Indian Polity & Constitution MCQs

Notes:
English was the only language used for official purpose in the British India. In the independent India, it was declared in Article 343 (1) that Hindi will be the official Union language. It was also mentioned that over a period of fifteen years since the commencement of the Indian Constitution, Hindi will replace English as the official language. However, the Parliament can decide whether to use English as an official language or not.
The non-Hindi speaking communities across the country protested on the aspect of the change in official language from English to Hindi. This protest resulted in the enactment of the Official Language Act, 1963. According to the act, Hindi in Devanagari script has been declared the official language of the Union. However, English may also be used for official purposes even after 1965. English has been given the status of the ‘subsidiary official language’ of India. It was decided that either Hindi or English can be used for procedures of Parliament.

Notes:
The Aminidivi subgroup of islands consists of Amini, Keltan, Chetlat, Kadamat, Bitra, and Perumal Par islands. It is one of the three island subgroups in Lakshadweep and is separated by Laccadive Islands subgroup roughly by the 11th parallel north.

Notes:
Part IX (Panchayats) is not applicable to Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, tribal areas of Assam, Tripura, and hill areas of Manipur (Article 243M(2)); these fall under the Sixth Schedule, enjoying special local governance provisions.

Notes:
Jawaharlal Nehru was the Vice President of the Executive Council, External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations in the first as well as second Interim Cabinet. The president was Lord Wavell – Viceroy and Governor-General of India.

Notes:
Seven states of India viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripua have one Rajya Sabha seat each. One Union Territory viz. Puducherry also has one Rajya Sabha seat. Another UT National Capital Territory of Delhi has 3 Rajya Sabha seats. No other Union Territory has representation in Rajya Sabha as of 2023.

Notes:
When a chief Minister of outgoing minority government advises the Governor to dissolve the legislative assembly the Governor has to work on his own discretion.

Notes:
Article 123 of the Indian Constitution provides for the Ordinance making power of the President only when the Indian parliament is not in session.

Notes:
Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) authorizes the States give the Gram Sabhas power to regulate and restrict sale/consumption of liquor; ownership of minor forest produce; power to prevent alienation of land and restore alienated land; power to manage village markets, control money lending to STs and power to manage village markets, control money lending to STs and Mandatory executive functions to approve plans of the Village Panchayats, identify beneficiaries for schemes, issue certificates of utilization of funds.

Notes:
ARTICLE 72 : the President to grant pardons and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in all cases where the punishment is by a Court Martial or the punishment is for an offence against a law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends or in the case of death sentence.

Notes:
In Minerva Mills Ltd. V. Union of India, the Supreme Court ruled that “judicial review” is a “basic feature” of the constitution and hence, it cannot be amended.