formal impeachment.
the country.
• Reprieve It means a stay of • The Vice-President may also
• In absence or illness of the
execution of sentence pending a resign from his office by writing
processing for pardon or President, the Vice-President to the President.
commutation. performs the functions of the
President. Vice-Presidents of India
• Remission The power of remission
reduces the amount of sentence • If the President resigns or dies, the Name Tenure
without changing its character. e.g., Vice-President officiates as a Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan 1952-1962
a sentence of rigorous President, till a new President is
Dr Zakir Hussain 1962-1967
imprisonment for two years may be elected.
Varahagiri Venkata Giri 1967-1969
remitted to rigorous imprisonment • The Vice-President is elected by an
‘Electoral College’ constituted by the Gopal Swarup Pathak 1969-1974
for one year.
• Respite The power to grant respite members of both Houses of the BD Jatti 1974-1979
means awarding a lesser sentence Parliament in accordance with the Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah 1979-1984
instead of the prescribed penalty in system of proportional representation R Venkataraman 1984-1987
view of some special facts. e.g., by means of single transferable vote Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma 1987-1992
pregnancy of woman offender. and the vote being secret.
KR Narayanan 1992-1997
• Commutation It merely substitutes • Nominated members also participate
Krishan Kant (Died) 1997-2002
one form of the punishment for in the election. Supreme Court
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat 2002-2007
another of a lighter character. e.g., enquires all disputes regarding
a death sentence may be commuted Vice-President election. Mohammed Hamid Ansari 2007 till
date
to rigorous imprisonment.
Presidents of India Qualifications
• Must be a citizen of India. Council of Ministers
Tenure • Should have completed the age of 35
Name • Council of Ministers is formed as
years.
From To soon as Prime Minister is sworn
Dr Rajendra Prasad 26.01.1950 13.05.1962
• Eligibility to become a member of in. Only Prime Minister alone can
Rajya Sabha. constitute Council of Ministers.
Dr S Radhakrishnan 13.05.1962 13.05.1967
• Must not hold any government post. After 91st Amendment Act, 2003,
Dr Zakir Hussain 13.05.1967 03.05.1969
Article 75(1A) states that, strength
VV Giri
(Vice-President)
03.05.1969 20.07.1969 Terms and Function of Union Council of Ministers
• He is elected for 5 years and can be shall not increase 15% of total
Justice 20.07.1969 24.08.1969
M Hidayatullah
re-elected. strength of the Lok Sabha.
• He is the Ex-officio Chairman of the • The Council of Ministers consist
VV Giri 24.08.1969 24.08.1974
Rajya Sabha. of three categories of Minister
F Ali Ahmed 24.08.1974 11.02.1977
• All bills, resolution, motion can be namely; Cabinet Minister,
BD Jatti 11.02.1977 25.02.1977 taken in Rajya Sabha after his Ministers of State and Deputy
N Sanjeeva Reddy 25.07.1977 25.07.1982 consent. Ministers.
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 997

i. Cabinet Ministers They are • He advises the President about

incharge of important presidential rule in the state or PARLIAMENT
portfolios. They are the real emergency in the country.
policy makers. The Cabinet According to Article 79, the
• The resignation of the PM means
meetings are not attended by Parliament consists of the President,
resignation of the entire Council of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha)
other ministers. Ministers. and the House of the People (Lok
ii. Minister of State One who • Even a Rajya Sabha member can Sabha). Though, the President is not a
hold independent charge of become a Prime Minister. member of either of the house, he is
some ministries or are placed an integral part of it.
under a Cabinet Minister. Prime Ministers of India
iii. Deputy Ministers One who
assist Cabinet Ministers and
Name
Jawaharlal Nehru
Tenure
1947 - 1964
RAJYA SABHA
Ministers of States. • Maximum Strength 250 (Out of
Gulzari Lal Nanda 1964 - 1964
• The Council of Ministers shall be these, President nominates 12
Lal Bahadur Shastri 1964 - 1966
collectively responsible to the members amongst persons having
Gulzari Lal Nanda 1966 - 1966 special knowledge or practical
House of People.
Indira Gandhi 1966 - 1977 experience in the fields of literature,
• A person can remain a minister
Morarji Desai 1977 - 1979 science, art and social service).
without being a member of either
house maximum upto 6 months. Charan Singh 1979 - 1980 • Presently, the Parliament, by law
has provided for 233 seats for the
Indira Gandhi 1980 - 1984
States and the Union Territories.
PRIME MINISTER Rajiv Gandhi
Vishwanath Pratap
1984 - 1989
1989 - 1990
The total membership of Rajya
Sabha is 245.
• The Prime Minister is the head of
the Central Government. All the Chandra Shekhar 1990 - 1991 • All the states and only 2 Union
executive powers of the Central PV Narasimha Rao 1991 - 1996 Territories, Delhi and Puducherry
Government are formally vested Atal Bihari Vajpayee 1996 - 1996
are represented in the Rajya Sabha.
with the President of India, but HD Deva Gowda 1996 - 1997
• Representatives of the state are
these powers are actually exercised elected by members of State
IK Gujral 1997 - 1998 Legislative Assemblies on the basis
by the Council of Ministers under
the leadership of the Prime Atal Bihari Vajpayee 1998 - 1999 of proportional representation
Minister. Atal Bihari Vajpayee 1999 - 2004 through a single transferable vote.
• The Prime Minister is appointed by Dr Manmohan Singh 2004 - 2014
States are represented on the basis
the President. of their population.
Narendra Modi 2014 - Till date
• Prime Minister allocates portfolios • There are no seats reserved for
among the ministers and he also Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
can drop any minister.
Powers and Functions Tribes in Rajya Sabha.
• In Relation to the Council of
• The Prime Minister presides over • Conditions to be a member of
the meetings of the Council of Ministers If a difference in opinion Rajya Sabha are as follow
Ministers. He decides about the arises between the PM and any of – Citizen of India.
policies of the government and his Subordinate Ministers, he can
– 30 years of age.
coordinate the work of different ask the minister to resign or can
advise President to dismiss him. – Be a parliamentary elector in the
ministers.
• In Relation of President Regarding
state in which he is seeking
• The Prime Minister is the ex-officio election.
chairperson of the NITI Aayog and the appointment of important
– Others as prescribed by
earlier was chairperson of planning officials like Attorney General of
commission. India, CAG, Chairman of UPSC, Parliament from
EC, Chairman of Finance time-to- time.
• The Prime Minister, who is not a
Commission etc, the PM can advice – For 6 years, as one-third
member of Parliament has to
acquire its membership within the President. members retire every 2 years.
6 months of his appointment. • He advises the President with • Vice-President is the Ex-officio
• Prime Minister remains in power so regard to summoning and Chairman of Rajya Sabha. He
long as he enjoys the majority in proroguing of the sessions of the presides over the proceedings of the
the Lok Sabha. If the Lok Sabha Parliament. Rajya Sabha as long as he does not
has no confidence, then the entire • He can recommend dissolution of act as the President of India during
Council of Ministers has to be Lok Sabha to President at any a vacancy in the office of the
terminated (collective responsibility). time. President of India.
998 NDA/NA Pathfinder

• Also a Deputy Chairman is elected from among its

members. SPEAKER
• In Rajya Sabha any bill can originate, apart from Money • Presiding officer in Lok Sabha is the Speaker (in
Bill (including budget). his/her absence, Deputy Speaker). The members
• Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to among themselves elect him/her.
dissolution unlike Lok Sabha. • The Speaker continues in office even after the
dissolution of the Lok Sabha till a newly elected Lok
Special Powers of the Rajya Sabha Sabha meets. Speaker sends his resignation to Deputy
Speaker.
• A resolution seeking the removal of the Vice-President can • Usually the Speaker, after his election cuts-off all
originate only in the Rajya Sabha. connections with his party and acts in an impartial
• If the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a majority of not manner. He does not vote in the first instance, but
less than two-third of the members present and voting that exercises his casting vote only to remove a deadlock.
it is necessary in the national interest that Parliament should • Charges his salary from the Consolidated Fund of
make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the India.
State List. It shall be lawful for Parliament to make law for • The majority of the total membership can remove
a period of not more than 1 year. (Article 249) speaker after giving a 14 days notice. During this
• If the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a majority of not time, he does not preside over the meetings. After
less than two-third of the members present and voting, then his removal, continues in office till his successor
it is necessary in the national interest to create one or more takes charge.
All-India services, Parliament by law, provides for such
service or services. (Article 312) Powers and Functions
of Speaker
LOK SABHA • The Speaker presides at the meetings of the house of
• Maximum Strength 550 + 2 (530 : States, 20 : UTs) the people as well as joint sitting of two Houses of
• Present Strength of Lok Sabha (543 +2) Parliament.
• Lok Sabha is not a permanent body and is subject to • The Speaker gives permission to the members to
dissolution. speak in the house.
• The normal tenure of the Lok Sabha is 5 years, but it may • If the Quorum (presence of only one-tenth of the
be dissolved earlier by the President. The life of the Lok total strength of the house) is not complete, the
Sabha can be extended by the Parliament beyond the 5 years Speaker can adjourn the House.
term, when a proclamation of emergency under Article 352 • He decides as to whether a Bill is a Money bill or
is in force. But the Parliament cannot extend the normal life not.
of the Lok Sabha for more than 1 year at a time, but in any • He appoints the Chairman as well as Deputy
case such extension cannot continue beyond a period of 6 Chairman of all the committees of the house.
months after the proclamation of emergency comes to an Speaker takes the final decision as to disqualifying a
end. member on grounds of defection.
• Quorum for Either House Article 100 (c) 1/10 of the total
number of members. Pro-Tem Speaker
The President appoints a seniormost member of the
Conditions to be a Member newly-elected Lok Sabha as the Pro-Tem Speaker. He
has all the powers of the speaker. He presides over the
of Lok Sabha first sitting of the newly-elected Lok Sabha and
• Citizen of India and at least 25 years of age. administer oath to the new members. When the new
• Must not hold any office of profit. Speaker is elected by the House, the office of the
Pro-Tem Speaker ceases to exist.
• He must not unsound mind/insolvent.
• He must registered voter in any parliamentary constituency. Deputy Speaker
• A member can be disqualified • The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the
– if he voluntarily gives up the membership of party. Vice-Presiding Officer of the Lok Sabha, the Lower
– if he over rules the ‘whip’. House of Parliament of India. He acts as the
– if he remains absent for 60 days without intimation. Presiding Officer in case of leave or absence caused
by death or illness of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 999

