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The Official Languages Act, 1963 allows English to continue for official purposes of the Union indefinitely.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Official Languages Act, 1963 (amended in 1967) allows English to continue indefinitely for: (1) Official purposes of the Union, (2) Parliamentary proceedings, (3) Central-State and inter-State communication, (4) Competitive exams. This was a pragmatic solution to linguistic diversity, balancing Hindi promotion with administrative continuity.
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a constitutional body established under Article 338.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 338 establishes the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) as a constitutional body. The 89th Amendment Act, 2003 bifurcated the earlier combined commission into separate NCSC (Article 338) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST, Article 338A). Both have powers of a civil court for investigating safeguards implementation.
In the Navtej Singh Johar case (2018), the Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality by reading down Section 377 IPC, citing violation of Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21.
- True
- False
Answer: True
In Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018), a five-judge bench unanimously held that Section 377 IPC (criminalizing 'carnal intercourse against the order of nature') violated: Article 14 (equality), Article 15 (non-discrimination), Article 19 (freedom of expression), and Article 21 (privacy, dignity, autonomy). This landmark judgment affirmed LGBTQ+ rights as Fundamental Rights.
States in India can adopt their own official language(s) for state-level administration.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 345 empowers State Legislatures to adopt any language(s) in use in the State or Hindi as the official language for state-level administration. For example, Tamil Nadu uses Tamil, Kerala uses Malayalam, while some states like Karnataka use both Kannada and English. However, communication with the Union must be in Hindi or English (Article 346).
Epistolary jurisdiction allows the Supreme Court to treat letters as writ petitions in PIL cases.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Epistolary jurisdiction is a unique feature of Indian PIL where the Supreme Court/High Courts can treat letters, postcards, or newspaper reports as writ petitions if they reveal violations of fundamental rights of disadvantaged groups. This relaxes procedural formalities to enhance access to justice, pioneered in cases like Bandhua Mukti Morcha (1984).
The Right to Free Legal Aid is a Fundamental Right under Article 21 as interpreted by the Supreme Court.
- True
- False
Answer: True
In Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar (1979) and subsequent cases, the Supreme Court held that free legal aid to indigent accused is part of 'reasonable, fair, and just procedure' under Article 21. This was later codified in Article 39A (Directive Principle) and the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, establishing free legal aid infrastructure.
The Eighth Schedule originally contained 14 languages and now has 22 languages.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Eighth Schedule originally listed 14 languages in 1950. Through amendments: 71st (1992) added Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali; 92nd (2003) added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali; 96th (2011) replaced 'Oriya' with 'Odia'. Total now: 22 scheduled languages. These languages can be used in official communications and for competitive exams.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a constitutional body established under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
The NHRC is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, not a constitutional body. Constitutional bodies are explicitly created by the Constitution (e.g., Election Commission under Article 324). The NHRC investigates human rights violations but its recommendations are not binding, though they carry moral and political weight.
In the Kesavananda Bharati case, the Supreme Court held that Fundamental Rights can be amended by Parliament but not if it violates the 'basic structure' of the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) judgment established the 'Basic Structure Doctrine'. While Parliament can amend Fundamental Rights under Article 368, it cannot destroy or alter the Constitution's basic structure (e.g., supremacy of Constitution, secularism, federalism, judicial review, free and fair elections). This doctrine has been used to strike down several amendments.
English is the official language of India as per the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 343(1) declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union. English is an 'associate official language' for specific purposes under the Official Languages Act, 1963. The Constitution originally envisaged phasing out English by 1965, but parliamentary legislation extended its use indefinitely for certain official purposes.
The National Commission for Women is a constitutional body established under Article 338A of the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body, not constitutional. It was established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. Constitutional bodies are those explicitly mentioned in the Constitution (e.g., Election Commission, UPSC, Finance Commission). Article 338A actually establishes the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which was made constitutional by the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018.
In the Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India case (1978), the Supreme Court expanded the scope of Article 21 to include the 'right to live with human dignity'.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The landmark Maneka Gandhi case (1978) revolutionized Article 21 interpretation. The Supreme Court held that 'personal liberty' under Article 21 includes a wide range of rights making life meaningful, not just physical restraint. It established that any law depriving liberty must be 'fair, just, and reasonable', not merely procedurally valid.
