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The Right to Free Legal Aid is a Fundamental Right under Article 21 as interpreted by the Supreme Court.
- True
- False
Answer: True
In Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar (1979) and subsequent cases, the Supreme Court held that free legal aid to indigent accused is part of 'reasonable, fair, and just procedure' under Article 21. This was later codified in Article 39A (Directive Principle) and the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, establishing free legal aid infrastructure.
The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 introduced:
- Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
- GST implementation
- National Judicial Appointments Commission
- Right to Education as Fundamental Right
Answer: Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
The 103rd Amendment Act, 2019 added Articles 15(6) and 16(6) to provide 10% reservation in education and government jobs for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) among citizens not covered under existing reservations (SC/ST/OBC). It amended the definition of 'backward classes' to exclude EWS, sparking debates on equality and reservation policy.
The decision on disqualification of a member under the Tenth Schedule is taken by the ______ of the House, whose decision is subject to judicial review as held in ______ case.
Answer: Speaker/Chairman, Kihoto Hollohan
Paragraph 6 of the Tenth Schedule empowers the Speaker/Chairman of the House to decide on disqualification petitions. In Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu (1992), the Supreme Court upheld the Speaker's role but made their decision subject to judicial review on grounds of mala fides, perversity, or violation of constitutional mandates. This balances legislative autonomy with constitutional supremacy.
The Eighth Schedule originally contained 14 languages and now has 22 languages.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Eighth Schedule originally listed 14 languages in 1950. Through amendments: 71st (1992) added Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali; 92nd (2003) added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali; 96th (2011) replaced 'Oriya' with 'Odia'. Total now: 22 scheduled languages. These languages can be used in official communications and for competitive exams.
Article 371A provides special provisions for which State?
- Nagaland
- Mizoram
- Sikkim
- Assam
Answer: Nagaland
Article 371A grants special provisions to Nagaland: (1) No Act of Parliament on Naga religious/social practices, customary law, civil/criminal justice involving customary law, or land ownership/transfer applies unless the Nagaland Legislative Assembly so decides. This protects Naga tribal identity and autonomy within the Indian Union.
Article ______ of the Constitution mandates that no tax shall be levied or collected except by authority of law.
Answer: 265
Article 265 establishes the principle of 'no taxation without law'. It states: 'No tax shall be levied or collected except by authority of law.' This ensures that taxation requires legislative sanction, protecting citizens from arbitrary executive taxation. It applies to both Union and State taxes.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a constitutional body established under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
The NHRC is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, not a constitutional body. Constitutional bodies are explicitly created by the Constitution (e.g., Election Commission under Article 324). The NHRC investigates human rights violations but its recommendations are not binding, though they carry moral and political weight.
The Governor of a State holds office during the pleasure of:
- Chief Minister of the State
- President of India
- Prime Minister of India
- State Legislature
Answer: President of India
Article 156 states that the Governor holds office 'during the pleasure of the President'. This means the President can remove the Governor at any time without assigning reasons. However, conventions suggest removal should not be arbitrary. The Governor's term is normally 5 years, but they can resign or be removed earlier.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and has ______ members from Lok Sabha and ______ from Rajya Sabha.
Answer: 15, 7
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has 22 members: 15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha, elected by proportional representation. It examines CAG reports on government expenditure, ensuring accountability. The Chairman is traditionally from the Opposition party in Lok Sabha, enhancing impartial scrutiny.
In the Kesavananda Bharati case, the Supreme Court held that Fundamental Rights can be amended by Parliament but not if it violates the 'basic structure' of the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) judgment established the 'Basic Structure Doctrine'. While Parliament can amend Fundamental Rights under Article 368, it cannot destroy or alter the Constitution's basic structure (e.g., supremacy of Constitution, secularism, federalism, judicial review, free and fair elections). This doctrine has been used to strike down several amendments.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in India through which Constitutional Amendment?