• He holds office till either he ceases to be a Member of Joint Session

the Lok Sabha or he himself resigns from the Lok
• It is ordered by the President to consider a particular bill in
Sabha. He can be removed from office by a resolution
passed in the Lok Sabha by a majority of its members. case
He is supposed to resign from his original party i. bill passed by one house and rejected by the other.
because as a Deputy Speaker, he has to remain ii. the amendments made by the other house are not
impartial. acceptable to the house where the bill originated.
iii. when a bill remains pending or unpassed for more
Special Powers of Lok Sabha than 6 months.
• Money and the financial bills originate only in Lok • Joint session of Parliament is presided over by the Speaker
Sabha. of the Lok Sabha. In his absence, by the Deputy Speaker,
• The confidence and no confidence motions can be or in his absence by the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
introduced in Lok Sabha only. or in his absence any other member of the Parliament
who is acceptable to both the houses.
• Article 352 says that the Lok Sabha in a special
sitting can disapprove the continuence of National • Deadlock over the bill is resolved by a majority of the
Emergency, even when the Rajya Sabha rejects such a members of both the Houses of Parliament present and
resolution. voting.
• The Lok Sabha has larger membership.
Allocation of Seats in Parliament
• No fresh amendment can be done in joint session.
State Total State Total
• There is no provision of joint session for passing Money
Andhra Pradesh 25 Arunachal Pradesh 2
Bills and Constitutional Amendment Acts.
Assam 14 Bihar 40
Jharkhand 14 Goa 2 ●
In Indian history, only three bills have been
Gujarat 26 Haryana 10 referred to the joint sitting
Himachal Pradesh 4 Jammu and Kashmir 6
1. Dowry Prohibition Bill — 1961
2. Banking Service Commission Bill — 1978
Karnataka 28 Kerala 20
3. POTA Bill — 2002
Madhya Pradesh 29 Chhattisgarh 11
Maharashtra 48 Manipur 2
Meghalaya 2 Mizoram 1 Termination of Sitting
Nagaland 1 Odisha 21
The sitting of a house may be terminated by
Punjab 13 Rajasthan 25
• Dissolution The Lok Sabha is subject to dissolution.
Sikkim 1 Tamil Nadu 39
Dissolution takes place when the President exercises his
Tripura 2 Telangana 17 power under Article 85(2). It can be dissolved on the
Uttar Pradesh 80 Uttarakhand 5 expiry of its term of 5 years.
West Bengal 42 Andaman and Nicobar Islands 1 • Prorogation It means the termination of a session of
Chandigarh 1 Dadra and Nagar Haveli 1 the house by an order made by the President under
Daman and Diu 1 Delhi 7
Article 82(2)(a) of the Constitution.
Lakshadweep 1 Pondicherry 1 • Adjournment It does not put an end to the existence of
a session of Parliament, but it merely postpones the
further transaction of business for a specified time, hours,
Sessions of Parliament days or weeks. Adjournment generally does not have any
• Begins with the consent of the President.
effect on pending business.
• Gap between two sessions should not be more than ●
Question Hour The first hour of a sitting of the Lok
6 months. Sabha devoted to questions and that hours is called
• The Parliament generally meets in three sessions in a the Question Hour.
year which are as follow The question are of three kinds
i. Budget Session (February-May) It is the longest
●
1. Starred 2. Un-starred 3. Short notice
session.
●
Zero Hour The period follows the question hours
and it starts at the noon and its duration is one hour
ii. Monsoon Session (July-August). (from 12 noon to 1 pm). During the Zero Hour
iii. Winter Session (November-December) It is the various issues of public importance are raised without
shortest session. prior notice.
1000 NDA/NA Pathfinder

• In case, Speaker is a member of a committee, he

Conduct of Law in Parliament becomes Ex-officio chairman of the committee.
The proposal for a law is called bill. Until a bill is passed • Committees are classified under two heads : Standing
through a proper procedure, it cannot be a law or an act. Committee and Adhoc Committee. Adhoc
Only Speaker of Lok Sabha decides whether the bill is a Committees are created for a temporary period.
Money Bill or an Ordinary Bill. • The Standing committees are broadly classified into
the following categories : Committees of Enquires,
Ordinary Bill Committees to Scrutinise, Financial Committees,
• All the bills other than financial bills, money bills and the
Committees of Administrative Character, Committees
Constitutional Amendment are ordinary bills. with provision of facilities to member.
• An Ordinary Bill can be introduced in any of the two
• The Financial Committees of Parliament are
houses of Parliament and also introduced by either a
Estimates Committees, Public Accounts Committees,
minister of the government or any member of the house.
Committee on Public Undertaking and 24
Money Bill Departmental Related Committees.
• No Money Bill can be introduced without the consent of • The Public Accounts Committee was set-up first in
the President of India. (Article 110). 1921 under the Provision of the Government of India
Act of 1919. At present, it consists of 22 members
• It can be introduced only in Lok Sabha. The speaker
(15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha).
certifies a bill to be a Money Bill and his decision is final in
this regard. (Article 110) Since, 1967 a convention has developed whereby the
Chairman of the Committee is selected invariably
• Money Bills relate to bills seeking imposition or abolition
form the opposition.
of taxes, matters pertaining to borrowing of money by the
government, custody and maintenance of consolidated funds • The origin of the Estimates Committee can be traced
etc. to the standing Financial Committee set-up in 1921.
The first Estimates Committee was set-up in 1950. It
• When the Money Bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent
has 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha only.
to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. Rajya Sabha
can delay, it only for 14 days. Its final approval lies with • The Committee on Public Undertakings was created
Lok Sabha only. in 1964 on the recommendations of the Krishna
Menon Committee. It has 22 members (15 from the
Financial Bill Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha).
• Any bill dealing with revenues or expenditure, but not • In 1983, 17 Department Related Standing
certified as, Money Bill by the speaker is a Financial Bill. Committees were set-up. In 2004, 7 more committees
• Financial Bill can be introduced only on the recommendation
were set-up. Thus, total 24 committees exists as of
today.
of President.

Constitutional Amendment Bills The Accounts of Government

• Under Article 368 with the power of Parliament to amend
the Constitution this bill can be introduced in any of the Consolidated Fund of India [Article 266 (1)]
two houses without recommendation of President. All revenues received by the government by way of
taxes like income tax, central excise, customs and other
Parliamentary Committees receipts flowing to the government in connection with
the conduct of government business i. e., non-tax
Committees have been created so that members of Parliament revenues are credited into the Consolidated Fund
can discuss and debate on the working of a certain department constituted under Article 266 (1) of the Constitution of
of the government. India.
• Most of the committees function under the direction of the Similarly, all loans raised by the government by issue of
Speaker and essentially of the Lok Sabha. public notifications, treasury bills (internal debt) and
• Members of the Rajya Sabha are associated with all the loans obtained from foreign government and
committees except the Estimates Committee. international institutions (external debt) are credited
• The Chairman of all the committees (except the Joint into this fund. All expenditure of the government is
Committees on Salaries and Allowances of MPs) are incurred from this fund and no amount can be
appointed by the Speaker from amongst the members of the withdrawn from the fund without authorisation from
committees. the Parliament (in effect that of Lok Sabha).
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 1001

Contingency Fund of India (Article 267) COMMISSION ON CENTRE-STATE RELATION

The Contingency Fund of India records the transactions ●
Setalvad Committee, 1966
connected with Contingency Fund set by the ●
Raja Mannar Committee, 1969
Government of India under Article 267 of the ●
Sarkaria Commission, 1983
Constitution of India. ●
Punchhi Commission, 2007
This fund acts more or less like an imprest account of
Government of India and is held on behalf of President NATIONAL PARTY
by the Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of It should secure not less than 6% of the total valid votes polled
Finance, Department of Economic Affairs. in its state during a general election. Besides, it has attained
atleast 4 members to Lok Sabha.
Public Account [Article 266(2)] STATE PARTY
In the public account, constituted under Article 266 (2) It should secure not less than 6% of the total valid votes in that
of the Constitution, the transactions relate to debt other state in that General Election, besides attaining atleast two
than those included in the Consolidated Fund in India. members to the Legislative Assembly of that state at the last
The transactions under debt, deposits and advances in Assembly elections.
this part are those in respect of which government incurs
a liability to repay the money received or has a claim to
recover the amounts paid. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS
The receipts under public account do not constitute
normal receipts of government. Parliamentary
authorisation for payments from the public account is
Types of Emergency
therefore not required. The President is empowered to promulgate three kinds of
emergencies which are as follow
Centre State Relations i. On the ground of threat to the security of India or of
any part of the territory by war or an external
(Articles 245 to 263) aggression or an armed rebellion (Article 352) known as
It deals with the relations between Union and States. The National Emergency.
Centres and States are an essential feature of federalism. ii. On the ground of the failure of the constitutional
machinery in a state. (Article 356) known as the
Legislative Relation President’s Rule or State Emergency.
• Article 249 Power of Parliament to Legislative in the iii. On the ground of threat to the financial stability or
national interest. credit of India or any part of the territory (Article 360),
known as Financial Emergency.
• Article 250 During a proclamation of emergency
Parliament shall have power to make laws for whole
or any part of the territory. Effects of Financial Emergency
• Article 253 Parliament powe to legislate for giving • The Executive Authority of the centre extends to
effect to the treaties and international agreements. directions as the President may deem necessary and
adequate for the purpose.
Administrative Relation • It may include a provision requiring the reduction of
• Article 260 Jurisdiction of the union in relation to salaries and allowances of public servant the reservation of
territories outside India. all Money Bills for the consideration of the President.
• Article 263 Provisions with respect to an Inter-state • The President may issue direction for the reduction of
council. salaries and allowance of union servants or the Judge of
Supreme Court and High Court.
Financial Relation • Thus, during Financial Emergency, the centre acquires full
• Article 268 Duties levied by union but collected by control over the states in financial matters.
state. • During the operation of Financial Emergency the executive
• Article 269 Taxes levied and collected by union but authority of the union extends to the giving of directions
assigned to the state. to any state to observe such canons of financial propriety
• Article 280 Financial Commission as may be specified on the directions.
1002 NDA/NA Pathfinder

Salary
THE JUDICIARY • Salary is given from consolidated fund which is not
• We have an integrated judicial set-up (taken from 1953 deducted (except during financial emergency).
Government of India Act) in our country. The • Chief Justice’s salary ` 1 lakh.
Constitution of India is the supreme legal document.
• It’s Part V and Part VI dealing with Union and State Independence of Judges
Governments respectively. • Decisions and actions of judges cannot be criticised.
• Indian Constitution has established an integrated judicial • Any type of conduct of judges cannot be discussed in
system with the Supreme Court at the top. Parliament except in the case of removal.
• Judiciary is independent of other two organs of the state • Chief Justice of India is appointed on seniority basis.
i.e., executive and legislature.
• Judiciary is a part of the democratic structure of the Jurisdiction
country. It is therefore, democratic traditions and to the
people of the country. The functions and responsibilities of the Supreme Court
are defined by the Constitution.
The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court may be categorised as
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
• It is the highest court of justice in India. Having one
Original Jurisdiction
• Disputes between the Government of India and one or
Chief Justice + Not more than 30 other judges (after
Amendment, earlier 25). more states.
• The judges hold the office upto the age of 65 years. • Dispute between the Government of India and one or
more states on one side and one or more state on the
Qualifications other side.
• A citizen of India. • Disputes between two or more states (e . g., Kaveri water
dispute between Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and
• Any person who has been a judge of a High Court for 5
Puducherry).
years or an eminent jurist or has been a practising
advocate in High Court for 10 years. Public Interest Litigation
Functions SP Gupta vs Union of India Case, 1982, Supreme Court
held that any member of the public can approach the
• It has important power of judicial review.
courts for violation of Fundamental Rights of others, (who
• It hears certain appeals of civil and criminal cases from may not have sufficient resources to reach the courts), even
the High Court. through a post card, PN Bhagwati and VR Krishna Ayer
• It hears disputes between the Union Government and were the prominent justices to have laid down the
the states and between states. conditions for such appeals, popularly called PIL. But PILs
• It can issue writs for the enforcement of any of the must work for public interest alone.
Fundamental Rights conferred by the Constitution.
• It has advisory jurisdiction and it also functions as court
WRIT JURISDICTION
of record. For the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights
Habeas Corpus It implies that a person imprisoned or
Removal of a Judge detained by the law can enquire from the court of law, under
what authority he has been imprisoned or detained.
• A Judge of Supreme Court can only be removed from
Mandamus Literally means a ‘command’ issued by the
office by an order of the President after an address by court commanding a person or a public authority to do or
each House of Parliament supported by a majority of forbade to do something in the nature of public duty.
the total membership of the house and by a majority of Quo Warranto An order issued by the court to prevent a
not less than 2/3rd of the members present and voting person from holding office to which he is not entitled and to
on the ground on (i) proved misbehaviour and oust him from that office.
(ii) incapacity. Certiorari It is a writ, which orders the removal of a suit
• The Constitution of India has ensured that from an inferior court to superior court or to squash the
– they can be removed by Parliament (by complex
order of lower court.
Prohibition By a higher court to stop proceedings in a
procedure).
lower court on the ground of overstepping of jurisdiction or
– after retirement, they cannot practice in any Indian isolation of the rules of natural justice.
Court.
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 1003

