Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon – December 19, 2018

The Socialistic Principles of Directive Principles of State Policy reflect the ideology of socialism. To secure for all citizens a uniform civil code throughout the country represents the ideology of liberalism not a Socialistic Principles.

The 42nd Amendment also amended the Preamble and changed the description of India from “sovereign democratic republic” to a “sovereign, socialist secular democratic republic”. It changed the words “unity of the nation” to “unity and integrity of the nation”.

Statement 1 is incorrect. India has an integrated judicial system. The Supreme Court stands at the top of the integrated judicial system in the country. Below it, there are high courts at the state level. Under a high court, there is a hierarchy of subordinate courts, that is, district courts and other lower courts. This single system of courts enforces both the central laws as well as the state laws.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Both the Supreme Court and High courts have the power of judicial review on parliamentary laws. The power of judicial review over legislative action vested in the High Courts under Article 226 and in the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution is an integral and essential feature of the Constitution, constituting part of its basic structure.

However, the power of judicial review vested on the high court is subject to decision of the Supreme Court. If a High Court declares a law null and void, the Supreme Court has the final say and it can modify or reject the high court’s decision. Judicial Review can be conducted in respect of all Central and State laws, executive orders and ordinances.

Under the Constitution, a person shall be disqualified for being elected as a member of Parliament:

1. if he holds any office of profit under the Union or state government (except that of a minister or any other office exempted by Parliament).
2. if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a court.
3. if he is an undischarged insolvent.
4. if he is not a citizen of India or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign state or is under any acknowledgment of allegiance to a foreign state;
5. if he is so disqualified under any law made by Parliament.

Hence,(d) is the correct answer.

The Emergency provisions are contained in Part XVIII of the Constitution, from Articles 352 to 360. These provisions enable the Central government to meet any abnormal situation effectively. The rationality behind the incorporation of these provisions in the Constitution is to safeguard the sovereignty, unity, integrity and security of the country, the democratic political system, and the Constitution.

Substantive motion is a self-contained independent proposal submitted for the approval of the House and drafted in such a way as to be capable of expressing a decision of the House. Other examples of substantive motions are the motion of no confidence, motions for election or removal of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, impeachment of the President etc.

A proclamation of national emergency may be applicable to the entire country or only a part of it. The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 enabled the president to limit the operation of a National Emergency to a specific part of India.