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In Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India (February 2024), the Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme holding it violated the voters' right to ______, implicit in Article 19(1)(a).
- privacy
- information
- equality
- association
Answer: information
ADR Case (February 2024): 5-judge Constitution Bench unanimously struck down Electoral Bonds Scheme (2018) and amended provisions of R.P. Act, IT Act. Held: (a) Anonymous political funding violates voters' right to know (implicit in Article 19(1)(a) - freedom of speech and expression), (b) Disproportionate impact on transparency and free/fair elections, (c) Potential for quid pro quo corruption, (d) Less restrictive alternatives available. Directed ECI to disclose bond donor-recipient details. Landmark transparency judgment reinforcing electoral democracy.
The Constitution (104th Amendment) Act, 2019 extended reservation for SCs/STs in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies till 2030, but omitted reservation for the ______ community in legislatures.
- Scheduled Castes
- Scheduled Tribes
- Anglo-Indian
- Other Backward Classes
Answer: Anglo-Indian
104th Amendment (2019): (a) Extended SC/ST reservation in Lok Sabha (Article 330) and State Assemblies (Article 332) till 2030 (originally 10 years, extended repeatedly), (b) Omitted Article 331 (President's power to nominate 2 Anglo-Indian members to Lok Sabha) and Article 333 (Governor's power to nominate 1 Anglo-Indian member to State Assembly). Rationale: Anglo-Indian community's distinct identity has diminished; reservation based on social/educational backwardness principle. Controversial but constitutionally valid.
The Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, 2005 mandates ______ of works by Gram Sabhas to ensure transparency and accountability in implementation, reflecting Constitutional Morality's emphasis on participatory governance.
- financial audit
- social audit
- judicial review
- executive monitoring
Answer: social audit
MGNREGA and social audit: Section 17 mandates social audit of all projects by Gram Sabha. Process: (a) Public verification of records, expenditure, beneficiary selection, (b) Gram Sabha discussion and approval, (c) Action on findings. Empowers citizens (especially marginalized) to monitor implementation, detect corruption, ensure accountability. Constitutional Morality requires governance to be participatory, transparent, and responsive to citizens' needs, not just top-down administration.
The Supreme Court has interpreted Article 21 (right to life) to include the right to a clean and healthy environment, reflecting Constitutional Morality's concern for ______ justice.
- procedural
- intergenerational
- retributive
- corrective
Answer: intergenerational
Environmental jurisprudence and Constitutional Morality: (a) Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991): Right to pollution-free water/air part of Article 21, (b) MC Mehta cases: Absolute liability for hazardous industries, (c) Intergenerational equity: Present generation holds environment in trust for future generations (principle in Sustainable Development). Constitutional Morality requires State to balance development with environmental protection, ensuring justice across generations.
The Right to Information Act, 2005 operationalizes the constitutional value of transparency by enabling citizens to seek information from public authorities, thereby promoting ______ governance.
- secretive
- accountable
- centralized
- discretionary
Answer: accountable
RTI Act and accountable governance: (a) Enables citizens to access government information (Section 3), (b) Mandates proactive disclosure by public authorities (Section 4), (c) Provides appeal mechanism through Information Commissions (Sections 15-16), (d) Penalizes non-compliance (Section 20). Transparency reduces corruption, enables informed public participation, strengthens democratic accountability. Constitutional Morality requires State to facilitate, not obstruct, citizens' right to know.
Constitutional Morality requires respect for the principle of ______, meaning each organ of the State (legislature, executive, judiciary) must function within its constitutional domain without encroaching on others.
- collective responsibility
- separation of powers
- parliamentary supremacy
- executive privilege
Answer: separation of powers
Separation of Powers (implicit in Indian Constitution; not rigid like USA): (a) Legislature makes laws, (b) Executive implements laws, (c) Judiciary interprets laws and checks constitutionality. Constitutional Morality requires: (a) Courts don't usurp policy-making (judicial restraint), (b) Executive respects judicial orders, (c) Legislature doesn't override judicial review. Balance enables checks and balances while ensuring functional coordination for governance.