Advisory Jurisdiction
(Article 143)
STATE GOVERNMENT
As the highest court in the country, the It deals with the government at state level, duties and functions of
Supreme Court can be consulted by the Chief Minister and his ministers, Governor, High Court Advocate
President on certain issues, if the President feels General of the State.
that an important legal question or fact of
public interest has come to him he can ask the The State Executive
Supreme Court for its advice. The Supreme The Governor and the Council of Ministers headed by the
Court in such cases would consider it and give Chief-Minister constitute the State Executive.
its opinion to the President, but such an
opinion is not binding on the President.
GOVERNOR
Appellate Jurisdiction Appointed by the President, on the advice of the Council of Ministers
Three types of appeal can be made to the headed by the Prime Minister. Same person can be appointed
Supreme Court, which are as follow Governor for more than one state.
(i) There can be an appeal against any decision
or order of a High Court, if the High Qualification
Court gives a certificate that it involves • Under Article 158, the Constitution lays down the following
some question of interpretation of the conditions for the Governors office
Constitution.
i. He must be citizen of India.
(ii) There can be an appeal against civil cases
decided by a High Court, if the High ii. He should be more than 35 years of age.
Court gives a certificate that the case iii. He should not be a member of either House of Parliament
involves a substantial question of law. and the State Legislature.
(iii) In respect of criminal cases too there can iv. He must not hold any government office of profit.
be an appeal to the Supreme Court. If a
High Court has on appeal reversed an Tenure
order of acquittal of an accused person and Constitution prescribes a 5 year term but it is subject to the pleasure
sentenced him to death or if by
of the President.
withdrawing a case from the lower court
to itself it has sentenced a person to death,
one can go for an appeal to Supreme
Power
Court. • Executive Powers Appoints the Council of Ministers (on the
advice of CM).
Revisory Jurisdiction (Article 137) • Appoints the Advocate General, the Chairman and members of the
The Supreme Court can review any judgement State Public Service Commission.
given by itself. The Supreme Court is also given • Acts as the representative of the President.
the power under our Constitution to transfer a
case that is being decided in any court and Legislative Powers
bring it to itself. If it feels that an important • He summons and prorogues the session of the State Legislative.
question of law is involved, Parliament can • He can dissolve the State Assembly before the expiry of its full
confer on the Supreme Court more powers by term.
passing a law. • He addresses the first session of the legislature after every election
and first session every year.
Election Jurisdiction • He can issue ordinances, appoints 1/6th members of Legislative
The Supreme Court has obligation to decide on Council on the advice of Chief Minister.
the disputes regarding the election of the • Nominates one member from the Anglo-Indian community (if not
President and the Vice-President. proper representative).
• Gives assent to the bills to make it a law.
Court of Record (Article 129)
All the decisions and proceedings of the The Governor has three alternative, which are as follow
Supreme Court are kept as records and are i. He can give his assent to the Bill.
quoted as precedents in the court. The court ii. He can return it (other than a Money Bill) for reconsideration,
can punish for its own contempt, if any one suggestion, alterations. But such bills when passed again, have to
does not abide by its decision. So, the Supreme be given assent.
Court is called a ‘Court of Record’. iii. He may reserve the Bill for the assent of the President.
1004 NDA/NA Pathfinder

Financial Powers • States having Bicameral Legislature Uttar Pradesh,

Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Karnataka and
Ensures that the budget is laid. Money Bills can be
Andhra Pradesh.
introduced on his recommendation only.
• State Legislative Council can be created and abolished by
Judicial Powers the Parliament on the recommendation of Legislative
• He is consulted by the President of India for the
Assembly.
appointment of judges in the High Court.
Legislative Council
• Appoints judges of courts below the High Court, can
• It is known as Upper House, it cannot be dissolved.
grant pardon, (same point) reprieve or remission of
punishment for offence against state laws. • The maximum strength of the council is fixed at
one-third of the total strength of the Assembly and
Emergency Powers minimum strength is 40. Legislative Council are elected
The Governor exercises important power during emergency in accordance with the system of proportional
which is also known as ‘President Rule’. (Article 356) respresentation by means of the Single Transferable Vote.
• The council is constituted as provided in Clause (3) of
Other Powers Article 171.
Receives and tables the report by State Auditor General
Acts as Chancellor of state universities and appoints Strength and Election
Vice-Chancellor. • It cannot be larger than 1/3rd of the Legislative
Assembly of the State. 1/3rd are elected by the local
government bodies like Zila Parishad, municipalities.
CHIEF MINISTER Another 1/3rd are elected by Members of Legislative
• Article 164 (1) Appointed by Governor, generally the Assembly of the State.
majority party leader is appointed. A Chief Minister is • 1/12th are elected by a constituency of graduates and
the elected Head or Government of the State, and is another 1/12th by teachers of secondary schools, colleges
vested with most of the Executive Power. He enjoys the and universities.
supports of legislators of the political party or coalition • 1/6th of the total members are nominated by the
commanding an assembly majortiy. Governor from the persons of special knowledge or
• The Governor is the Normal Executive authority practical experience of literature, science, art,
(de-jure executive) and the Chief Minister is the Real co-operative movement and tenure social service.
Executive Authority (de facto executive). • 6 years tenure with 1/3rd members retiring every 2 years.
• There are no educational or other qualification about his
appointment. Under the Constitution, all that is needed Qualifications
is that such a person is a citizen of India and possesses • A citizen of India, age not below 30 years.
such qualifications, as are required for becoming a • Chairman and Vice-Chairman elected from among its
member of the Legislative Assembly. members.
• Such a person could be member of either House of the
Legislature or even an outside though incase he is not a
member of State Legislative can be appointed CM, but LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
he has to get himself elected within six months • Term-5 years.
otherwise would have to be removed.
• It can be dissolved before its term too. Term can be
• The Governor may first appoint the Chief Minister then extended by 1 year during national emergency.
ask him to prove his majority in the Legislative
• The Constitution says that the Governor may appoint
Assembly within a reasonable period.
one member from the Anglo-Indian Community if it is
• If the Chief Minister resigns, entire ministry resigns. not adequately represented in the house.
• Rest of the member are elected directly by the people
The State Legislature from the territorial constituencies. Article 170(1) holds
• Every state has a legislature. Some of the State that the Legislative Assembly of each state shall consist
Legislatures have 2 houses; Legislative Assembly of not more than five hundred, and not less than sixty,
(Vidhan Sabha), the Lower House and Legislative members chosen by direct election from territorial
Council (Vidhan Parishad), the Upper House. constituencies in the State.
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 1005

Strength Jurisdiction of High Court

The strength of legislative assemblies cannot be more than • The High Court is the highest court of appeal in both
500 and not less than 60. However in case of Arunachal civil and criminal cases in the states.
Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa. The minimum number is fixed at 30, • The high courts of Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and
incase of Mizoram and Nagaland it is 40 and 46 respectively. Mumbai have both appellate and original jurisdiction.
The original jurisdiction of the High Court of other
Qualifications states is limited only to the matters mentioned in the
• A citizen of India, age not less than 25 years. Constitution.
• Speaker and Deputy Speaker chosen from among its • In civil cases, an appeal can go the the High Court, if
members. the amount involved in the case exceeds ` 20000.
• Must possess other qualifications prescribed by • Appeals in criminal cases from the lower courts.
Parliament, under the Representation of People Act, 1951. • The conduct of judges of High Court cannot be
discussed in Parliament except on a motion for the
HIGH COURTS removal of a judge.
• The High Court has a power to issue writs both for the
• The Constitution provides High Court for every state.
enforcement of Fundamental Rights and for other
But even two or more states can have a common High purposes. (Article 226). But Supreme Court can issue
Court if provided by the Parliament. writs only for the violation of Fundamental Rights. So,
– Presently there are 24 high courts in India (21+3 State
the Writ Jurisdiction of high courts is wider than that
high courts). Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura are the of Supreme Court.
new high courts.
• The High Court has a power of superintendence over
– The High Court consists of a Chief Justice and some
all courts or tribunals (except military tribunals) within
other judges appointed by the President of India. their respective jurisdiction.
– There is no upper limit on the number of judges.
• High Court has the power to transfer cases either to
themselves or from one lower court to another lower
Qualifications court. High Court supervises the working of all
• He/she must be a citizen of India. subordinate courts and frames rules and regulations for
• Must have held a judicial office for at least 10 years or be the transaction of business and it examines records of
a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President. lower courts also.
• He should have for at least 10 years been an advocate in
High Court or of two or more such courts in succession. Subordinate Courts
• Articles 233 to 237 in part VI of the Constitution
Appointment makes the provision to regulate the organisation of
• For the appointment of the Chief Justice of a High Court subordinate courts and to ensure their independence
the President consults the Chief Justice of India and from executive.
Governor of the concerned state. • The appointment, posting and promotion of District
• Other judges are also appointed according to the same Judge in a State are made by the Governor of the State
procedure. in consultation with the High Court.
• The Constitution bench of Supreme Court held that the
Gram Nyayalayas
opinion of Chief Justice (Supreme Court and High
• This act, came into force from 2nd October, 2009 to
Court) will be given priority in both the appointment as
well as transfer of senior judges. provide for the establishment of Gram Nyayalayas at
the grass root level for the purpose of providing access
• Term A Judge of High Court hold office till he attains to justice at the doorsteps of citizens.
the age of 62 years. Their term can be shortened, if he
• The Central Government will meet the non-securing
gives resignation and can be cut short if removed by the
expenditure of courts. More than 5000 Gram
President.
Nyayalayas are expected to be set-up.
• Judges of one High Court can be transferred to another
High Court. Lok Adalat
• Removal They can be removed through the same • It is an alternative dispute settlement mechanism which
procedure as followed in the case of a Judge of the settles disputes through conciliation and mediation.
Supreme Court (Parliament passes the resolution by a • All legal disputes pending in civil, criminal, revenue
2/3rd majority of its members present and voting).
courts and tribunals can be taken to Lok Adalat.
1006 NDA/NA Pathfinder

CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES Union Public Service

OF INDIA Commission (UPSC)
• It is a constitutional body.
Attorney General • The Chairman and other members of UPSC are
appointed by the President.
• The Attorney General of India is appointed by the President
• Every member holds office for a term of 6 years or
of India under Article 76 of the Constitution. A person until he attains age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
qualified to be a Judge of Supreme Court is appointed to
• He can submit his resignation at any time to the
such a post.
President. He may be removed from his office by
• He is the highest legal advisor to the government and is
the President on grounds of misbehaviour or
consulted in all important cases. He also appears in the incapacity.
Supreme Court on behalf of Government of India to
conduct cases. He has the right of audience in all the courts
and can take part in the proceedings of either House of State Public Service
Parliament, but he is not entitled to vote. He holds office
during the pleasure of the President. Commission (SPSC)
• SPSC consists of a chairman and other members
Comptroller and Auditor appointed by the governor of the state.
• The chairman and members of the commission hold
General (CAG) office for a term of six years or until they attain the
He is appointed by the President for control and audit of age of 62 years. They can relinquish their offices at
public accounts. any time by addressing their resignation to the
His main functions are as follow governor.
• To keep a vigilant watch on the finance of Union and the • Although the chairman and members of a SPSC are
States. appointed by the governor, they can be removed
• To submit periodic reports to the President and governors only by the President.
of state for consideration of Parliament and State
Legislature. Election Commission (Article 329)
• To see that the amount voted by the legislature are spent
• It consist of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
under appropriate heads and they are not exceeded. and two Election Commissioners (EC).
• The CEC and other EC are appointed by the
Finance Commission (Article 280) President.
• Tenure for CEC and EC 6 years or 65 years of age
Composition
whichever is earlier. First CEC of India Sukumar
Under Article 280 of the Constitution, provision has been Sen.
made for the Constitution of a Finance Commission within
• Removal CEC can be removed in the same manner
two years of the commencement of the Constitution and
as a Judge of Supreme Court of India.
thereafter on the expiry of 5th year. It consists of a Chairman
and four other members appointed by the President. • Other EC can be removed by President on the
recommendation of CEC.
Functions
It is duty of the Finance Commission to make
recommendations to the President as to
UNION TERRITORIES
• the distribution between the Union and States of net (ARTICLES 239-241)
proceeds of the taxes which are divisible between the Union It deals with Union Territories’s
and the States.
• Union Territories’s are administered by the
• the principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of a President.
revenue to the states out of Consolidated Funds of India.
• Administrators of Andamans and Nicobar Islands,
• measure of augment Consolidated Fund of State.
Delhi and Puducherry are designated as Lieutenant
• Any other matter referred to the commission by the
Governors.
President in the interest of sound finance.
• Chandigarh administered by Chief Commissioner.
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 1007

• Before the expiry of a period of 6 months from the date

Jammu and Kashmir (Special Status) of its dissolution. Provided that where the remainder of
• Article 370 gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir. the period for which the dissolved Panchayat would have
Special status has been given to this state at the time of continued is less than 6 months, it shall not be necessary
its accession to India. to hold any election for such period.
• Jammu and Kashmir has its own separate Constitution
which was formed by its own Constituent Assembly.
Reservation in Panchayats
Seats shall be compulsorily reserved for Scheduled Castes
• The Parliament of India has no power to form laws
and Scheduled Tribes seats to be reserved for backward
regarding Jammu and Kashmir on the subjects of State List.
classes is left at the discretion of the State Government one
Besides this all the residuary powers invest in the legislatures
third of the seats are reserved for women.
of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It exercises dual citizenship. Person who does not STATE FINANCE COMMISSION
belong to the state of Jammu and Kashmir cannot
There is a provision of State Finance Commission to review
purchase any immovable property in this state.
the financial position of Panchayats and recommended
• In case of constitutional breakdown, besides the grant-in-aid.
President rule, the Governor’s rule can also be imposed It shall make the following recommendations to the Governor
for a maximum period of 6 months. ●
The distribution between the state and Panchayats of
• The Union of India has no power for the proclamation the net proceeds of taxes, tolls and fees be viable by
of Financial Emergency in Jammu and Kashmir. the states.
●
The determination of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees
• The Indian Parliament has no power to change the
which may be assigned to the Panchayats.
name, boundary or territory of Jammu and Kashmir
●
The principle that will determine grant-in-aid to the
without the consent of State Legislature.
Panchayats.
• Only National Emergency proclaimed on grounds of
war and external aggression shall have automatic
extension to Jammu and Kashmir. On the contrary,
National Emergency proclaimed on the basis of armed
Municipalities (Article 243)
rebellion shall not be automatically extended to Jammu • The first Municipal Corporation was established in
and Kashmir. Madras Presidency in 1687.
• Duration 5 years.
• Election must be held before the expiry of its duration
PANCHAYATS or before the expiration of a period of 6 months from
The idea of Panchayat Raj forms a basic test of the the date of its dissolution.
Gandhian philosophy that concision village councils as the
units of left-governance. Amendments of the Constitution
Duration (Article 368)
It has five years of duration from the day appointed for its It deals with constitutional amendment. An amendment to
first meeting. the Constitution can be initiated in either House of the
Parliament and there is no provision of joint session here.
Election President has to, under all conditions, provide his consent
to such a bill. He cannot withhold his assent nor can be
• Before the expiry of its duration.
return it.
1008 NDA/NA Pathfinder

IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

• 1st Amendment, 1951 to overcome • 44th Amendment, 1978 restored • 93rd Amendment Added
certain practical difficulties related to the normal duration of the Lok Clause (5) to Article 15 making
Fundamental Rights. Also added 9th Sabha and Legislative Assembly to 5 special provisions for advancement of
Schedule. It converted right of property years. The Right to Property was any socially and educationally
to legal right. deleted from Part III. Also limited backward classes.
• 7th Amendment, 1956 necessitated the power of the government to • 94th Amendment, 2006 To
on account of reorganisation of states proclaim internal emergency. provide for a Minister of Tribal
on linguistic basis and introduced • 52nd Amendment, 1985 10th Welfare in Jharkhand and
changes in the 1st and 4th Schedule. Chhattisgarh states including Madhya
Schedule was added through this.
• 9th Amendment, 1960 gave effect to (Anti-Defection Law) Pradesh and Orissa.
transfer certain territories to Pakistan
• 61st Amendment, 1989 reduced • 95th Amendment, 2010 To extend
following the 1958 Indo-Pak
the voting age from 21 to 18 years the reservation of seats for SCs and
Agreement.
for the Lok Sabha as well as STs in the Lok Sabha and States
• 10th Amendment, 1961 incorporated Assemblies. Assemblies from 60 to 70 years.
Dadar and Nagar Haveli in India.
• 62nd Amendment, 1989 extended • 96th Amendment, 2011 Substituted
• 12th Amendment, 1962 incorporated reservation of seats for SC/ST till ‘Odia’ for ‘Oriya’.
Goa, Daman and Diu in India.
AD 2000. • 97th Amendment, 2012 Added the
• 13th Amendment, 1962 created
Nagaland as a state.
• 69th Amendment proposed to words ‘or co-operative societies’ after
grant statehood to Delhi. the word ‘or unions’ in Article 19 (1)
• 14th Amendment, 1963 incorporated (C) and insertion of Article 43 (B) i.e.
Pondicherry in India from France. • 73rd Amendment, 1992
promotion of co-operative societies
(Panchayati Raj) to provide among
• 18th Amendment, 1966 reorganised and added part IXB i.e. the
other things Gram Sabha in villages,
Punjab into Punjab, Haryana and UT of co-operative societies.
Constitution of Panchayats at the
Chandigarh. 98th Amendment, 2013 To
village and other levels, direct •
• 26th Amendment, 1971 was related elections to all seats in Panchayats empower the Governor of Karnataka
to terminate the privy purses and and reservation of seats for the SC to take steps to develop the
privileges of the rulers of the former and ST and fixing of tenure of Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
Indian states. 5 years for Panchayats. • 99th Amendment, 2015 The
• 27th Amendment, 1971 established • 74th Amendment, 1992 (Nagar amendment provides for the formation
Manipur and Tripura as States and of a National Judicial Appointments
Palika) To provide for, among other
Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh as Commission. The amendment was
things, Constitution for three types
Union Territory. struck down by the Supreme Court
of municipalities, reservation of seats
• 31st Amendment, 1973 increased the in every municipality for the SC and on 16th October, 2015.
elective strength of Lok Sabha from 525 ST, women and the backward classes. • 100th Amendment, 2015 Exchange
to 545. The upper limit of of certain enclave territories with
representatives of state went up from • 86th Amendment, 2002 Article
21 (A) which makes primary Bangladesh and conferment of
500 to 525. citizenship rights to residents of
education a Fundamental Rights to
• 42nd Amendment, 1976 provided enclaves consequent to signing of
children between age of 6-14 years
supremacy of Parliament and gave very Land Boundary Agreement (LBA)
limited primacy to Directive Principles was added.
Treaty between India and Bangladesh.
over Fundamental Rights. It also added – Article 45 of Directive Principle.
10 Fundamental Duties to the – 11th Fundamental Duty was added
• 101st Amendment, 2016
Constitution. The Preamble of the Amendement of Articles 248, 249,
through this.
Constitution was also altered to 250, 268, 269, 270, 271, 286, 366, 368,
‘Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic
• 92nd Amendment, Act 2003 6th Schedule, 7th Schedule, Deletion
Republic’. It is also called Mini 4 languages were added in 8th of Article 268A in reference to the
Constitution. Schedule—Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Goods and Services tax bill.
Santhali.
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 1009

PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. The Constitution of India 9. Finance Commission is appointed 18. Who is the highest law officer of
borrowed the concept of the under Article the state?
Directive Principle of State (a) 270 (b) 280 (a) Attorney General
Policy from the Constitution of (c) 281 (d) 282 (b) Solicitor General
(a) USA (b) Ireland 10. Who presided as the temporary (c) Advocate General
(c) Canada (d) UK (d) Secretary General, Law Department
President of Constituent Assembly?
2. The Constitution of India was (a) Sachidanand Sinha 19. As a Vice-President how much
enacted by Constituent (b) Dr Rajendra Prasad salary is drawn by the
Assembly set-up (c) Dr BR Ambedkar Vice-President?
(a) under the Cabinet Mission Plan, (d) None of the above (a) ` 25000 (b) ` 40000
1946 11. Who followed Mr Sachidanand Sinha (c) ` 30000 (d) Nothing
(b) promulgation of the Rowlatt Act, on 11th December, 1946 to become the
1919 20. Which article of Indian
President of Constituent Assembly? Constitution prescribes Hindi in
(c) the Indian Council Act, 1892
(a) Mr Sachidanand Sinha Devnagari script as the official
(d) Indian Independence Act, 1947 (b) Dr Rajendra Prasad language of the union?
3. The High Court at Bombay, (c) Dr BR Ambedkar (a) Article 341 (b) Article 342
Calcutta and Madras were (d) None of the above (c) Article 343 (d) Article 344
established under the 12. Who was the first Speaker of Lok
(a) Indian High Court Act, 1861 21. Under which of the following
Sabha? circumstance, can the President
(b) Indian High Court Act, 1865
(a) P Upendra (b) Hukum Singh declare an emergency?
(c) Indian High Court Act, 1911
(c) GV Mavalankar (d) None of these
(d) None of the above 1. External aggression
13. Members of Council of Ministers 2. Internal disturbances
4. Which of the following is the
(Union) are collectively responsible to 3. Failure of the constitutional
source of ‘Satyameva Jayate’? (a) Lok Sabha
(a) Mundak Upanishad machinery in states
(b) Rajya Sabha 4. Financial crisis
(b) Rigved
(c) Election Commission
(c) Katho Upanishad Select the correct answer using the
(d) President
(d) None of the above codes given below.
14. Secularism means (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1, 3 and 4
5. The 10th Schedule of (a) suppression of all religions (c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2 and 4
Constitution deals with the (b) freedom of worship in minorities
(a) Anti-defection Law (c) separation of religion from state
22. Which of the following emergencies
(b) related with 52nd Amendment (d) None of the above can be declared by the President
(c) All of the above on his own?
(d) None of the above 15. India is a Democratic Republic 1. Emergency on account of armed
because rebellion
6. Which one of the following
(a) there is independence of judiciary 2. Financial Emergency
articles of the directive
(b) the head of the state is elected by the 3. President’s Rule in a State
principles of state policy deals
people
with the promotion of Select the correct answer using the
(c) there is parliamentary supremacy
International peace and codes given below.
(d) there is distribution of power between
security? (a) Only 1 (b) Only 3
centre and state
(a) 51 (b) 48 (A) (c) All of these (d) None of these
(c) 43 (A) (d) 41 16. In accordance with the provision of our
Constitution, All India Services can be 23. Consider the following statements
7. Who is called the father of regarding the President’s
Indian Constitution? created only by
(a) process of Amendment to the Ordinance making power
(a) Dr BR Ambedkar
Constitution 1. It can abridge the Fundamental
(b) Dr Rajendra Prasad
(b) Union Government in Constitution with Rights.
(c) Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru
(d) None of the above the UPSC 2. Ordinance could be challenged
(c) Parliament on the ground of violating
8. Who was the first Chairman of (d) None of the above substantive provisions.
the Planning Commission? 3. The President is competent to
(a) Gulzari Lal Nanda 17. Which of the following states does not issue an ordinance amending
(b) JL Nehru have a Bicameral Legislative? the tax laws.
(c) CD Deshmukh (a) Bihar (b) Uttar Pradesh
4. It is a parallel law making
(d) KC Niyogy (c) Andhra Pradesh (d) Rajasthan
power with executive.
1010 NDA/NA Pathfinder

