Indian Politics Questions and Answers

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.

Answer: B

Correct answer: The President

The Comptroller and Auditor General is appointed by the President under Article 148, and holds office for six years or until the age of 65, whichever comes first. The office is deliberately insulated. The CAG can be removed only in the manner prescribed for a Supreme Court judge - by an address of both Houses on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity - the salary and conditions cannot be varied to disadvantage after appointment, and the holder is barred from any further office under the Union or a state government afterwards. The CAG audits all receipts and expenditure of the Union and the states and of bodies substantially financed from public revenues, and the reports are laid before the legislature and examined by the Public Accounts Committee. Dr Ambedkar called it the most important officer under the Constitution. Note the limit implicit in practice: despite the word Comptroller, the CAG audits after the event and has no power to authorise expenditure, unlike the British office it was modelled on.

Answer: C

Correct answer: Advisory only, and not binding

The UPSC’s advice is advisory only. The government may reject it, but if it does so it must record the reasons, and Article 323 requires those reasons to be laid before Parliament along with the Commission’s annual report - so the check is one of transparency and accountability rather than of law. The government must consult the Commission on matters of recruitment, promotion and transfer between services, disciplinary action, and claims for reimbursement of legal costs; failure to consult where consultation is required can render the action invalid. The Commission’s independence is protected in the manner usual for constitutional bodies: members are appointed by the President, hold office for six years or until 65, can be removed only on the ground of misbehaviour after an inquiry by the Supreme Court, and their conditions of service cannot be varied to their disadvantage. It is one of the constitutional bodies established under Article 315, alongside the State Public Service Commissions.