Indian Polity & Constitution MCQs

Notes:
The Twelfth Amendment incorporated Goa, Daman and Diu as a new Union Territory by amending the First Schedule. India had acquired these territories from Portugal in December 1961. It also enabled the President to make regulations for the administration of the new territory. The Amendment retroactively came into effect on 20 December 1961, after Portugal surrendered. In 1987, Goa became India’s 25th state while Daman and Diu remained a Union Territory.

Notes:
Prior to Constitution (104th) Amendment Act, 2019, article 331 provided for representation of the Anglo-Indian Community in Lok Sabha; and empowered President to nominate for 2 seats in Lok Sabha on the advice of Government of India. This provision is no more there after 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019.

Notes:
The Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas was headed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Patel presented the committee’s recommendations on political safeguards for minorities sans separate electorates which were adopted by the Constituent Assembly.

Notes:
A Centre-State Relations Inquiry Committee was set up by the then DMK Government of Tamil Nadu on 2nd September, 1969 under the Chairmanship of Dr. P.V. Rajamanar to consider the entire question regarding relationship that should subsist between the Centre and the States in a federal set up.

Notes:
If there is a lack of quorum of the permanent judges to hold or continue any session of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of India can appoint a judge of a High Court as an ad hoc judge after consultation with the chief justice of the High Court concerned and with the previous consent of the president.

Notes:
Currently there are 25 High Courts operational in India. They are established in different states of the country. Articles 214-231 deals with the provisions of the High Courts in India.

Notes:
Corporation of Chennai was established in 1688 and is the oldest municipal corporation of India. Ripon Building is the seat of Corporation of Chennai.

Notes:
The Constitution of India states that the Executive branch of the State (Council of Ministers) shall be collectively responsible to the Legislature (House of the People). This implies that Parliament should oversee the work of the government and hold it responsible for its actions and omissions.
Two ways through which Parliament controls the executive are:
• The Parliament keeps a day-to-day watch over the activities of the Executive. As ours is a parliamentary system of Government, the Executive is responsible to the Parliament for all acts of omissions and commissions. The Parliament may remove a Cabinet out of power by a vote of no confidence. It may reject a bill or a budget proposal of the Cabinet.
• Members of the Parliament have a right to ask questions and supplementary question to the Ministers. Any lapses or mishandling on the part of the Government can be exposed in the Parliament.

Notes:
Deputy chairman can resign from the office by giving in writing to the Vice-President. He can also be removed by a resolution by Rajya Sabha members passed by a simple majority. When such resolution is under consideration, Deputy Chairman cannot preside over a sitting of the House, but he may be present and participate in proceedings.

Notes:
Article 249 of the Constitution, if the Rajya Sabha passes any of the subjects of the state list with 2/3 majority of the present and eligible voters of the House, declaring the subjects to have national importance, on that subject parliament acquires the power to legislate i.e. to make laws.