Indian Polity & Constitution MCQs

Notes:
As per Article 61, President of India can be impeached on ground of violation of the Constitution. However what amounts to violation of the Constitution has not been defined. The process of impeachment can begin in any of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. The charges for impeachment should be signed by 1/4 members of the house in which the process begins and a notice of 14 days should be given to the President. The impeachment bill has to be passed by majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the House {special majority}. One passed in that house, the bill reaches to another house, which shall investigate the charges. President has right to appear and be represented in case of such investigations. If other house also sustains those charges, then it would again need to pass the bill by special majority and thus president stands removed from the office on which the bill is passed in other house. Since it is a bill for removal of president himself, no presidential assent is needed here.

Notes:
As per article 76(1), Attorney General is appointed by President for a period decided by him. The AG remains in office during pleasure of the president and thus has no fixed tenure.

Notes:
The initial period of President’s rule in India can persist for 6 months. However, it can be extended, with the approval of the Parliament, for additional 6-month periods. The total period of the President’s rule cannot exceed three years unless the Election Commission certifies that a continued state of emergency or exceptional circumstances mandate an extension.

Notes:
The Vice President of India is elected by members of electoral collage consisting of the members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Notes:
The Right to Property was initially a fundamental right under Article 31 of the Indian Constitution but was removed from the list of fundamental rights by the 44th Amendment in 1978, making it a legal right under Article 300A. This change was largely due to extensive litigation and disputes over land acquisition and property rights, leading to important judicial interpretations and challenges. The shift reflects the complexities and conflicts surrounding property rights in India, making it a focal point of legal contention.

Notes:
Article 326 provides universal suffrage to every citizen of India who has completed 18 years. Originally, the age of voting eligibility was 21 years byt the 61st Amendment of the Constitution of India lowered the voting age of elections to the Lok Sabha and to the Legislative Assemblies of States from 21 years to 18 years.

Notes:
The Planning Commission was an institution in the Government of India, which was responsible to formulate India’s Five-Year Plans. It was established on 15 March 1950, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as the Chairman.

Notes:
As under Article 21, “No person shall be deprived of his life and personal liberty except according to procedure established by law,” but when the executive or its agencies unlawfully detains or arrests any person or the arrest contravenes the procedure established by law under which the arrests has been made, the Supreme Court and the High Courts may issue a writ of habeas corpus against the authority who has detained an individual unlawfully.

Notes:
As the final arbiter of the law, the Court is charged with ensuring the people the promise of equal justice under law and thereby, also functions as guardian and interpreter of the Constitution.

Notes:
The Government of India Act of 1858 or the Act of Good Government of India abolished East India Company. It replaced the President of the Board of Control with a Secretary of State of India, who in subordination to the Cabinet, was the fountain of authority as well as the Director of policy in India.