Question 1

Supreme Court jurisdiction: Under which jurisdiction can the Supreme Court of India decide Centre–State disputes? Focus on federal disputes between the Union and one or more States (Article 131). Choose the correct jurisdiction.

Accepted Answer

Given data Type of dispute: Centre vs. State(s)/inter-State. Reference: Article 131. Concept/Approach Article 131 grants the Supreme Court exclusive original jurisdiction in disputes between the Union and State(s) or between States, subject to specified conditions. This means such cases originate in the Supreme Court itself. Common pitfalls Confusing with the Court's advisory role (Article 143) or appellate powers; Centre–State disputes are not first heard on appeal. Final Answer Original jurisdiction

Question 2

State executive leadership: The position of a Chief Minister at the state level is analogous to which Union-level office? Consider the head of the Council of Ministers in a parliamentary system. Choose the correct comparison.

Accepted Answer

Given data The Chief Minister heads the Council of Ministers in a State. Concept/Approach In India's parliamentary system, the Chief Minister's role in a State mirrors the Prime Minister's role at the Union: both are heads of government, leading their respective Councils of Ministers responsible to the lower House. Common pitfalls Equating the CM to the President (who is the constitutional head of the Union) or suggesting a hybrid role. Final Answer Similar to that of the Prime Minister

Question 3

Vacancy of the President's office: In which circumstances can the office of the President of India fall vacant? Consider all constitutionally recognized causes of vacancy. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Given data Possible causes: resignation, death, removal, or otherwise (e.g., invalid election). Concept/Approach The Constitution provides for vacancy due to resignation (to the Vice-President), death, or removal via impeachment, among other exceptional situations. Hence, the inclusive choice applies. Final Answer All of the above

Question 4

Financial provisions (Emergency expenses): From which fund can the President authorise advances to meet unforeseen expenditure pending Parliament's authorisation? Identify the correct fund used for urgent, unforeseen expenditure. Choose the correct …

Accepted Answer

Given data Key terms: unforeseen expenditure; prior to Parliamentary sanction. Concept/Approach Under Article 267 and the Contingency Fund of India Act, the Contingency Fund stands at the President's disposal for making advances to meet urgent, unforeseen expenditure. Subsequent legislative approval recoups the Fund from the Consolidated Fund. Step-by-step flow Urgent need → draw advance from Contingency Fund → later appropriation by Parliament → reimbursement from Consolidated Fund. Final Answer The Contingency Fund

Question 5

Parliamentary committees (membership): How are members of the committees of Parliament constituted? Focus on the appointing/electing authority and the source pool of members. Choose the correct rule.

Accepted Answer

Given data Topic: Constitution of Department-related and other Parliamentary Committees. Concept/Approach Committees are appointed by the Presiding Officer (Speaker/Chairman) or elected by the House, and their membership is drawn from among Members of Parliament, not outsiders. Common pitfalls Assuming party leaders or the Prime Minister nominate members as a matter of rule; or that non-MPs are routinely appointed to Parliamentary Committees (they are not). Final Answer Appointed by the Speaker or elected by the House from among its own members

Question 6

Qualifications for Parliament (Rajya Sabha): What is the minimum age required to become a member of the Rajya Sabha? Recall statutory and constitutional qualifications for the Upper House. Choose the correct age.

Accepted Answer

Given data Membership of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). Concept/Approach Article 84 and the Representation of the People Act specify that a candidate for the Rajya Sabha must be not less than 30 years of age. Final Answer 30 years

Question 7

Sessions of Parliament: Who has the power to prorogue the Lok Sabha? Distinguish between presiding over the House and constitutional powers regarding sessions. Choose the correct authority.

Accepted Answer

Given data Action: Prorogation (ending a session without dissolving the House). Concept/Approach Under Article 85, the President summons and prorogues both Houses (acting on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers). The Speaker presides but does not prorogue. Final Answer The President

Question 8

Preamble (sovereignty): What does declaring India a 'sovereign' state in the Preamble imply? Interpret sovereignty in terms of internal and external autonomy. Choose the correct implication.

Accepted Answer

Given data Term: Sovereign (as used in the Preamble). Concept/Approach Sovereignty denotes supreme authority of the State, both internally (over its territory and people) and externally (freedom from external control). Hence it encompasses both internal and external affairs. Final Answer India is free to conduct her internal as well as external affairs

Question 9

Indian Constitution (impeachment): Determine the valid constitutional ground for impeaching the President of India. Article 61 specifies the sole ground and the procedure for impeachment by Parliament. Choose the correct ground.

Accepted Answer

Given data Topic: Impeachment of the President of India. Asked: On what ground can the President be impeached? Concept/Approach Under Article 61 of the Constitution, the President may be impeached for violation of the Constitution. No other grounds (e.g., refusal of advice, disregarding Parliament) are recognized as impeachment grounds. Step-by-step reasoning • Identify the constitutionally enumerated ground → violation of the Constitution. • Other listed behaviors may be politically contentious, but they are not impeachment grounds in Article 61. Verification/Alternative Impeachment requires a special majority in both Houses after a formal charge and investigation — reinforcing how narrowly the ground is framed. Common pitfalls Selecting "All of the above" by assuming multiple grounds exist; the Constitution provides only one. Final Answer Violating the Constitution

Question 10

President of India: Who administers the oath of office to the President? Refer to the constitutional practice followed at the time of assumption of office. Choose the correct authority.

