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The Union Public Service Commission consists of a Chairman and such number of other members as may be determined by the ______.
- Prime Minister
- President
- Parliament
- Chief Justice
Answer: President
Article 315(1): UPSC comprises Chairman + members as President determines. Currently, UPSC has 1 Chairman + up to 10 members. Members appointed by President; half should be civil servants with 10+ years experience. Ensures expertise in recruitment while maintaining institutional independence from executive.
The Election Commission of India consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners as may be determined by ______.
- President
- Parliament
- Supreme Court
- Prime Minister
Answer: President
Article 324(2): President determines number of Election Commissioners. Currently, EC has CEC + 2 ECs (multi-member body since 1989). President appoints them; CEC can be removed only like Supreme Court Judge; ECs can be removed only on CEC's recommendation. Ensures independence while allowing flexible composition.
Part IXA of the Constitution, dealing with Municipalities, was added by the ______ Amendment Act, 1992.
- 72nd
- 73rd
- 74th
- 75th
Answer: 74th
74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 added Part IXA (Articles 243P-243ZG) giving constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities). Came into force on 01.06.1993. Complements 73rd Amendment for rural areas. Together, they institutionalize democratic decentralization at grassroots level across India.
Gram Sabha, comprising all registered voters in a village, is the foundation of Panchayati Raj system and exercises powers as determined by State Legislature.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 243A: Gram Sabha (village assembly of registered voters) is basic unit of direct democracy. Powers/functions determined by State Legislature: approving plans, budgets, selecting beneficiaries, social audit, etc. Empowers citizens to participate directly in local governance, ensuring accountability of elected representatives.
The 73rd Amendment mandates a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in all States, regardless of population size.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 243B: Three-tier system (Village, Block, District Panchayats) mandated only for States with population exceeding 20 lakhs. Smaller States may have two-tier system. This flexibility accommodates administrative feasibility while promoting decentralization. All States now have PRIs, but structure varies.
Part IX of the Indian Constitution, dealing with Panchayats, was added by which Constitutional Amendment?
- 73rd Amendment Act, 1992
- 74th Amendment Act, 1992
- 42nd Amendment Act, 1976
- 86th Amendment Act, 2002
Answer: 73rd Amendment Act, 1992
73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 added Part IX (Articles 243-243O) giving constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Came into force on 24.04.1993. Made rural local self-government a justiciable part of Constitution, not merely Directive Principle. 74th Amendment (same year) did same for Urban Local Bodies.
The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains how many Lists for distribution of legislative powers?
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
Answer: Three
Seventh Schedule contains three Lists: Union List (List I - 97 subjects), State List (List II - 61 subjects), Concurrent List (List III - 52 subjects). Parliament has exclusive power on Union List, State Legislatures on State List, and both on Concurrent List (Union law prevails in conflict).
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic ______.
- Monarchy
- Republic
- Federation
- Confederation
Answer: Republic
The Preamble declares India to be a 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic'. The term 'Republic' signifies that the head of State (President) is elected, not hereditary, and that political sovereignty rests with the people, not a monarch. This distinguishes India from constitutional monarchies like the UK.
The Constituent Assembly first met on ______, 1946.
Answer: December 9
The Constituent Assembly of India held its first meeting on December 9, 1946, in the Constitution Hall (now Central Hall of Parliament). Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the temporary Chairman. The Assembly later elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its permanent President.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is established under which Article of the Constitution?
- Article 315
- Article 320
- Article 324
- Article 335
Answer: Article 315
Article 315 provides for a Union Public Service Commission for the Union and a State Public Service Commission for each State. UPSC conducts examinations for recruitment to All India Services and Central Services, and advises the government on disciplinary matters and promotions.
As per Article 343, the official language of the Union shall be ______ in Devanagari script.
Answer: Hindi
Article 343(1) states: 'The official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script.' However, Article 343(2) allowed English to continue for official purposes for 15 years from commencement of Constitution (i.e., till 1965). The Official Languages Act, 1963 extended the use of English indefinitely for certain purposes.
The idea of 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity' in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution was borrowed from:
- USA
- UK
- France
- Ireland
Answer: France
The ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity in the Preamble were inspired by the French Revolution (1789). These principles reflect the influence of French constitutional thought on the Indian Constitution's vision of a just and egalitarian society.
There are currently ______ Fundamental Duties listed in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution.
Answer: 11
Originally, the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 added 10 Fundamental Duties. The 86th Amendment Act, 2002 added the 11th duty: 'to provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years'. These duties are moral obligations for citizens but are not legally enforceable.
The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on ______.
Answer: November 26, 1949
The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950. November 26 is celebrated as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) in India since 2015 to honor Dr. Ambedkar's contribution.
Which Schedule of the Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to States and Union Territories?
- First Schedule
- Fourth Schedule
- Seventh Schedule
- Ninth Schedule
Answer: Fourth Schedule
The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution specifies the allocation of Rajya Sabha seats to States and Union Territories. It is amended periodically to reflect changes in population and creation of new States. Currently, Rajya Sabha has 245 members (233 elected + 12 nominated).
The Constituent Assembly of India took ______ years, ______ months, and ______ days to draft the Constitution.
Answer: 2, 11, 18
The Constituent Assembly took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to complete the drafting of the Constitution. It first met on December 9, 1946, and the Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949 (celebrated as Constitution Day), coming into force on January 26, 1950.
The Right to Education for children aged 6-14 years was made a Fundamental Right by the ______ Amendment Act, 2002.
Answer: 86th
The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 inserted Article 21A, making education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6-14 years. It also added a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A(k) for parents/guardians to provide educational opportunities to their children in this age group.
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution describes India as a:
- Federation of States
- Union of States
- Confederation of States
- Unitary State
Answer: Union of States
Article 1 of the Constitution states: 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.' The term 'Union of States' was deliberately chosen by the Drafting Committee to indicate that Indian federation is not a result of an agreement among states and that states have no right to secede from the Union.
Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
- Prime Minister
- Parliament
- President of India
- Lok Sabha Speaker
Answer: President of India
The President of India appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners under Article 324. However, the Election Commission functions independently. The 2023 Supreme Court judgment introduced a collegium system for appointments, but Parliament can legislate otherwise.
The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha as per the Constitution is ______ members.
Answer: 552
Article 80 specifies that the Lok Sabha can have a maximum of 552 members: 530 from States, 20 from Union Territories, and 2 nominated Anglo-Indian members (though the Anglo-Indian nomination was removed by the 104th Amendment Act, 2019). Currently, the strength is 543 elected members.