Indian Polity & Constitution MCQs

Notes:
The three methods of amendment of the constitution are as follows:

1. By Simple Majority of Parliament Some changes such as admission, formation of new states and making changes into territorial boundaries of the states, abolition and creation of legislative councils etc. can be done like any other ordinary law by simple majority.
2. By Special Majority of the Parliament Most of the provisions of the constitution need to be amended by special majority i.e. majority of more than 50% of total membership and 2/3rd members present and voting. Some of the amendments included in it are Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles etc.
3. By Special Majority of the Parliament and Ratification by half of the State Legislatures There are a few provisions in which interest of the states and federal features of the constitution may be involved. Such bills first need to be passed on both the houses of the parliament and then need to secure ratification by half of the state legislatures. Examples include those related to Centre-State Relations, Election of the President etc.

Notes:
Concurrent List has been borrowed from Constitution of Australia.

Notes:
Mandamus means “we command”. This writ is a command issued by court to a public official, public body, corporation, inferior court, tribunal or government asking them to perform their duties which they have refused to perform.

Notes:
Article 153 of the Constitution of India requires a governor to be appointed for every state in India.

Notes:
The Joint Committee on Office of Profit is constituted in pursuance of a Government motion adopted by Lok Sabha and concurred in by Rajya Sabha. It consists of 15 members. Ten members are elected from Lok Sabha and five members from Rajya Sabha, who are elected from amongst the members of the respective Houses according to the principle of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote. The Committee is constituted for the duration of each Lok Sabha. The main functions of the Committee are examine the composition and character of the Committees appointed by the Central and State Governments and to recommend what offices should disqualify and what offices should not disqualify a person for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of Parliament under article 102 of the Constitution. The Reports of the Committee are presented to Lok Sabha and laid on the Table of Rajya Sabha.

Notes:
D. Jatti had worked as Chief Minister of State of Mysore. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy had worked as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Zail Singh worked as Chief Minister of Punjab. Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma had served as Chief Minister of Bhopal State.

Notes:
An advocate general is a senior officer of the law. According to article 165, the Governor of each State shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed as Judge of a High Court to be Advocate General for the State.

Notes:
Please note that leaving case of money bills , Rajya Sabha has equal powers in legislative matters in relation to Lok Sabha. This is not the case with Legislative council

Notes:
The Consolidated Fund of India includes revenues which the government generates through taxes and expenses incurred in the form of borrowings and loans. The salary of the Judge of High Court are also charged from the Consolidated Fund of India.

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.