Create a custom practice set
Pick category, difficulty, number of questions, and time limit. Start instantly with your own quiz.
Generate QuizPolity – Easy Level – GK Questions
Free practice for SSC, UPSC, Banking & Railway exams. No login required.
The procedure for amendment of the Constitution requiring special majority was borrowed from which country?
- South Africa
- Russia
- Japan
- France
Answer: South Africa
From South Africa, India borrowed: (a) Procedure for constitutional amendment requiring special majority (Article 368), (b) Election of Rajya Sabha members by proportional representation. Indian amendment procedure: (a) Most provisions: Special majority in Parliament (majority of total membership + 2/3 present and voting), (b) Federal provisions: Additionally ratified by half of State Legislatures. Balances flexibility with protection of core values.
Which feature of the Indian Constitution was borrowed from the United Kingdom?
- Fundamental Rights
- Parliamentary system of government
- Federal structure
- Judicial review
Answer: Parliamentary system of government
India adopted the Parliamentary system (Westminster model) from the UK, featuring: (a) Nominal head (President/Queen) and real executive (PM/Council of Ministers), (b) Collective responsibility of Council to Lok Sabha, (c) Prime Minister as leader of majority party, (d) Bicameral legislature. However, India has a written Constitution and federal structure, unlike UK's unwritten Constitution and unitary system.
The Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme was launched by the Election Commission to increase ______ among citizens.
- voter turnout
- political awareness
- candidate scrutiny
- party membership
Answer: voter turnout
SVEEP launched by ECI in 2009: Multi-pronged strategy to educate voters, build awareness about electoral process, encourage participation. Activities: (a) Voter awareness campaigns, (b) School/college programmes, (c) Media outreach, (d) Collaboration with civil society. Contributed to increased voter turnout, especially among women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were first used in Indian elections on an experimental basis in the ______ Assembly constituency in Kerala in 1982.
- Paravur
- Kottayam
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Ernakulam
Answer: Paravur
EVMs first used experimentally in Paravur Assembly constituency (Kerala) in 1982 by-election. Gradually expanded; used nationwide from 2004 general elections. Features: (a) Reduces bogus voting, (b) Faster counting, (c) Cost-effective. VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) added from 2013 for transparency; now used in all constituencies for verification.
Article 326 guarantees elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies on the basis of universal adult suffrage for citizens aged 18 years and above.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 326: Elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies shall be on basis of adult suffrage: every citizen aged 18+ years (reduced from 21 by 61st Amendment, 1988) not disqualified under Constitution or law on grounds of non-residence, unsound mind, crime, or corrupt/illegal practice, is entitled to be registered as voter. Foundation of representative democracy in India.
The Election Commission of India is established under which Article of the Constitution?
- Article 324
- Article 325
- Article 326
- Article 327
Answer: Article 324
Article 324(1): Superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and offices of President and Vice President is vested in the Election Commission. EC is an independent constitutional authority with plenary powers over electoral process, ensuring free and fair elections as foundation of Indian democracy.
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 operationalizes which Constitutional provision?
- Article 45
- Article 21A
- Article 41
- Article 46
Answer: Article 21A
Article 21A (inserted by 86th Amendment, 2002): 'The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine.' RTE Act, 2009 operationalizes this Fundamental Right: mandates 25% reservation in private schools for EWS, prohibits screening/capitation fees, sets teacher-student ratios, infrastructure norms. Makes education justiciable right for children 6-14 years.
Under the RTI Act, 2005, the Public Information Officer must provide information within ______ days of receipt of request, or 48 hours if concerning life/liberty.
- 15
- 30
- 45
- 60
Answer: 30
RTI Act, Section 7(1): PIO must provide information within 30 days of request. Section 7(1) proviso: If information concerns life/liberty, must be provided within 48 hours. Section 7(3): If request transferred to another public authority, 30 days computed from receipt by transferee. Time-bound response ensures prompt access to information; penalties for delay promote accountability of public authorities.
The concept of Citizen's Charter in India was first introduced based on recommendations of which committee?
- Santhanam Committee
- Second Administrative Reforms Commission
- Sarkaria Commission
- Punchhi Commission
Answer: Second Administrative Reforms Commission
Citizen's Charter initiative launched in 1997 based on Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) recommendations. Charter sets standards of service delivery, timeframes, grievance redressal mechanisms for public services. Not legally enforceable but promotes accountability. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) coordinates implementation. Part of broader good governance reforms to make administration citizen-centric.
The Right to Information Act, 2005 applies to which of the following?
- Only Union Government bodies
- Only State Government bodies
- All public authorities as defined in the Act
- Only constitutional bodies
Answer: All public authorities as defined in the Act
RTI Act, 2005: Applies to all 'public authorities' defined as: (a) Bodies constituted under Constitution/Parliament/State Legislature law, (b) Bodies owned/controlled/substantially financed by government, (c) NGOs substantially financed by government. Enables citizens to seek information from executive, legislature, judiciary, PSUs, local bodies. Foundation of transparency and accountability in governance.
