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The Governor of a State is appointed by which authority?
- Chief Minister of the State
- President of India
- Prime Minister of India
- Chief Justice of India
Answer: President of India
Article 155: Governor is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. Though appointed by President, Governor is not an employee of Union government. Conventionally, President consults State CM, but consultation is not mandatory as per Constitution.
Under which Article can Parliament legislate on a State List subject if Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by 2/3 majority declaring it expedient in national interest?
- Article 249
- Article 250
- Article 252
- Article 253
Answer: Article 249
Article 249: Rajya Sabha can pass resolution by 2/3 majority of members present and voting, declaring it expedient in national interest that Parliament should legislate on State List subject. Resolution valid for 1 year, renewable. Enables Union legislation on State subjects without Emergency, respecting federal flexibility.
Which committee of Parliament examines whether executive is properly using powers of delegated legislation?
- Estimates Committee
- Committee on Subordinate Legislation
- Public Accounts Committee
- Ethics Committee
Answer: Committee on Subordinate Legislation
Committee on Subordinate Legislation (1953) examines whether executive's rule-making powers (delegated by Parliament) are within constitutional limits, not usurping legislative functions, and conform to parent Act. Ensures executive doesn't overreach while implementing laws. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have separate committees.
Constitutional Amendment Bills under Article 368 require special majority in Parliament. What does 'special majority' mean?
- Simple majority of members present and voting
- Majority of total membership and 2/3 of members present and voting
- Unanimous approval of both Houses
- Approval by half of State Legislatures
Answer: Majority of total membership and 2/3 of members present and voting
Article 368(2): Most Constitutional Amendments require: (a) majority of total membership of each House, AND (b) 2/3 majority of members present and voting. Some amendments (federal provisions) additionally require ratification by half of State Legislatures. This ensures broad consensus for constitutional changes.
Which Parliamentary Committee is known as the 'twin sister' of Estimates Committee?
- Public Accounts Committee
- Committee on Public Undertakings
- Department-related Standing Committees
- Business Advisory Committee
Answer: Committee on Public Undertakings
Committee on Public Undertakings (1964) examines reports of CAG on public sector undertakings, like Estimates Committee examines government expenditure estimates. Both are financial committees with Lok Sabha majority. PAC (oldest, 1921) audits post-expenditure; Estimates Committee examines pre-expenditure proposals.
Parliamentary privileges in India are derived from which source?
- Written Constitution only
- Conventions of British Parliament only
- Article 105 and laws made by Parliament
- Supreme Court judgments only
Answer: Article 105 and laws made by Parliament
Article 105: Powers, privileges, and immunities of Parliament and members are: (a) as defined by Parliament by law, or (b) until so defined, those of British House of Commons as on 26.01.1950. Privileges include freedom of speech in House, immunity from court proceedings for parliamentary acts, right to exclude strangers.
What is the quorum required to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament?
- One-tenth of total membership
- One-third of total membership
- One-half of total membership
- Two-thirds of total membership
Answer: One-tenth of total membership
Article 100(3): Quorum for either House is one-tenth of total membership (including presiding officer). If quorum lacking, presiding officer must adjourn House or suspend meeting. This ensures minimum participation for valid proceedings while preventing obstruction by absentees.
Which of the following subjects is NOT in the Union List (List I) of Seventh Schedule, on which Parliament has exclusive power to legislate?
- Defence
- Foreign Affairs
- Public Health
- Currency
Answer: Public Health
Seventh Schedule: Union List (97 subjects) includes defence, foreign affairs, currency, etc. Public Health is in State List (List II, Subject 6). Parliament can legislate on State List during Emergency (Article 250), if Rajya Sabha passes resolution (Article 249), or for implementing international agreements (Article 253).
What is the minimum age required to become a member of Lok Sabha?
- 21 years
- 25 years
- 30 years
- 35 years
Answer: 25 years
Article 84(b): Qualifications for Parliament membership: (a) citizen of India, (b) minimum age: 25 for Lok Sabha, 30 for Rajya Sabha, (c) other qualifications as per Parliament law. Age criteria ensure maturity while allowing youth participation in lower house.
The Parliament of India consists of the President and which two Houses?
- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly
- Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council
- Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad
Answer: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Article 79: Parliament comprises President, Lok Sabha (House of People), and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). President is integral part of Parliament: gives assent to bills, summons/prorogues sessions, addresses Houses. This tripartite structure ensures checks and balances in legislation.
