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A 'Cut Motion' in Parliament can be moved during the discussion on Demands for Grants to reduce the amount of a demand by ______.
Answer: Rs. 100
Cut Motions (Rule 173 of Lok Sabha Rules) allow MPs to reduce a Demand for Grants by Rs. 100 to express disapproval of policy, economy, or specific grievances. Types: Policy Cut (oppose policy), Economy Cut (reduce expenditure), Token Cut (specific grievance). While rarely passed, they enable legislative scrutiny of executive spending.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in India through which Constitutional Amendment?
- 100th Amendment
- 101st Amendment
- 102nd Amendment
- 103rd Amendment
Answer: 101st Amendment
The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST), subsuming multiple central and state indirect taxes. It added Article 246A (concurrent power to levy GST), Article 269A (IGST on inter-state trade), and established the GST Council under Article 279A for cooperative federalism in tax administration.
Article 395 repeals the ______ and the Indian Independence Act, 1947, marking the complete transition to constitutional sovereignty.
- Government of India Act, 1919
- Government of India Act, 1935
- Indian Councils Act, 1909
- Regulating Act, 1773
Answer: Government of India Act, 1935
Article 395: Repeals Government of India Act, 1935 and Indian Independence Act, 1947. Subject to Articles 392 (transitional provisions) and 393-394 (succession to rights/liabilities). Marks legal break from colonial framework; Constitution becomes supreme law. However, many administrative structures, legal principles from 1935 Act continue by adoption, ensuring continuity amid constitutional transformation.
The forms of oaths or affirmations for various constitutional functionaries are prescribed in the Third Schedule of the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Third Schedule: Contains forms of oaths/affirmations for: (a) Union/State Ministers, (b) Parliament/State Legislature members, (c) Judges of SC/HCs, (d) CAG, (e) Election Commissioners. Oath includes: bear true faith to Constitution, uphold sovereignty/integrity of India, faithfully discharge duties. Formalizes constitutional commitment and ethical obligations of public office holders.
Article 330 provides for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the ______.
- Rajya Sabha
- Lok Sabha
- State Legislative Councils
- Local Bodies
Answer: Lok Sabha
Article 330: Reservation of seats for SCs/STs in Lok Sabha in proportion to their population in each State. Article 332 provides similar reservation in State Legislative Assemblies. Originally for 10 years (Article 334), extended repeatedly via constitutional amendments; currently extended till 2030 by 104th Amendment (2019). Ensures political representation of marginalized communities.
September 14 is celebrated as Hindi Diwas in India because on this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly adopted Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.
- True
- False
Answer: True
September 14, 1949: Constituent Assembly adopted Hindi in Devanagari script as official language (later incorporated as Article 343). Celebrated as Hindi Diwas to promote Hindi while respecting linguistic diversity. Government organizes events, awards for Hindi promotion. Reflects constitutional commitment to Hindi development alongside multilingualism.
The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution originally contained 14 languages and now contains 22 languages.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Eighth Schedule originally had 14 languages (1950). Added through amendments: Sindhi (21st Amendment, 1967), Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali (71st Amendment, 1992), Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali (92nd Amendment, 2003). Total now 22 languages. Inclusion grants recognition, representation on Official Language Commission, and use in education/administration.
Article 343 of the Indian Constitution declares which language in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union?
- English
- Hindi
- Sanskrit
- Urdu
Answer: Hindi
Article 343(1): Official language of Union is Hindi in Devanagari script. International form of Indian numerals to be used for official purposes. However, Article 343(2) allowed English to continue for 15 years (till 1965) for official Union purposes. Official Languages Act, 1963 extended English indefinitely alongside Hindi for practical administration.
Recognized political parties are allotted ______ symbols by the Election Commission, which are reserved for their exclusive use in elections.
- temporary
- permanent
- reserved
- common
Answer: reserved
Election Symbols Order: Recognized parties get reserved symbols (e.g., BJP's lotus, Congress's hand) for exclusive use in elections across India (National Parties) or respective State (State Parties). Unrecognized parties get free symbols from common pool. Reserved symbols aid voter identification, especially for illiterate voters, strengthening electoral democracy.
The Anti-Defection Law is contained in which Schedule of the Indian Constitution?
- Ninth Schedule
- Tenth Schedule
- Eleventh Schedule
- Twelfth Schedule
Answer: Tenth Schedule
Tenth Schedule was inserted by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985 to curb political defections. It contains provisions for disqualification of members of Parliament and State Legislatures on grounds of defection. Aimed at promoting political stability and preventing horse-trading in legislatures.
