State Exam — UPSC IAS / IPS — Indian Polity & Constitution
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Showing 1–10 of 12 questions in Indian Polity & Constitution
Q.1 Hard Indian Polity & Constitution
Which amendment to the Indian Constitution expanded the scope of Fundamental Rights by adding new rights and made significant changes to the amendment procedure?
A1st Amendment (1951)
B42nd Amendment (1976)
C44th Amendment (1978)
D52nd Amendment (1985)
Correct Answer:  C. 44th Amendment (1978)
Explanation:

The 44th Amendment (1978), passed after the Emergency ended, restored several rights and modified earlier changes made by the 42nd Amendment.

It: (1) restored the right to property as a constitutional right; (2) made the right to life more explicit; (3) amended Article 21 regarding arrest and detention; (4) restored some parliamentary supremacy.

The 42nd Amendment had reduced fundamental rights and expanded DPSP, while 44th Amendment partially reversed these changes.

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Q.2 Hard Indian Polity & Constitution
The Supreme Court of India can exercise original jurisdiction in which of the following cases?
ACases between the Union and states, and between two or more states
BAll civil and criminal cases involving citizens
CCases involving interpretation of the Constitution and federal disputes
DBoth A and C
Correct Answer:  D. Both A and C
Explanation:

Article 131 grants the Supreme Court original jurisdiction in disputes between Union and states or between states.

Article 32 provides original jurisdiction for enforcing constitutional rights.

Article 138 extends original jurisdiction to matters of public importance involving interpretation of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court's original jurisdiction is limited and mainly covers federal disputes and constitutional matters, not general civil/criminal cases.

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Q.3 Hard Indian Polity & Constitution
The President of India can dismiss the Prime Minister under which constitutional provision?
AArticle 75: When the PM ceases to command the confidence of Lok Sabha
BArticle 74: As an executive decision by the President
CArticle 356: During a national emergency
DThe President has no power to dismiss the PM directly
Correct Answer:  D. The President has no power to dismiss the PM directly
Explanation:

The President cannot directly dismiss the Prime Minister.

Article 75(5) provides that the PM holds office during the pleasure of the President, but this is a formal provision.

Practically, the PM must command confidence of Lok Sabha majority (Article 75).

If the PM loses this confidence, they resign or face a no-confidence motion.

The President cannot arbitrarily dismiss the PM—this is a fundamental principle of parliamentary democracy.

The President acts on advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 74).

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Q.4 Hard Indian Polity & Constitution
Under Article 368, which amendments require ratification by state legislatures?
AAmendments affecting the federal structure and powers of state legislatures
BAll amendments to the Constitution
CAmendments relating only to Fundamental Rights
DAmendments requiring special majority in Parliament only
Correct Answer:  A. Amendments affecting the federal structure and powers of state legislatures
Explanation:

Article 368(3) requires that amendments affecting the division of powers between Union and states, and amendments altering the provisions regarding representation of states in Parliament, must be ratified by at least half of the state legislatures in addition to parliamentary approval.

This protects federalism.

For example, amendments to Article 1 (territory of India) and Articles 245-255 (distribution of legislative powers) require state ratification.

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Q.5 Hard Indian Polity & Constitution
Which of the following statements about the President's power of pardon under Article 72 is incorrect?
AThe President can grant pardon only on advice of the Council of Ministers
BPardons can be granted in cases of crimes against Union law
CThe President can pardon, reprieve, respite and remit sentences
DThe President's pardoning power extends to cases involving death sentences imposed by all courts
Correct Answer:  D. The President's pardoning power extends to cases involving death sentences imposed by all courts
Explanation:

Article 72 grants the President power to pardon, reprieve, respite, and remit sentences in three categories: (1) offences against Union law, (2) sentences imposed by court-martial, and (3) sentences of death.

However, the President can only exercise this on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

The President cannot pardon offences against state laws or grant pardon in impeachment cases.

The power applies to cases where conviction is under Union law specifically.

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Q.6 Hard Indian Polity & Constitution
In case of a conflict between a Fundamental Right and a Directive Principle of State Policy, which takes precedence according to the Constitution?
AFundamental Rights always take precedence
BDirective Principles always take precedence
CBoth have equal precedence
DThe matter is decided by the Supreme Court on case-by-case basis
Correct Answer:  D. The matter is decided by the Supreme Court on case-by-case basis
Explanation:

Article 37 states that nothing in the DPSP shall be enforceable by any court, while Article 13 makes laws violating Fundamental Rights void.

However, the Supreme Court has evolved the doctrine of 'harmonious construction,' attempting to balance both.

In landmark cases like Kesavananda Bharati (1973), the Court established that Fundamental Rights cannot be completely overridden, but DPSP can limit their scope.

Each case is examined individually for constitutional validity.

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Q.7 Hard Indian Polity & Constitution
The President's power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, and remissions under Article 72 is subject to which limitation?
AIt can only be exercised on the advice of the Prime Minister
BIt cannot be exercised in cases of impeachment
CIt cannot be exercised in cases of conviction for offenses against the State
DIt can be exercised only after consulting the Chief Justice of India
Correct Answer:  B. It cannot be exercised in cases of impeachment
Explanation:

Article 72 grants the President the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, and remissions.

However, the article specifically provides that this power 'shall not extend to the punishment prescribed for an offense by the law of, or made by authority under, a law of, a State.' More importantly, Article 72(1)(c) states that the power shall not extend to cases where the punishment is by way of impeachment by Parliament.

The President exercises this power on the advice of the Cabinet/Prime Minister.

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Q.8 Hard Indian Polity & Constitution
The 42nd Amendment, often called the 'Mini Constitution', made several changes. Which article was NOT directly modified by this amendment?
APreamble (adding 'Secular' and 'Socialist')
BArticle 39A (free legal aid)
CArticle 21 (Right to Life)
DArticle 368 (amendment procedure)
Correct Answer:  C. Article 21 (Right to Life)
Explanation:

The 42nd Amendment (1976) significantly modified the Preamble, added Article 39A, and amended Article 368.

However, Article 21 was NOT directly modified by the 42nd Amendment.

The expansion of Article 21 to include right to life with dignity came through judicial interpretation, particularly in later judgments like Maneka Gandhi v.

Union of India (1978).

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Q.9 Hard Indian Polity & Constitution
In case of a conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy, which prevails?
AFundamental Rights always prevail
BDirective Principles always prevail
CIt depends on the specific case and constitutional interpretation
DThey are always in harmony and cannot conflict
Correct Answer:  C. It depends on the specific case and constitutional interpretation
Explanation:

While Article 37 states that DPSPs are not enforceable in courts, the Supreme Court has evolved the doctrine of harmonious construction, attempting to give effect to both.

However, generally Fundamental Rights take precedence.

In cases like Kerala Education Bill, the Court balanced both.

The Constitution itself recognizes potential conflict by making FR enforceable and DPSP non-enforceable.

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Q.10 Hard Indian Polity & Constitution
Article 371 of the Constitution provides special provisions for certain states. Which of the following states is NOT included under Article 371?
ANagaland
BMizoram
CMaharashtra
DGoa
Correct Answer:  D. Goa
Explanation:

Article 371 contains special provisions for states like Maharashtra (371-A), Gujarat (371-B), Nagaland (371-A), Manipur (371-B), Telangana (371-D), and others.

Goa doesn't have a specific Article 371 clause, though it has special constitutional status from other provisions.

The special articles were created to address unique historical, cultural, and administrative needs of these states.

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