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Generate QuizPolity – Medium Level – GK Questions
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Under Article 351, it is the duty of the Union to promote the spread of Hindi and develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for which elements of Indian culture?
- Only North Indian culture
- Composite culture of India
- Only Hindi-speaking States
- Only literary elements
Answer: Composite culture of India
Article 351: Union duty to promote Hindi development to serve as medium of expression for composite culture of India; secure richness by assimilating elements from Hindustani and other Eighth Schedule languages; draw vocabulary primarily from Sanskrit, secondarily from other languages. Balances Hindi promotion with linguistic diversity and cultural synthesis.
Article 371 contains special provisions for certain States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Karnataka.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 371 (and clauses 371A-J): Special provisions for 11 States addressing: (a) Regional development (Maharashtra, Gujarat), (b) Tribal protection (Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh), (c) Cultural autonomy (Manipur, Sikkim), (d) Administrative flexibility (Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa). Reflects Constitution's flexibility to accommodate regional diversity within unified framework.
The Official Languages Act, ______ extended the use of English indefinitely for official purposes of Union alongside Hindi.
- 1950
- 1963
- 1976
- 1992
Answer: 1963
Official Languages Act, 1963: Provided for continued use of English for official Union purposes indefinitely, alongside Hindi. Section 3: English may be used for transactions between Union and States, or between States. Section 6: Hindi to be progressively used for Union official purposes. Pragmatic solution to linguistic diversity while promoting Hindi.
Article 348 mandates that all proceedings in Supreme Court and High Courts shall be in English until Parliament otherwise provides by law.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 348(1)(a): Proceedings in SC and HCs shall be in English. Article 348(2): Governor may authorize use of Hindi/State language in HC proceedings with President's consent, but judgments/decrees/orders must be in English. Some States (e.g., UP, MP, Bihar) have authorized Hindi in subordinate courts. Balances access to justice with legal precision.
Under Article 120, business in Parliament may be transacted in Hindi or English, and members may address the House in any language included in the ______ Schedule with presiding officer's permission.
- 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. Similar provision for State Legislatures under Article 210. Ensures linguistic diversity in legislative proceedings while maintaining efficiency through common official languages.
Under Article 345, a State Legislature may adopt any language in use in the State or ______ as the official language of that State.
- English
- Hindi
- Sanskrit
- any Eighth Schedule language
Answer: Hindi
Article 345: State Legislature may adopt: (a) any language in use in State, OR (b) Hindi, as official language(s). Subject to Article 346 (language for communication between States/with Union) and Article 347 (President's direction for recognition of language). Balances State linguistic autonomy with national integration needs.
The Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates during elections is enforced by the Election Commission under its plenary powers under Article ______ of the Constitution.
- 324
- 325
- 326
- 327
Answer: 324
Article 324(1): EC has superintendence, direction and control of elections. MCC, though not statutory, is enforced by EC under this plenary power. Violations can lead to: censure, campaign ban, derecognition, filing of FIR. Supreme Court has upheld EC's power to enforce MCC as part of 'direction and control' of elections, ensuring free and fair polls.
The Election Commission can derecognize a political party if it fails to conduct organizational elections or submit audited accounts as required.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Election Symbols Order: ECI can derecognize party for: (a) Failure to conduct organizational elections, (b) Non-submission of audited accounts, (c) Violation of model code of conduct, (d) Engaging in activities prejudicial to sovereignty/integrity of India. Derecognition leads to loss of reserved symbol and other benefits. Ensures accountability of recognized parties.
Under Section 29B of Representation of People Act, 1951, political parties can accept donations from individuals and companies, but donations above ______ must be disclosed to the Election Commission.
- ₹10,000
- ₹20,000
- ₹50,000
- ₹1,00,000
Answer: ₹20,000
Section 29B, R.P. Act: Political parties can accept donations; donations above ₹20,000 must be reported to ECI with donor details. Electoral Bonds Scheme (2018-2024) allowed anonymous donations via banks, but Supreme Court struck it down in 2024 (Association for Democratic Reforms case) citing transparency and right to information. Ongoing debate on political funding reforms.
Upon disqualification under Tenth Schedule, the member ceases to be a member of the House and is also barred from being appointed as a ______ until re-election or expiry of term.
- Governor
- Minister
- Speaker
- Committee Chairman
Answer: Minister
Article 75(1B)/164(1B), inserted by 91st Amendment (2003): Person disqualified under Tenth Schedule cannot be appointed as Minister (Union or State) until re-elected or expiry of term, whichever earlier. Prevents reward of defectors with ministerial berths, strengthening anti-defection law's deterrent effect. Applies to CM, PM, and all ministers.