The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 is associated with:
- Right to Education
- Goods and Services Tax
- Panchayati Raj
- Anti-Defection Law
Answer: Right to Education
The 86th Amendment Act, 2002: (1) Added Article 21A making education a Fundamental Right for children 6-14 years, (2) Added Directive Principle Article 45 for early childhood care, (3) Added Fundamental Duty Article 51A(k) for parents to provide education opportunities. This amendment operationalized the constitutional commitment to universal elementary education.
The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 was enacted primarily to:
- Introduce GST
- Reverse excesses of the 1975 Emergency
- Implement Panchayati Raj
- Add Fundamental Duties
Answer: Reverse excesses of the 1975 Emergency
The 44th Amendment Act, 1978 was passed by the Janata Party government to undo authoritarian changes made during the 1975-77 Emergency. Key reversals: (1) Restored judicial review of emergency proclamations, (2) Made 'armed rebellion' (not 'internal disturbance') the ground for National Emergency, (3) Protected Articles 20-21 from suspension during Emergency, (4) Restored Parliament's term to 5 years.
A 'Cut Motion' in Parliament can be moved during the discussion on Demands for Grants to reduce the amount of a demand by ______.
Answer: Rs. 100
Cut Motions (Rule 173 of Lok Sabha Rules) allow MPs to reduce a Demand for Grants by Rs. 100 to express disapproval of policy, economy, or specific grievances. Types: Policy Cut (oppose policy), Economy Cut (reduce expenditure), Token Cut (specific grievance). While rarely passed, they enable legislative scrutiny of executive spending.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in India through which Constitutional Amendment?
- 100th Amendment
- 101st Amendment
- 102nd Amendment
- 103rd Amendment
Answer: 101st Amendment
The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST), subsuming multiple central and state indirect taxes. It added Article 246A (concurrent power to levy GST), Article 269A (IGST on inter-state trade), and established the GST Council under Article 279A for cooperative federalism in tax administration.
Article 395 repeals the ______ and the Indian Independence Act, 1947, marking the complete transition to constitutional sovereignty.
- Government of India Act, 1919
- Government of India Act, 1935
- Indian Councils Act, 1909
- Regulating Act, 1773
Answer: Government of India Act, 1935
Article 395: Repeals Government of India Act, 1935 and Indian Independence Act, 1947. Subject to Articles 392 (transitional provisions) and 393-394 (succession to rights/liabilities). Marks legal break from colonial framework; Constitution becomes supreme law. However, many administrative structures, legal principles from 1935 Act continue by adoption, ensuring continuity amid constitutional transformation.
The forms of oaths or affirmations for various constitutional functionaries are prescribed in the Third Schedule of the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Third Schedule: Contains forms of oaths/affirmations for: (a) Union/State Ministers, (b) Parliament/State Legislature members, (c) Judges of SC/HCs, (d) CAG, (e) Election Commissioners. Oath includes: bear true faith to Constitution, uphold sovereignty/integrity of India, faithfully discharge duties. Formalizes constitutional commitment and ethical obligations of public office holders.
Article 330 provides for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the ______.
- Rajya Sabha
- Lok Sabha
- State Legislative Councils
- Local Bodies
Answer: Lok Sabha
Article 330: Reservation of seats for SCs/STs in Lok Sabha in proportion to their population in each State. Article 332 provides similar reservation in State Legislative Assemblies. Originally for 10 years (Article 334), extended repeatedly via constitutional amendments; currently extended till 2030 by 104th Amendment (2019). Ensures political representation of marginalized communities.
September 14 is celebrated as Hindi Diwas in India because on this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly adopted Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.
- True
- False
Answer: True
September 14, 1949: Constituent Assembly adopted Hindi in Devanagari script as official language (later incorporated as Article 343). Celebrated as Hindi Diwas to promote Hindi while respecting linguistic diversity. Government organizes events, awards for Hindi promotion. Reflects constitutional commitment to Hindi development alongside multilingualism.
The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution originally contained 14 languages and now contains 22 languages.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Eighth Schedule originally had 14 languages (1950). Added through amendments: Sindhi (21st Amendment, 1967), Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali (71st Amendment, 1992), Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali (92nd Amendment, 2003). Total now 22 languages. Inclusion grants recognition, representation on Official Language Commission, and use in education/administration.
Article 343 of the Indian Constitution declares which language in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union?
- English
- Hindi
- Sanskrit
- Urdu
Answer: Hindi
Article 343(1): Official language of Union is Hindi in Devanagari script. International form of Indian numerals to be used for official purposes. However, Article 343(2) allowed English to continue for 15 years (till 1965) for official Union purposes. Official Languages Act, 1963 extended English indefinitely alongside Hindi for practical administration.