General Knowledge Indian Civics (Polity): Questions and Answers -3
101. Which Article of the Indian Constitution grants the President the power to promulgate Ordinances?
Article 123. An ordinance has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament, but it is issued when Parliament is not in session.
102. What is the maximum duration for which a promulgated Ordinance can remain in force without parliamentary approval?
Six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament. The Ordinance must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of its reassembly.
103. Who presides over the Lok Sabha sessions and generally maintains order in the House?
Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker is the chief presiding officer of the lower house of the Indian Parliament.
104. The 'Anti-Defection Law' is contained in which schedule of the Indian Constitution?
Tenth Schedule. Added by the 52nd Amendment Act (1985), it aims to prevent political defections.
105. What does 'NOTA' stand for in the context of Indian elections?
None Of The Above. It allows voters to express their disapproval of all contesting candidates.
106. Who decides on the disqualification of a Member of Parliament (MP) under the Anti-Defection Law?
The Presiding Officer of the House (Speaker in Lok Sabha, Chairman in Rajya Sabha). Their decision is subject to judicial review.
107. Which article of the Constitution deals with the 'Abolition of Titles'?
Article 18. It prohibits the state from conferring titles, except military or academic distinctions.
108. Who is authorized to appoint a Commission to investigate the conditions of Backward Classes?
President of India. This is provided for in Article 340.
109. The concept of 'Residuary Powers' in the Indian Constitution is derived from which country's constitution?
Canada. These are powers not specifically enumerated in the Union, State, or Concurrent Lists, and they reside with the Union.
110. The system of 'Cabinet Government' (Parliamentary System) in India is largely based on the model of which country?
United Kingdom (Britain). India adopted the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy.
111. What is the maximum strength of a Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) in a state?
Not more than one-third of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly, and not less than 40 members. This ensures a balance between the two houses.
112. Who is known as the 'Father of Local Self-Government' in India?
Lord Ripon. His resolution in 1882 gave Indians effective participation in local bodies.
113. The 'Oath or Affirmation' for a Member of Parliament is contained in which schedule of the Constitution?
Third Schedule. This schedule lists the forms of oaths and affirmations for various dignitaries.
114. Which Constitutional Amendment Act made the Right to Elementary Education a Fundamental Right?
86th Amendment Act, 2002. It inserted Article 21A, ensuring free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years.
115. What is the minimum strength of a State Legislative Council?
40 members. This is the lower limit, although exceptions exist.
116. The 'Advisory Jurisdiction' of the Supreme Court is mentioned in which article?
Article 143. The President can seek the Supreme Court's opinion on questions of law or fact.
117. What is the current number of High Courts in India?
25. There are 25 High Courts, with some having jurisdiction over multiple states or Union Territories.
118. Which body is responsible for delimitation of constituencies for elections to Parliament and State Legislatures?
Delimitation Commission. It is constituted by the Government of India under an Act of Parliament.
119. The concept of 'Due Process of Law' is associated with which article's interpretation by the Supreme Court?
Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). While Article 21 explicitly states "procedure established by law," the Supreme Court's interpretations have incorporated elements of 'due process of law'.
120. What does 'Ex Post Facto Law' mean in the context of the Constitution?
No person shall be convicted of any offence except for violation of a law in force at the time of the commission of the act charged as an offence. This protection is guaranteed under Article 20(1).
121. The 'Finance Commission' submits its report to whom?
President of India. The President then lays the report before both Houses of Parliament.
122. Who prepares the 'Economic Survey' presented in the Parliament every year?
Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the Government of India. It is presented by the Ministry of Finance, usually before the Union Budget.
123. Who is the Chairman of the 'National Development Council' (NDC)?
Prime Minister of India. NDC is the highest body for decision-making and deliberations on development matters in India.
124. What is the 'Consolidated Fund of India'?
All revenues received by the Government of India, all loans raised by it, and all money received by it in repayment of loans. All government expenditures are made from this fund, subject to parliamentary approval.
125. What is the 'Contingency Fund of India'?
An emergency fund kept at the disposal of the President to meet unforeseen expenditure. It is operated by the President on behalf of the Finance Secretary.
126. Who is the Chairman of the 'Inter-State Council'?
Prime Minister of India. The Council promotes coordination between the Union and states.
