GK Questions

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polity hard fill_blank

In SR Bommai case (1994), the Supreme Court held that the President's satisfaction under Article 356 for imposing President's Rule must be based on ______ material and is subject to judicial review.

  1. subjective
  2. objective
  3. political
  4. confidential
polity hard true_false

During a National Emergency under Article 352, the Indian Constitution's federal structure temporarily acquires unitary features: Parliament can legislate on State List, Union executive can give directions to States, and financial relations tilt towards Centre.

  1. True
  2. False
polity hard mcq

Article 301 guarantees freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse throughout India, subject to Parliament's power under Article 302 to impose restrictions in public interest. Which restriction is explicitly prohibited by Article 303?

  1. Restrictions during National Emergency
  2. Discrimination between States by virtue of any entry in the Legislative Lists
  3. Restrictions on harmful goods
  4. Restrictions for national security
polity medium fill_blank

Under Article 275, Parliament can make grants-in-aid to States in need of assistance, charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, including specific grants for welfare of ______ and improvement of administration in certain States.

  1. religious minorities
  2. Scheduled Tribes
  3. urban populations
  4. industrial workers
polity hard true_false

The Fifth and Sixth Schedules provide special administrative arrangements for tribal areas, with Sixth Schedule areas (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram) having Autonomous District Councils with legislative, judicial, and administrative powers over local matters.

  1. True
  2. False
polity medium mcq

NITI Aayog promotes 'competitive federalism' through rankings like the Health Index and SDG Index, which aim to:

  1. Punish underperforming States by cutting funds
  2. Encourage States to improve governance through peer comparison and best practices sharing
  3. Centralize policy-making at Union level
  4. Eliminate State autonomy in social sectors
polity hard fill_blank

Under Article 249, Rajya Sabha can enable Parliament to legislate on a State List subject by passing a resolution with ______ majority declaring it expedient in national interest, valid for one year and renewable.

  1. simple
  2. two-thirds of members present and voting
  3. three-fourths
  4. unanimous
polity medium true_false

Unlike the United States where residuary powers rest with States, the Indian Constitution vests residuary powers (subjects not in any List) with the Union Parliament under Article 248.

  1. True
  2. False
polity hard mcq

Under Article 3, Parliament can form new States or alter boundaries of existing States. Which procedural safeguard ensures federal consultation in this process?

  1. Supreme Court approval before Bill introduction
  2. Referendum in affected State(s)
  3. Referral to affected State Legislature(s) for expressing views
  4. Unanimous consent of all State Legislatures
polity medium fill_blank

Zonal Councils, established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (not Constitution), are chaired by the ______ and include Chief Ministers of member States to promote inter-State cooperation on economic, social, and border issues.

  1. Prime Minister
  2. Union Home Minister
  3. Chief Justice
  4. Finance Minister
polity medium true_false

All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFoS) officers are recruited by the Union (UPSC) but serve in State cadres under State control, with disciplinary matters requiring consultation between State and Union governments.

  1. True
  2. False
polity hard mcq

The Official Languages Act, 1963 and subsequent amendments reflect India's approach to linguistic federalism by:

  1. Imposing Hindi as sole official language nationwide
  2. Allowing English to continue indefinitely alongside Hindi for Union purposes while States adopt their own official languages
  3. Prohibiting use of regional languages in government offices
  4. Requiring all States to use Hindi for inter-State communication
polity medium fill_blank

The Inter-State Council, established under Article 263 in 1990, is chaired by the ______ and includes Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories with legislatures as members.

  1. Vice President
  2. Prime Minister
  3. Chief Justice of India
  4. Home Minister
polity medium true_false

The Seventh Schedule's three Lists (Union, State, Concurrent) allow Parliament to legislate on State List subjects during a National Emergency under Article 250, temporarily converting India's federal structure into a unitary one.

  1. True
  2. False
polity hard mcq

In SR Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court laid down guidelines to prevent misuse of President's Rule under Article 356. Which of the following is NOT a guideline from this judgment?

  1. Floor test is primary method to test majority in Assembly
  2. Secularism is part of basic structure; violation can justify President's Rule
  3. President's Rule proclamation is subject to judicial review
  4. Governor's report is final and cannot be questioned in court
polity medium fill_blank

The 15th Finance Commission (2020-25) recommended ______ percent vertical devolution of Union tax revenues to States, using criteria like population (1971/2011), area, forest cover, income distance, and demographic performance.

  1. 32%
  2. 41%
  3. 45%
  4. 50%
polity medium true_false

Unlike the Planning Commission which allocated funds to States, NITI Aayog functions as a think tank and platform for cooperative federalism without direct fund allocation powers.

  1. True
  2. False
polity hard mcq

In the Kerala Governor case (2023), the Supreme Court reiterated that Governors must act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers except in limited discretionary situations. Which of the following is a valid discretionary power of the Governor?

  1. Withholding assent to Bills indefinitely for political reasons
  2. Appointing Chief Minister in a hung Assembly
  3. Delaying summoning of Assembly sessions arbitrarily
  4. Reserving all Bills for President without justification
polity hard fill_blank

The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award (2007, modified 2018) allocated water shares among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, and its implementation is monitored by the ______ established under the Inter-State Water Disputes Act.

  1. Supreme Court
  2. Cauvery Water Management Authority
  3. Finance Commission
  4. NITI Aayog
polity medium true_false

The GST Council's decision-making requires a 3/4th majority with weighted votes (Union 1/3, States 2/3), ensuring neither Centre nor States can dominate fiscal policy decisions.

  1. True
  2. False