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The Parliament of India consists of the President and which two Houses?
- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly
- Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council
- Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad
Answer: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Article 79: Parliament comprises President, Lok Sabha (House of People), and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). President is integral part of Parliament: gives assent to bills, summons/prorogues sessions, addresses Houses. This tripartite structure ensures checks and balances in legislation.
Which of the following statements about President's executive powers is CORRECT?
- President can appoint Governors without any consultation
- All executive actions of Government of India are expressed to be taken in President's name
- President can remove Supreme Court judges on advice of PM
- President can declare war without Parliamentary approval
Answer: All executive actions of Government of India are expressed to be taken in President's name
Article 77(1): All executive actions of Union government are expressed to be taken in President's name. However, Article 74(1) mandates these actions be based on Cabinet advice. President cannot appoint Governors arbitrarily (consultation with State CM is convention), cannot remove SC judges (requires Parliamentary impeachment), and war declaration needs Parliamentary support for funding and legitimacy.
Before entering upon office, Ministers must take an oath of secrecy and allegiance administered by the ______.
- Prime Minister
- President
- Chief Justice
- Speaker
Answer: President
Article 75(4) and Third Schedule: Ministers take oath before President. Oath includes: (a) bear true faith to Constitution, (b) uphold sovereignty and integrity of India, (c) faithfully discharge duties, (d) not disclose confidential information. This formalizes constitutional commitment and confidentiality obligation.
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.
In case of vacancy in the office of President, who discharges President's functions until a new President is elected?
- Prime Minister
- Chief Justice of India
- Vice President
- Speaker of Lok Sabha
Answer: Vice President
Article 65: If President's office falls vacant due to death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, Vice President discharges functions. If VP office is also vacant, Chief Justice of India (or senior-most SC judge) acts as President. Election to fill vacancy must be held within 6 months.
The President can exercise 'Pocket Veto' by simply ______ a bill without taking any action, as there is no time limit for giving assent.
- returning
- approving
- withholding
- amending
Answer: withholding
Article 111: President has three veto types: (a) Absolute veto - withholding assent, (b) Suspensive veto - returning bill (except Money Bills), (c) Pocket veto - taking no action indefinitely. Pocket veto was used in 1986 for Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill. This passive power checks hasty legislation.
The Council of Ministers consists of three categories: Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Constitution recognizes only two categories under Article 75: Cabinet Ministers and other Ministers (Ministers of State). 'Deputy Ministers' were abolished in 1952. Ministers of State may have independent charge or assist Cabinet Ministers. Only Cabinet Ministers attend Cabinet meetings, ensuring focused decision-making.
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.
Article 361 grants immunity to the President from criminal proceedings during their term of office, and no court can issue process for arrest or imprisonment of the ______.
- Prime Minister
- Vice President
- President
- Chief Justice
Answer: President
Article 361: President (and Governors) enjoy immunity: (a) no criminal proceedings during term, (b) no arrest/imprisonment, (c) civil proceedings allowed with 2-month notice. This ensures head of state can perform duties without harassment, but doesn't grant impunity post-tenure.
The President of India has no discretionary powers and must always act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
- True
- False
Answer: False
While Article 74(1) mandates President to act on Cabinet advice, Supreme Court in Shamsher Singh (1974) and subsequent cases recognized limited situational discretion: (a) appointing PM in hung parliament, (b) dismissing ministry losing majority, (c) dissolving Lok Sabha if no alternative government possible. These are 'constitutional necessities', not personal whims.
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 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 limits the total number of Ministers, including PM, to ______ percent of the total strength of Lok Sabha.
- 10
- 15
- 20
- 25
Answer: 15
Article 75(1A), inserted by 91st Amendment (2003): Council strength cannot exceed 15% of Lok Sabha strength (minimum 12 for small states). Also, defectors cannot be appointed ministers until re-elected or term ends. These curb horse-trading and excessive ministerial berths.
Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, which in effect means during the pleasure of the Prime Minister.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 75(2): Ministers hold office during pleasure of President. Since President acts on PM's advice (Article 74), this effectively means PM can dismiss any minister anytime. This ensures PM's authority over Council and enables reshuffles without constitutional amendment.
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 Prime Minister communicates to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to administration of Union affairs and proposals for ______.
- judicial appointments
- legislation
- international treaties
- financial audits
Answer: legislation
Article 78(a): PM communicates to President all Council decisions on Union administration and legislative proposals. Article 78(b) requires PM to furnish information called for by President. Article 78(c) allows President to refer matters for Council consideration. These ensure coordination between nominal and real executive.
The President must appoint the leader of the majority party in Lok Sabha as Prime Minister.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 75(1): President appoints PM, but Constitution doesn't mandate appointing majority leader. Convention dictates this, but in hung parliaments, President exercises discretion to appoint someone who can command majority support. This discretionary power was notably used in 1979, 1996, 1998, and 2014.
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.
The Vice President of India is elected by members of an Electoral College consisting of elected and nominated members of ______.
- Lok Sabha only
- Rajya Sabha only
- Both Houses of Parliament
- State Legislative Assemblies
Answer: Both Houses of Parliament
Article 66: Vice President is elected by members of both Houses of Parliament (elected + nominated) via proportional representation by single transferable vote. Unlike Presidential election, State Legislative Assembly members do not participate. VP serves as ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64).
The President's pardoning power under Article 72 extends to cases of punishment by court-martial.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 72 grants President power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, remissions, or suspend/remute sentences in three cases: (a) court-martial punishments, (b) offences against Union law, (c) death sentences. This is an executive check on judicial power, exercised on Cabinet advice.
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.