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Reservation of seats for women in Municipalities is mandatory at not less than one-third, including within SC/ST reservations, similar to Panchayats.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 243T: Reservation in Municipalities mirrors Panchayats: (a) SCs/STs in proportion to population, (b) Not less than 1/3 for women (including within SC/ST quotas), (c) States may reserve for OBCs. Chairperson positions also reserved. Has significantly increased women's representation in urban local governance.
Which of the following is NOT a type of Municipality under Article 243Q?
- Nagar Panchayat
- Municipal Council
- Municipal Corporation
- Cantonment Board
Answer: Cantonment Board
Article 243Q: Three types of Municipalities based on population, density, revenue: (a) Nagar Panchayat (transitional area), (b) Municipal Council (smaller urban area), (c) Municipal Corporation (larger urban area). Cantonment Boards are under Ministry of Defence, governed by Cantonments Act, 2006, not Part IXA.
The Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, added by 73rd Amendment, contains how many functional items for Panchayats?
- 18
- 29
- 35
- 42
Answer: 29
Eleventh Schedule (Article 243G): 29 functional items for Panchayats including agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, rural housing, drinking water, roads, rural electrification, poverty alleviation, education, health, women and child development, etc. States may devolve powers/functions to Panchayats by law. Enables activity mapping for effective decentralization.
The State Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of High Court.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 243K(2): State Election Commissioner's removal conditions same as High Court Judge (Article 217): by Presidential order after Parliament address with special majority. Ensures independence of State Election Commission from State executive, enabling impartial conduct of local elections. Critical for democratic decentralization.
The term of Panchayats is ______ years from the date of first meeting, and elections must be completed before expiry of term.
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Answer: 5
Article 243E: Panchayat term is 5 years. If dissolved earlier, elections within 6 months; new Panchayat serves only remainder of term. State Election Commission (Article 243K) conducts elections, independent of State government. Ensures regular, free, fair local elections, strengthening grassroots democracy.
Under Article 243D, not less than one-third of seats in Panchayats are reserved for ______, including one-third within SC/ST reservations.
- OBCs
- Women
- Minorities
- Persons with Disabilities
Answer: Women
Article 243D(3): Reservation of seats: (a) SCs/STs in proportion to population, (b) Not less than 1/3 for women (including within SC/ST quotas), (c) States may reserve for OBCs. Chairperson positions also reserved similarly. 73rd Amendment made India a global leader in women's political representation at local level.
Under Article 3, Parliament can form new States or alter boundaries of existing States, but must first refer the proposal to the ______ for expressing views.
- Supreme Court
- State Legislature(s) affected
- Finance Commission
- Inter-State Council
Answer: State Legislature(s) affected
Article 3: Parliament may by law: (a) form new States, (b) increase/decrease State area, (c) alter boundaries/name. Procedure: President refers bill to affected State Legislature(s) for views within specified period; Parliament not bound by views. Ensures federal consultation while preserving Union's power to reorganize States for administrative efficiency.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction under Article 131 to adjudicate disputes between the Union and States or between States, except those arising from pre-Constitution ______.
- laws
- treaties
- agreements
- customs
Answer: treaties
Article 131 proviso: SC's original jurisdiction in federal disputes excludes matters arising from treaties, agreements, covenants, engagements, sanads entered into before Constitution commencement and continuing thereafter. Such disputes resolved per terms of instrument. Preserves historical arrangements while enabling judicial resolution of new federal conflicts.
NITI Aayog, which replaced Planning Commission, promotes cooperative federalism by including all State Chief Ministers in its Governing Council.
- True
- False
Answer: True
NITI Aayog (2015): Governing Council comprises PM (Chairperson), all CMs, UT Lt. Governors. Unlike Planning Commission's top-down approach, NITI Aayog emphasizes 'Team India' with States as partners. Has no constitutional status but institutionalizes cooperative federalism through policy dialogue, best practices sharing, and competitive federalism rankings.
