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Generate QuizPolity – Medium Level – GK Questions
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Zonal Councils, which promote inter-State cooperation, were established by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, and are chaired by the ______.
- Prime Minister
- Home Minister
- Chief Justice
- Finance Minister
Answer: Home Minister
States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (not Constitution): Established five Zonal Councils (Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern). Each comprises: CMs of member States + 2 Ministers per State + Union Home Minister (Chairman). Advisory bodies promoting: economic/social planning, border disputes resolution, inter-State transport coordination. Complements constitutional federal mechanisms.
Under Article 270, taxes levied and collected by the Union but distributed between Union and States include income tax (excluding agricultural income tax) and ______.
- customs duty
- corporation tax
- excise duty on tobacco
- GST
Answer: corporation tax
Article 270: Taxes levied/collected by Union and distributed: (a) Income tax (excluding agricultural income), (b) Corporation tax. Distribution per Finance Commission recommendations (15th FC: 41% to States). Distinct from Article 268 (Union duties collected/appropriated by States) and Article 269 (Union taxes assigned to States). Complex fiscal federalism architecture.
The Inter-State Council, established under Article 263, is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories with legislatures, promoting ______ federalism.
- competitive
- cooperative
- fiscal
- administrative
Answer: cooperative
Article 263: President may establish Inter-State Council to: (a) inquire into and advise on disputes between States, (b) investigate subjects of common interest, (c) make policy recommendations. Established 1990; chaired by PM; members include CMs, UT Lt. Governors, Union Ministers. Institutionalizes dialogue and consensus-building in Centre-State relations.
Officers of All India Services like IAS and IPS are recruited by the Union but serve under the control of State Governments in State cadres.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 312: All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFoS) created by Parliament; recruited/trained by Union (UPSC); serve in State cadres under State control for day-to-day administration. Disciplinary control shared: State initiates proceedings, but major penalties require Union consultation. Balances national standards with State administrative autonomy; key feature of Indian federalism.
Under Article 256, States are obligated to exercise executive power to ensure compliance with laws made by Parliament. The Union can give directions to States for this purpose under which Article?
- Article 256 only
- Article 257 only
- Both Articles 256 and 257
- Article 258
Answer: Both Articles 256 and 257
Article 256: States must exercise executive power to ensure compliance with Parliament laws and existing laws; Union may give directions. Article 257: Extends to Union directions on matters like construction/maintenance of means of communication of national/military importance, protection of railways, etc. Ensures national policy implementation while respecting State executive domain.
In case of conflict between a Union law and a State law on a subject in the Concurrent List, which law prevails?
- State law always prevails
- Union law prevails unless State law has Presidential assent
- Older law prevails
- Law with more votes prevails
Answer: Union law prevails unless State law has Presidential assent
Article 254(1): In repugnancy between Union and State law on Concurrent List, Union law prevails. Exception under Article 254(2): If State law reserved for President's consideration and receives assent, it prevails in that State (but Parliament can still override by subsequent law). Balances Union supremacy with State flexibility.
While no specific limitation period is prescribed for writ petitions under Articles 32/226, courts may dismiss petitions on grounds of ______ if there is unreasonable delay without sufficient cause.
- res judicata
- laches
- estoppel
- acquiescence
Answer: laches
Doctrine of laches: Equitable principle that courts may refuse relief if petitioner delays unreasonably in filing petition, causing prejudice to respondent or public interest. Not a rigid rule; courts balance: (a) Nature of right violated, (b) Reason for delay, (c) Prejudice to parties, (d) Public interest. Ensures timely enforcement while accommodating genuine hardships.
While both Articles 32 and 226 empower courts to issue writs, Article 32 is a ______ Right whereas Article 226 is a constitutional power.
- Legal
- Constitutional
- Fundamental
- Natural
Answer: Fundamental
Key distinction: Article 32 is itself a Fundamental Right (Part III), making access to SC for FR enforcement a guaranteed right. Article 226 is a constitutional power (Part V) of High Courts, not a fundamental right. Thus, Parliament cannot curtail Article 32 by ordinary law, while Article 226 jurisdiction can be regulated by law (subject to basic structure).
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was developed by the Supreme Court through judicial innovation, relaxing the rule of ______ to allow public-spirited persons to file petitions for enforcement of rights of disadvantaged groups.
- stare decisis
- locus standi
- natural justice
- separation of powers
Answer: locus standi
PIL evolution: S.P. Gupta v. Union of India (1981): SC relaxed locus standi (personal injury requirement), allowing any citizen/public-spirited organization to file petition for enforcement of rights of persons unable to approach court due to poverty, ignorance, or social disadvantage. Transformed judicial role from dispute resolution to social justice delivery.
Under Article 226, High Courts can issue writs not only for enforcement of Fundamental Rights but also for enforcement of ______ rights.
