POST OFFICE REGULATIONS – 2024 -1

 General Knowledge - Indian Civics (Polity): Questions and Answers -1

1. On which date was the Constitution of India adopted by the Constituent Assembly? 

November 26, 1949. This date is celebrated as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas).

2. When did the Constitution of India come into force? 

January 26, 1950. This date is celebrated as Republic Day.

3. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution? 

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He is widely regarded as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.

4. How many schedules are there currently in the Constitution of India? 

12. Originally, there were 8 schedules. Four more have been added through amendments.

5. Which part of the Indian Constitution is known as the 'Soul of the Constitution'? 

Preamble. While Dr. B.R. Ambedkar referred to Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies) as the 'heart and soul', the Preamble is often generally called the 'Soul of the Constitution'.

6. Which fundamental right was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment Act? 

Right to Property. It was made a legal right under Article 300A.

7. Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the 'Right to Equality'? 

Articles 14-18. Specifically, Article 14 deals with "Equality before law and equal protection of laws."

8. What is the minimum age required to become the President of India? 

35 years. This is specified in Article 58 of the Constitution.

9. Who administers the oath of office to the President of India? 

Chief Justice of India. In his absence, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court administers the oath.

10. What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha (House of the People)? 

(currently). While the original strength could be up to 552 (530 from states, 20 from UTs, 2 nominated Anglo-Indians), the Anglo-Indian nomination was removed, making the effective maximum 550. Currently, there are 543 elected members.

11. What is the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)?

 250. 238 members represent states and UTs, and 12 are nominated by the President.

12. What is the term of office for a member of the Rajya Sabha? 

6 years. One-third of its members retire every two years.

13. Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha? 

Vice-President of India. The Vice-President holds this position automatically by virtue of office.

14. What is the minimum age required to become a member of the Lok Sabha? 

25 years. This criterion is specified for contesting elections to the Lok Sabha.

15. Who is considered the 'First Citizen of India'? 

The President of India. This is a customary title recognizing the head of state.

16. Which body conducts elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures in India? 

Election Commission of India. It is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes.

17. What is the retirement age of a Supreme Court judge? 65 years. 

This is the age until which a Supreme Court judge can hold office.

18. What is the retirement age of a High Court judge?

 62 years. This is the age until which a High Court judge can hold office.

19. What does 'PIL' stand for in the Indian judicial system? 

Public Interest Litigation. It allows individuals or groups to seek justice on behalf of the public interest.

20. Which article of the Constitution deals with the appointment of the Prime Minister and other ministers? 

Article 75. It states that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and other ministers shall be appointed by the President on the Prime Minister's advice.

21. Who is the head of the State Executive in a state? 

Governor. The Governor is the constitutional head of the state.

22. Who appoints the Chief Minister of a state? 

Governor. The Governor appoints the leader of the majority party in the state legislative assembly as Chief Minister.

23. Which schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the distribution of powers between the Union and the States? 

Seventh Schedule. It contains the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.

24. What is the minimum age for a person to be elected as a Sarpanch (head of a Gram Panchayat)? 

21 years. This is the minimum age for contesting local body elections.

25. Which Constitutional Amendment Act introduced the Panchayati Raj system in India? 

73rd Amendment Act, 1992. It added Part IX and the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution.

26. Which Constitutional Amendment Act introduced the Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities)? 

74th Amendment Act, 1992. It added Part IXA and the Twelfth Schedule to the Constitution.

27. How many fundamental duties are there in the Indian Constitution? 

11. Originally 10, the 11th duty was added by the 86th Amendment Act (2002).

28. Which part of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Duties? 

Part IVA. Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act.

29. What is the concept of 'Judicial Review' in the Indian Constitution derived from? 

USA (United States of America). India's system of judicial review is largely inspired by the American model.

30. The 'Directive Principles of State Policy' (DPSP) are borrowed from which country's constitution?

Ireland. The DPSP are guidelines to the state for promoting social and economic democracy.

31. Which article of the Constitution provides for the 'Right to Education'? 

Article 21A. It was added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002, making education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14.

32. The 'Preamble' of the Indian Constitution describes India as a: 

Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic. The terms Socialist and Secular were added by the 42nd Amendment.

33. How many types of emergencies are provided in the Indian Constitution? 

Three. National Emergency (Article 352), State Emergency/President's Rule (Article 356), and Financial Emergency (Article 360).

34. Who can declare a 'Financial Emergency' in India? 

President of India. This is done if the financial stability or credit of India is threatened.

35. What is the term of office for the President of India? 

5 years. The President can be re-elected for multiple terms.

36. Who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces? 

President of India. This is a constitutional role.

37. A money bill can only be introduced in which house of the Parliament? 

Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has limited powers regarding money bills.

38. The power to amend the Constitution of India is vested with:
Parliament of India. This power is exercised through special procedures laid out in Article 368

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39. Which article of the Constitution deals with 'Constitutional Amendments'? 

Article 368. This article outlines the procedure for amending the Constitution.

40. What is the concept of 'Double Jeopardy' as per the Indian Constitution? 

No person shall be prosecuted and punished for the same offence more than once (Article 20(2)). It protects individuals from being tried and punished twice for the same crime.

41. Who is the Chief legal advisor to the Government of India? 

Attorney General of India. The Attorney General is appointed by the President and is the highest law officer in the country.

42. What is the primary function of the 'Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India'? 

To audit the accounts of the Union and State governments. The CAG ensures public money is spent effectively and legally.

43. Which constitutional body is responsible for ensuring free and fair elections in India?

 Election Commission of India. It is an independent body established by Article 324.

44. The system of 'Single Citizenship' in India is borrowed from which country?

 United Kingdom (Britain). This means a person is a citizen of India and not of any particular state.

45. Which article of the Constitution abolished 'Untouchability'? 

Article 17. This article makes the practice of untouchability a punishable offence.

46. What is the maximum number of terms a person can serve as President of India? 

No limit (can be re-elected any number of times). Unlike the US President, there is no constitutional limit on re-election.

47. Who presides over the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament? 

Speaker of the Lok Sabha. A joint sitting is called by the President to resolve deadlocks between the two Houses.

48. What is the 'Quorum' to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament? 

One-tenth of the total number of members of the House. If the quorum is not met, the presiding officer may adjourn the House or suspend the meeting.

49. Which type of majority is required to pass a Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament? 

Special Majority (2/3rd of members present and voting, and majority of total strength of the House). For some amendments, ratification by half of the state legislatures is also required.

50. The 'Council of Ministers' is collectively responsible to which body? 

Lok Sabha. This is a fundamental principle of the parliamentary system.