Question 1

Which article of the Indian Constitution defines the composition and powers of the State Legislature?

Accepted Answer

Article 168 of the Indian Constitution specifies the composition of the State Legislature. It states that the Legislature of each State shall consist of the Governor and one or two Houses—a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) in all States, and a Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) in some States as determined by Parliament.

Question 2

Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the composition of the Rajya Sabha?

Accepted Answer

Article 80 of the Indian Constitution deals with the composition of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). It states that the Rajya Sabha shall consist of not more than 250 members — 238 representatives of States and Union Territories, and 12 nominated by the President.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a power of the Rajya Sabha?

Accepted Answer

The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) has limited powers compared to the Lok Sabha. It cannot initiate money bills, cannot vote on the budget, and cannot remove the Prime Minister through a vote of no confidence. However, it can impeach the President, remove judges, and pass constitutional amendments. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house with 1/3 members retiring every two years.

Question 4

What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha as per the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 81 of the Indian Constitution stipulates that the Lok Sabha shall consist of not more than 552 members. Currently, the Lok Sabha has 545 members (530 from States, 13 from Union Territories, and 2 Anglo-Indian members nominated by the President). The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 froze the delimitation of constituencies until 2000, later extended to 2026.

Question 5

The Indian Parliament consists of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Indian Parliament is a bicameral legislature consisting of the President, the Lok Sabha (House of the People), and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). Article 79 of the Constitution defines Parliament as comprising these three components. The President is a constitutional part of Parliament for legislative purposes.

Question 6

Under which Article of the Indian Constitution can the President dissolve the Lok Sabha?

Accepted Answer

Article 85(2)(b) empowers the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha. The President acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. Dissolution can occur after the completion of the 5-year term or earlier on the advice of the PM.

Question 7

Which amendment to the Indian Constitution added Fundamental Duties to Part IV-A?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976), also known as the 'Mini Constitution,' added Part IV-A to the Indian Constitution, which contains Article 51A listing 11 Fundamental Duties of citizens. This amendment was passed during the Emergency period under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty as listed in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 51A, added by the 42nd Amendment (1976), lists 11 Fundamental Duties of citizens. These include respecting the Constitution, promoting harmony, protecting public property, and developing scientific temper. The right to vote is NOT a Fundamental Duty; it is a constitutional right.

Question 9

What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha as prescribed by the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 81 of the Indian Constitution prescribes that the Lok Sabha shall consist of not more than 552 members. Currently, the Lok Sabha has 543 elected members (from States and Union Territories) plus 2 nominated members from the Anglo-Indian community, totaling 545 members.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the composition of the Rajya Sabha is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) has a maximum strength of 250 members: 238 elected by State and Union Territory Legislatures, and 12 nominated by the President from persons with special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service (Article 80).

Question 11

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, passed in 1976, made significant changes to the Constitution. Which of the following is NOT one of those changes?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) was a major constitutional amendment during the Emergency. Key changes included: (1) Adding 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, (2) Reducing Lok Sabha term from 5 to 4 years (later reverted by 44th Amendment), (3) Adding Fundamental Duties (Article 51A), (4) Reducing the power of courts to question constitutional amendments. However, it did NOT reduce the Rajya Sabha term—Rajya Sabha members continue to serve 6-year terms.

Question 12

Which of the following statements regarding the Rajya Sabha is CORRECT according to the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is the upper house of Parliament. According to Article 80, it consists of not more than 250 members. Of these, 238 are elected by State and Union Territory legislatures, and 12 are nominated by the President from persons with special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service.

Question 13

According to Article 75 of the Indian Constitution, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to which House of Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Article 75(3) states that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (House of the People). This principle of collective responsibility means that the Council of Ministers must retain the confidence of the Lok Sabha and can be removed through a vote of no-confidence.

Question 14

Which article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty, and has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to privacy?

Accepted Answer

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution states: 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.' The Supreme Court has progressively expanded this article to include rights such as privacy (Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India, 2017), dignity, and freedom from torture.

Question 15

Which article of the Indian Constitution defines the composition and powers of the State Legislature, and specifies that a State Legislative Assembly shall not have more than 500 members and not fewer than 60 members?

Accepted Answer

Article 170 of the Indian Constitution deals with the composition of State Legislative Assemblies. It mandates that the total number of members in a State Legislative Assembly shall not exceed 500 and shall not be less than 60, except in special cases. This article is fundamental to understanding the structure of state-level legislative bodies in India.

Question 16

Under Article 79 of the Indian Constitution, Parliament consists of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Article 79 of the Indian Constitution defines the composition of Parliament. It states that Parliament shall consist of the President and two Houses—the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). The President is an integral part of Parliament for legislative purposes.

Question 17

Which constitutional amendment introduced the concept of 'Fundamental Duties' into the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976), also known as the 'Mini Constitution,' introduced Part IVA containing Fundamental Duties (Articles 51A–51K). This amendment was passed during the Emergency period and added duties such as respecting the Constitution, defending the country, and promoting scientific temper.

Question 18

Under Article 368 of the Indian Constitution, which of the following requires a special majority (2/3 majority in both Houses) but NOT ratification by State Legislatures?

Accepted Answer

Article 368 defines the amendment procedure. While most amendments require a simple or special majority in Parliament, amendments affecting the federal structure, representation in Parliament, or the amendment procedure itself require ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures. However, amendments to many articles (e.g., Articles 54, 55, 73–100) require only a special majority without State ratification.

Question 19

Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is the composition of the Rajya Sabha defined?

Accepted Answer

Article 80 of the Indian Constitution deals with the composition of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). It specifies that Rajya Sabha shall consist of not more than 250 members — 238 representatives of States and Union Territories elected indirectly, and 12 members nominated by the President.

Question 20

Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the qualifications and disqualifications of members of Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Articles 84 and 101 of the Indian Constitution deal with qualifications and disqualifications of members of Parliament. Article 84 specifies the qualifications required to be a member of either house of Parliament (citizenship, age, mental soundness, etc.). Article 101 specifies the grounds on which a member may be disqualified (holding office of profit, undischarged insolvency, etc.).

SSC CGL Parliament & State Legislature

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Parliament & State Legislature — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Parliament & State Legislature