Indian Politics Questions and Answers

Answer: D

Correct answer: The first census after 2026

The 84th Amendment of 2001 extended the freeze on the allocation of Lok Sabha seats among the states, based on the 1971 census, until the first census taken after 2026. The freeze was first imposed by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, and its purpose is to remove a perverse incentive: since seats are allotted in proportion to population, states that succeeded in reducing their population growth would otherwise have lost representation to those that did not. Freezing the figures ensured that family planning success carried no political penalty. The consequence is a growing disparity in constituency size, with some seats now representing several times as many people as others. The 84th Amendment did permit readjustment of boundaries within each state on 2001 census figures, which was carried out by the Delimitation Commission of 2002, so constituencies were redrawn without the state totals changing. What happens after 2026 is politically fraught, since the southern states would lose seats relative to the north.

Answer: D

The president may entrust a Union function to a state government in consultation with that state government.

Article 258 allows it, with or without conditions, and the extra cost is met by the Union. It saves the centre from building a parallel administrative machinery in every state.

Answer: C

Correct answer: Two months

A proclamation of financial emergency ceases to operate at the expiry of two months unless approved in the meantime by resolutions of both Houses. Approval requires only a simple majority. Once approved it continues indefinitely until revoked by a further proclamation - there is no maximum period and no requirement of periodic renewal. This distinguishes it from a national emergency under Article 352, which needs a special majority and must be renewed every six months, and from President’s Rule under Article 356, which is limited to three years in total. During a financial emergency the Union may direct any state to observe canons of financial propriety; the President may reduce the salaries of state officials and of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts; and all state money bills must be reserved for the President’s consideration. It has never been proclaimed, not even during the balance of payments crisis of 1991.

Answer: B

The Instrument of Instructions in the Government of India Act, 1935 became the Directive Principles of State Policy.

It set out directions to the Governor-General and the Governors on how their powers should be exercised - morally binding but not enforceable in court, which is exactly the character the directive principles have under Article 37.

Answer: C

Correct answer: Impeachment for violation of the Constitution

The President can be removed only by impeachment, under Article 61, and only on the ground of violation of the Constitution - a phrase the Constitution nowhere defines. The procedure is deliberately difficult. The charge may originate in either House. The proposal must be signed by at least one quarter of that House’s total membership, with fourteen days’ notice, and must be passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the total membership of that House. The other House then investigates the charge, and the President has the right to appear and be represented. If that House also passes the resolution by a two-thirds majority of its total membership, the President is removed from the date of the resolution. Notably, the nominated members of both Houses take part in impeachment, though they have no part in the election - while the state assemblies, which do elect the President, have no part in removal. No Indian President has ever been impeached.

Answer: B

G.V. Mavalankar was the first Speaker against whom a motion of no-confidence was moved, in December 1954.

The motion was defeated. Mavalankar was also the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and it was he who established most of the conventions the office follows.

Answer: A

The president transfers a judge from one High Court to another, under Article 222.

It is done after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, and since the Second Judges Case that consultation is effectively binding - the collegium recommends and the president gives it effect.

Answer: B

The president may spend from the Contingency Fund of India without the prior approval of Parliament.

The fund exists precisely for unforeseen expenditure that cannot wait. Parliament's approval is sought afterwards, and the fund is then replenished from the Consolidated Fund by an equivalent amount.

Answer: C

Jayaprakash Narayan was not a member of the Constituent Assembly.

He was invited but declined, being then a socialist opposed to working within the framework the British had set. Patel, Kripalani and Munshi were all members.

Answer: C

The governor's oath is administered by the chief justice of the state High Court, or in that person's absence by the senior-most judge available.

The president's oath, by contrast, is administered by the Chief Justice of India.