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Answer: False
Article 343(1) declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union. English is an 'associate official language' for specific purposes under the Official Languages Act, 1963. The Constitution originally envisaged phasing out English by 1965, but parliamentary legislation extended its use indefinitely for certain official purposes.
Answer: five
Article 280 mandates that the Finance Commission be constituted every five years (or earlier) to recommend: (1) Distribution of net tax proceeds between Union and States, (2) Principles for grants-in-aid to States, (3) Measures to augment State Consolidated Funds for Panchayats/Municipalities. The 15th Finance Commission covered 2021-26.
Answer: False
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body, not constitutional. It was established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. Constitutional bodies are those explicitly mentioned in the Constitution (e.g., Election Commission, UPSC, Finance Commission). Article 338A actually establishes the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which was made constitutional by the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018.
Answer: Both B and C
PIL was pioneered in India by Justices P.N. Bhagwati and V.R. Krishna Iyer in the late 1970s-early 1980s. They relaxed the traditional rule of 'locus standi', allowing any public-spirited citizen to file petitions for enforcement of rights of disadvantaged groups. Landmark cases: Hussainara Khatoon (1979), S.P. Gupta (1981).
Answer: 173
Rule 173 of Lok Sabha Rules provides for the 'Guillotine' procedure. When time allocated for discussing Demands for Grants expires, the Speaker puts all pending demands to vote immediately without further discussion. This ensures the Budget is passed before the financial year ends (March 31).
Answer: 15%
The 91st Amendment Act, 2003 added Article 164(1A) and amended Article 75(1A) to cap the Council of Ministers at 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly. It also barred defectors from holding public office until re-elected or until the term ends.
Answer: President and Parliament
Article 338 (inserted by 65th Amendment, 1990; restructured by 89th Amendment, 2003): National Commission for SCs investigates/monitors safeguards, inquires into complaints, advises on planning, reports to President annually/specially. President lays reports before Parliament with action-taken memorandum. Similar provision for STs under Article 338A. Ensures institutional mechanism for marginalized communities' rights protection.
Answer: Dominion of India
Article 393: Union succeeds to property, assets, rights, liabilities, obligations of Dominion of India (and each Province/Corresponding Indian State) as they existed immediately before Constitution commencement. Ensures legal continuity: contracts, debts, property titles, international obligations continue uninterrupted despite constitutional transformation. Foundation for state succession principles in Indian constitutional law.
Answer: Articles relating to Citizenship, Elections, Preliminary provisions
Article 394: Certain Articles came into force on 26.11.1949 (adoption date): Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 60, 324, 366, 367, 379-392, 393-395. Remaining Articles (including FRs, DPSP, federal structure) came into force on 26.01.1950 (commencement date). Enabled preparatory actions (citizenship determination, election arrangements) before full constitutional implementation.
Answer: True
Article 366: Interpretation clause defining 31 terms used in Constitution: Anglo-Indian, Article, Borrow, Clause, Federal Court, Goods and Services Tax, Goods and Services Tax Council, India, Existing law, etc. Ensures uniform interpretation of constitutional provisions. Definitions can be amended by Parliament via ordinary law (not constitutional amendment) unless context otherwise requires.
Answer: 60
Article 101(3) (Parliament) and Article 190(3) (State Legislatures): If member absent from all meetings for 60 days without House permission, seat may be declared vacant. Computed excluding periods when House is adjourned for >4 consecutive days. Ensures active participation by elected representatives; prevents absenteeism while allowing genuine exemptions with permission.
Answer: Parliament
Article 102(1)(e) (Parliament) and Article 191(1)(e) (State Legislatures): Disqualification if so disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament. Representation of People Act, 1951 specifies disqualifications: (a) Conviction for certain offences, (b) Corrupt practices, (c) Government contracts, (d) Office of profit. Enables legislative flexibility to update disqualification criteria while maintaining constitutional framework.
Answer: 20
Article 344(4)-(5): Official Language Commission's report examined by Committee of Parliament on Official Language: 30 members (20 from Lok Sabha, 10 from Rajya Sabha) elected by proportional representation. Committee examines Commission's recommendations and reports to President. Ensures parliamentary oversight of language policy while promoting Hindi progressively without imposing on non-Hindi States.
Answer: True
Article 350B: (1) Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities appointed by President, (2) Duty to investigate matters relating to safeguards for linguistic minorities under Constitution, (3) Report to President annually or as directed, (4) President lays reports before Parliament/State Legislatures. Currently, Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities functions under Ministry of Minority Affairs. Protects linguistic diversity post-State reorganisation.
Answer: 104th Amendment, 2019
104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019: (a) Extended SC/ST reservation in Lok Sabha/Assemblies till 2030, (b) Omitted Article 331 (Anglo-Indian nomination to Lok Sabha) and Article 333 (Anglo-Indian nomination to State Assemblies). Rationale: Anglo-Indian community's distinct identity has diminished; reservation based on social/educational backwardness principle. Controversial but constitutionally valid.
Answer: True
Article 323A (inserted by 42nd Amendment, 1976): Parliament may by law establish Administrative Tribunals for Union/State public service disputes. Such law can exclude jurisdiction of all courts except Supreme Court's special leave petition power under Article 136. Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 established CAT, SATs. L. Chandra Kumar case (1997) held tribunal decisions subject to HC/SC judicial review to protect basic structure.
Answer: Two-thirds of members present and voting
Article 312(1): Rajya Sabha can pass resolution by 2/3 of members present and voting declaring it expedient in national interest to create new All India Services common to Union and States. Currently three AIS: IAS, IPS, IFoS. Proposed: Indian Forest Service already exists; Indian Judicial Service, Indian Education Service debated. Enables national-level administrative cadre while respecting federal structure.
Answer: conserve
Article 29(1): Cultural-educational right: Any section of citizens with distinct language/script/culture has right to conserve the same. Applies to minorities AND majority groups. Protects linguistic/cultural diversity against homogenization. Complements Article 30 (minority educational institutions). Foundation of India's pluralistic constitutional identity.
Answer: All were added together in 2003
92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003: Added four languages to Eighth Schedule simultaneously: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali. Total languages now 22. Inclusion criteria: literary heritage, distinct script, significant speaker population, cultural identity. No fixed procedure; added via constitutional amendment based on political consensus and linguistic advocacy.
Answer: English
Article 346: Language for communication: (a) Between States: English, unless both agree to use Hindi, (b) Between State and Union: English. Ensures smooth inter-governmental communication despite linguistic diversity. Practical arrangement acknowledging Hindi's limited penetration in non-Hindi States while promoting its progressive use.