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The Council of Ministers of a State is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of that State.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 164(2): Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Legislative Assembly (not Council). This means: (a) Ministry falls if Assembly passes no-confidence motion, (b) Ministers defend policies jointly, (c) CM's resignation dissolves entire Council. Cornerstone of parliamentary democracy at State level.
Which Article specifies the duties of Chief Minister in communicating Council decisions to Governor?
- Article 164
- Article 165
- Article 166
- Article 167
Answer: Article 167
Article 167: CM shall communicate to Governor all Council decisions on State administration and legislative proposals; furnish information called by Governor; submit matters for Council consideration if Governor requires. Mirrors Article 78 for Union, ensuring coordination between nominal and real executive at State level.
The Governor's pardoning power under Article 161 extends to death sentences.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 161: Governor can grant pardons, reprieves, respites, remissions for offences against State law. However, Governor cannot pardon: (a) court-martial punishments, (b) death sentences (only President under Article 72 can pardon death sentences). This division prevents conflicting clemency decisions.
The Governor can reserve a Bill passed by State Legislature for consideration of the President.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 200: Governor may reserve certain Bills for President's consideration: (a) Bills derogating HC powers, (b) Bills on Concurrent List conflicting with Union law, (c) Bills against DPSP or national interest. President may assent, withhold assent, or direct Governor to return Bill (if not Money Bill).
Which of the following appointments is NOT made by the Governor of a State?
- Chief Minister
- Advocate General
- Chairman of State Public Service Commission
- Judge of High Court
Answer: Judge of High Court
Article 217: High Court judges are appointed by President (not Governor) after consultation with CJI, Governor of State, and CJ of HC. Governor appoints CM (Article 164), Advocate General (Article 165), SPSC Chairman/members (Article 316), and other State officers. Understanding appointment authorities is crucial.
The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the ______, and normally serves a term of 5 years.
- Prime Minister
- President
- Chief Minister
- Parliament
Answer: President
Article 156: Governor holds office during pleasure of President (can be removed anytime without reasons), but normally serves 5-year term. Can resign by writing to President. Supreme Court in BP Singhal case (2010) held that pleasure doctrine is not arbitrary; removal must be for compelling reasons.
The Public Accounts Committee consists of ______ members, with majority from Lok Sabha and Chairperson traditionally from Opposition.
- 15
- 22
- 30
- 45
Answer: 22
Public Accounts Committee (PAC): 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha), elected by proportional representation. Chairperson from Opposition by convention (since 1967-68). Examines CAG reports on government expenditure, ensuring financial accountability. Oldest parliamentary committee (established 1921).
A No-Confidence Motion can be introduced only in Lok Sabha and requires support of at least 50 members to be admitted.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Rule 198 of Lok Sabha Rules: No-confidence motion against Council of Ministers can be introduced only in Lok Sabha (as Council is collectively responsible to it under Article 75(3)). Requires support of at least 50 members for admission. If passed, Council must resign. Rajya Sabha cannot remove government directly.
Parliament can create or abolish Legislative Councils in States under Article 169, if the State Legislative Assembly passes a resolution by ______ majority.
- simple
- two-thirds
- three-fourths
- absolute
Answer: two-thirds
Article 169: Parliament can create/abolish State Legislative Council (upper house) by law, if State Assembly passes resolution by special majority (2/3 of members present and voting). Council is permanent body with 1/3 members retiring every 2 years. Currently, 6 States have Councils: UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh.
The Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law) was added by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985 to curb political defections.
- True
- False
Answer: True
52nd Amendment (1985) inserted Tenth Schedule: Members disqualified if (a) voluntarily give up party membership, or (b) vote/abstain contrary to party whip without prior permission. Exceptions: merger of 2/3 members, independent members joining party post-election, nominated members joining party after 6 months. Speaker/Chairman decides disqualification.
Which Parliamentary Committee is known as the 'twin sister' of Estimates Committee?
