Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Article 80 of the Indian Constitution prescribes the composition of the Rajya Sabha. It states that the Rajya Sabha shall consist of not more than 250 members: 238 elected by State Legislatures and 12 nominated by the President from persons with special knowledge or practical experience.

Question 2

Which article of the Indian Constitution defines the composition and powers of the Rajya Sabha?

Accepted Answer

Article 80 of the Indian Constitution defines the composition of the Rajya Sabha. It states that the Rajya Sabha shall consist of not more than 250 members — 12 nominated by the President and the rest elected by State Legislative Assemblies.

Question 3

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 specifies that the Rajya Sabha shall consist of not more than 250 members — 12 nominated by the President and not more than 238 representatives of States and Union Territories.

Question 4

Under which Article can a member of Parliament be disqualified on grounds of defection?

Accepted Answer

Article 102 (for Lok Sabha) and Article 178 (for Rajya Sabha) deal with disqualifications. However, the Anti-Defection Law is governed by the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which was added by the 52nd Amendment Act, 1985. This schedule specifies grounds for disqualification on defection.

Question 5

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 545 members. Currently, it has 543 elected members and 2 members nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community (as per Article 331).

Question 6

Under which article can the President dissolve the Lok Sabha?

Accepted Answer

Article 85 of the Indian Constitution grants the President the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha. The President can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Prime Minister, typically when the government loses its majority or at the end of the five-year term.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a function of the State Legislature?

Accepted Answer

State Legislatures have powers to make laws on subjects in the State List and Concurrent List as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. However, declaring war, making treaties with foreign countries, and issuing currency are exclusively Union functions under Article 246 and the Union List.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a house of the Indian Parliament?

Accepted Answer

The Indian Parliament consists of two houses: (1) Lok Sabha (House of the People) and (2) Rajya Sabha (Council of States). There is no third house. The State Legislature is a separate entity at the state level, not part of the Union Parliament.

Question 9

Which Article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty, and has been interpreted by courts to include the right to live with human dignity?

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.' This article has been expansively interpreted by the Supreme Court to include rights such as the right to health, education, clean environment, and living with dignity. It is one of the most litigated and broadly construed fundamental rights.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Article 79 of the Indian Constitution explicitly defines Parliament as consisting of the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). This is the foundational article establishing the bicameral structure of Indian Parliament.

Question 11

Which of the following statements regarding the term of members of the Lok Sabha is correct as per the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 83(1) of the Indian Constitution states that the Lok Sabha shall be constituted for a term of five years from the date appointed for its first meeting after a general election. However, the President may dissolve the Lok Sabha before the expiry of five years under Article 85(2).

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a ground for disqualification of a member of the Lok Sabha under Article 102 of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 102 of the Indian Constitution specifies grounds for disqualification of members of Parliament. These include: holding office of profit, unsoundness of mind, undischarged insolvency, non-citizenship, and disqualification under any law made by Parliament. However, holding a degree from a foreign university is NOT a ground for disqualification.

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) of the Indian Constitution states that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (House of the People). This means the entire cabinet must resign if it loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha. This principle of collective responsibility is a cornerstone of parliamentary democracy in India, derived from the Westminster system. The Prime Minister and all ministers must maintain the support of the Lok Sabha majority to continue in office. If a no-confidence motion is passed against the government in the Lok Sabha, the entire cabinet must resign.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the composition of the Lok Sabha is correct according to the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The Lok Sabha (House of the People) is the lower house of the Indian Parliament. According to Article 81 of the Constitution, the Lok Sabha consists of members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the states and union territories. The maximum strength is fixed at 552 members: 530 members from states, 20 members from union territories, and 2 members nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community (though this provision has been allowed to lapse). The current strength is 543 members following the delimitation of constituencies.

Question 15

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, passed in 1976, is often called the 'Mini Constitution' because it made several significant changes. Which of the following was NOT a change introduced by the 42nd Amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) was passed during the Emergency declared by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It made major changes including: (1) changing 'Sovereign Democratic Republic' to 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic' in the Preamble, (2) adding Fundamental Duties in Part IVA (Articles 51A), (3) reducing the term of Lok Sabha from 5 years to 4 years (later reverted by 44th Amendment), (4) increasing the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution, and (5) limiting the jurisdiction of courts to review constitutional amendments. However, the 42nd Amendment did NOT introduce the concept of 'Judicial Review' — that was an inherent part of the Constitution from the beginning and was established in cases like Marbury v. Madison principles adopted in India.

Question 16

Under Article 79 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament of India 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

Under Article 368 of the Indian Constitution, which of the following requires a special majority of two-thirds of members present and voting in both Houses of Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Article 368 outlines the amendment procedure of the Indian Constitution. Most constitutional amendments require a special majority of two-thirds of members present and voting in both Houses of Parliament. However, amendments affecting the basic structure of the Constitution (as per the Basic Structure Doctrine established in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, 1973) cannot be amended even with this majority. Additionally, amendments related to the representation of states in Parliament or the powers of the President require ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.

Question 18

Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the qualifications required to be a member of the Lok Sabha?

Accepted Answer

Article 84 of the Indian Constitution specifies the qualifications for membership of the Lok Sabha. A person must be a citizen of India, not less than 25 years of age, possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed by law, and must not hold any office of profit under the Union or State government.

Question 19

Article 368 of the Indian Constitution outlines the amendment procedure. Which of the following statements regarding the amendment procedure is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Article 368 defines the amendment procedure in India. Amendments can be made by Parliament through a special majority (two-thirds of members present and voting in each House). Some amendments (affecting federal structure, representation, or powers of the President) require ratification by at least half of the State legislatures. However, certain provisions (like Articles 1, 4, and 73-75) cannot be amended even by the prescribed procedure—this is the 'basic structure doctrine' established in Kesavananda Bharati case (1973).

Question 20

Under Article 85 of the Indian Constitution, the President can summon, prorogue, and dissolve Parliament. If the President dissolves the Lok Sabha, what is the maximum period within which general elections must be held and a new Lok Sabha constituted?

Accepted Answer

Article 85 grants the President the power to summon, prorogue, and dissolve Parliament. Article 83 specifies the term of the Lok Sabha (5 years), and the Representation of the People Act, 1951, mandates that general elections must be held and a new Lok Sabha constituted within 6 months from the date of dissolution. This 6-month period is a constitutional requirement to ensure continuity of governance.

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