Which of the following statements about President's executive powers is CORRECT?
- President can appoint Governors without any consultation
- All executive actions of Government of India are expressed to be taken in President's name
- President can remove Supreme Court judges on advice of PM
- President can declare war without Parliamentary approval
Answer: All executive actions of Government of India are expressed to be taken in President's name
Article 77(1): All executive actions of Union government are expressed to be taken in President's name. However, Article 74(1) mandates these actions be based on Cabinet advice. President cannot appoint Governors arbitrarily (consultation with State CM is convention), cannot remove SC judges (requires Parliamentary impeachment), and war declaration needs Parliamentary support for funding and legitimacy.
In case of vacancy in the office of President, who discharges President's functions until a new President is elected?
- Prime Minister
- Chief Justice of India
- Vice President
- Speaker of Lok Sabha
Answer: Vice President
Article 65: If President's office falls vacant due to death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, Vice President discharges functions. If VP office is also vacant, Chief Justice of India (or senior-most SC judge) acts as President. Election to fill vacancy must be held within 6 months.
The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio Chairman of which of the following bodies?
- Rajya Sabha
- NITI Aayog
- Finance Commission
- Election Commission
Answer: NITI Aayog
PM is ex-officio Chairman of NITI Aayog (replaced Planning Commission in 2015), Cabinet Committees, Nuclear Command Authority, and other key bodies. This centralizes policy coordination and strategic decision-making under PM's leadership, reflecting PM's primacy in Union executive.
Which Article of the Constitution provides for the appointment of Attorney General of India?
- Article 76
- Article 77
- Article 78
- Article 79
Answer: Article 76
Article 76: President appoints Attorney General (AG) who must be qualified to be Supreme Court judge. AG is highest law officer, advises government, represents Union in courts, has right to speak in Parliament but no vote. AG holds office during President's pleasure and can be removed anytime.
The principle of collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to Lok Sabha is enshrined in which Article?
- Article 74
- Article 75
- Article 76
- Article 77
Answer: Article 75
Article 75(3): Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha. This means: (a) Ministry falls if Lok Sabha passes no-confidence motion, (b) Ministers defend government policies jointly, (c) Resignation of PM dissolves entire Council. This is cornerstone of parliamentary democracy.
The Vice President of India can be removed from office by a resolution passed by which body?
- Lok Sabha only
- Rajya Sabha only
- Both Houses of Parliament
- Electoral College
Answer: Rajya Sabha only
Article 67(b): VP can be removed by Rajya Sabha passing a resolution by majority of all then-members, and agreed to by Lok Sabha. No impeachment process needed; simple majority suffices. Notice of at least 14 days must be given. This reflects VP's primary association with Rajya Sabha.
Which type of Emergency can be proclaimed by the President only on written recommendation of the Cabinet?
- National Emergency
- State Emergency
- Financial Emergency
- All of the above
Answer: All of the above
44th Amendment (1978) made it mandatory for President to act on written Cabinet advice for all three Emergencies: National (Article 352), State/President's Rule (Article 356), and Financial (Article 360). This curbed potential misuse and reinforced collective responsibility.
Which of the following appointments is NOT made by the President of India?
- Prime Minister
- Chief Justice of India
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Speaker of Lok Sabha
Answer: Speaker of Lok Sabha
Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected by members of Lok Sabha from amongst themselves (Article 93). President appoints PM (Article 75), CJI (Article 124), CEC (Article 324), Governors, Judges, etc. Understanding appointment authorities is crucial for Polity questions.
The President of India is elected by an Electoral College consisting of elected members of which bodies?
- Lok Sabha only
- Rajya Sabha only
- Both Houses of Parliament only
- Both Houses of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies
Answer: Both Houses of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies
Article 54: President is elected by an Electoral College comprising elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies. Nominated members of Parliament and State Legislatures, and members of Legislative Councils do not participate. The election follows proportional representation by single transferable vote.
In which case did the Supreme Court hold that Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights are complementary and supplementary to each other?
- Champakam Dorairajan case (1951)
- Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
- Minerva Mills case (1980)
- Indira Sawhney case (1992)
Answer: Minerva Mills case (1980)
In Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980), the Supreme Court held that the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of balance between Fundamental Rights (Part III) and Directive Principles (Part IV). Neither has primacy; they are complementary and supplementary, together forming the core of constitutional philosophy.