- 100th Amendment
- 101st Amendment
- 102nd Amendment
- 103rd Amendment
Answer: 101st Amendment
The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST), subsuming multiple central and state indirect taxes. It added Article 246A (concurrent power to levy GST), Article 269A (IGST on inter-state trade), and established the GST Council under Article 279A for cooperative federalism in tax administration.
Under the Tenth Schedule, a member of a House can be disqualified for defection if they voluntarily give up membership of their party or vote/abstain contrary to party directions without prior permission, unless the party condones the act within ______ days.
Answer: 15
Paragraph 2 of the Tenth Schedule specifies disqualification grounds. If a member votes/abstains contrary to party whip without permission, they can be disqualified unless the party condones the action within 15 days. The 91st Amendment (2003) removed the provision allowing splits (1/3rd members) as an exception, making the law stricter.
English is the official language of India as per the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 343(1) declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union. English is an 'associate official language' for specific purposes under the Official Languages Act, 1963. The Constitution originally envisaged phasing out English by 1965, but parliamentary legislation extended its use indefinitely for certain official purposes.
Which Article provides special provisions for the State of Jammu and Kashmir before the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019?
- Article 370
- Article 371
- Article 371A
- Article 356
Answer: Article 370
Article 370 granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it to have its own Constitution, flag, and autonomy over all matters except defense, foreign affairs, finance, and communications. It was abrogated on August 5, 2019, via Presidential Order and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, bifurcating the state into two Union Territories.
The Finance Commission is required to make recommendations on the distribution of net proceeds of taxes between Union and States for a period of ______ years.
Answer: five
Article 280 mandates that the Finance Commission be constituted every five years (or earlier) to recommend: (1) Distribution of net tax proceeds between Union and States, (2) Principles for grants-in-aid to States, (3) Measures to augment State Consolidated Funds for Panchayats/Municipalities. The 15th Finance Commission covered 2021-26.
The National Commission for Women is a constitutional body established under Article 338A of the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body, not constitutional. It was established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. Constitutional bodies are those explicitly mentioned in the Constitution (e.g., Election Commission, UPSC, Finance Commission). Article 338A actually establishes the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which was made constitutional by the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018.
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India was pioneered by which Supreme Court judge?
- Justice H.R. Khanna
- Justice P.N. Bhagwati
- Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer
- Both B and C
Answer: Both B and C
PIL was pioneered in India by Justices P.N. Bhagwati and V.R. Krishna Iyer in the late 1970s-early 1980s. They relaxed the traditional rule of 'locus standi', allowing any public-spirited citizen to file petitions for enforcement of rights of disadvantaged groups. Landmark cases: Hussainara Khatoon (1979), S.P. Gupta (1981).
In which situation can the Governor of a State exercise discretionary powers?
- Appointing the Chief Minister when no party has clear majority
- Dissolving the State Assembly on advice of Council of Ministers
- Assenting to a Bill passed by State Legislature
- All of the above
Answer: Appointing the Chief Minister when no party has clear majority
The Governor's discretionary powers (not bound by Council of Ministers' advice) include: (1) Appointing CM when no party has clear majority, (2) Dismissing a ministry that loses majority but refuses to resign, (3) Dissolving Assembly if ministry loses majority, (4) Reserving a Bill for President's consideration. Options B and C are normally done on ministerial advice.
The 'Guillotine' in Parliament refers to the closure of discussion on demands for grants and putting them to vote after the allotted time, as per Rule ______ of Lok Sabha Rules.
Answer: 173
Rule 173 of Lok Sabha Rules provides for the 'Guillotine' procedure. When time allocated for discussing Demands for Grants expires, the Speaker puts all pending demands to vote immediately without further discussion. This ensures the Budget is passed before the financial year ends (March 31).
In the Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India case (1978), the Supreme Court expanded the scope of Article 21 to include the 'right to live with human dignity'.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The landmark Maneka Gandhi case (1978) revolutionized Article 21 interpretation. The Supreme Court held that 'personal liberty' under Article 21 includes a wide range of rights making life meaningful, not just physical restraint. It established that any law depriving liberty must be 'fair, just, and reasonable', not merely procedurally valid.