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Generate QuizPolity – Medium Level – GK Questions
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The 'Guillotine' in Parliament refers to the closure of discussion on demands for grants and putting them to vote after the allotted time, as per Rule ______ of Lok Sabha Rules.
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).
The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 limits the size of the Council of Ministers to what percentage of the total strength of the Lok Sabha/State Assembly?
- 10%
- 15%
- 20%
- 25%
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.
Under Article 338, a National Commission for Scheduled Castes is constituted to investigate and monitor safeguards for SCs, and its report is laid before ______.
- President only
- Parliament only
- President and Parliament
- State Legislatures only
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.
Under Article 393, the Union of India succeeds to all property, assets, rights, liabilities, and obligations of the ______ immediately before the commencement of the Constitution.
- British Crown
- Dominion of India
- Provincial Governments
- Princely States
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.
Under Article 394, which Articles of the Constitution came into force immediately on 26th November 1949 (date of adoption)?
- All Articles
- Articles relating to Citizenship, Elections, Preliminary provisions
- Only Fundamental Rights
- Only Directive Principles
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.
Article 366 contains definitions of key terms used in the Constitution, such as 'Anglo-Indian', 'Article', 'Borrow', 'Clause', 'Federal Court', 'Goods and Services Tax', etc.
- True
- False
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.
Under Article 101(3), if a member of Parliament is absent from all meetings of the House for a period of ______ days without permission, their seat may be declared vacant.
- 30
- 60
- 90
- 120
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.
Under Article 102(1)(e), a person is disqualified for Parliament membership if they are so disqualified by or under any law made by ______.
- President
- Parliament
- Supreme Court
- Election Commission
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.
Under Article 344, the Official Language Commission's recommendations are examined by a Committee of Parliament consisting of 30 members, of which ______ are from Lok Sabha.
- 10
- 15
- 20
- 25
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.
Under Article 350B, inserted by 7th Constitutional Amendment, 1956, a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities is appointed by the President to investigate matters relating to safeguards for linguistic minorities.
- True
- False
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.
Article 331, which allowed President to nominate two members of Anglo-Indian community to Lok Sabha if not adequately represented, was omitted by which Constitutional Amendment?
- 103rd Amendment, 2019
- 104th Amendment, 2019
- 105th Amendment, 2021
- 106th Amendment, 2023
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.
Under Article 323A, Parliament can establish Administrative Tribunals for adjudication of disputes relating to recruitment and conditions of service of public servants, and such tribunals can exclude jurisdiction of all courts except Supreme Court under Article 136.
- True
- False
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.
Under Article 312, Parliament can create new All India Services if Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by what majority?
- Simple majority
- Majority of total membership
- Two-thirds of members present and voting
- Unanimous approval
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.
Under Article 29(1), any section of citizens residing in India having a distinct language, script, or culture has the right to ______ the same.
- promote
- conserve
- impose
- replace
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.
Which of the following languages was added to the Eighth Schedule most recently?
- Bodo
- Santhali
- Maithili
- All were added together in 2003
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.
Under Article 346, the language for communication between one State and another, or between a State and the Union, shall be ______, unless States agree to use Hindi.
- Hindi
- English
- Regional language
- Sanskrit
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.
Under Article 344, the President shall constitute a Official Language Commission after ______ years from commencement of Constitution and thereafter at 10-year intervals.
- 3
- 5
- 10
- 15
Answer: 5
Article 344(1): President to constitute Official Language Commission: (a) After 5 years from Constitution commencement (1955 Commission), (b) Thereafter at 10-year intervals. Commission examines: progress in Hindi use, restrictions on English, promotion of Hindi, representation of Eighth Schedule languages. Recommendations guide language policy evolution.
Under Article 348, authoritative texts of all Bills, Acts, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, and bye-laws at Union level shall be in English.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 348(1)(b): Authoritative texts of Union legislation/subordinate legislation shall be in English. Article 348(3): President may authorize authoritative Hindi translation of Acts, etc., but English text remains authoritative until Parliament otherwise provides. Ensures legal certainty and uniformity in interpretation while allowing progressive use of Hindi.
The Sixth Schedule provides for autonomous district councils and regional councils for administration of tribal areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and ______.
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Manipur
- Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: Mizoram
Sixth Schedule: Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Regional Councils for tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram. ADCs have legislative, judicial, administrative powers over: land, forests, agriculture, village administration, inheritance, marriage, social customs. Enables tribal self-governance while remaining within State/Union framework. Unique model of asymmetric federalism.
The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution contains provisions for administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes in States other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Fifth Schedule: Administration of scheduled areas/tribes in States except Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram (covered by Sixth Schedule). Provides for: (a) Tribal Advisory Councils, (b) Governor's special powers, (c) Restrictions on land transfer, (d) Customary law protection. PESA Act, 1996 extends Panchayati Raj to Fifth Schedule areas with tribal self-governance modifications.