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Reservation of seats for women in Municipalities is mandatory at not less than one-third, including within SC/ST reservations, similar to Panchayats.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 243T: Reservation in Municipalities mirrors Panchayats: (a) SCs/STs in proportion to population, (b) Not less than 1/3 for women (including within SC/ST quotas), (c) States may reserve for OBCs. Chairperson positions also reserved. Has significantly increased women's representation in urban local governance.
Gram Sabha, comprising all registered voters in a village, is the foundation of Panchayati Raj system and exercises powers as determined by State Legislature.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 243A: Gram Sabha (village assembly of registered voters) is basic unit of direct democracy. Powers/functions determined by State Legislature: approving plans, budgets, selecting beneficiaries, social audit, etc. Empowers citizens to participate directly in local governance, ensuring accountability of elected representatives.
The State Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of High Court.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 243K(2): State Election Commissioner's removal conditions same as High Court Judge (Article 217): by Presidential order after Parliament address with special majority. Ensures independence of State Election Commission from State executive, enabling impartial conduct of local elections. Critical for democratic decentralization.
The 73rd Amendment mandates a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in all States, regardless of population size.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 243B: Three-tier system (Village, Block, District Panchayats) mandated only for States with population exceeding 20 lakhs. Smaller States may have two-tier system. This flexibility accommodates administrative feasibility while promoting decentralization. All States now have PRIs, but structure varies.
The Indian Constitution is described as 'federal with a strong unitary bias' because it contains more unitary features than federal features.
- True
- False
Answer: False
India has both federal (written Constitution, division of powers, independent judiciary, bicameralism) and unitary features (single citizenship, strong Centre, All India Services, emergency provisions, Governor's role, integrated judiciary, Parliament's power to reorganize States). 'Unitary bias' means Centre has overriding powers in crises, not that unitary features outnumber federal ones. Balance tilts to Centre for national unity.
NITI Aayog, which replaced Planning Commission, promotes cooperative federalism by including all State Chief Ministers in its Governing Council.
- True
- False
Answer: True
NITI Aayog (2015): Governing Council comprises PM (Chairperson), all CMs, UT Lt. Governors. Unlike Planning Commission's top-down approach, NITI Aayog emphasizes 'Team India' with States as partners. Has no constitutional status but institutionalizes cooperative federalism through policy dialogue, best practices sharing, and competitive federalism rankings.
The Governor acts as a vital link between Union and State governments in India's federal structure.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Governor (appointed by President) performs dual role: (a) Constitutional head of State executive, (b) Agent of Union for reporting State affairs to President (Article 356). This dual role can create tension but is designed to maintain federal balance. Sarkaria Commission recommended Governors act impartially, not as Union agents.
The imposition of President's Rule under Article 356 suspends the State Legislature but not the State Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 356: President's Rule suspends State Council of Ministers and Legislative Assembly; Governor administers State on behalf of President. However, State Constitution (as part of Indian Constitution) remains operative. Parliament legislates on State List for that State. SR Bommai case (1994) made imposition subject to judicial review.
During a National Emergency under Article 352, the Union can give executive directions to States on any matter, effectively converting federal structure into unitary.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 353(b): During National Emergency, Union executive power extends to giving directions to any State on 'manner of exercise' of its executive power. Article 256-257 already allow Union directions; Emergency expands this. Combined with Parliament's power to legislate on State List (Article 250), federal structure temporarily becomes unitary. Restored post-Emergency.
The Finance Commission is a constitutional body constituted every 5 years to recommend distribution of tax revenues between Centre and States.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 280: President constitutes Finance Commission every 5 years (or earlier) comprising Chairman + 4 members. Recommendations cover: (a) tax devolution between Centre-States, (b) grants-in-aid to States, (c) augmenting State Panchayat/Municipality funds. 15th FC (2020-25) recommended 41% vertical devolution to States.
All India Services like IAS and IPS are controlled exclusively by the Union Government.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 312: All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFoS) are created by Parliament but serve under both Union and States. Officers are recruited/trained by Union (UPSC) but serve in State cadres under State control. Disciplinary control is shared: State initiates, but major penalties require Union consultation. Balances federal needs with national standards.
Residuary powers (subjects not mentioned in any List) are vested with the States in the Indian Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 248: Residuary powers are vested with Parliament (Union), not States. This includes power to make laws on any matter not enumerated in Concurrent or State List, including power to impose taxes not mentioned in either List. This gives Indian federalism a strong unitary bias, unlike USA where residuary powers rest with States.
The Right to Privacy is explicitly mentioned as a Fundamental Right in the text of the Indian Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
The Right to Privacy is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution's text. However, in the landmark Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India case (2017), a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously held that Right to Privacy is an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty under Article 21, and thus a Fundamental Right.
The Supreme Court can review its own judgments under Article 137.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 137 empowers the Supreme Court to review any judgment pronounced or order made by it, subject to provisions of any law made by Parliament or rules made under Article 145. This review jurisdiction is exercised by a bench of the same or larger strength, typically to correct patent errors or address new evidence.
The Directive Principles of State Policy were inspired by the Irish Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) were indeed borrowed from the Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann), which itself was influenced by Spanish constitutional principles. The Indian Constitution adapted these principles to suit India's socio-economic context and development goals.
All constitutional amendments require ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Only amendments that affect federal structure or State interests (e.g., election of President, extent of executive power of Union/States, Supreme Court/High Courts, distribution of legislative powers, representation of States in Parliament, Article 368 itself) require ratification by at least half of State Legislatures. Other amendments need only special majority in Parliament.
The Parliament can make laws on a subject in the State List if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority declaring it expedient in the national interest.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Under Article 249, if Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting that it is expedient in the national interest for Parliament to legislate on a State List subject, Parliament can make laws on that subject. Such a resolution remains in force for one year but can be renewed. This provision balances federalism with national needs.
The Supreme Court of India has the power of judicial review over constitutional amendments.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Following the Kesavananda Bharati judgment (1973) and subsequent cases like Minerva Mills (1980), the Supreme Court has the power of judicial review over constitutional amendments. It can strike down amendments that violate the 'basic structure' of the Constitution, even if passed with the required majority under Article 368.
Fundamental Rights under the Indian Constitution are absolute and cannot be restricted under any circumstances.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Fundamental Rights are not absolute. Most rights can be restricted by the State under reasonable restrictions specified in the Constitution itself (e.g., Article 19 allows restrictions on freedom of speech in interests of sovereignty, security, public order, etc.). Some rights can also be suspended during a National Emergency (except Articles 20 and 21).
The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and cannot be dissolved.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Rajya Sabha is a permanent House under Article 83; it is not subject to dissolution. However, one-third of its members retire every two years, and fresh elections are held for those seats. This ensures continuity in the Upper House while allowing periodic renewal of membership.