- Public Accounts Committee
- Committee on Public Undertakings
- Department-related Standing Committees
- Business Advisory Committee
Answer: Committee on Public Undertakings
Committee on Public Undertakings (1964) examines reports of CAG on public sector undertakings, like Estimates Committee examines government expenditure estimates. Both are financial committees with Lok Sabha majority. PAC (oldest, 1921) audits post-expenditure; Estimates Committee examines pre-expenditure proposals.
A bill becomes an Act only after it is passed by both Houses of Parliament and receives the assent of the President.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 111: Standard legislative process: (a) Introduction and passage in both Houses (with exceptions for Money Bills), (b) Presentation to President, (c) Presidential assent. President may assent, withhold assent, or return bill (except Money Bills) for reconsideration. This tripartite process ensures thorough scrutiny.
Article 120 allows business in Parliament to be transacted in Hindi or English, and members can address the House in any language included in the ______ Schedule of the Constitution.
- Seventh
- Eighth
- Ninth
- Tenth
Answer: Eighth
Article 120: Parliamentary business in Hindi/English; members may speak in any Eighth Schedule language with presiding officer's permission. Eighth Schedule originally had 14 languages; now 22. This balances national integration with linguistic diversity in legislative proceedings.
All questions in Parliament are decided by majority of votes of members present and voting, with the presiding officer exercising a casting vote in case of equality.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 100(1): Decisions by majority of members present and voting (excluding abstentions). Presiding officers (Speaker/Chairman) don't vote in first instance but exercise casting vote in tie (Article 100(2)). This maintains impartiality while ensuring decisions are reached.
In case of deadlock between Houses on an ordinary bill, President can summon a joint sitting under Article 108, which is presided over by the ______.
- Vice President
- Prime Minister
- Speaker of Lok Sabha
- Chief Justice
Answer: Speaker of Lok Sabha
Article 108: Joint sitting resolves deadlocks on ordinary bills (not Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills). Presided by Speaker; in absence, by Deputy Speaker or Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Decision by simple majority of members present and voting. Used only thrice: 1961, 1978, 2002.
Rajya Sabha can amend a Money Bill and send it back to Lok Sabha for reconsideration.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 109: Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha with President's prior recommendation. Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations within 14 days; Lok Sabha may accept/reject them. If Rajya Sabha doesn't return bill in 14 days, it's deemed passed. This upholds Lok Sabha's financial supremacy.
Which of the following subjects is NOT in the Union List (List I) of Seventh Schedule, on which Parliament has exclusive power to legislate?
- Defence
- Foreign Affairs
- Public Health
- Currency
Answer: Public Health
Seventh Schedule: Union List (97 subjects) includes defence, foreign affairs, currency, etc. Public Health is in State List (List II, Subject 6). Parliament can legislate on State List during Emergency (Article 250), if Rajya Sabha passes resolution (Article 249), or for implementing international agreements (Article 253).
A person is disqualified for Parliament membership if they hold an office of profit under Government of India or any State, unless exempted by law.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 102(1)(a): Holding office of profit under Union or State government disqualifies Parliament membership, unless Parliament by law declares otherwise. This prevents conflict of interest between legislative and executive roles. Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 lists exempted offices.
The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is 250, of which 238 represent States and Union Territories, and 12 are nominated by the President for their expertise in literature, science, art, and ______.
- politics
- social service
- economics
- law
Answer: social service
Article 80: Rajya Sabha max strength 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated). Nominated members are persons with special knowledge/practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service. Current strength is 245. Nominations ensure expert voices in legislation without electoral politics.
If the President requires information about administration of Union affairs, the Prime Minister is constitutionally bound to furnish it.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 78(b): It is duty of PM to furnish such information relating to administration of Union affairs and proposals for legislation as the President may call for. This ensures nominal executive (President) stays informed, though real executive (PM/Council) governs. Reinforces cooperative federalism within Union executive.