1. According to the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the President of India to cause
to be laid before the Parliament which of the following?
1.The Recommendations of the Union Finance Commission
2.The Report of the Public Accounts Committee
3.The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
4.The Report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
(a)1 only
(b)2 and 4 only
(c)1, 3 and 4 only
(d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans. (C)
Explanation
It is not the duty of the President of India to cause to be laid report of the Public
Accounts Committee before the Parliament.
Hence statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct. The President shall in respect of every financial
year cause to be laid before both the Houses of Parliament a statement of the estimated
receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for that year, in this Part referred
to as the “annual financial statement”.
2. A deadlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha calls for a joint sitting of
the Parliament during the passage of
1.Ordinary Legislation
2.Money Bill
3.Constitution Amendment Bill
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Ans. (A)
Explanation
The correct answer is 1 only. Article 108 of the Indian Constitution provides for a joint
sitting of both Houses of Parliament. Then, the President can summon a joint sitting
unless the bill had elapsed because of the Lok Sabha’s dissolution.
Joint Sitting of Parliament is Summoned by
The joint sitting is called by the President.
The Speaker presides over a joint sitting. In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy
Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over it, and in his absence, the sitting is presided
over by the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
If any of the above-mentioned people are not available, any Member of Parliament
(MP) can preside over the sitting by consensus of both Houses.
The quorum to constitute a joint sitting: 1/10th of the total number of members of the
House.
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3. In India, other than ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and for intended
purpose, what is the importance of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General
(CAG)?
1. CAG exercises exchequer control on behalf of the Parliament when the President of
India declares national emergency/financial emergency.
2. CAG reports on the execution of projects or programmes by the ministries are
discussed by the Public Accounts Committee.
3. Information from CAG reports can be used by investigating agencies to press charges
against those who have violated the law while managing public finances.
4. While dealing with the audit and accounting of government companies, CAG has
certain judicial powers for prosecuting those who violate the law.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans. (C)
Explanation
CAG is an independent authority under the Constitution of India.
He is the head of the Indian audit & account department and chief Guardian of Public
purse.
It is the institution through which the accountability of the government and other public
authorities (all those who spend public funds) to Parliament and State Legislatures and
through them to the people is
5. The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment
(a) need not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament but
must become a member of one of the” Houses within six months
(b) need not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament but
must become a member of the Lok Sabha within six months
(c) must be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament
(d) must be a member of the Lok Sabha
Ans. (A)
Explanation
To become an Indian prime minister one has to be
A citizen of India.
A member of either Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha
He should have completed his 30 years if he is a member of the Rajya Sabha or can be
25 years of age if he is a member of the Lok Sabha.
The person who is not a member of either house of Parliament can be appointed as
Prime Minister. But within six months he should become the member of either house of
Parliament otherwise he ceases to be the Prime Minister. This was held in the Supreme
Court in 1997.
6. With reference to the Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements :
1. The orders of the Delimitation Commission cannot be challenged in a Court of Law.
2. When the orders of the Delimitation Commission are laid before the Lok Sabha or
State Legislative Assembly, they cannot effect any modifications in the orders.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
Ans.(C)
Explanation
Under Article 82, the Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act after every Census.
Under Article 170, States also get divided into territorial constituencies as per
Delimitation Act after every Census.
Once the Act is in force, the Union government sets up a Delimitation Commission.
The first delimitation exercise was carried out by the President (with the help of the
Election Commission) in 1950-51.
The Delimitation Commission Act was enacted in 1952.
Delimitation Commissions have been set up four times — 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002
under the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.
There was no delimitation after the 1981 and 1991 Censuses.
7. Which of the following is/are among the Fundamental Duties of citizens laid down in
the Indian Constitution?
1.To preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture
2.To protect the weaker sections from social injustice
3.To develop the scientific temper and spirit of inquiry
4.To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)2 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans.(C)
Explanation
The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added 10 Fundamental Duties to the Indian
Constitution.
The 86th Amendment Act 2002 later added 11th Fundamental Duty to the list. The
Swaran Singh Committee in 1976 recommended Fundamental Duties, the necessity of
which was felt during the internal emergency of 1975-77.
The Fundamental Duties are dealt with Article 51A under Part-IV A of the Indian
Constitution.
8. What is the provision to safeguard the autonomy of the Supreme Court of India?
1. While appointing the Supreme Court Judges, the President of India has to consult the
Chief Justice of India.