Accepted Answer

Given data Ceremony: Oath of office of the President. Concept/Approach By convention and constitutional practice, the Chief Justice of India administers the oath to the President. If the CJI is unavailable, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court may administer it. Final Answer The Chief Justice of India

Question 11

National Flag (adoption): The Constituent Assembly adopted the Tricolour on 22 July 1947. It was presented to the nation at the midnight session of 14 August 1947 on behalf of which group? Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Given data Date: 22 July 1947 (adoption); 14 August 1947 (midnight presentation). Ask: On whose behalf was the national flag presented? Concept/Approach The Tricolour was presented on behalf of the people of India, symbolizing popular sovereignty vested in the nation's citizens. Final Answer The people of India

Question 12

Statehood (concept): Why can the Nagaland State not be termed a "State" in the full political science sense? Differentiate constitutional "States" in India from sovereign states in international law. Choose the missing attribute.

Accepted Answer

Given data Nagaland is a State within the Union of India. Ask: Which attribute does it lack to be a sovereign state in the international-law sense? Concept/Approach In political science/international law, a state is characterized by sovereignty. Indian "States" are constituent units under a sovereign Union and therefore lack independent sovereignty. Common pitfalls Assuming bicameralism or an exclusive High Court is essential to statehood; these are not defining attributes. Final Answer Sovereignty

Question 13

Eligibility (Prime Minister): What is the minimum age required to become the Prime Minister of India? Consider membership eligibility for either House of Parliament. Choose the correct age.

Accepted Answer

Given data The PM must be a member of either House of Parliament (or become one within 6 months). Concept/Approach Minimum age for Lok Sabha membership is 25; for Rajya Sabha is 30. As the PM may be from either House, the minimum threshold is 25 years. Final Answer 25 years

Question 14

Constituent Assembly (Objectives Resolution): Who moved the Objectives Resolution that guided the Assembly's deliberations? Identify the leader who introduced it on 13 December 1946. Choose the correct name.

Accepted Answer

Given data Date: 13 December 1946. Document: Objectives Resolution of the Constituent Assembly. Concept/Approach Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution, which became the philosophical basis for the Constitution and was later reflected in the Preamble. Final Answer Jawaharlal Nehru

Question 15

Legislative fields (State List): When can Parliament legislate on subjects in the State List? Assess constitutional gateways that permit Union legislation on State subjects. Choose the comprehensive answer.

Accepted Answer

Given data Ask: Situations enabling Union Parliament to legislate on State List subjects. Concept/Approach The Constitution permits Union legislation on State subjects in multiple circumstances: Article 249: Rajya Sabha resolution (2/3rd present and voting) on national interest. Article 252: Two or more states pass resolutions requesting Parliament to legislate for them. Article 253: For implementing international treaties/agreements. Final Answer All of the above

Question 16

State Council of Ministers: Who administers the oath of office to State Ministers? Refer to constitutional practice at the state level. Choose the correct authority.

Accepted Answer

Given data Ceremony: Oath of office to members of the State Council of Ministers. Concept/Approach State Ministers are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, and the oath of office and secrecy is administered by the Governor. Final Answer The Governor

Question 17

Fundamental rights (Article 21, phraseology): What does "procedure established by law" signify? Contrast judicial review of procedure with substantive due process in the Indian context. Choose the correct interpretation.

Accepted Answer

Given data Phrase: "Procedure established by law" in Article 21. Concept/Approach The phrase traditionally meant that courts examine whether there is a valid law and whether the procedure prescribed by that law is followed. (Subsequent jurisprudence — e.g., Maneka Gandhi — read reasonableness into the procedure, but the exam-standard interpretation attached to the phrase emphasizes adherence to law/procedure rather than a free-standing substantive due process test.) Final Answer Judges cannot question the fairness or validity of a law if it is within constitutional limits and proper procedure exists

Question 18

Constitutional history (Morley–Minto Reforms, 1909): What was a key objective of these reforms? Identify the main institutional change introduced by the Indian Councils Act, 1909. Choose the correct objective.

Accepted Answer

Given data Event: Morley–Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act, 1909). Concept/Approach The 1909 reforms expanded legislative councils, increased elected representation, and introduced separate electorates for Muslims. Diarchy came later (1919), and neither local self-government primacy nor abolition of the Secretary of State was an objective in 1909. Final Answer Extension of provincial assemblies (with enlarged councils and separate electorates)

Question 19

Election law (dispute resolution): Who has the power to decide an election petition in India? Focus on petitions challenging elections to the Lok Sabha/State Legislative Assemblies (not the President/Vice-President). Choose the correct adjudicating …

Accepted Answer

Given data Context: Election petitions challenging the validity of elections to the Lok Sabha or a State Legislative Assembly. Not about Presidential/Vice-Presidential elections (which lie with the Supreme Court). Concept/Approach Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, election petitions for parliamentary and assembly seats are tried by the High Court of the concerned state. The Election Commission conducts elections but does not adjudicate these petitions. Step-by-step reasoning • Identify election type → Lok Sabha/Assembly.• Statutory forum → High Court has original jurisdiction to try the petition.• Supreme Court's role applies to Presidential/Vice-Presidential election disputes. Common pitfalls Confusing the Election Commission's administrative role with judicial determination, or assuming the Supreme Court is the first instance forum for all election disputes. Final Answer High Courts

Question 20

Indian political history: In which year was the All-India Muslim League founded as a political party? Identify the exact founding year associated with the Dhaka session where the League took shape. Choose the correct year.

Accepted Answer

Given data Asks for the founding year of the All-India Muslim League. Concept/Approach The Muslim League was founded at Dhaka in 1906 (commonly cited date 30 December 1906), in a session attended by prominent leaders. Verification/Alternative Many standard history texts list 1906 as the founding year; 1907 corresponds to the Surat split of the INC, not the League's founding. Common pitfalls Mixing up adjacent years (1905–1908) due to concurrent political events. Final Answer 1906

Indian Politics Questions