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The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio Chairman of which of the following bodies?
- Rajya Sabha
- NITI Aayog
- Finance Commission
- Election Commission
Answer: NITI Aayog
PM is ex-officio Chairman of NITI Aayog (replaced Planning Commission in 2015), Cabinet Committees, Nuclear Command Authority, and other key bodies. This centralizes policy coordination and strategic decision-making under PM's leadership, reflecting PM's primacy in Union executive.
Which Article of the Constitution provides for the appointment of Attorney General of India?
- Article 76
- Article 77
- Article 78
- Article 79
Answer: Article 76
Article 76: President appoints Attorney General (AG) who must be qualified to be Supreme Court judge. AG is highest law officer, advises government, represents Union in courts, has right to speak in Parliament but no vote. AG holds office during President's pleasure and can be removed anytime.
The principle of collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to Lok Sabha is enshrined in which Article?
- Article 74
- Article 75
- Article 76
- Article 77
Answer: Article 75
Article 75(3): Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha. This means: (a) Ministry falls if Lok Sabha passes no-confidence motion, (b) Ministers defend government policies jointly, (c) Resignation of PM dissolves entire Council. This is cornerstone of parliamentary democracy.
The Vice President of India can be removed from office by a resolution passed by which body?
- Lok Sabha only
- Rajya Sabha only
- Both Houses of Parliament
- Electoral College
Answer: Rajya Sabha only
Article 67(b): VP can be removed by Rajya Sabha passing a resolution by majority of all then-members, and agreed to by Lok Sabha. No impeachment process needed; simple majority suffices. Notice of at least 14 days must be given. This reflects VP's primary association with Rajya Sabha.
Which type of Emergency can be proclaimed by the President only on written recommendation of the Cabinet?
- National Emergency
- State Emergency
- Financial Emergency
- All of the above
Answer: All of the above
44th Amendment (1978) made it mandatory for President to act on written Cabinet advice for all three Emergencies: National (Article 352), State/President's Rule (Article 356), and Financial (Article 360). This curbed potential misuse and reinforced collective responsibility.
Which of the following appointments is NOT made by the President of India?
- Prime Minister
- Chief Justice of India
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Speaker of Lok Sabha
Answer: Speaker of Lok Sabha
Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected by members of Lok Sabha from amongst themselves (Article 93). President appoints PM (Article 75), CJI (Article 124), CEC (Article 324), Governors, Judges, etc. Understanding appointment authorities is crucial for Polity questions.
The President of India is elected by an Electoral College consisting of elected members of which bodies?
- Lok Sabha only
- Rajya Sabha only
- Both Houses of Parliament only
- Both Houses of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies
Answer: Both Houses of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies
Article 54: President is elected by an Electoral College comprising elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies. Nominated members of Parliament and State Legislatures, and members of Legislative Councils do not participate. The election follows proportional representation by single transferable vote.
In which case did the Supreme Court hold that Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights are complementary and supplementary to each other?
- Champakam Dorairajan case (1951)
- Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
- Minerva Mills case (1980)
- Indira Sawhney case (1992)
Answer: Minerva Mills case (1980)
In Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980), the Supreme Court held that the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of balance between Fundamental Rights (Part III) and Directive Principles (Part IV). Neither has primacy; they are complementary and supplementary, together forming the core of constitutional philosophy.
Which Article directs the State to minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities among individuals and groups?
- Article 38
- Article 39
- Article 40
- Article 41
Answer: Article 38
Article 38(2), added by the 44th Amendment (1978), directs the State to minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities not only among individuals but also among groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations. It strengthens the egalitarian vision of the Constitution.
Which Article directs the State to secure just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief?
- Article 41
- Article 42
- Article 43
- Article 44
Answer: Article 42
Article 42 directs the State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief. This has led to legislation like the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (amended 2017), Factories Act, and various labour welfare laws ensuring worker protections.
Which Article was added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 to direct the State to protect and improve the environment?
- Article 48A
- Article 49A
- Article 50A
- Article 51A
Answer: Article 48A
Article 48A was inserted by the 42nd Amendment (1976) directing the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife. This, along with Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty), forms the constitutional basis for environmental jurisprudence in India.
Which Article directs the State to secure participation of workers in management of industries?
- Article 43
- Article 43A
- Article 43B
- Article 44
Answer: Article 43A
Article 43A was inserted by the 42nd Amendment (1976) to secure participation of workers in management of industries, undertakings, or other organisations. This aims at industrial democracy and has been partially implemented through provisions in the Companies Act and labour laws.
Which Article directs the State to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines?
- Article 46
- Article 47
- Article 48
- Article 49
Answer: Article 48
Article 48 directs the State to: (a) organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines, (b) preserve and improve breeds of cattle, and (c) prohibit slaughter of cows, calves, and other milch and draught cattle. It reflects Gandhian and economic planning principles.
Which Article of the Constitution contains the Directive Principle for securing a Uniform Civil Code for citizens?
- Article 43
- Article 44
- Article 45
- Article 46
Answer: Article 44
Article 44 states: 'The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.' It aims to replace personal laws based on religion with a common set of laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc. It remains unimplemented due to political and social sensitivities.
Which of the following is NOT a Gandhian principle included in DPSP?
- Organisation of village panchayats
- Promotion of cottage industries
- Uniform civil code
- Prohibition of intoxicating drinks
Answer: Uniform civil code
Gandhian principles in DPSP include: village panchayats (Article 40), cottage industries (Article 43), prohibition of intoxicants (Article 47), and protection of cows (Article 48). Uniform Civil Code (Article 44) is a liberal-intellectual principle, not specifically Gandhian.
Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in which Part of the Indian Constitution?
- Part III
- Part IV
- Part IVA
- Part V
Answer: Part IV
Part IV (Articles 36-51) contains Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). They are non-justiciable (not enforceable by courts) but fundamental in governance. The State is duty-bound to apply them while making laws, aiming to establish social and economic democracy.
Which Article of the Constitution deals with the indemnity for acts done under martial law?
- Article 32
- Article 33
- Article 34
- Article 35
Answer: Article 34
Article 34 empowers Parliament to indemnify any person (government servant or other) for acts done in connection with martial law to restore order in any area. It also validates sentences passed or acts done during martial law. This is a rare provision invoked only in extreme situations of rebellion or war.
Which writ is issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal to transfer a pending case to itself or quash its order?
- Habeas Corpus
- Mandamus
- Certiorari
- Prohibition
Answer: Certiorari
Certiorari ('to be certified') is issued by a higher court to a lower court/tribunal to quash its order when it exceeds jurisdiction or violates principles of natural justice. Prohibition is preventive (issued before order), while Certiorari is curative (issued after order). Both available under Articles 32 & 226.
Which Article protects the interests of minorities by allowing them to conserve their distinct language, script, or culture?
- Article 28
- Article 29
- Article 30
- Article 31
Answer: Article 29
Article 29(1) protects the right of any section of citizens (not just minorities) residing in India having a distinct language, script, or culture to conserve the same. Article 29(2) prohibits denial of admission to State-funded educational institutions on grounds of religion, race, caste, language, or any of them.
Which Article empowers religious denominations to manage their own affairs in matters of religion?
- Article 25
- Article 26
- Article 27
- Article 28
Answer: Article 26
Article 26 grants religious denominations (or sections thereof) four rights: (a) establish and maintain institutions for religious/charitable purposes, (b) manage their own affairs in matters of religion, (c) own and acquire movable/immovable property, (d) administer such property according to law. Subject to public order, morality, and health.