2. The Supreme Court Judges can be removed by the Chief Justice of India only.
3. The salaries of the Judges are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India to which
the legislature does not have to vote.
4. All appointments of officers and staff of the Supreme Court of India are made by the
Government only after consulting the Chief Justice of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 and 3 only
(b)3 and 4 only
(c)4 only
(d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans.(A)
Explanation
The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial court and the final court of appeal
under the Constitution of India, the highest constitutional court, with the power of
judicial review.
The Constitution has made the following provisions to safeguard and ensure the
independent and impartial functioning of the Supreme Court:
Mode of appointment
Security of tenure
Fixed service conditions
Expenses charged on the consolidated fund
Conduct of judges cannot be discussed
Ban on practice after retirement
Power to punish for its contempt
Freedom to appoint its staff
Its jurisdiction cannot be curtailed
Separation from Executive
9. Which of the following special powers have been conferred on the Rajya Sabha by the
Constitution of India?
(a) To change the existing territory of a State and to change the name of a State
(b) To pass a resolution empowering the Parliament to make laws in the State List and
to create one or more All India Services
(c) To amend the election procedure of the President and to determine the pension of the
President after his/her retirement
(d) To determine the functions of the Election Commission and to determine the number
of Election Commissioners
Ans.(B)
Explanation
Rajya Sabha’ or the ‘Council of States’ is the second chamber of the Indian parliament,
which traces its origin to the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919.
Rajya Sabha as the second chamber of the parliament intended to play certain roles as a
permanent house (it never dissolves like Lok sabha and one-third of its members retire
every two years), revisionary house (reconsidering bills passed by the Lok Sabha) and
offers a degree of continuity in the underlying policies of laws passed by parliament.
Along with this, Rajya Sabha also acts as a means to institutionalise the federal
principle of power-sharing between the Centre and states.
The Upper House also has some special powers, such as:
Power to transfer a subject from the State List to Union List for a specified period
(Article 249).
To create additional All-India Services (Article 312).
To endorse Emergency under Article 352 for a limited period when the Lok Sabha
remains dissolved.
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10. Which of the following is /are among the noticeable features of the recommendations
of the Thirteenth Finance Commission?
1. A design for the Goods and Services Tax, and a compensation package linked to
adherence to the proposed design
2. A design for the creation of lakhs of jobs in the next ten years in consonance with
India’s demographic dividend
3. Devolution of a specified share of central taxes to local bodies as grants
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Ans.(a)
Explanation
The 13 Finance Commission report has an elaborate design for the GST. Statement 1 is
correct.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Report basically discusses the improved implementation of the
existing schemes.
The third statement is correct. The report in its para 10.144 mentions: “Taking into
account the demand of local bodies that they be allowed to benefit from the buoyancy of
central taxes and the Constitutional design of supplementing the resources of
panchayats and municipalities through grants-in-aid, we recommend that local bodies
be transferred a percentage of the divisible pool of taxes (over and above the share of
the states), as stipulated by us, after converting this share to grant-in-aid under Article
275.”
11. Which of the following are the methods of Parliamentary control over public finance
in India?
1. Placing Annual Financial Statement before the Parliament
2. Withdrawal of moneys from Consolidated Fund of India only after passing the
Appropriation Bill
3. Provisions of supplementary grants and vote-on-account
4. A periodic or at least a mid-year review of programme of the Government against
macroeconomic forecasts and expenditure by a Parliamentary Budget Office.
5. Introducing Finance Bill in the Parliament
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a)1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3, 4 and 5 only
(d)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans.(A)
Explanation
The correct answer is 1 2 3 and 5 only. Article 112 of the Indian Constitution deals with
placing annual financial statements in parliament.
12. Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on
Education?
1.Directive Principles of State Policy
2.Rural and Urban Local Bodies
3.Fifth Schedule
4.Sixth Schedule
5.Seventh Schedule
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a)1 and 2 only
(b) 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 1, 2 and 5 only
(d)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans.(c)
Explanation
Provisions in the Indian Constitution related to Education:
Article 45 was amended to provide for early childhood care and education to children
below the age of six years.
the 86th Amendment Act 2002 introduced Article 21-A, which provides for free and
compulsory education of all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a
Fundamental Right.