127. Which constitutional amendment gave constitutional status to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?
89th Amendment Act, 2003. It bifurcated the erstwhile National Commission for SCs & STs into two separate bodies.
128. Which body has the power to create or abolish a Legislative Council in a state?
Parliament. Parliament can do so by a simple majority, if the State Legislative Assembly passes a resolution to that effect by a special majority.
129. The 'Oath of Office' for the Governor of a State is administered by whom?
Chief Justice of the concerned High Court. Or, in his absence, the senior-most judge of that High Court
.
130. Which article deals with the 'President's power to grant pardons, etc., and to suspend, remit or commute sentences'?
130. Which article deals with the 'President's power to grant pardons, etc., and to suspend, remit or commute sentences'?
Article 72. This power is independent of the judiciary.
131. The 'Joint State Public Service Commission' can be formed by:
An Act of Parliament, at the request of the State Legislatures concerned. It serves the needs of two or more states.
132. Who acts as the President of India when both the President and Vice-President's offices fall vacant simultaneously?
Chief Justice of India. This happened once in 1969 when Justice M. Hidayatullah acted as President.
133. The 'Estimates Committee' of Parliament consists exclusively of members from which House?
Lok Sabha. It has 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha, elected annually.
134. The 'Public Accounts Committee' (PAC) consists of members from:
Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. It has 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha). Its chairman is traditionally from the opposition.
135. Who is the Chairman of the 'National Commission for Scheduled Castes'?
Appointed by the President. The Chairperson has the status of a Union Cabinet Minister.
136. Who is the Chairman of the 'National Commission for Scheduled Tribes'?
Appointed by the President. The Chairperson has the status of a Union Cabinet Minister.
137. What is the official language of the Union of India as per the Constitution?
Hindi in Devanagari script. Article 343(1) declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.
138. The 'Election Commission of India' is a multi-member body. How many Election Commissioners does it currently have (including the Chief Election Commissioner)?
Three. One Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
139. The 'Fundamental Duties' were added to the Constitution on the recommendations of which committee?
Sardar Swaran Singh Committee. This committee was set up in 1976.
140. What is the concept of 'Habeas Corpus' (as a writ)?
To produce the body of the person / Have the body. A writ issued to a person illegally detained, ordering them to be brought before a court.
141. What is the term for a situation where a state legislature passes a resolution, and then Parliament makes a law on a subject from the State List?
Legislation by Union on State subjects (Article 252). This happens when two or more states request Parliament to legislate on a matter in the State List.
142. A 'No-Confidence Motion' against the Council of Ministers can only be introduced in which House of Parliament?
Lok Sabha. The motion needs the support of at least 50 members and, if passed, leads to the resignation of the government.
143. What is the minimum strength of a State Legislative Assembly required to pass a resolution for the creation or abolition of a Legislative Council?
Special majority (absolute majority + 2/3rd of members present and voting). This is a crucial step for the Parliament to then act.
144. Which schedule of the Constitution deals with the 'Administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes'?
Fifth Schedule. It provides for special provisions for tribal areas in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
145. Which schedule of the Constitution deals with the 'Administration of Tribal Areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram'?
Sixth Schedule. It grants considerable autonomy to tribal areas in these specific Northeastern states.
146. The concept of 'Equality before Law' is an example of which type of equality?
Legal/Civil Equality. It means that no person is above the law and all are subject to the ordinary law of the land administered by the ordinary law courts.
147. The 'National Commission for Backward Classes' (NCBC) was given constitutional status by which amendment?
102nd Amendment Act, 2018. This made NCBC a constitutional body under Article 338B.
148. The 'Right to Privacy' is interpreted as a part of which fundamental right?
Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21). The Supreme Court affirmed it as a fundamental right in the Puttaswamy case (2017).
149. What is the role of the 'Pro-tem Speaker' of the Lok Sabha?
To administer the oath to the newly elected members and to preside over the first meeting of the Lok Sabha. The President appoints the senior-most member as the Pro-tem Speaker until a permanent Speaker is elected.
150. The idea of a 'Republic' in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution implies:
That the head of the state is an elected person and not a hereditary monarch. The President of India is indirectly elected for a fixed term.
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