Residuary powers (subjects not mentioned in any List) are vested with which level of government in India?
- State Governments
- Union Government
- Local Governments
- Shared equally
Answer: Union Government
Article 248: Residuary powers vested with Parliament (Union). Includes power to make laws on any matter not enumerated in Concurrent or State List, including power to impose taxes not mentioned in either List. Gives Indian federalism strong unitary bias, unlike USA where residuary powers rest with States. Reflects Constituent Assembly's priority for national unity post-Partition.
The right to move Supreme Court under Article 32 for enforcement of Fundamental Rights is itself a Fundamental Right.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 32(1): 'The right to move the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of the rights conferred by this Part is guaranteed.' Dr. Ambedkar: 'If I was asked to name any particular article in this Constitution as the most important... I could not refer to any other article except this one.' Makes FRs justiciable and enforceable.
The writ of Habeas Corpus, meaning 'to have the body', is issued to secure the release of a person who has been ______ detained.
- legally
- illegally
- temporarily
- preventively
Answer: illegally
Habeas Corpus: Issued to produce a detained person before court to examine legality of detention. Can be issued against public authorities AND private individuals. Available under Articles 32 & 226. Not issued if: (a) detention is lawful, (b) proceeding is for contempt of court/legislature, (c) detention by competent court. Primary safeguard against arbitrary arrest.
Under which Article can a citizen directly approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights?
- Article 14
- Article 21
- Article 32
- Article 226
Answer: Article 32
Article 32(1): Right to move Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights is itself a Fundamental Right. Dr. Ambedkar called it the 'heart and soul' of Constitution. SC can issue five writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo Warranto. Makes FRs enforceable, not merely declaratory.
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution has been amended only once, by the ______ Amendment Act, 1976, adding the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity'.
- 24th
- 42nd
- 44th
- 73rd
Answer: 42nd
42nd Amendment (1976): Added three words to Preamble: 'Socialist' (mixed economy, welfare state), 'Secular' (equal respect for all religions, no State religion), 'Integrity' (national unity beyond sovereignty). Preamble is part of Constitution (Kesavananda case) and amendable under Article 368, but basic structure cannot be altered.
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts, 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies by adding Parts ______ and IXA respectively.
- VIII
- IX
- X
- XI
Answer: IX
73rd Amendment (1992): Added Part IX (Articles 243-243O) for Panchayats. 74th Amendment (1992): Added Part IXA (Articles 243P-243ZG) for Municipalities. Together institutionalized democratic decentralization: mandatory elections, reservations, State Finance Commissions, functional devolution (11th/12th Schedules). Transformed grassroots governance in India.
Under Article 368, most Constitutional Amendments require special majority in Parliament. What does 'special majority' mean?
- Simple majority of members present and voting
- Majority of total membership and 2/3 of members present and voting
- Unanimous approval of both Houses
- Approval by half of State Legislatures only
Answer: Majority of total membership and 2/3 of members present and voting
Article 368(2): Special majority = (a) majority of total membership of each House, AND (b) 2/3 of members present and voting. This ensures broad consensus for constitutional changes. Some amendments additionally require ratification by half of State Legislatures (federal provisions).
The President can revoke any type of Emergency proclamation at any time by a subsequent proclamation, without requiring ______ approval.
- Parliamentary
- Cabinet
- Judicial
- State Legislature
Answer: Parliamentary
Articles 352(2)(b), 356(1)(c), 360(2)(b): President can revoke Emergency proclamation anytime by subsequent proclamation. No Parliamentary approval needed for revocation (only for imposition/extension). Enables executive to restore normalcy promptly when crisis abates, without legislative delay.
How many types of Emergency provisions are contained in the Indian Constitution?
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
Answer: Three
Part XVIII (Articles 352-360) contains three types of Emergency: (1) National Emergency under Article 352 (war, external aggression, armed rebellion), (2) State Emergency/President's Rule under Article 356 (failure of constitutional machinery in State), (3) Financial Emergency under Article 360 (threat to financial stability/credit of India).
The Finance Commission consists of a Chairman and ______ other members, appointed by the President.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Answer: 4
Article 280(1): Finance Commission comprises Chairman + 4 members appointed by President. Qualifications: expertise in public affairs, finance, economics, administration, law. Constituted every 5 years (or earlier) to recommend: (a) tax devolution between Centre-States, (b) grants-in-aid, (c) Panchayat/Municipality fund augmentation. Key institution for fiscal federalism.