Article 15(4),(5) provides reservation for SC, ST, OBC in higher education institutions.
Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) has a component for providing ECE
through Anganwadis
13. In the Parliament of India, the purpose of an adjournment motion is
(a) to allow a discussion on a definite matter of urgent public importance
(b) to let opposition members collect information from the ministers
(c) to allow a reduction of specific amount in demand for grant
(d) to postpone the proceedings to check the inappropriate or violent behaviour on the
part of some members
Ans.(A)
Explanation
Adjournment motion is introduced only in the Lok Sabha to draw the attention of the
House to a definite matter of urgent public importance.
It involves an element of censure against the government, therefore Rajya Sabha is not
permitted to make use of this device
It is regarded as an extraordinary device as it interrupts the normal business of the
House. It needs the support of 50 members to be admitted.
The discussion on this motion should last for not less than two hours and thirty minutes.
14. Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as
enshrined in the Constitution of India :
1.Securing for citizens of India a uniform civil code
2.Organizing village Panchayats
3. Promoting cottage industries in rural areas
4. Securing for all the workers reasonable leisure and cultural opportunities
Which of the above are the Gandhian Principles that are reflected in the Directive
Principles of State Policy?
(a)1, 2 and 4 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1, 3 and 4 only
(d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans.(B)
Explanation
Directives based on Gandhian Principles
Article 40: The State shall take steps to organise village panchayats as units of Self
Government
Article 43: The State shall endeavour to promote cottage industries on an individual or
cooperative basis in rural areas.
Article 43B: To promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic
control and professional management of cooperative societies.
Article 46: The State shall promote educational and economic interests of the weaker
sections of the people particularly that of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes
(STs) and other weaker sections.
Article 47: The State shall take steps to improve public health and prohibit consumption
of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health.
Article 48: To prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle
and to improve their breeds.
15. Consider the following statements:
1. Union Territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha.
2. It is within the purview of the Chief Election Commissioner to adjudicate the election
disputes.
3. According to the Constitution of India, the Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha and
the Rajya Sabha only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d)None
Ans.(D)
Explanation
None of the above statements are correct
(i) Union Territories (Delhi and Pondicherry) are represented in the Rajya Sabha.
(ii) It is not within the purview of the Chief Election Commissioner to adjudicate
election disputes. It is the Supreme Court and High Court which look into the disputes.
(iii) According to the Constitution of India, the Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha,
the Rajya Sabha and the President of India.
16. Regarding the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker, consider the following statements:
1. He/She holds the office during the pleasure of the President.
2. He/She need not be a member of the House at the time of his/her election but has to
become a member of the House within six months from the date of his/her election.
3. If he/she intends to resign, the letter of his/her resignation has to be addressed to the
Deputy Speaker.
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
(a)1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d)None
Ans.(B)
Explanation
Lok Sabha speaker is ranked higher than the all Cabinet Ministers except the Prime
Minister or Deputy Prime
Minister of India. Lok Sabha speaker is ranked 7th placed along with the Chief Justice
of India.
The Lok Sabha speaker is elected generally in the very first meeting of the Lok Sabha
following general elections. The speaker is the head of the Lok Sabha and its
representatives.
Lok Sabha Speaker is one of the members of Parliament. He/she takes the oath along
with other members by the pro-tem Speaker. No separate oath of affirmation is
administered to him separately. Technically speaking the speaker does not take any oath
alone like the President and Prime Minister of the country.
17. Which of the following are included in the original jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court?
1.A dispute between the Government of India and one or more States
2.A dispute regarding elections to either House of the Parliament or that of Legislature
of a State
3.A dispute between the Government of India and a Union Territory
4.A dispute between two or more States
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a)1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 3 and 4
Ans.(c)
Explanation
The correct answer is 1 and 4. Key Points Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
extends to any dispute between the Government of India and one or.
Original Jurisdiction means that certain types of cases can originate with the Supreme
Court only.
18. In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act,
1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha?
1. Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas.
2. Gram Sabha has the ownership of minor forest produce.
3. Recommendation of Gram Sabha is required for granting prospecting licence or
mining lease for any mineral in the Scheduled Areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Ans.(d)
Explanation
According to Panchayat Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act 1996, Gram Sabha has
the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas, has the ownership of
minor forest produce and the recommendation of Gram Sabha is required for granting
prospecting licence or mining lease for any mineral in the Scheduled Areas.
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