Select the correct answer using 2. Article 74 says that Prime 2. The Committee on Public Accounts
the codes given below. Minister shall be appointed by comprises Members of Lok Sabha,
(a) 1, 2 and 4 (b) 2 and 3 the President. Members of Rajya Sabha and a
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) All of these 3. The term of Prime Minister is few eminent persons of industry
not fixed and he holds office and trade.
24. It denotes awarding a lesser during the pleasure of the Which of the statement(s) given above
sentence in place of one originally President. is/are correct?
awarded due to some special fact. (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
Which of the statement(s) given
This is known as (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
above is/are correct?
(a) Pardon (b) Commutation
(a) Only 3 (b) Only 1 32. Which of the following are the
(c) Remission (d) Respite
(c) 2 and 3 (d) All of these
provisions of Article 75 of the
25. Who among the following 29. Which one of the following Constitution?
President(s) was/were
statements are incorrect? 1. Ministers shall be appointed by
Vice-President of India?
1. The Prime Minister is the President on the advice of
1. Mohammad Hidayatullah appointed by the President, the Prime Minister.
2. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed other Minister is appointed by 2. The Council of Ministers shall be
3. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy the president. collectively responsible to the
4. Shankar Dayal Sharma 2. The Ministers of State are House of People.
Select the correct answer using members of the Cabinet and 3. The question whether any, and if
the codes given below. attend the meeting of the so what, advice was tendered by
(a) 1 and 4 (b) 1, 2 and 3 Cabinet of their own. ministers to the President shall be
(c) 1 and 3 (d) All of these 3. Under our Constitution, there inquired into in any court.
is no bar to appointment of a 4. The salaries and allowances of
26. Which of the following is the
person from outside the ministers shall be determined by
required qualification for
Legislature as Minister. Parliament.
becoming Vice-President of India?
4. The salaries and allowance of Select the correct answer using the
1. Be a citizen of India
Ministers shall be such as codes given below.
2. Have completed 30 years of President may from time to (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 2
age time by law determine. (c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 2 and 4
3. Should not hold any office of
Select the correct answer using
profit 33. Consider the following statement(s)
the codes given below.
Which of the statements given with reference to the Union
(a) 1 and 3 (b) 1, 2 and 4
above are correct? Government
(c) 1 and 4 (d) 2 and 4
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 1. The Constitution of India provides
(c) All of these (d) 1 and 3 30. Which one of the following that all cabinet ministers shall
statements are correct? compulsorily the sitting member of
27. Which of the following statements 1. The Prime Minister can Lok Sabha only.
about the Vice-President of India appoint any persons as
are not correct? 2. Union Cabinet Secretariat operates
ministers. under the direction of the Ministry
1. In order to be Vice-President a 2. The Prime Minister allocates of Parliamentary affairs.
person must be qualified for and reshuffles various
election as a member of the Which of the statement(s) given above
portfolios among the ministers.
House of the People. is/are correct?
3. The Prime Minister presides (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
2. A member of the State over the meeting of council of
Legislative Assembly can seek (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
ministers and influences its
election to that office. decisions. 34. Identify the correct statement(s)
3. The term of the office of the 4. The Prime Minister can bring 1. Kitchen cabinet is an informal
Vice-President is the same as about the collapse of the body consisting of the Prime
that of the President. Council of Ministers by Minister and few of his influential
4. He can be removed through a resigning from office. colleagues.
formal impeachment. Select the correct answer using 2. Kitchen cabinet is composed of not
Select the correct answer using the codes given below. only cabinet ministers but also
the codes given below. (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 outsiders like friends and family
(a) 1, 2 and 4 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2 and 4 members of the Prime Minister.
(c) 1 and 4 (d) 3 and 4
31. Consider the following Which of the statement(s) given above
28. Consider the following statement(s) is/are correct?
statement(s) 1. The Chairman of the (a) Only 1
1. The Constitution contains Committee on Public Accounts (b) Only 2
specific procedure for the is appointed by the Speaker of (c) Both 1 and 2
selection and appointment of the Lok Sabha. (d) Neither 1 nor 2
the Prime Minister.
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 1011

35. A bill referred to a joint sitting of 3. After completing five years in 2. When the Speaker of a Legislative
the two houses of the Parliament office, the Governor cannot Assembly resigns, he addresses
is to be passed by continue to hold the office his letter to the Deputy-
(a) absolute majority of total membership even when his successor has Chairman of the Assembly.
(b) 3/4th majority not entered upon his office. Which of the statement(s) given
(c) 2/3rd majority 4. The executive power of the above is/are correct?
(d) a simple majority state is vested in the (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
36. The Oath of office to the Governor Governor. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
is administered by the Which of the statements given 47. The number of writs that can be
(a) Chief Justice of India above are correct? prayed for and issued by the
(b) President (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2, 3 and 4
Supreme Court and a High Court is
(c) Chief Justice of High Court (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 2 and 4
(a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 5 (d) 6
(d) Speaker of Legislative Assembly 42. As regards Tax proceeds, the
48. India is a secular state, it is clearly
37. Consider the followng statements Constitution has
proclaimed in
1. The highest criminal court of (a) left the distribution to Finance
(a) Fundamental Right
the district-is the Court of Commission
(b) Preamble of the Constitution
District and Sesson Judge. (b) made a distribution favourable to
(c) Directive Principle of State Policy
2. The District Judges are the centre
(d) 9th Schedule of the Constitution
appointed by the Governor in (c) made a distribution favourable for
consultation with the High the state 49. Who holds the power of judicial
Courts. (d) made an equitable distribution review in India?
3. A person to be eligible for between centre and state (a) The Parliament
appointment as a District (b) The Minister of Law
Judge should be an advocate 43. The Legislative Council of a state
(c) The Supreme Court and the High
or a pleader of seven year’ 1. is subject to dissolution.
Court
standing or more, or an officer 2. can be abolished by the State
(d) Only Supreme Court
in judicial service of the Union Legislative Assembly.
or the State. Which of the statement(s) given 50. Consider the following statement(s)
4. When the Sessions Judge above is/are correct? with reference to states in India.
awards death sentence, it must (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 1. Six months shall not intervene
be confirmed by the High (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 between the last sitting of the
Court before it is carried out. State Legislature and the first
Which of the statements given 44. Consider the following sitting of next session.
above are correct? statement(s) regarding Indian 2. After every general election to the
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2, 3 and 4 Polity State Assembly the Governor has
(c) 3 and 4 (d) All of these 1. In India, a State cannot have to address the State Assembly on
more than 525 members in its the very first sitting and so also
38. Who decides the number of judges Legislative Assembly.
in a High Court? the first session of every year.
2. To be a member of State
(a) State Government Which of the statement(s) given
Legislative Assembly, a citizen
(b) President above is/are correct?
must not be less than 25 (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) Parliament
years of age. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Chief Justice of India
Which of the statement(s) given
39. Which one of the following offices above is/are correct? 51. Who finally approves the draft of
is held during the pleasure of the (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 Five Year Plans?
President of India? (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (a) Parliament
(a) Vice-President (b) Planning Commission
(b) Chief Justice of India
45. A person who is arrested and (c) National Development Council
detained in police custody has to (d) All of the above
(c) Governor of a State
be produced before the nearest
(d) Chairman of UPSC 52. Identify the correct statements
magistrate
40. Which amendment bill proposed (a) immediately after arrest regarding Quo-Warranto
to grant statehood to Delhi? (b) within 12 hours 1. It is issued by the court to
(a) 71st (b) 72nd (c) 70th (d) 69th (c) within 24 hours enquire into the legality of claim
(d) within 48 hours of a person to a public office.
41. Consider the following statements
regarding the Governor of a State 46. Consider the following 2. It prevents illegal usurpation of
public office by a person.
in India statement(s)
3. It cannot be issued in case of
1. To be appointed as Governor, 1. If the Legislative Assembly of ministerial office or private office.
one should have completed the a State in India is dissolved
age of 45 years. in mid-term, the Speaker Which of the statements given above
2. The Governor holds the office continues in office till the are correct?
during the pleasure of the process of formation of next (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3
President. Legislative Assembly. (c) 1 and 3 (d) All of these
1012 NDA/NA Pathfinder

53. Mandamus can be issued 57. Generally the President 62. The President can declare emergency
against appoint a person as Prime (a) by his own decision
1. the official administrative Minister who is the leader of (b) on the advice of Prime Minister (Council of
officials. (a) majority party in Parliament Ministers)
2. the private individuals. (b) majority party in Rajya Sabha (c) on the advice of Chief Minister
3. the foreigners. (c) majority party in Lok Sabha (d) None of the above