- constitutional
- legal
- natural
- moral
Answer: legal
Article 226(1): HC can issue writs for: (a) enforcement of Fundamental Rights (like SC), OR (b) 'for any other purpose' i.e., enforcement of legal rights (statutory/common law rights). Thus, HC's writ jurisdiction is substantively wider. However, SC's jurisdiction is nationwide while HC's is territorial. Complementary roles in rights protection.
Writs under Article 32 can be issued against private individuals or bodies performing public functions.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Traditional view: Writs only against 'State' under Article 12. Expanded view (Pradeep Kumar Biswas case, 2002): Writs can issue against private bodies if: (a) Function is public in nature, (b) Body is financially/functionally controlled by State, (c) Instrumentality/agency of State. Ensures FR protection against privatized public functions.
The Supreme Court can issue writs under Article 32 for enforcement of Fundamental Rights:
- Only within Delhi
- Only within the State where cause of action arises
- Throughout the territory of India
- Only against Union Government authorities
Answer: Throughout the territory of India
Article 32(2): Supreme Court's writ jurisdiction extends throughout India. High Court's jurisdiction under Article 226 is limited to: (a) territories within its State, OR (b) cause of action arising within its territories even if respondent resides outside. SC's nationwide jurisdiction ensures uniform FR protection across country.
The writ of Quo Warranto ('by what authority') is issued to inquire into the legality of a person's claim to a ______ office.
- private
- public
- temporary
- contractual
Answer: public
Quo Warranto: Issued to restrain a person from acting in a public office to which they are not entitled. Conditions: (a) Office must be public and created by Constitution/statute, (b) Person must be asserting claim to office, (c) Claim must be without legal authority. Protects public from usurpers of official positions.
The writ of Mandamus ('we command') can be issued against which of the following?
- Private individuals
- President of India
- Public official failing to perform statutory duty
- Legislature making laws
Answer: Public official failing to perform statutory duty
Mandamus: Issued by higher court to lower court/tribunal/public authority to perform public duty imposed by law. Cannot be issued against: (a) private individuals/bodies, (b) President/Governors (constitutional heads), (c) Legislature (law-making), (d) discretionary duties. Ensures executive accountability for statutory obligations.
Under Article 226, High Courts can issue writs only for enforcement of Fundamental Rights, similar to Supreme Court under Article 32.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 226: High Courts can issue writs for: (a) enforcement of Fundamental Rights (like SC under Article 32), AND (b) 'for any other purpose' (enforcement of legal rights). Thus, HC's writ jurisdiction is wider substantively (FRs + legal rights) though territorially limited to State. SC's writ jurisdiction is nationwide but limited to FRs.
A Constitutional Amendment Bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament by a ______, and not by the President or through private members.
- Minister
- Member of Parliament
- Speaker
- Leader of Opposition
Answer: Minister
Article 368(1): Constitutional Amendment Bill can be introduced in either House only by a Minister (government bill), not by private member. Requires prior recommendation of President only for amendments affecting federal provisions (Article 368 proviso). Ensures executive responsibility for constitutional changes while allowing either House to initiate.
As of 2024, approximately how many Constitutional Amendment Acts have been passed by Parliament?
- Around 50
- Around 75
- Around 100
- Around 125
Answer: Around 100
As of 2024, over 105 Constitutional Amendment Acts have been enacted since 1950. First Amendment (1951) addressed land reforms and free speech restrictions; latest amendments address GST, EWS reservation, cooperative societies, etc. Reflects Constitution's flexibility to adapt to changing socio-economic-political needs while preserving core values.
The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 introduced ______ percent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in education and public employment, excluding SCs/STs/OBCs.
- 5
- 10
- 15
- 20
Answer: 10
103rd Amendment (2019): (a) Inserted Article 15(6) allowing State to make special provisions for EWS advancement in education, (b) Inserted Article 16(6) for EWS reservation in public employment. Provides 10% reservation for EWS among forward castes (excluding those covered under Articles 15(4), 15(5), 16(4)). Upheld by Supreme Court in Janhit Abhiyan case (2022) by 3:2 majority.
The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by inserting Article ______ for GST Council and amending Seventh Schedule.
- 246A
- 268A
- 279A
- 368A
Answer: 279A
101st Amendment (2016): (a) Inserted Article 246A giving Parliament/State Legislatures concurrent power to make GST laws, (b) Inserted Article 279A for GST Council (chaired by Union FM), (c) Amended Seventh Schedule (Union List, State List, Concurrent List) to subsume multiple indirect taxes. Landmark fiscal federalism reform creating 'One Nation, One Tax'.
The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 limits the size of Council of Ministers at Union and State levels to 15% of legislative house strength and bars defectors from being appointed ministers.
- True
- False
Answer: True
91st Amendment (2003): (a) Article 75(1A): Union Council max 15% of Lok Sabha strength (min 12), (b) Article 164(1A): Same limit for State Councils, (c) Article 75(1B)/164(1B): Defectors cannot be appointed ministers until re-elected or term ends. Curbs horse-trading, excessive ministerial berths, and political instability.