The Election Commission of India recognizes political parties as either 'National Parties' or 'State Parties' based on electoral performance criteria.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968: ECI recognizes parties as: (a) National Party: meets criteria in 6+ States (e.g., 6% votes + 4 LS seats in 4+ States, or 2% LS seats in 3+ States), (b) State Party: meets criteria in that State. Recognition grants benefits: reserved symbol, broadcast time, campaign advantages. Criteria revised periodically.
Under the Tenth Schedule, questions of disqualification on grounds of defection are decided by the ______ of the House.
- Chief Justice
- President/Governor
- Speaker/Chairman
- Election Commission
Answer: Speaker/Chairman
Paragraph 6(1) of Tenth Schedule: Speaker of Lok Sabha/State Assembly or Chairman of Rajya Sabha/State Council decides disqualification petitions. Their decision is subject to judicial review (Kihoto Hollohan case, 1992). Controversy exists over Speaker's impartiality when belonging to ruling party; reforms debated to transfer power to independent tribunal.
A nominated member of a House is disqualified under Tenth Schedule if they join any political party after the expiry of ______ months from the date on which they take their seat.
- 3
- 6
- 9
- 12
Answer: 6
Paragraph 2(3) of Tenth Schedule: Nominated members can join a political party within 6 months of taking seat without disqualification. After 6 months, joining any party leads to disqualification. Rationale: Allows nominated members time to align with political groups while preventing opportunistic late affiliations. Applies to Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Council nominated members.
An independent member elected to legislature is disqualified if they join any political party after election.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Paragraph 2(2) of Tenth Schedule: Independent member (elected without party symbol) is disqualified if they join any political party after election. Rationale: Voters elected them as independent; joining party post-election betrays electoral mandate. However, they can support a party without joining it, though this may have political consequences.
Under Paragraph 2(1)(b) of Tenth Schedule, a member is disqualified if they vote or abstain from voting contrary to the ______ issued by their party, without prior permission.
- notice
- whip
- directive
- order
Answer: whip
Paragraph 2(1)(b): Member disqualified if they vote/abstain contrary to party whip without prior permission, and such act is not condoned by party within 15 days. Whip is formal direction on voting. Exception: If vote/abstention relates to motion of no-confidence, confidence, money bill, or constitutional amendment, whip violation doesn't lead to disqualification (91st Amendment).
Under the Tenth Schedule, a member is disqualified if they voluntarily give up membership of the political party on whose ticket they were elected.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Paragraph 2(1)(a) of Tenth Schedule: A member is disqualified if they voluntarily give up membership of political party on whose ticket they were elected. 'Voluntarily giving up' includes actions showing resignation from party even without formal letter (Kihoto Hollohan case). Prevents opportunistic defections for personal gain.
The GST Council is an example of cooperative federalism where both Union and States participate in decision-making on indirect taxation.
- True
- False
Answer: True
GST Council (Article 279A): Chaired by Union Finance Minister; members include Union Minister of State for Finance + State Finance Ministers. Decisions by 3/4 majority: Centre has 1/3 vote weight, States collectively 2/3. Enables consensus-based decisions on GST rates, exemptions, thresholds. Exemplifies cooperative federalism: shared sovereignty in fiscal policy for 'One Nation, One Tax'.
NITI Aayog, which replaced the Planning Commission in 2015, is a constitutional body established under Article 263.
- True
- False
Answer: False
NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India): Established by executive resolution (2015), NOT constitutional body. Governing Council comprises PM + all CMs + UT Lt. Governors. Promotes cooperative federalism through policy dialogue, best practices sharing, competitive federalism rankings. Unlike Planning Commission's top-down approach, emphasizes 'Team India' with States as partners.
Under Article 3, Parliament can form new States or alter boundaries of existing States, but must first refer the proposal to the affected State Legislature(s) for expressing views within a period specified by the ______.
- Supreme Court
- President
- Prime Minister
- Speaker
Answer: President
Article 3 procedure: (a) Bill introduced in Parliament only on President's recommendation, (b) President refers bill to affected State Legislature(s) for views within specified period, (c) Parliament not bound by State views. Ensures federal consultation while preserving Union's power to reorganize States for administrative efficiency, linguistic considerations, or developmental needs.
Under Article 345, a State Legislature may adopt any language(s) in use in the State or ______ as the official language(s) of that State.
- English
- Hindi
- Sanskrit
- any language included in Eighth Schedule
Answer: Hindi
Article 345: State Legislature may adopt: (a) any language in use in State, OR (b) Hindi, as official language(s). Subject to Article 346 (language for communication between States/with Union) and Article 347 (President's direction for recognition of language). Balances State linguistic autonomy with national integration needs.