Polity – Medium Level – GK Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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 (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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.