[Solutions] Monday Polity Test #14

[Solutions]

Q.1) The Indian Constitution:
a) Is silent on the President’s re-election to the office

b) Allows re-election of a person to the President’s post

c) Restricts a person to remain President for only two terms

d) Has been amended to allow a person only one term as President

Ans-[B]

Explanation- Indian constitution allows reelection of President on any number of times.

 

Q.2)Which of the following Emergencies can be declared by the President on his own discretion?
I. Emergency on account of armed rebellion.
II. Financial Emergency.
III. President’s Rule in a state.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
a) I only

b) III only

c) I, II and III

d) None of these

Ans-[D]

 

Explanation- The President can declare three types of emergencies: national, state and financial, under articles 352, 356 & 360.

A national emergency can be declared in the whole of India or a part of its territory for causes of war or armed rebellion or an external aggression. Such an emergency was declared in India in 1962 (Indo-China war), 1971 (Indo-Pakistan war) and 1975 to 1977 (declared by Indira Gandhi. Under Article 352 of the India Constitution, the President can declare such an emergency only on the basis of a written request by the Cabinet Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. Such a proclamation must be approved by the Parliament within one month. Such an emergency can be imposed for six months. It can be extended by six months by repeated parliamentary approval-there is no maximum duration

If the President is fully satisfied, on the basis of the report of the Governor of the concerned state or from other sources that the governance in a state cannot be carried out according to the provisions in the Constitution, he can proclaim under Article 356 a state of emergency in the state.  Such an emergency must be approved by the Parliament within a period of 2 months.

Under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, it can be imposed from six months to a maximum period of three years with repeated parliamentary approval every six months. If the emergency needs to be extended for more than three years, this can be achieved by a constitutional amendment, as has happened in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

Under article 360 of the constitution, President can proclaim a financial emergency when the financial stability or credit of the nation or of any part of its territory is threatened. However, until now no guidelines defining the situation of financial emergency in the entire country or a state or a union territory or a panchayat or a municipality or a corporation have been framed either by the finance commission or by the central government.

Such an emergency must be approved by the Parliament within two months by simple majority. It has never been declared.

 

Q.3)Which of the following are among the Fundamental Duties as listed in the Constitution?*
I. To preserve the heritage of our composite culture.
II. To abide by the Constitution.
III. To strive for excellence in scientific research to win international fame.
IV. To render national service when called upon to do so.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

a)1 and 2

b)2 and 3

c)1,2 and 4

d)1,2,3 and 4

Ans-[C]

Explanation- Article 51A talks about  Fundamental Duties.-

It shall be the duty of every citizens of India-

(a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;

(b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;

(c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;

(d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;

(e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;

(f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;

(g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;

(h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;

(i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;

(j) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.

 

Q.4) Which of the following sought to change the character of Indian Government from Unitary to federal?
a) Government of India Act, 1919

b) Government of India Act, 1935

c) India Council Act, 1909

d) Indian Independence Act, 1947

Ans-[B]

Explanation- Salient Features of the Government of India Act 1935 were as follows:

1. Abolition of provincial dyarchy and introduction of dyarchy at centre. Abolition of Indian Council and introduction of an advisory body in its place.
2. Provision for an All India Federation with British India territories and princely states.
3. Elaborate safeguards and protective instruments for minorities. Supremacy of British Parliament. Increase in size of legislatures, extension of franchise, division of subjects into three lists and retention of communal electorate.
4. Separation of Burma from India All India Federation
5. The proposed all India federation included 11 provinces of British India, 6 Chief Commissioners Provinces and those princely states who might accede to the federation.
6. For princely states, the accession to the Federation was voluntary.
7. The federation could not be established until:  number of states, the rulers whereof were entitled to choose not less than half of the 104 seats of the council of state , and The aggregate population whereof amounted to be at least one half of the total population of all the Indian states had acceded to the federation. The term on which a state joined the Federation were to be laid down in the Instrument of Accession.

 

Q.5) Consider the following union territories:

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

2. Puducherry

3. Daman and Diu

Which of the above were created on the basis of cultural distinctiveness:

a)1 and 2 only

b)1 and 3 only

c)1, 2 and 3 only

d) 2 and 3 only

Ans-[D]

Explanation-

 

Q.6) Which of the following areas constitute the tribal areas of Assam (under 6th schedule)?

a) Chakma district

b) North Cachar Hills district

c) Mara district

d) Jaintia Hills district

Ans-[B]

North Cachar Hill district is in Assam. Chakma and Mara districts are in Mizoram. Jaintia Hills district is in Meghalya.

 

Q.7) Consider the following statements:

1. The quorum to conduct the business of the house is 1/10th the total members of the house excluding the presiding officer.

2. Quorum is not required in case of a joint sitting.

Which of the statements given above is/are true?

a)1 only

b)2 only

c) 1 and 2

d) None of these

Ans-[D]

Explanation-The quorum to conduct the business of the house is 1/10th the total members of the house including the presiding officer.

In case of joint sitting also, a quorum of 1/10th of the total members of both the houses is required.

*Question Corrected