Polity & Governance

Correct answer: (B) D.D. Basu

The constitutional commentator D.D. Basu described the Indian Constitution as neither purely federal nor purely unitary but a combination of both (quasi-federal).

Correct answer: (C) the Governor of the State

Under Article 316, the Chairman and members of a State Public Service Commission are appointed by the Governor of the State.

Correct answer: (C) Concurrent List

Education was shifted to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976), so both the Union and the States can legislate on it.

Correct answer: (B) 25

Under Article 84(b) of the Constitution, the minimum age to be a member of the Lok Sabha is 25 years.

Correct answer: (A) Rajendra Prasad

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the only person elected President of India for a second term, serving two full terms from 1952 to 1962.

Correct answer: (B) a member of the Opposition Party

By convention the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee is drawn from the Opposition, appointed by the Speaker, to ensure independent scrutiny of government spending.

Correct answer: (C) President of India

Under Article 117, a Money Bill can be introduced only on the recommendation of the President of India.

Correct answer: (C) The Comptroller & Auditor General of India

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audits all government receipts and expenditure and is therefore called the guardian of the public purse.

Correct answer: (C) any House of the Parliament

Unlike Money Bills (only in Lok Sabha), ordinary bills may be introduced in either House of Parliament.

Correct answer: (B) the Vice-President

Under Article 89, the Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and presides over its sittings.

Correct answer: (B) Judiciary

The Judiciary is the protector and guarantor of Fundamental Rights, enforcing them through writs under Articles 32 and 226.

Correct answer: (B) 73rd

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions (Part IX).

Correct answer: (B) Article 356

Article 356 empowers the President to impose President's Rule and take over a State's administration when its constitutional machinery fails.

Correct answer: (D) elected by an electoral college constituted by members of the two Houses of the Parliament.

Under Article 66, the Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) through proportional representation by single transferable vote.

Correct answer: (A) 25

The quorum to constitute a sitting of either House is one-tenth of the total membership; the Rajya Sabha has 245 members, so the quorum is about 25.

Correct answer: (B) November 26, 1949

The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India on 26 November 1949; it came into force on 26 January 1950.

Correct answer: (C) the Governor.

Under Article 165, the Advocate General, the highest law officer of a State, is appointed by the Governor of that State.

Correct answer: (C) Attorney General of India

The Attorney General of India, appointed under Article 76, is the highest (first) law officer of the Government of India.

Correct answer: (B) President

Under Article 217, the Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President of India, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the state Governor.

Correct answer: (C) 61st

The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988 lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years by amending Article 326, taking effect for the 1989 general elections.

Correct answer: (A) Equality

Article 18 abolishes titles and is part of the Right to Equality (Articles 14-18). It bars the State from conferring titles (except military/academic distinctions) and prohibits citizens from accepting titles from foreign states, ensuring no artificial social hierarchy.

Correct answer: (B) Speaker

Under Article 110(3), the Speaker of the Lok Sabha certifies whether a Bill is a Money Bill, and that decision is final and cannot be questioned in any court. Hence the Speaker, not the President or PM, finally determines it.

Correct answer: (D) Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the guardian/custodian of the Constitution: through judicial review and its power to interpret the document and protect fundamental rights, it ensures the Constitution's supremacy.

Correct answer: (D) President

The Inter-State Council is constituted by the President under Article 263 of the Constitution to coordinate and resolve disputes among states and between the Centre and states.

Correct answer: (C) President

Under Article 324, the Election Commission of India is constituted by the President, who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.

Correct answer: (A) Union of states

Article 1 of the Constitution declares 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States'. The term 'Union' (not federation) stresses that states cannot secede.

Correct answer: (C) The members of the both Houses of Parliament through the method of proportional representation by single transferable vote.

The Public Accounts Committee has 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha) who are elected by members of both Houses of Parliament using proportional representation through the single transferable vote. This ensures balanced representation of parties; a minister cannot be a member.

Correct answer: (B) Vice-President

The Vice-President of India is jokingly called 'His Superfluous Highness' because the office is largely ceremonial, its chief constitutional role being to preside over the Rajya Sabha and to step in only when the President's post falls vacant. Hence option B.

Correct answer: (B) 1993

The Protection of Human Rights Act, which set up the National and State Human Rights Commissions, was enacted by the Government of India in 1993.

Correct answer: (C) 65 years

Judges of the Supreme Court of India hold office until they attain the age of 65 years (High Court judges retire at 62).

Correct answer: (D) Both the Houses of Parliament along with the Members of the State Assemblies.

The President is chosen by an electoral college of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament together with the elected members of the State (and specified UT) Legislative Assemblies, voting by proportional representation and single transferable vote.

Correct answer: (C) Right to Life and Personal Liberty

Article 21 guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty, stating no person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law; the Supreme Court has expanded it to cover dignity, privacy and more.

Correct answer: (A) 21

'Protection of Life and Personal Liberty' is guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution, which bars deprivation of life or personal liberty except by procedure established by law.