Which of the statement(s) given (d) all elected members of 63. Why is political power sharing through
above is/are correct? Parliament different levels of government desirable
(a) Only 1 (b) 1 and 2 58. The constituents of Indian in a democracy?
(c) Only 2 (d) 1 and 3 Parliament as mentioned in 1. It helps to reduce the possibility of
the Constitution are the conflict between various social groups.
54. To appoint the Judges of High
Court (except Chief Justice of (a) President, Lok Sabha and the 2. It decreases the possibility of arbitrary
Council of Ministers decision-making.
the High Court) the President
consults with (b) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha 3. It prompts people’s participation at
(c) President, Vice-President and different levels of government.
1. Chief Justice of India
the two Houses of Parliament Select the correct answer using the codes
2. The Chief Justice of the
concerned High Court (d) President, Lok Sabha and given below.
Rajya Sabha (a) Only 3 (b) Only 2
3. Governor of the state
59. Who among the following (c) 1 and 3 (d) All of these
concerned
4. Chief Minister of the state became the Prime Minister of 64. Which of the following is correct about
concerned India without being earlier the the Fundamental Duties?
Which of the statement(s) given Chief Minister of a State? 1. They are not enforceable.
above is/are correct? 1. Morarji Desai 2. They are primarily moral duties.
(a) Only 3 (b) 1, 2 and 3 2. Charan Singh 3. They are not related to any legal
(c) 1 and 3 (d) All of these 3. VP Singh rights.
55. Consider the following 4. Chandrashekhar Select the correct answer using the codes
statement(s) 5. PV Narsimha Rao given below.
1. There is an explicit Select the correct answer (a) 1 and 2 (b) 1 and 3
Constitutional provision which (c) 2 and 3 (d) All of these
using the codes given below.
allows parliamentary (a) 1, 2 and 4 65. A proclamation of emergency issued under
legislation for the (b) 2, 3 and 5 Article 356 must be approved by the
implementation of (c) Only 2 Parliament within
international treaties. (d) Only 4 (a) 1 month (b) 6 months
2. The words socialist and (c) 2 months (d) 3 months
60. By whom are the committees
secular were added to the
Preamble by the 44th of Parliament appointed? 66. How many times was the financial
(a) President emergency imposed?
Constitutional Amendment
(b) Prime Minister (a) Once (b) Twice
Act, 1978.
(c) Chairman of Rajya Sabha/ (c) Many times (d) Not a single time
Which of the statement(s) given Speaker of Lok Sabha
above is/are correct? (d) Minister of Parliamentary Affairs 67. The only Union Territory which has a
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 court of its own is
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 61. Which of these are (a) Andaman and Nicobar
qualifications for appointment (b) Delhi
56. Consider the following as a Judge of a High Court? (c) Lakshadweep
statement(s) regarding financial (d) Daman and Diu
1. He must be a citizen of
relations between Union and
India. 68. Which of the following states became
States
2. Must have held judicial 28th State of India?
1. Stamp duties on bills of
exchange are levied by the office in the Territory of (a) Uttarakhand (b) Chhattisgarh
union but collected and India for at atleast five (c) Jharkhand (d) Delhi
appropriated by the states. years.
69. Which of the following statement(s) about
2. Income tax and excise tax are 3. Must have been an advocate Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
taxes levied and collected by of a High Court or two or is incorrect?
the Union and distributed more such courts in (a) He is appointed by the President
between the Union and the succession for atleast 10 (b) He is removed from his office in the same
States. years. manner as that of a Supreme Court Judge
Select the correct answer using Which of the statements given (c) He may hold an office under the Union or
the codes given below. above are correct? a State Government apart from the office of
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 CAG
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) 1 and 3 (d) All of these (d) His salary is determined by the Parliament
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 1013

70. Who is the ex-officio chairman of 77. The Constitution provides that 83. Which of the following states has the
Rajya Sabha? Hindi shall be largest representation in the Lok
(a) Chief Minister (b) President (a) the national language of India Sabha?
(c) Prime Minister (d) Vice-President (b) the language of communication (a) Bihar (b) Uttar Pradesh
between the State Government (c) Odisha (d) Madhya Pradesh
71. Match the following
(c) the official language of the Union
84. Eligibility for a regional party to be
List I List II of India
recognised as a national party is
A. Chief Election 1. Elected by Rajya (d) the communication language
(a) to be recognised in atleast
Commissioner Sabha between Union and State
3 states
B. Deputy Chairman 2. Elected by Lok 78. The Indian Parliament can (b) to be recognised in atleast
of Rajya Sabha Sabha
invade a State List, if 4 states
C. Chairman of the 3. Appointed by (c) to get 1/10th of the seats of
PAC Speaker
1. a subject in the State List
assumes of national Lok Sabha
D. Chairman of the 4. Appointed by the
Lok Sabha President importance. (d) to get 1/10th seats of Parliament
2. a proclamation of emergency 85. The Constitution of India does not
Codes has been issued by the
A B C D A B C D
mention the post of
President of India. (a) Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
(a) 4 1 3 2 (b) 4 3 2 1 3. the Supreme Court authorises (b) The Deputy Prime Minister
(c) 1 2 3 4 (d) 4 3 1 2 the Parliament to do so. (c) Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha
72. The President gives his Which of the statement(s) given (d) Deputy Speaker of State Legislature
resignation to the above is/are correct?
(a) 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 2 86. The first woman Governor of a state
(a) Vice-President of free India was
(b) Prime Minister (c) Only 2 (d) Only 3
(a) Sarojini Naidu
(c) Chief Justice 79. What is zero hour? (b) Sucheta Kriplani
(d) Chairman of Lok Sabha (a) When matter of utmost importance (c) Indira Gandhi
73. Match the following are raised without prior notice (d) Vijaya Laxmi Pandit
(b) When a Money Bill is introduced in
List I List II Lok Sabha 87. Under the Constitution, the
(c) When session became zero residuary power vests with
A. Uttarakhand 1. 25th State
(d) At 12’o clock (a) President
B. Chhattisgarh 2. 26th State
(b) Supreme Court
C. Jharkhand 3. 27th State 80. Who among the following has the (c) Union Government
D. Goa 4. 28th State final power to maintain order (d) State Government
Codes with in the House of People?
(a) Speaker
88. The President of India is elected by
A B C D A B C D an electoral college having
(b) Chief of security staff
(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 4 3 2 1 (a) elected members of both Houses of
(c) Prime Minister
(c) 1 2 4 3 (d) 3 2 4 1 (d) President Parliament and State Assemblies
(b) elected Members of Parliament
74. Which of the following was 81. Who presides over the Lok Sabha (c) elected Members of State Assemblies
adopted from the Mauryan if neither Speaker nor the Deputy (d) None of the above
dynasty in the emblem of Speaker is available
Government of India? (a) the seniormost member of Rajya
89. The Panchayati Raj Institution
(a) Four Lions Sabha depends for funds mainly on
(b) Chariot Wheel (b) the seniormost member of Lok (a) local taxes
(c) Horse Sabha (b) property tax
(d) Words Satyameva Jayate (c) the Prime Minister (c) government finances
(d) special taxes
75. Which of the following rights was (d) None of the above
described by Dr BR Ambedkar as, 82. Which is not correct regarding a 90. Which of the following is a source of
‘The heart and soul of the Money Bill? income of the Gram Panchayat?
Constitution’? (a) Income tax (b) Sales tax
(a) It requires the prior approval of the
(a) Right to Freedom of Religion (c) Professional tax (d) Levy duties
President
(b) Right to Property (b) It is deemed to have been passed 91. Balwant Rai Mehta suggested the
(c) Right to Equality by both the houses if it is not structure of Panchayati Raj should
(d) Right to Constitutional Remedies returned by the Rajya Sabha within consist of
76. When did the first linguistic State 14 days (a) the village, block and the district level
of Andhra come into existence? (c) It can be passed by the Lok (b) the mandal and the district level
(a) 2nd October, 1953 Sabha even if the Rajya Sabha
(c) the village, the district and the state
(b) 1st October, 1953 rejects it
level
(c) 1st April, 1953 (d) It can be introduced in either
(d) the village, the mandal, the district and
(d) 5th January, 1953 House of Parliament
the state level
1014 NDA/NA Pathfinder

92. Match the following (c) The President of India on the advice of 103. Who among the following was
the Prime Minister the President of the Constituent
List I List II (d) The Chief Election Commissioner
Assembly which drafted the
A. Mandamus 1. Direction to an
official for the
97. Match the following Constitution of the Indian
performance of duty List I List II Republic?
B. Habeas 2. Release of an illegal (a) Dr BR Ambedkar
Corpus detained person A. Andhra Pradesh 1. 1953 (b) Liaqat Ali Khan
C. Certiorari 3. Tansfering of a case B. Gujarat 2. 1960 (c) Dr Radhakrishnan
from an inferior court C. Haryana 3. 1963 (d) Dr Rajendra Prasad
to a court of higher D. Nagaland 4. 1966
jurisdiction 104. Who wrote the objectives
D. Quo Warranto 4. Calling upon one to Codes resolution, that later became
show by what A B C D A B C D the Preamble to our
authority he holds or
claims a franchise or (a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 2 1 4 3 Constitution?
office (c) 2 1 3 4 (d) 1 2 4 3 (a) Dr Rajendra Prasad
(b) Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru
Codes 98. Which one of the following is not a
(c) Dr BR Ambedkar
A B C D A B C D type of relationship specified by the
(d) Mahatma Gandhi
(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 4 3 2 1 Indian Constitution between the
(c) 2 1 3 4 (d) 4 1 2 3 Centre and the States? 105. Which of the following is a
(a) Legislative discretionary function available
93. Match the following (b) Financial only to the Governor of a State?
List I List II (c) Judicial (a) Appointing a new Chief Minister
(d) Administrative when no single party or leader
A. Form of oath 1. Ist Schedule
affirmation 99. Which one of the following is not commands majority support
B. Provision for 2. 3rd Schedule within the duties of the Planning (b) Dissolution of the assembly
Scheduled Tribes Commission? when advised by Chief Minister
and Areas on losing majority
(a) To define the stages of growth and
C. List of States and 3. 4th Schedule suggest allocation of resources (c) Advising the President of the
Union Territories failure of the constitutional
(b) To make an assessment of the
D. Allocation of seats 4. 5th Schedule machinery and to impose
in Rajya Sabha
material, capital and human resources
of the country President’s rule
Codes (c) To determine the nature of machinery (d) All of the above
A B C D A B C D required for implementation of plan
106. Who among the following do not
(a) 2 4 1 3 (b) 1 2 3 4 proposal
(d) to prepare the annual central budget
participate in the elections to
(c) 2 3 1 4 (d) 4 2 3 1
the President?
94. Consider the following 100. The maximum strength of Lok (a) Elected members of Lok Sabha
1. Planning Commission Sabha envisaged by the and Rajya Sabha
2. National Development Constitution is now (b) Elected members of Legislative
Council (a) 552 (b) 548 (c) 545 (d) 542 Assemblies of States
3. Indian Parliament 101. The Finance Commission derives its (c) Elected members of Legislative
4. Finance Commission authority from the Assemblies of Puducherry and
Those associated with the (a) Parliament (b) President Delhi
planning process in India include (c) Constitution (d) Supreme Court (d) Nominated members of Rajya
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1, 2 and 3 Sabha
102. Which one of the following
(c) 1 and 4 (d) 3 and 4
statement(s) is correct, with 107. 9th Schedule to the
95. Expert legal advice to the reference to the passage of Money Constitution was added by ……
Government of India is tendered Bill in Indian Parliament? Amendment.
by the (a) The decision of the Union Finance (a) 36th
(a) Attorney General of India Minister is final on the question (b) 82nd
(b) Chief Justice of India whether a bill is Money Bill or not (c) 42nd
(c) Chairman, Law Commission (b) A Money Bill can be introduced only (d) 1st
(d) Minister for Law Justice and in the Lok Sabha
Company Affairs in the Union (c) After a Money Bill is passed by Lok
108. Joint Parliamentary sessions in
Cabinet Sabha and transmitted to Rajya India are chaired by the
Sabha, it should be returned within (a) President of India
96. Who is empowered by the one month (b) Vice-President of India, who is
Constitution to dissolve the Lok the Chairman of the Rajya
(d) When Rajya Sabha returns the
Sabha before the expiry of its Sabha
Money Bill with its recommendations,
term? the Lok Sabha has to accept such (c) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(a) The Prime Minister recommendations (d) Prime Minister of India
(b) The President
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 1015