Under Article 368, a Constitutional Amendment Bill must be passed by each House by special majority and, if affecting federal provisions, ratified by half of State Legislatures, but the President cannot return the Bill for reconsideration.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 368(2): Constitutional Amendment Bill passed by each House by special majority (majority of total membership + 2/3 present and voting). If affecting federal provisions, ratified by half of State Legislatures. President 'shall give assent' - no discretionary power to withhold assent or return for reconsideration. Ensures that once constitutional amendment procedure completed, it becomes law without executive veto, preserving parliamentary sovereignty in constitutional matters.
Article 371J, providing special provisions for Hyderabad-Karnataka region of Karnataka, was inserted by a constitutional amendment that received ratification from State Legislatures.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 371J was proposed via Constitution (118th Amendment) Bill, 2012 for Hyderabad-Karnataka region. However, Bill lapsed; provisions implemented via Presidential Order under existing Article 371(1) (not constitutional amendment). Since Article 371(1) doesn't affect federal structure, State ratification not required. Illustrates flexibility in addressing regional imbalances: constitutional amendment vs executive order based on subject matter.
Orders made by President under Article 392 to remove difficulties in implementing the Constitution could not be challenged in any court of law.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 392(2): Orders made by President under this Article shall have effect subject to provisions of Constitution and can be altered/amended by competent legislature/authority. Though Article 392 was temporary (3 years), such orders were subject to judicial review if violating constitutional provisions. Ensures executive power to remove difficulties doesn't override constitutional supremacy or fundamental rights.
Article 366 contains definitions of key terms used in the Constitution, such as 'Anglo-Indian', 'Article', 'Borrow', 'Clause', 'Federal Court', 'Goods and Services Tax', etc.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 366: Interpretation clause defining 31 terms used in Constitution: Anglo-Indian, Article, Borrow, Clause, Federal Court, Goods and Services Tax, Goods and Services Tax Council, India, Existing law, etc. Ensures uniform interpretation of constitutional provisions. Definitions can be amended by Parliament via ordinary law (not constitutional amendment) unless context otherwise requires.
The forms of oaths or affirmations for various constitutional functionaries are prescribed in the Third Schedule of the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Third Schedule: Contains forms of oaths/affirmations for: (a) Union/State Ministers, (b) Parliament/State Legislature members, (c) Judges of SC/HCs, (d) CAG, (e) Election Commissioners. Oath includes: bear true faith to Constitution, uphold sovereignty/integrity of India, faithfully discharge duties. Formalizes constitutional commitment and ethical obligations of public office holders.
The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 added Article 43B for promotion of co-operative societies and Part IXB for their regulation, but the Supreme Court struck down Part IXB as it related to State co-operative societies.
- True
- False
Answer: True
97th Amendment (2011): (a) Added Article 43B (DPSP) for voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control of co-operative societies, (b) Added Part IXB for constitutional framework for co-operatives. Supreme Court in Union of India v. Rajendra N. Shah (2021) struck down Part IXB as it related to State co-operatives (required State ratification under Article 368), upheld only for UTs and multi-State co-operatives. Illustrates federal amendment procedure constraints.
Under Article 350B, inserted by 7th Constitutional Amendment, 1956, a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities is appointed by the President to investigate matters relating to safeguards for linguistic minorities.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 350B: (1) Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities appointed by President, (2) Duty to investigate matters relating to safeguards for linguistic minorities under Constitution, (3) Report to President annually or as directed, (4) President lays reports before Parliament/State Legislatures. Currently, Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities functions under Ministry of Minority Affairs. Protects linguistic diversity post-State reorganisation.
Under Article 323A, Parliament can establish Administrative Tribunals for adjudication of disputes relating to recruitment and conditions of service of public servants, and such tribunals can exclude jurisdiction of all courts except Supreme Court under Article 136.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 323A (inserted by 42nd Amendment, 1976): Parliament may by law establish Administrative Tribunals for Union/State public service disputes. Such law can exclude jurisdiction of all courts except Supreme Court's special leave petition power under Article 136. Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 established CAT, SATs. L. Chandra Kumar case (1997) held tribunal decisions subject to HC/SC judicial review to protect basic structure.