Create a custom practice set
Pick category, difficulty, number of questions, and time limit. Start instantly with your own quiz.
Generate QuizGK Questions
Filter by category, type, and difficulty. Reading is open for everyone.
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.
The Right to Privacy is explicitly mentioned as a Fundamental Right in the text of the Indian Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
The Right to Privacy is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution's text. However, in the landmark Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India case (2017), a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously held that Right to Privacy is an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty under Article 21, and thus a Fundamental Right.
Which Schedule of the Constitution contains the list of States and Union Territories of India?
- First Schedule
- Second Schedule
- Third Schedule
- Fifth Schedule
Answer: First Schedule
The First Schedule of the Constitution lists the States and Union Territories of India along with their territorial jurisdictions. It is amended whenever there is reorganization of States (e.g., creation of Telangana in 2014) or changes in Union Territory status.
What is the maximum gap allowed between two sessions of Parliament?
- 3 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 1 year
Answer: 6 months
Article 85 states that the President shall summon each House of Parliament to meet such that six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session. This ensures parliamentary accountability and regular legislative business.
The Right to Education under Article 21A is available to children in the age group of ______ years.
Answer: 6 to 14
Article 21A, inserted by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002, makes education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6 to 14 years. The State is obligated to provide free and compulsory education to this age group. This was operationalized through the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
The Directive Principles of State Policy were inspired by the Irish Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) were indeed borrowed from the Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann), which itself was influenced by Spanish constitutional principles. The Indian Constitution adapted these principles to suit India's socio-economic context and development goals.
All constitutional amendments require ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Only amendments that affect federal structure or State interests (e.g., election of President, extent of executive power of Union/States, Supreme Court/High Courts, distribution of legislative powers, representation of States in Parliament, Article 368 itself) require ratification by at least half of State Legislatures. Other amendments need only special majority in Parliament.
Which Article prohibits trafficking in human beings and forced labour?
- Article 21
- Article 22
- Article 23
- Article 24
Answer: Article 23
Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human beings, begar (forced labour), and other similar forms of forced labour. Any contravention is punishable by law. Article 24 separately prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines, or hazardous occupations.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is appointed by the ______ and can be removed only in the manner similar to a ______.
Answer: President, Supreme Court Judge
The CAG is appointed by the President under Article 148. For removal, Article 148(1) states that the CAG can be removed only on the grounds and in the manner provided for the removal of a Supreme Court Judge (i.e., by Presidential order after an address by both Houses of Parliament supported by special majority on grounds of proved misbehavior or incapacity).
A Money Bill can be introduced in the Parliament only with the prior recommendation of:
- Speaker of Lok Sabha
- President of India
- Prime Minister
- Finance Minister
Answer: President of India
Under Article 117, a Money Bill (dealing with taxation, government expenditure, etc.) can be introduced in Lok Sabha only with the prior recommendation of the President. Additionally, Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha (not Rajya Sabha), and Rajya Sabha has limited powers over them (can only recommend changes within 14 days).
The Supreme Court of India has the power of judicial review over constitutional amendments.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Following the Kesavananda Bharati judgment (1973) and subsequent cases like Minerva Mills (1980), the Supreme Court has the power of judicial review over constitutional amendments. It can strike down amendments that violate the 'basic structure' of the Constitution, even if passed with the required majority under Article 368.
The 'Basic Structure Doctrine' of the Constitution was propounded by the Supreme Court in which landmark case?
- Golaknath Case (1967)
- Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
- Minerva Mills Case (1980)
- S.R. Bommai Case (1994)
Answer: Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
The Basic Structure Doctrine was established in the landmark Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala case (1973). The Supreme Court held that while Parliament has power to amend the Constitution under Article 368, it cannot alter the 'basic structure' or essential features of the Constitution (e.g., supremacy of Constitution, secularism, federalism, judicial review).
Fundamental Rights under the Indian Constitution are absolute and cannot be restricted under any circumstances.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Fundamental Rights are not absolute. Most rights can be restricted by the State under reasonable restrictions specified in the Constitution itself (e.g., Article 19 allows restrictions on freedom of speech in interests of sovereignty, security, public order, etc.). Some rights can also be suspended during a National Emergency (except Articles 20 and 21).
Which Article of the Constitution directs the State to secure a Uniform Civil Code for citizens throughout India?
- Article 40
- Article 44
- Article 48
- Article 50
Answer: Article 44
Article 44, a Directive Principle of State Policy, directs the State to secure for 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, and adoption for all citizens.
The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under Article ______ of the Constitution.
Answer: 280
Article 280 provides for the constitution of a Finance Commission by the President every five years (or earlier). The Commission recommends the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and States, and among States themselves, and principles governing grants-in-aid to States.