Question 1

Upper House elections (Rajya Sabha): Who elects the members of the Rajya Sabha in India? Consider the indirect election method used, with proportional representation by single transferable vote. Choose the correct electorate.

Accepted Answer

Given data House: Rajya Sabha (Council of States). Concept/Approach Rajya Sabha members are indirectly elected by the elected MLAs of State/UT Assemblies using proportional representation by the single transferable vote system. MLCs do not constitute the electoral college for these seats. Final Answer Elected members of the State Legislative Assembly (MLAs)

Question 2

State executive (Governor): Who administers the oath of office to a State Governor in India? Identify the constitutional functionary who normally conducts the swearing-in ceremony. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Given data Oath-taking for a State Governor. Concept/Approach By convention and practice under the Constitution, the Chief Justice of the State High Court administers the oath to the Governor (or, in his absence, the senior-most judge of the High Court). Final Answer Chief Justice of the High Court

Question 3

Indian national movement (mainstream character): What best describes the objective of mainstream nationalism in India? Focus on the broad goal pursued by the Congress-led mass movements. Choose the most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

Given data Mainstream = Congress-led broad national movement. Concept/Approach The unifying purpose across phases (Moderates, Extremists, Gandhian) was to end British colonial rule and establish self-rule/independence—not religious restorationism or imported ideological blueprints. Final Answer Aimed at emancipation from colonial rule

Question 4

Prime Minister's office (legal basis): On what basis does the office of the Prime Minister of India rest? Distinguish among constitutional, statutory, and purely conventional bases. Choose the correct basis.

Accepted Answer

Given data Identify the source that creates the PM's office. Concept/Approach Articles 74–75 expressly provide for a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, which is a constitutional creation in India (unlike the UK's purely conventional origin). Final Answer Constitutional basis

Question 5

Fundamental rights (Article 33): Parliament may restrict or abrogate fundamental rights in respect of which classes of persons? Consider forces responsible for national security, public order, and intelligence. Choose the correct coverage.

Accepted Answer

Given data Article 33: Parliament's power regarding application of fundamental rights to certain classes. Concept/Approach Article 33 authorises Parliament to modify/restrict rights for: Armed Forces, forces maintaining public order, and intelligence/counter-intelligence personnel (and related communications services) to ensure proper discharge of duties and discipline. Final Answer All of the above

Question 6

Union executive (Council of Ministers): On what ground can the President dismiss an individual Minister? Recall the pleasure doctrine operates on the advice of the Prime Minister. Choose the correct ground.

Accepted Answer

Given data Doctrine: Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President (Article 75). Concept/Approach In practice, the President acts on the advice of the Prime Minister with respect to appointment or dismissal of individual Ministers. The President does not ordinarily act unilaterally. Final Answer On the recommendation of the Prime Minister

Question 7

Dissolution of the Lok Sabha: When can the President of India dissolve the Lok Sabha? Identify the advising authority in a parliamentary system. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Given data Dissolution power under Article 85. Concept/Approach The President dissolves the Lok Sabha acting on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. Judicial or Rajya Sabha advice is not the trigger in ordinary circumstances. Final Answer On the advice of the Prime Minister (Council of Ministers)

Question 8

Preamble & dignity of the individual: The Constitution of India seeks to assure the dignity of the individual primarily by guaranteeing what? Differentiate enforceable Fundamental Rights from Directive Principles of State Policy. Choose the correct …

Accepted Answer

Given data Preamble objective: dignity of the individual. Concept/Approach Fundamental Rights (Part III) are justiciable guarantees that directly uphold personal dignity (equality, freedom, protection of life and liberty, etc.). Items in the other options are largely Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV), which guide governance but are not enforceable in courts. Final Answer Equal Fundamental Rights to each citizen

Question 9

Indian Constitution (Preamble): Identify which item is NOT expressly mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution of India. The Preamble explicitly mentions Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity; evaluate which listed term falls outside this s…

Accepted Answer

Given data The Preamble of the Constitution of India is being referenced. Options include: adult franchise, equality of status, fraternity, justice. Concept/Approach The Preamble declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic and resolves to secure to all its citizens Justice, Liberty, Equality and promote Fraternity. The mechanism of adult franchise (universal adult suffrage) is provided elsewhere (Articles 326 etc.), not in the Preamble. Step-by-step reasoning • Check express words in the Preamble → Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity are present. • Adult franchise refers to the electoral system and is not a Preamble term. Common pitfalls Assuming democratic ideals like universal adult suffrage must appear in the Preamble; they do not. Final Answer Adult franchise

Question 10

Indian Constitution (Preamble ideals): The Preamble enshrines liberty, equality, and fraternity. Identify the historical movement that inspired these ideals in the Indian Preamble. Choose the correct source of inspiration.