Under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the Prime Minister is brought under Lokpal's jurisdiction with exceptions relating to allegations concerning international relations, public order, and ______.
- economic policy
- atomic energy and space
- administrative efficiency
- personnel matters
Answer: atomic energy and space
Lokpal Act, 2013: PM under jurisdiction but with safeguards: (a) No inquiry into allegations relating to international relations, external security, public order, atomic energy, space, (b) Inquiry requires approval of full bench of Lokpal, (c) Proceedings held in camera, (d) Frivolous complaints dismissed. Balances accountability of highest office with practical governance needs in sensitive strategic areas.
Constitutional Morality requires that all state action must comply with the principle of ______, meaning no one is above the law and all actions must have legal authority.
- separation of powers
- rule of law
- parliamentary sovereignty
- executive discretion
Answer: rule of law
Rule of Law (A.V. Dicey; embedded in Indian Constitution): Core elements: (a) Supremacy of law over arbitrary power, (b) Equality before law (Article 14), (c) Predominance of legal spirit (judicial review). Constitutional Morality operationalizes rule of law: executive actions must have legal basis, laws must comply with Constitution, courts must check excesses. Foundation of accountable, predictable governance.
The Whistle Blowers Protection Act, ______ provides legal protection to persons exposing corruption or misuse of power by public servants.
- 2011
- 2014
- 2016
- 2019
Answer: 2014
Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014: Aims to: (a) Protect persons making public interest disclosures about corruption, misuse of power, criminal offences by public servants, (b) Provide mechanism for inquiry into disclosures, (c) Penalize victimization of whistle blowers. However, not fully notified due to debates on national security exemptions. Highlights tension between transparency/accountability and legitimate confidentiality in governance.
Article ______ of the Constitution requires Ministers to take an oath to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution and to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India.
- 75
- 164
- Third Schedule
- Both (a) and (b)
Answer: Third Schedule
Third Schedule: Contains forms of oaths/affirmations for constitutional functionaries. Article 75(4) (Union Ministers) and Article 164(3) (State Ministers) require oath as per Third Schedule. Oath includes: (a) Bear true faith to Constitution, (b) Uphold sovereignty and integrity of India, (c) Faithfully discharge duties, (d) Maintain confidentiality. Formalizes ethical commitment of public office holders to constitutional values.
In the Indian Constitution, residuary powers (subjects not in any List) are vested with the ______, whereas in the US Constitution, they are vested with the States.
- Supreme Court
- Union Government
- State Governments
- President
Answer: Union Government
Residuary powers comparison: (a) India: Article 248 - Parliament has exclusive power to make laws on residuary subjects; includes power to impose residuary taxes. Gives Indian federalism unitary bias, (b) USA: 10th Amendment - Powers not delegated to US nor prohibited to States are reserved to States or people. Reflects US federalism's State autonomy tradition. India's design prioritizes national unity and coordinated development in diverse, post-Partition context.
Fundamental Duties were added to the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment, inspired by similar provisions in the Constitution of the ______.
- USA
- UK
- Soviet Union
- France
Answer: Soviet Union
Fundamental Duties comparison: (a) India: Article 51A (11 duties) added by 42nd Amendment (1976), inspired by USSR Constitution, (b) Other democracies: Most (USA, UK, Canada) don't have codified citizen duties in Constitution; duties implied through laws/citizenship oaths. Indian approach: Rights and duties are correlative; duties promote responsible citizenship, national unity, environmental protection. However, duties are non-justiciable; enforcement through moral/political pressure, not courts.
Unlike the US Senate where members are directly elected, members of Rajya Sabha are elected by ______ using proportional representation.
- citizens directly
- State Legislative Assemblies
- Electoral College
- President
Answer: State Legislative Assemblies
Upper House comparison: (a) US Senate: 100 members (2 per State), directly elected by citizens, 6-year term, equal State representation regardless of population, (b) Indian Rajya Sabha: Max 250 members (238 elected + 12 nominated), elected by State Legislative Assemblies via proportional representation, 6-year term with 1/3 retiring every 2 years, representation based on State population. Rajya Sabha represents States in federal structure; Senate represents States as equal sovereign entities.