109. Which among the following 113. Right to Information in India 120. Who can initiate impeachment
statement(s) with respect to the is a proceedings against the President of
Comptroller and Auditor General (a) Fundamental Right India?
of India is/are correct? (b) Legal Right (a) Only Lok Sabha
1. The procedure and grounds (c) All of the above (b) Only Rajya Sabha
for his removal from the (d) None of the above (c) Either House of the Parliament
office are the same as of a 114. Which one of the following (d) Any Legislative Assembly
Judge of Supreme Court. pairs is not correctly matched? 121. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha can
2. He prescribes the form in (a) Power of : Creating a new resign his office by addressing his
which accounts of the Union Parliament state
and the States are to be resignation to
(b) Power of State : Altering the
kept. Legislature name of a state (a) the President
(b) the Prime Minister
Select the correct answer using (c) Equality before : Both Indian and
the codes given below. the law non-Indian (c) the Deputy Speaker of the Lok
citizens Sabha
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) Equality of : Indian citizen (d) the Chief Justice of India
opportunity
110. In which among the following 122. Which among the following is an
cases the joint session of both the 115. The Government Bill means a extra constitutional growth in
Houses of Parliament can be bill introduced by a Indian democracy?
summoned? (a) Member of the treasury bench (a) Attorney General of India
in the Lok Sabha (b) Autonomous districts
1. To amend the Constitution.
(b) Member of the Parliament who (c) Political parties
2. When a bill has been is not a Minister
pending with one house for (d) Deputy Chairman of the Council of
(c) Minister in the Lok Sabha States
more than six months after
(d) Minister in any House of the
it was passed by the other. 123. Consider the following statement(s)
Parliament
3. When both the houses 1. Report of the Administrative
disagree on the amendments 116. The Legislative Council in a
Reforms Commission headed by
to be made in a bill. state in India can be created or late Morarji Desai,
4. When a bill is passed by abolished by the recommended the establishment
one house and is rejected by (a) Parliament on the of Lokpal and Lokayukta
the other. recommendation of a Governor institutions.
Select the correct answer using of the State
(b) Parliament alone
2. Lokpal is the highest institution
the codes given below. in India to investigate
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) Parliament after the State
Assembly passes the resolution
corruption at higher places in
(c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 4 government.
to that effect
111. When an Ordinary Bill is (d) Governor of the State on the Which of the statement(s) given
referred to a joint sitting of both recommendation of the Council above is/are correct?
the Houses of Indian Parliament, of Ministers (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
it has to be passed by a 117. Areawise, which one of the (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) simple majority of the total
following is the largest Lok 124. Which one of the following theories
number of members of both the
houses present and voting Sabha constituency? of communism is not a doctrine of
(a) Kutch (b) Kangra Karl Marx?
(b) two-third majority of the total
number of members of both the (c) Ladakh (d) Patna Sahib (a) Dialetical materialism
houses (b) Historical materialism
118. Freedom of the press in India
(c) simple majority of the total (c) Class struggle
is (d) Theory of new democracy
number of members of both the (a) available to the people under
houses the law of the Parliament 125. Which among the following is the
(d) two-third majority of the houses (b) specifically provided in the exclusive jurisdiction of the State
present and voting Constitution Government?
112. Which one among the following (c) implied in the Right of (a) Customs duty (b) Corporation tax
features of the Constitution of Freedom of Expression (c) Sales tax (d) Income tax
India is indicative of the fact that (d) available to the people of India 126. The idea of including the suspension
the real executive power is vested under executive order of Fundamental Rights during
in the Council of Ministers 119. The highest body that approves emergency in the Constitution of
headed by the Prime Minister? Five Year Plans in India was India has been borrowed from the
(a) Federalism (a) Planning Commission (a) Constitution of Canada
(b) Representative Legislature (b) National Development Council (b) Weimar Constitution of Germany
(c) Universal Adult Franchise (c) Interstate Council (c) Constitution of Ireland
(d) Parliamentary Democracy (d) Union Cabinet (d) Constitution of the USA
1016 NDA/NA Pathfinder

127. Who among the following was 133. Which of the following is not a 139. The Preamble of our
the advisor of the Drafting Fundamental Right? Constitution reads: India is a
Committee of the Constituent (a) Right to constitutional remedies (a) Sovereign, Socialist, Secular,
Assembly? Democratic Republic
(b) Right to education from age 6 to 14
(a) B Shiva Rao years (b) Sovereign, Democratic, Socialist,
(b) Dr BR Ambedkar Secular Republic
(c) Right of information
(c) Sachidanand Sinha (c) Socialist, Democratic, Secular
(d) Right of minorities to establish and Republic
(d) BN Rao administer educational institutions
(d) Democratic, Sovereign, Secular,
128. The instrument of instructions 134. Who among the following were the Socialist Republic
on the Government of India Act,
members of the drafting committee 140. Indian citizenship is lost when
1935 has been incorporated in
of the Constitution? (a) A person acquires a foreign
the Constitution of India in the
1. KM Munshi citizenship
year 1950 as
2. Jawahar Lal Nehru (b) The person renounces the
(a) Fundamental Rights
citizenship
(b) Directive Principles of State Policy 3. Alladi Krishnaswamy Aiyar (c) The government deprives a
(c) Fundamental Duties 4. Sardar Patel person of citizenship for some
(d) Emergency Provisions Select the correct answer using the cause
129. The entry ‘Public Health and codes given below. (d) In all the above cases
Sanitation’ is included in the (a) 1, 3 and 4 141. The Preventive Detention Act
Constitution of India in (b) 1 and 4 has a restraining effect on
(a) Union List (c) 1 and 3 (a) Right to Equality
(b) State List (d) 2, 3 and 4 (b) Right to Freedom
(c) Concurrent List 135. In which of the following points is (c) Right to Religion
(d) None of the above (d) Right to Constitutional Remedies
the Indian Constitution similar to
130. Who was the first Chief that of USA? 142. Fundamental Rights guaranteed
Election Commissioner (CEC) of (a) Rule of law in the Indian Constitution can
India? (b) Fundamental Rights be suspended only by
(a) Sukumar Sen (c) DPSP (a) a proclamation of national
(b) BO Jatti (d) Rigid Constitution emergency
(c) KVK Sundaram (b) an act passed by Parliament
(d) T Swaminathan
136. Regarding India’s Constitution, we
may say it is (c) an amendment of the
131. Part XVI of Indian Constitution (a) more rigid than flexible Constitution
deals with (b) very rigid (d) the judicial decisions of the
(a) the official languages and (c) more flexible than rigid 143. The Fundamental Duties of a
promotion of Hindi as well as (d) blend of rigidity and flexibility citizen include
mother tongues atleast in
primary education 137. The Constituent Assembly met for 1. Respect for the Constitution,
the first time on the National Flag and the
(b) exemption of criminal
proceeding for their official acts (a) 9th December, 1946 National Anthem.
of President and Governors (b) 9th December, 1947 2. To develop the scientific
(c) the provision for quota of seats (c) 9th December, 1948 temper.
in Parliament for SCs, STs (d) 9th December, 1949 3. Respect for the government.
representatives 4. To protect wildlife.
138. A National Emergency remains in
(d) constitutional amendment
operations, with the approval of the Which of the statements given
132. Article 267 of the Constitution Parliament for above are correct?
of India deals with (a) a maximum period of three years (a) 1, 3 and 4
(a) Contingency Fund of India (b) a maximum period of one year (b) 1 and 4
(b) Consolidated Fund of India (c) a maximum period of six months (c) 1, 2 and 3
(c) Public Account (d) an indefinite period (d) 1, 2 and 4
(d) Finance Commission
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity

QUESTIONS FROM
NDA/NA EXAM (2012-2016)
2012 (I) President of International Court 3. the principles that will determine
of Justice. grant-in-aid to the Panchayats.
1. Which of the statement(s) given
2. Justice Bhandari was a senior Which of the statement(s) given
below is/are correct?
judge of the Supreme Court of above is/are correct?
1. The Speaker immediately
India. (a) Only 1 (b) 2 and 3
vacates his/her office whenever
the State Legislative Assembly Which of the statement(s) given (c) 1 and 3 (d) All of these
is dissolved. above is/are correct? 8. Which of the following statement(s)
2. No member of a State (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
regarding the Preamble of the
Legislative Assembly shall be (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Constitution of India is/are correct?
liable to any proceeding in 6. Suppose, the naxalites have
any court in respect of 1. The Preamble is an integral part
kidnapped a Deputy Commissioner of the Constitution.
anything said or any vote
given by him/her in the from Baster region in Chhattisgarh 2. The words ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’
legislature. and taken him to the Abujmad have been a part of the Preamble
area. In return for his release, the since its inception.
Select the correct answer using Naxals demand that all naxal
the codes given below. Select the correct answer using the
prisoners must be released from codes given below.
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 jails across India. In such a
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
situation, which among the (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. During the discussion on the following may be the best conflict
demands for grants, motions can resolution mechanism? 9. Normally, the Parliament can
be moved to reduce the amount 1. The paramilitary and local legislate on the subjects enumerated
of a demand. Such a motion is police attack the naxalites and in the
called a ‘cut-motion’. Which of attempt to release the (a) Union List
the following categories is/are kidnapped. (b) Concurrent List
classified as ‘cut-motion? 2. The state forces offer huge (c) State List
1. Disapproval of policy cut sums of money to the naxals (d) Union as well as Concurrent List
as ransom and release all
2. Economy cut 3. Token cut 10. Who among the following has a right
naxal prisoners.
Select the correct answer using to speak and otherwise take part in
3. The state forces engaged the
the codes given below. naxals in a dialogue while proceedings of either House of
(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 2 simultaneously sending in a Parliament and to be a member of
(c) 1 and 3 (d) All of these commando force to release the any Parliamentary Committee, but is
prisoners. not entitled to vote?
(a) Chairman, Finance Commission
2012 (II) 4. The state forces utilise local
mediators to engage with the (b) Attorney General
3. The first Prime Minister of India naxals to workout a resolution (c) Comptroller and Auditor General
in 1947 was appointed by process for release of the (d) The Chief Election Commissioner
(a) the Governor-General kidnapped. 11. Vice-President of India is elected by
(b) the President of India Select the correct answer using the an electoral college consisting of
(c) Mahatma Gandhi codes given below. (a) members of both Houses of Parliament
(d) a committee headed by (a) 1, 3 and 4 (b) 2 and 3 (b) members of Rajya Sabha
Dr Rajendra Prasad (c) 3 and 4 (d) Only 4 (c) elected members of both Houses of
4. Which one among the following 7. Consider the following Parliament
statement(s) is correct? The statement(s) (d) elected members of Lok Sabha
press in democracy must The State Government shall
(a) be free and impartial
appoint a Finance Commission to 2013 (I)
(b) be committed to the policies of
review the financial position of the 12. Which one among the following is not
the government
Panchayats and to make a function of the Comptroller and
(c) highlight the achievement of the
government without criticising its recommendations as to Auditor General of India?
policies 1. the distribution between the (a) Auditing the transactions of Central
(d) criticise the policies of the State and Panchayats of the and State Governments relating to
government net proceeds of taxes, tolls and contingency funds and public accounts
fees leviable by the states. (b) Compiling the accounts of defence
5. Consider the following 2. the determination of the taxes, (c) Auditing the accounts of institutions
statement(s) duties, tolls and fees which financed by the government
1. Justice Dalveer Bhandari was may be assigned to the (d) Compiling the accounts of states
recently elected as the Panchayats.
1018 NDA/NA Pathfinder

