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Generate QuizPolity – GK Questions
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The President must appoint the leader of the majority party in Lok Sabha as Prime Minister.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 75(1): President appoints PM, but Constitution doesn't mandate appointing majority leader. Convention dictates this, but in hung parliaments, President exercises discretion to appoint someone who can command majority support. This discretionary power was notably used in 1979, 1996, 1998, and 2014.
The Vice President of India can be removed from office by a resolution passed by which body?
- Lok Sabha only
- Rajya Sabha only
- Both Houses of Parliament
- Electoral College
Answer: Rajya Sabha only
Article 67(b): VP can be removed by Rajya Sabha passing a resolution by majority of all then-members, and agreed to by Lok Sabha. No impeachment process needed; simple majority suffices. Notice of at least 14 days must be given. This reflects VP's primary association with Rajya Sabha.
The Vice President of India is elected by members of an Electoral College consisting of elected and nominated members of ______.
- Lok Sabha only
- Rajya Sabha only
- Both Houses of Parliament
- State Legislative Assemblies
Answer: Both Houses of Parliament
Article 66: Vice President is elected by members of both Houses of Parliament (elected + nominated) via proportional representation by single transferable vote. Unlike Presidential election, State Legislative Assembly members do not participate. VP serves as ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64).
The President's pardoning power under Article 72 extends to cases of punishment by court-martial.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 72 grants President power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, remissions, or suspend/remute sentences in three cases: (a) court-martial punishments, (b) offences against Union law, (c) death sentences. This is an executive check on judicial power, exercised on Cabinet advice.
Which type of Emergency can be proclaimed by the President only on written recommendation of the Cabinet?
- National Emergency
- State Emergency
- Financial Emergency
- All of the above
Answer: All of the above
44th Amendment (1978) made it mandatory for President to act on written Cabinet advice for all three Emergencies: National (Article 352), State/President's Rule (Article 356), and Financial (Article 360). This curbed potential misuse and reinforced collective responsibility.
Under Article 123, the President can promulgate ordinances when both Houses of Parliament are not in session, but such ordinances must be approved by Parliament within ______ weeks of its reassembly.
- 4
- 6
- 8
- 10
Answer: 6
Article 123: Presidential ordinances have same force as Acts of Parliament but must be laid before both Houses. They cease to operate at expiration of 6 weeks from reassembly of Parliament, or earlier if both Houses pass resolutions disapproving them. This balances executive urgency with legislative oversight.
The President can return a Money Bill for reconsideration by Parliament.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 111: President can return ordinary bills for reconsideration, but Money Bills (Article 110) cannot be returned. President must either give assent or withhold assent to Money Bills. This ensures financial legislation proceeds without executive delay, respecting Lok Sabha's financial supremacy.
Which of the following appointments is NOT made by the President of India?
- Prime Minister
- Chief Justice of India
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Speaker of Lok Sabha
Answer: Speaker of Lok Sabha
Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected by members of Lok Sabha from amongst themselves (Article 93). President appoints PM (Article 75), CJI (Article 124), CEC (Article 324), Governors, Judges, etc. Understanding appointment authorities is crucial for Polity questions.
The President of India holds office for a term of ______ years from the date on which they enter upon their office.
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Answer: 5
Article 56: President's term is 5 years. They can resign by writing to Vice President, or be removed by impeachment for 'violation of the Constitution' under Article 61. Impeachment requires 2/3 majority of total membership of Parliament after charges are framed by either House.
A person must be at least 35 years old to be eligible for election as President of India.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 58 specifies qualifications for President: (a) citizen of India, (b) completed 35 years of age, (c) qualified for election as Lok Sabha member, (d) not holding any office of profit. These ensure maturity and constitutional eligibility for the highest executive office.
The President of India is elected by an Electoral College consisting of elected members of which bodies?
- Lok Sabha only
- Rajya Sabha only
- Both Houses of Parliament only
- Both Houses of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies
Answer: Both Houses of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies
Article 54: President is elected by an Electoral College comprising elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies. Nominated members of Parliament and State Legislatures, and members of Legislative Councils do not participate. The election follows proportional representation by single transferable vote.
In which case did the Supreme Court hold that Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights are complementary and supplementary to each other?
- Champakam Dorairajan case (1951)
- Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
- Minerva Mills case (1980)
- Indira Sawhney case (1992)
Answer: Minerva Mills case (1980)
In Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980), the Supreme Court held that the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of balance between Fundamental Rights (Part III) and Directive Principles (Part IV). Neither has primacy; they are complementary and supplementary, together forming the core of constitutional philosophy.
Article 36 defines 'State' for Part IV (DPSP) in the same manner as defined in Article ______ for Fundamental Rights.
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
Answer: 12
Article 36 states that definitions in Part III (Fundamental Rights) apply to Part IV (DPSP) unless context otherwise requires. Thus, 'State' under Article 12 (including government, legislature, local authorities, etc.) applies to DPSP enforcement, though DPSP themselves are non-justiciable.
The provisions for Panchayats and Municipalities were added to Directive Principles by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 40 (organisation of village panchayats) existed in original DPSP. The 73rd (1992) and 74th (1992) Amendments added Parts IX and IXA to the Constitution, giving constitutional status to Panchayats and Municipalities with justiciable provisions, not merely Directive Principles. So, they are enforceable now.
Which Article directs the State to minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities among individuals and groups?
- Article 38
- Article 39
- Article 40
- Article 41
Answer: Article 38
Article 38(2), added by the 44th Amendment (1978), directs the State to minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities not only among individuals but also among groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations. It strengthens the egalitarian vision of the Constitution.
Article 43 directs the State to secure to all workers a living wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life, and full enjoyment of leisure and social and ______ opportunities.
- political
- cultural
- economic
- educational
Answer: cultural
Article 43 directs the State to secure: (a) living wage, (b) decent standard of life, (c) leisure, and (d) social and cultural opportunities for workers. This aims at holistic development of labour force beyond mere economic sustenance, reflecting the welfare state ideal.
Article 41 directs the State to secure the right to work, education, and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 41 is a socialist principle directing the State to secure, within economic capacity, the right to work, education, and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement. While not justiciable, it has inspired MGNREGA, pension schemes, and disability welfare programs.
Which Article directs the State to secure just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief?
- Article 41
- Article 42
- Article 43
- Article 44
Answer: Article 42
Article 42 directs the State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief. This has led to legislation like the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (amended 2017), Factories Act, and various labour welfare laws ensuring worker protections.
Article 46 directs the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections, particularly the ______ and Scheduled Tribes.
- Other Backward Classes
- Scheduled Castes
- Minorities
- Women
Answer: Scheduled Castes
Article 46 is a socialist-Gandhian principle directing the State to promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections, especially SCs and STs, and protect them from social injustice and exploitation. This underpins reservation policies and welfare schemes for marginalized communities.
In case of conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, Fundamental Rights always prevail as per the original Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Originally, in State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951), SC held FRs prevail over DPSP. However, the 25th Amendment (1971) inserted Article 31C giving precedence to DPSP under Articles 39(b) & (c) over Articles 14, 19 & 31. The 42nd Amendment expanded this, but Minerva Mills (1980) struck down the expansion, restoring balance. So, it's not absolute.