India follows a system of ______ citizenship, whereas the United States follows dual citizenship (federal and state).
- single
- dual
- multiple
- regional
Answer: single
Citizenship comparison: (a) India: Single citizenship for entire country (Article 5-11), promoting national unity and equal rights across States, (b) USA: Dual citizenship - US citizenship + State citizenship, with States having powers over certain rights (e.g., voting in State elections, property ownership rules). India's single citizenship reflects Constituent Assembly's priority for national integration post-Partition; USA's dual citizenship reflects federal autonomy tradition.
In a presidential system like USA, the President is both head of State and head of Government, whereas in India's parliamentary system, these roles are separated between the ______ and the Prime Minister.
- Vice President
- President
- Speaker
- Chief Justice
Answer: President
Executive system comparison: (a) Presidential (USA): President is head of State (ceremonial) AND head of Government (executive powers), directly elected, fixed tenure, not responsible to legislature, (b) Parliamentary (India/UK): President is nominal head of State, PM is real head of Government, Council collectively responsible to Lok Sabha, can be removed by no-confidence motion. Parliamentary system emphasizes executive-legislative coordination; presidential emphasizes separation of powers.
The Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution were inspired by the Constitution of the ______.
- USA
- UK
- Soviet Union (USSR)
- China
Answer: Soviet Union (USSR)
From Soviet Union (USSR), India borrowed: (a) Fundamental Duties (Article 51A, added by 42nd Amendment, 1976), (b) Ideals of justice (social, economic, political) in Preamble, (c) Five-Year Plans for economic development (via Planning Commission, now NITI Aayog). Fundamental Duties remind citizens of obligations alongside rights, promoting responsible citizenship and national unity.
The concept of Concurrent List and freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse in the Indian Constitution were borrowed from the Constitution of ______.
- USA
- Australia
- South Africa
- France
Answer: Australia
From Australia, India borrowed: (a) Concurrent List (List III in Seventh Schedule) where both Union and States can legislate (Union law prevails in conflict), (b) Freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse throughout the territory (Article 301, subject to reasonable restrictions), (c) Joint sitting of both Houses to resolve deadlocks (Article 108). These features balance federal autonomy with national economic integration.
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Indian Constitution were borrowed from the Constitution of ______.
- USA
- UK
- Ireland
- Canada
Answer: Ireland
From Ireland (Irish Constitution, 1937), India borrowed: (a) Directive Principles of State Policy (called 'Directive Principles of Social Policy' in Ireland), (b) Method of election of President, (c) Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha by President. DPSP are non-justiciable guidelines for State policy, aiming to establish social and economic democracy, complementing justiciable Fundamental Rights.
Under Section 60 of Representation of People Act, 1951, certain categories of voters like armed forces personnel, government employees posted abroad, and preventive detainees can vote through ______ ballot.
- electronic
- postal
- proxy
- absentee
Answer: postal
Section 60, R.P. Act: Postal ballot facility for: (a) Armed forces personnel, (b) Government employees posted outside India, (c) Preventive detainees, (d) Election officials on duty. ECI has expanded facility: (a) Senior citizens 85+, (b) Persons with disabilities, (c) Essential service employees. Enhances inclusive participation while maintaining electoral integrity through secure postal voting procedures.
Under Supreme Court directions in ADR case (2002), candidates must file affidavits disclosing criminal cases, assets, liabilities, and educational qualifications with their ______ while contesting elections.
- party office
- Returning Officer
- Election Commission
- District Magistrate
Answer: Returning Officer
ADR v. Union of India (2002): SC directed ECI to require candidates to submit affidavits with Returning Officer at time of nomination, disclosing: (a) Criminal cases pending, (b) Assets/liabilities of candidate and spouse, (c) Educational qualification. Affidavits made public on ECI website for voter information. Foundation for electoral transparency; enables media/civil society scrutiny of candidates.