13. Joint Parliamentary sessions in 1. The Right is available to 21. Under which of the following Acts is
India are chaired by the citizens as well as aliens. the National Population Register
(a) President of India 2. It covers protection against being created?
(b) Vice-President of India, who is the arbitrary executive and (a) The Citizenship Act of India, 1995 as
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha legislative action. amended in 2004
(c) Speaker of the Lok Sabha 3. It includes the right to live (b) The Census Act, 1948
(d) Prime Minister of India with human dignity. (c) The UID Act, 2010
14. Which of the following 4. It can be taken away (d) None of the above
statement(s) is/are correct? according to the procedure 22. The Financial Sector Legislative
Under Article 200 of the established by law. Reforms Commission Report submitted
Constitution of India, the Select the correct answer using recently, among others, contained
Governor of a State may the codes given below. which of the following proposals?
1. withhold his assent to a bill (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 1. All regulators will have an
passed by the State Legislature. (c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1 and 4 empowered board, the role of each
2. reserve the bill passed by the of the members has been defined.
18. Which one among the following
State Legislature for 2. The Commission envisages an
is not a characteristic of a
reconsideration of the President. important process of judicial review
federal system? of the regulations.
3. return the bill, other than a
Money Bill for reconsideration (a) There are two distinct levels of 3. The draft code does not mention
of the legislature. government about executive powers.
(b) The responsibilities and powers of
Select the correct answer using Select the correct answer using the
each level of government are
the codes given below. codes given below.
clearly defined in a written
(a) Only 1 (b) 1 and 2 (a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 2
Constitution
(c) 2 and 3 (d) All of these (c) 1 and 3 (d) All of these
(c) There is no separation of powers
15. Point out the difference between between the legislative and
the Local Government in India executive branches of government 2014 (II)
before and after the (d) A Supreme Court is entrusted
Constitutional Amendments in with the responsibility of 23. Which of the following statement(s) is
1992. interpreting these provisions and correct?
arbitrating in matters of dispute (a) The presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha
1. It has become mandatory to
is elected every year.
hold regular elections to the 19. The Constitution of India (b) The presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha
local government bodies. guarantees the Fundamental is elected for a term of 5 years.
2. 1/3rd positions are reserved Right of Freedom of Religion to (c) The presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha
for women. all its citizens. Which among the is elected for a term of 6 years.
3. Elected officials exercise following is incorrect of this (d) The Vice-President of India is the
supreme power in the Right? ex-officio presiding officer of the Rajya
government. Sabha.
(a) It gives freedom of conscience
Select the correct answer using and freedom to profess, practise 24. Who among the following was not a
the codes given below. and propagate any religion member of the Drafting Committee of
(a) Only 1 (b) 1 and 2 (b) It gives freedom to establish and
(c) All of these (d) 2 and 3
the Constitution of India?
maintain institution for religious (a) BR Ambedkar (b) KM Munshi
16. The President of India is elected and charitable purposes (c) Krishnaswamy lyer (d) MK Gandhi
by proportional representative (c) The Right is subject to public
system by a single transferable order, morality and health 25. Which of the following is/are not
vote. This implies that (d) The state cannot make any law related to Fundamental Duties?
(a) elected MPs and MLAs of states which abrogates this Right for 1. To cherish and follow the noble
have different number of votes citizens ideals which inspired our national
struggle for freedom.
(b) all MPs and MLAs of states have 20. The Scheduled Castes and
one vote each 2. To value and preserve the rich
Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of heritage of our composite culture.
(c) all MPs and MLAs of states have Atrocities) Act, 1989 may be
equal number of votes 3. To promote the educational and
seen as giving effect to which of economic interests of the weaker
(d) MPs of the Lok Sabha have equal the following Fundamental sections of the people, especially
number of votes Rights? the Scheduled Castes and
1. Equality before the Law Scheduled Tribes.
2014 (I) 2.
3.
Right against Discrimination
Abolition of Untouchability
4. To protect all monuments of
historic interest and national
17. Which of the following statements 4. Right to Freedom of Religion importance.
are true for the Fundamental Select the correct answer using
Right to Life and Personal Select the correct answer using the
the codes given below. codes given below.
Liberty as guaranteed under (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 ,
Article 21 of the Constitution of (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3
(c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) All of these (c) 3 and 4 (d) Only 4
India?
GENERAL STUDIES Indian Polity 1019

26. Joint sittings of the two Houses of 32. Which one among the following 37. The 4th Schedule to the Constitution of
Indian Parliament are held to is not a Fundamental Duty? India deals with
(a) elect the President of India (a) To abide by the Constitution of (a) provisions related to the administration of
(b) elect the Vice-President of India India and respect the National tribal areas
(c) adopt a Constitution Amendment Bill Flag and National Anthem (b) allocation of seats in the Council of
(b) To safeguard public property States
(d) consider and pass a bill on which
(c) To protect the sovereignty, unity (c) the Union List, the State List and the
the two houses disagree
Concurrent List
and integrity of India
27. The President of India can issue (d) To render compulsory military
(d) recognised languages of the Union of India
proclamation of emergency service 38. The ‘Basic Structure Doctrine’ was
(a) on the advice of the Prime Minister enunciated by the Supreme Court
(b) on the advice of the Council of 33. Which of the following are the
basic features of 73rd during the
Ministers (a) Golak Nath case
(c) in his own discretion Amendment Act of the
(b) Maneka Gandhi case
(d) when the decision of the Union Constitution?
(c) Keshavananda Bharati case
Cabinet for the issue of such 1. Provides for a three-tier (d) SR Bommai case
proclamation has been structure of Panchayats in
communicated to him in writing the village, intermediary 39. The Panchayati Raj system under
and district levels. Part-IX of the Constitution of India
2. Reservation of seats for does not apply to the states of
2015 (I) Scheduled Castes and (a) Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland
28. Which of the following is/are not Scheduled Tribes and (b) Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura
women in all the tiers of (c) Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram
Fundamental Right(s) under the
Panchayats. (d) Sikkim, Tripura and Meghalaya
Constitution of India?
3. Election to Panchayats
1. Right to Education under the supervision of the
2. Right to Work State Election Commissions. 2016 (I)
3. Right to Form Associations 4. Introduction of the 11th 40. Which of the following statement(s)
4. Right to Practise any Profession Schedule to the Constitution. relating to the Comptroller and
Select the correct answer using the Select the correct answer using Auditor General (CAG) of India is/are
codes given below. the codes given below. correct?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 4 (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 3 and 4 1. The CAG can attend the sittings of
(c) Only 2 (d) 1 and 3 (c) All of these (d) 2 and 4 the Committee on Public Accounts.
2. The CAG can attend the sittings of
29. The 7th Schedule of the
Constitution of India contains 2015 (II) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
3. The jurisdiction of CAG is
(a) provisions regarding the 34. The word ‘Secular’ was co-extensive with powers of the
administration of tribal areas inserted into the Constitution Union Government.
(b) the Union List, the State List and of India by
the Concurrent List
Select the correct answer using the
(a) 44th Amendment Act codes given below.
(c) a list of recognised languages (b) 52nd Amendment Act (a) Only 1 (b) 2 and 3
(d) provisions about the disqualification (c) 42nd Amendment Act
of Members of Legislatures on (c) 1 and 2 (d) All of these
(d) 34th Amendment Act
grounds of defection 41. Which one of the following is not a
35. The two provisions of the feature of the Nehru-Mahalanobis
30. Article 368 of the Constitution of Constitution of India that most
India deals with model of development strategy?
clearly express the power of
(a) the powers of the Parliament of (a) Development of capital goods industries
judicial review are
India to amend the Constitution (b) Major involvement of the state in the
(a) Article 21 and Article 446
(b) financial emergency economy
(b) Article 32 and Article 226
(c) reservation of seats for Scheduled (c) Industrial deregulation and disinvestment
(c) Article 44 and Article 152
Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the in the public sector
(d) Article 17 and Article 143
Lok Sabha (d) Enhancing the scope and importance of
(d) official language of the Union of 36. An emergency under Article the public sector
India 352 of the Constitution of 42. Consider the following statement(s)
31. Which among the following is not India can be declared only
1. The amendment procedure has been
a basic feature of the Constitution during provided in Article 368 of the
(a) war, external aggression or Constitution of India.
of India?
internal disturbance
(a) Fundamental Rights 2. The consent of the states is
(b) war, external aggression or
(b) Independence of Judiciary mandatory for all amendments to
armed rebellion
(c) Federalism the Constitution of India.
(c) failure of constitutional machinery
(d) The unquestioned right of the in the State Which of the statement(s) given above
Parliament to amend any part of the (d) financial instability in the is/are correct?
Constitution country (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1020 NDA/NA Pathfinder

43. Which of the following 2. Jammu and Kashmir has (b) Right to acquire, hold and dispose
statement(s) relating to election as been given special status property
under Article 370 of the (c) Right to practice any profession
the President of India is/are Constitution of India. (d) 5Right to form cooperative societies
correct?
Which of the statement(s) given 47. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha may
1. A person above the age of 35 above is/are correct?
years is eligible for election as resign his office by writing, addressed
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 to the
the President of India. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. The President of India is (a) President of India
eligible for re-election for more 45. Which one of the following pairs (b) Prime Minister of India
than one term. of the Schedule in the (c) Vice-President of India
3. A person is not eligible for Constitution of India and its (d) Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
election as the President of content is not correctly matched? 48. The Election Commission recognises
India if the person holds an Schedule Content a political party as a national party if
office of profit. (a) Eighth ScheduleLanguages 1. it secures atleast 6% of the total
Select the correct answer using (b) Second The forms of oaths valid votes polled in four or more
the codes given below. Schedule and affirmations states in a general election to the
(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 2 (c) Fourth ScheduleAllocation of seats in Lok Sabha or to the State
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) Only 3 the Council of States Legislative Assemblies.
(d) Tenth Schedule Provisions as to 2. it wins atleast four seats in a
44. Consider the following disqualification of the general election to the Lok Sabha
statement(s) ground of defection from any State or States.
1. The Constitution of India
46. The citizens of India do not have Select the correct answer using the
empowers the Parliament to
form new states and to alter which of the following codes given below.
the areas, boundaries or names Fundamental Rights? (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
of existing states by passing a (a) Right to reside and settle in any (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
resolution in simple majority. part of India

ANSWERS
Practice Exercise
1 b 2 a 3 a 4 a 5 c 6 a 7 a 8 b 9 b 10 a
11 b 12 c 13 a 14 c 15 b 16 c 17 d 18 a 19 d 20 c
21 b 22 d 23 b 24 d 25 a 26 d 27 c 28 a 29 d 30 b
31 a 32 b 33 d 34 c 35 d 36 c 37 d 38 b 39 c 40 d
41 d 42 a 43 d 44 b 45 c 46 c 47 c 48 b 49 c 50 c
51 a 52 d 53 a 54 b 55 a 56 c 57 c 58 d 59 d 60 c
61 c 62 b 63 d 64 d 65 c 66 d 67 b 68 c 69 c 70 d
71 a 72 a 73 d 74 a 75 d 76 b 77 c 78 b 79 a 80 a
81 d 82 d 83 b 84 b 85 b 86 a 87 c 88 a 89 c 90 d
91 a 92 a 93 a 94 b 95 a 96 c 97 d 98 c 99 d 100 a
101 a 102 b 103 d 104 b 105 d 106 d 107 d 108 c 109 c 110 b
111 c 112 d 113 b 114 b 115 d 116 c 117 c 118 c 119 b 120 c
121 c 122 d 123 c 124 d 125 c 126 b 127 d 128 b 129 b 130 a
131 c 132 a 133 c 134 c 135 b 136 d 137 a 138 c 139 a 140 d
141 b 142 a 143 d

Questions from NDA/NA Exam (2012-16)

1 d 2 b 3 a 4 b 5 d 6 a 7 d 8 d 9 b 10 a
11 a 12 c 13 c 14 d 15 c 16 b 17 a 18 a 19 b 20 d
21 c 22 c 23 d 24 d 25 c 26 d 27 d 28 c 29 b 30 a
31 d 32 b 33 c 34 c 35 c 36 b 37 b 38 c 39 c 40 a
41 c 42 a 43 c 44 c 45 b 46 b 47 d 48 c