Indian Polity & Constitution MCQs

Notes:
Schedules are lists in the Constitution of India that categorize and tabulate bureaucratic activities and policy of the Government. Indian Constitution had originally eight schedules. 9th schedule was added via First Amendment Act. 10th Schedule was first added by 35th Amendment (Sikkim as Associate State) but as Sikkim became a state of India, the original 10 Schedule was repealed. Later it was added once again by 52th Amendment Act, 1985 to park the anti-defection law. Eleventh Schedule was added by 73rd amendment and has list of subjects under the Panchayat Raj institutions or rural local government. Twelfth Schedule was added by 74th amendment and enlists the subjects under Municipalities or urban local government.

Notes:
The first meeting of Council of State was held on 13 May 1952. However, The Rajya Sabha, its Hindi nomenclature was adopted in 23 August, 1954.

Notes:
The provisions related to state executive are in articles 153 to 167. The state executive is made of Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers and Advocate General. The executive authority of a state is vested in the Governor; and Governor is the constitutional head of the state in the same way as President is the Constitutional head of the Union.

Notes:
Under Article 239, Union Territories are administered by the President through an administrator, who is appointed by him with a suitable designation. This designation is called either Lieutenant Governor or Chief Commissioner or Administrator.

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:
Constitution of India says that Trade, Commerce and Intercourse throughout the territory of Union of India is free, but this is subject to some other provisions of the same part. Article 301 says that parliament may impose restriction in some parts of the territory in the interest of general public. For example a famine struck state may lead the parliament to enact some discriminatory law also, if that discrimination is in favor of the public interests. The states, as per article 303 of the constitution are allowed to impose taxes on goods imported from the other states provided they goods produced in other states are also taxes in that state in the same manner. But who will decide, whether the states can enact such law or not? This is to be decided by the President. Thus, if we consider that Rajasthan wants to impose a tax on a good that is imported from Gujarat, the bill of such kind has necessarily get a sanction from President. President may hold his/ her sanction after looking in details that the said bill is in the public interest.

Notes:

Joint sitting is called in the following situation:

1. Bill has been passed by one House and transmitted to the other House and it is rejected by the other House

2. Both houses have finally disagreed as to the amendments to be made in the Bill

3. More than 6 months elapse from the date of the reception of the Bill by the other House without the Bill being passed by it.

Please note that if there is a deadlock between the two houses on a Constitution amendment Bill, there cannot be a joint sitting. In case of Money bills, the rejection of Rajya Sabha is immaterial.

Notes:
A President must be a citizen of India, and of 35 years of age or above to be qualified to become a member of the Lok Sabha. The Vice President of India is the second highest constitutional office in the Government of country.

Notes:
Politically Indian President and British King are on same position but the major difference is that Indian President is indirectly elected. There is a constitutional monarchy in Britain means the British king or queen is the head of the state but the power of taking any decision resides with an elected parliament.

Notes:
Holding of elections to the Panchayats is the responsibility of the State Governments and the State Election Commissions. Panchayat elections are held in the States where Part IX of the Constitution applies as mandated by the Constitution.