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:
Under Article 350B, a special officer for linguistic minorities has been enshrined in the constitution.

• This officer is to be appointed by the president.
• Its job is to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities and report to the president.
• Please note that this report is also one of those reports laid before each house of parliament and sent to the government of the states concerned.

Notes:
Government of India Act 1919 was passed by British Parliament to further expand the participation of Indians in the Government of India. Since the act embodied reforms as recommended by a report of Edwin Montagu {Secretary of State for India} and Lord Chelmsford {Viceroy and Governor General}, it is also called as Montague-Chelmsford Reforms or simply Mont-Ford Reforms. The most notable feature of the act was “end of benevolent despotism” and introduction of responsible government in India. 

Notes:
Arunanchal Pradesh by Constitution (Eighty-third Amendment) Act, 2000

Notes:
Article 16 (2): No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them, be ineligible for, or discriminated against in respect or, any employment or office under the State.

Notes:
In the year 2011 the Election Commission of India launched the National Voters Day to be celebrated on 25 January every year as a part of the Systematic Voter’s Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Programme.

Notes:
The writ mentioned is “Quo Warranto”. This term is Latin for “by what warrant?”. It is a challenge issued by the judiciary to question the right under which a person holds a public office or authority. It serves as a tool to safeguard public offices from being usurped by unworthy holders. This form of legal action ensures that public offices are not held illegally, thus maintaining the integrity of government positions.

Notes:
Article 363-A was inserted in the Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1971. This amendment is best known for abolition of Privy Purse.

Notes:
A writ is a formal written order issued by a government entity in the name of the sovereign power. There are five types of Writs – Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari and Quo warranto.

Notes:
As of now, there are 11 Fundamental duties. Originally, the Constitution of India did not contain these duties. Fundamental duties were added by 42nd and 86th Constitutional Amendment acts.