The Governor acts as a vital link between Union and State governments in India's federal structure.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Governor (appointed by President) performs dual role: (a) Constitutional head of State executive, (b) Agent of Union for reporting State affairs to President (Article 356). This dual role can create tension but is designed to maintain federal balance. Sarkaria Commission recommended Governors act impartially, not as Union agents.
Article 343 declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of Union, but English continues for official purposes for a period of ______ years from commencement of Constitution.
- 10
- 15
- 20
- 25
Answer: 15
Article 343(2): English to continue for 15 years (till 1965) for official Union purposes. Official Languages Act, 1963 extended English indefinitely alongside Hindi. Article 345 allows States to adopt official language(s). Article 346 provides for language for communication between States and with Union. Balances national integration with linguistic diversity.
The Inter-State Council, established under Article 263, is chaired by the ______.
- Vice President
- Prime Minister
- Chief Justice of India
- Home Minister
Answer: Prime Minister
Article 263: President may establish Inter-State Council to inquire into and advise on: (a) disputes between States, (b) subjects of common interest, (c) policy recommendations. Established in 1990; chaired by PM; members include CMs of States, UTs, and Union Ministers. Promotes inter-governmental cooperation.
The GST Council, which makes recommendations on GST issues, is chaired by the ______ and includes Union Finance Minister and State Finance Ministers.
- Prime Minister
- President
- Union Finance Minister
- Chief Justice
Answer: Union Finance Minister
Article 279A (inserted by 101st Amendment, 2016): GST Council chaired by Union Finance Minister; members include Union Minister of State for Finance + State Finance Ministers. Decisions by 3/4 majority: Centre has 1/3 vote weight, States collectively 2/3. Exemplifies cooperative federalism in fiscal matters.
Under Article 275, Parliament can make grants-in-aid to States which are in need of assistance, charged on the ______ Fund of India.
- Contingency
- Public Account
- Consolidated
- Relief
Answer: Consolidated
Article 275: Parliament may make statutory grants-in-aid to States in need, charged on Consolidated Fund of India (not subject to annual vote). Includes specific grants for welfare of STs, improvement of administration in Assam, etc. Distinct from Article 282 grants (for public purpose, discretionary).
The Finance Commission is a constitutional body constituted every 5 years to recommend distribution of tax revenues between Centre and States.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 280: President constitutes Finance Commission every 5 years (or earlier) comprising Chairman + 4 members. Recommendations cover: (a) tax devolution between Centre-States, (b) grants-in-aid to States, (c) augmenting State Panchayat/Municipality funds. 15th FC (2020-25) recommended 41% vertical devolution to States.
All India Services like IAS and IPS are controlled exclusively by the Union Government.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 312: All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFoS) are created by Parliament but serve under both Union and States. Officers are recruited/trained by Union (UPSC) but serve in State cadres under State control. Disciplinary control is shared: State initiates, but major penalties require Union consultation. Balances federal needs with national standards.
Under Article 256, States are obligated to exercise executive power to ensure compliance with ______.
- State Legislature laws only
- Parliament laws and existing laws
- Supreme Court directions only
- Governor's orders only
Answer: Parliament laws and existing laws
Article 256: State executive power must be exercised to ensure compliance with Parliament laws and existing laws applicable in State. Union can give directions to States for this purpose. Article 257 extends this to Union directions on matters like railways, communications. Ensures national policy uniformity.
If a State law on Concurrent List conflicts with a Union law, the ______ law shall prevail, unless the State law has received Presidential assent.
- State
- Union
- older
- newer
Answer: Union
Article 254(1): In case of repugnancy between Union and State law on Concurrent List, Union law prevails. Exception under Article 254(2): If State law reserved for President's consideration and receives assent, it prevails in that State (but Parliament can still override by subsequent law).
Residuary powers (subjects not mentioned in any List) are vested with the States in the Indian Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 248: Residuary powers are vested with Parliament (Union), not States. This 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. This gives Indian federalism a strong unitary bias, unlike USA where residuary powers rest with States.
The voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the ______ Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988.
Answer: 61st
The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988 amended Article 326 to reduce the voting age for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections from 21 to 18 years. This was aimed at empowering youth and increasing democratic participation. It came into effect in 1989.