Accepted Answer

Given data Preamble ideals cited: liberty, equality, fraternity. Concept/Approach The triad Liberty–Equality–Fraternity is historically associated with the French Revolution (1789) and influenced many modern constitutions, including India's. Reasoning • The phrase and its republican ethos trace to the French revolutionary tradition. • While the US Constitution influenced other aspects (federalism, judicial review), this specific triad is French. Final Answer French Revolution

Question 11

Constituent Assembly (sources): The Preamble's guiding ideals were first articulated in a formal resolution. Identify the specific resolution/document where these ideals were first spelt out before being incorporated into the Constitution. Choose th…

Accepted Answer

Given data Asks where the Preamble's ideals were first formally set out. Concept/Approach On 13 December 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution in the Constituent Assembly. It outlined the foundational philosophy later echoed in the Preamble. Reasoning • The Objectives Resolution served as the blueprint for Preamble language and constitutional principles. • Other documents/speeches were influential historically but not the formal source for the Preamble's text. Final Answer The Objectives Resolution adopted by the Constituent Assembly

Question 12

Parliament and sovereignty: Explain why the Parliament of India is not sovereign in the absolute sense (unlike Westminster). Consider constitutional limits on subject-matter, supremacy of the Constitution, and judicial review. Choose the most compre…

Accepted Answer

Given data Topic: Nature of parliamentary power in India. Concept/Approach India has a written, supreme Constitution. Parliament derives power from it, is confined by the Union/State/Concurrent Lists, and is subject to judicial review by constitutional courts. Step-by-step reasoning • Federal distribution restricts Parliament to Union/Concurrent entries (Option A). • The Constitution sets substantive and procedural limits (Option B). • Supreme Court/High Courts can strike down unconstitutional laws (Option C). • Therefore, (D) All of the above is correct. Final Answer All of the above

Question 13

Language of debate in Parliament: In what language(s) may Members of Parliament speak in the House? Refer to Article 120 and the practices of the Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha. Choose the correct allowance.

Accepted Answer

Given data Asks permissible languages for MPs inside the House. Concept/Approach Under Article 120, business is transacted in Hindi or English; a member who cannot express in either may, with the presiding officer's permission, address the House in their mother tongue. Interpretation facilities are provided. Reasoning • Hence, English/Hindi are default; mother tongue is allowed with permission. Final Answer English, Hindi or mother tongue (with the Chair's permission for the latter)

Question 14

Text of the Preamble (as amended): What does the Preamble currently declare India to be? Consider the 42nd Amendment which inserted additional descriptors in 1976. Choose the correct description.

Accepted Answer

Given data Preamble's current wording is being asked. Concept/Approach The original Preamble (1950) said Sovereign Democratic Republic. The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 added the words Socialist and Secular, making it: Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic. Final Answer A sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic

Question 15

Parliamentary committees (composition): In Department-related Standing Committees, members are drawn from both Houses. Identify the typical proportion of members taken from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Choose the correct ratio (Lok Sabha : Raj…

Accepted Answer

Given data Asks the Lok Sabha : Rajya Sabha composition ratio for standing committees. Concept/Approach Department-related Standing Committees typically have 31 members: 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, which is approximately a 2:1 ratio. Final Answer Two : One

Question 16

Panchayati Raj (elections): Who are the voters that choose the members of a Panchayat? Refer to the composition of Gram Panchayat constituencies under State Panchayat laws and Part IX of the Constitution. Choose the correct electorate.

Accepted Answer

Given data Seeks how Panchayat members are chosen. Concept/Approach Under Part IX of the Constitution and State Panchayat Acts, members are elected by voters from the relevant territorial constituencies (wards) of the Panchayat. Final Answer The electorates of the respective territorial constituencies

Question 17

Modern Indian history (Simon Commission): In 1927, a Statutory Commission was appointed by the British Government for constitutional reforms. Identify the person who headed this Commission (popularly called the Simon Commission). Choose the correct …

Accepted Answer

Given data Date and context: 1927 Statutory Commission for further reforms. Concept/Approach The Indian Statutory Commission (1927) is known as the Simon Commission after its chairman Sir John Simon. It was boycotted in India for having no Indian members. Final Answer Sir John Simon

Question 18

Legislative competence (residuary powers): When may the Parliament of India exercise residuary powers of legislation? Consider Article 248 and Entry 97 of the Union List regarding subjects not enumerated elsewhere. Choose the correct condition.

Accepted Answer

Given data Residuary powers relate to subjects not enumerated in any list. Concept/Approach Article 248 read with Entry 97 (Union List) vests residuary legislative power in Parliament generally, i.e., not confined to emergencies. Reasoning • If a subject is not in the State or Concurrent Lists, Parliament may legislate (fiscal and non-fiscal). • This competence exists irrespective of the proclamation of emergency. Final Answer At all times

Question 19

President's address to Parliament: When does the President of India address both Houses assembled together? Article 87 context: The President's special address occurs at the commencement of specific sessions of Parliament. Choose the correct occasio…

Accepted Answer

Given data Context: The President's special joint address to Parliament. Legal basis: Article 87 of the Constitution of India. Concept/Approach Article 87 mandates a special address by the President at the commencement of (i) the first session after each general election to the Lok Sabha and (ii) the first session of each year. It is not delivered every session, nor is it tied to emergencies. Step-by-step reasoning Identify the precise constitutional text → It specifies two occasions for the address.Therefore, the correct option is the combined condition of the first session after a general election and the first session of each year. Common pitfalls Assuming the speech occurs every session or only during emergencies—both are incorrect. Final Answer The first session after each general election and the first session of each year

Question 20

Directive Principles (DPSP): What is the key pre-requisite for effectively enforcing the Directive Principles of State Policy? Consider what the State needs in order to implement socio-economic directives. Choose the correct condition.

Accepted Answer

Given data DPSP are non-justiciable guiding principles for governance (Part IV). Concept/Approach Many Directive Principles (e.g., public health, education, welfare) require substantial financial and administrative resources. While good governance matters, the essential pre-requisite for enforcement is adequate resources. Step-by-step reasoning DPSP → socio-economic programs → budgetary outlays/infrastructure → need adequate resources. Common pitfalls Equating political form (socialist government) or party dynamics (opposition) with the constitutional requirement; DPSP implementation fundamentally hinges on capacity and resources. Final Answer Adequate resources

Indian Politics Questions