Q 1 . Consider the following statements regarding Estimates committee
1 . It suggests alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency in administration.
2 . It estimates the Budget before it is voted by the Parliament.
3 . It cannot question the policy laid down by the Parliament
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Ans (b) EXPLANATION : The functions of the estimates committee are: 1 . To report what economies, improvements in organisation, efficiency and administrative reform consistent with the policy underlying the estimates, can be affected. 2 . To suggest alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in administration 3 . To examine whether the money is well laid out within the limits of the policy implied in the estimates 4 . To suggest the form in which the estimates are to be presented to Parliament. However, the effectiveness of the role of the committee is limited by the following: (a) It examines the budget estimates only after they have been voted by the Parliament, and not before that. (b) It cannot question the policy laid down by the Parliament. (c) Its recommendations are advisory and not binding on the ministries. (d) It examines every year only certain selected ministries and departments. Thus, by rotation, it would cover all of them over a number of years. (e) It lacks the expert assistance of the CAG which is available to the Public Accounts Committee. (f) Its work is in the nature of a post-mortem.
Must read: THE NATURE OF PARLIAMENTARY FINANCIAL CONTROL
Q 2 . Article 156 of the Constitution of India provides that a Governor shall hold office for a term of five year from the date on which he enters upon his office. Which of the following can be deduced from this?
1 . No Governor can be removed from office till completion of his term.
2 . No Governor can continue in office beyond five years.
Codes:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) EXPLANATION : According to Article 156, the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President, the Governor may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this article, a Governor shall hold for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office. Provided that a Governor shall, notwithstanding the expiration of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office.
Q 3 . Which of the following are/is stated in the Constitution of India?
1 . The President shall not be a member of either House of Parliament
2 . The Parliament shall consist of the President and two Houses
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:
(a) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) Both 1 and 2
(c) Only 1
(d) Only 2
(b) EXPLANATION : Statement 1 is correct as per provisions under Article 59. Statement 2 is correct as according to Article 79, Parliament shall consist of the President and two Houses.
Q4 . The Constitution of India recognises:
(a) only religious minorities
(b) only linguistic minorities
(c) religious and linguistic minorities
(d) religious, linguistic and ethnic minorities
(c) EXPLANATION : The Constitution of India recognizes religious and linguistic minorities under article 29 and 30 (Cultural and Educational rights). However it does not define the term Minority.
Q5 . Consider the following statements:
An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by the:
1 . Lok Sabha
2 . Rajya Sabha
3 . State Legislature
4 . President
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 2
(d) EXPLANATION : An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by either House of Parliament under article 368. It does not require the President’s recommendation.
Q 6 . Which Article of the Constitution provides that it shall be the endeavour of every state to provide adequate facility for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education?
(a) Article 349
(b) Article 350
(c) Article 350 A
(d) Article 351
(c) Article 350 A was inserted by 7th Constitutional Amendment act 1956. It says, it shall be the endeavour of every State and of every local authority within the State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups; and the President may issue such directions to any State as he considers necessary or proper for securing the provision of such facilities. Article 349 – Special Procedure for enactment of certain laws relating to language; Article 350 – Language to be used in representations for redress of grievances; Article 351 – Directive for development of the Hindi language.
Q 7 . Which one of the following amendments to the Indian Constitution empowers the President to send back any matter for reconsideration by the Council of Ministers?
(a) 39th
(b) 40th
(c) 42nd
(d) 44th
(d) EXPLANATION : Previously Article 74(1) stated that, “there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions”. However, there was a slight ambiguity whether the advice of the Council of Ministers is binding on the President. 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) made it explicit that the President shall, “act in accordance with such advice”.The amendment went into effect from 3 January, 1977. The 44th Amendment (1978) however added that the President can send the advice back for reconsideration once. But if the Council of Ministers sends the same advice again to the President then the President must accept it. The amendment went into effect from 20 June, 1979.
Q 8 . Match List-I (Article of Indian Constitution) with List -II (Provisions) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Article of Indian Constitution) List-II (Provisions)
A. Article 16 (2) 1. No person shall be deprived of his property save by the authority of law
B. Article 29 (2) 2. No person can be discriminated against in the matter of public appointment on the ground of race, religious or caste
C. Article 30 (I) 3. All minorities whether based on religion or language shall have to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice
D. Article 31 (I) 4. No citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by the State, or receiving State aid, on grounds of religion, race, caste, language or any of them
Codes :
(a) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
(b) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
(c) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
(d) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
(a) EXPLANATION : These are Fundamental Rights under Part III of the Constitution.
Q 9 . The Ninth Schedule to the Indian Constitution was added by:
(a) First Amendment
(b) Eighth Amendment
(c) Ninth Amendment
(d) Forty Second Amendment
(a) EXPLANATION : Ninth Schedule was added by First Amendment Act of 1951, which relates to Land Reforms.
External link: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/jharkhand-new-quota-bill-what-is-ninth-schedule-of-constitution-8265015/
Q 10 . Which one of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution provides that ‘It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance’?
(a) Article 215
(b) Article 275
(c) Article 325
(d) Article 355
(d) EXPLANATION : According Article 355, it shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
