Constitution & Political System (Part-II)

Total Questions: 56

1. Consider the following statements: [2013-1]

1. National Development Council is an organ of the Planning Commission.

2. The Economic and Social Planning is kept in the Concurrent List in the Constitution of India.

3. The Constitution of India prescribes that Panchayats should be assigned the task of preparation of plans for economic development and social justice.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 & 3 only
Solution:Planning for economic development and social justice is one such power given to village panchayats. There are 52 items in the concurrent list. Economic and social planning is placed under entry no. 20. Article -40 of the constitution of India has the provision for organisation of vilage panchayats Directive Principles of state policy lays down that the state shall take steps to organise village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self government.
Accordingly village panchayats have been entrusted with the task of preparation of plans for economic development and social justice.
The national development council includes members of the planning commission, but it is a separate body.

Directive Principles of State Policy lays down that the State shall take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self government.

2. 'Economic Justice' as one of the objectives of the Indian Constitution has been provided in [2014-1]

Correct Answer: (b) the Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy
Solution:The Preamble to the Constitution of India in its introductory statement says- "Justice- Social, Economic and Political" and the Directive Principles of state policies aim to create social and economic condition under which the citizens can lead a good life. They also aim to establish social and economic democracy through a welfare state.

3. Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection? [2014-1]

Correct Answer: (d) Tenth Schedule
Solution:The 52nd Amendment act of 1985, added 10th schedule to the Constitution. This is often referred to as anti-defection law.
• Defection refers to switching political allegiance, particularly when a member of a political party leaves the party and joins another party or becomes independent.
• Anti-defection law in India was enacted in 1985 through the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 as part of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Anti-defection laws aim to prevent or discourage defection by imposing penalties on politicians who switch parties or otherwise violate party discipline.
• These laws may be designed to ensure that politicians are held accountable to the voters who elected them and to maintain the stability and cohesion of political parties.
• In some countries, anti-defection laws allow political parties to expel members who defect, while in others, they may disqualify defectors from holding public office or impose other penalties.

4. In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the [2014-1]

Correct Answer: (b) Directive Principles of State Policy
Solution:Promotion of international peace and security is included in the Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 51 of constitution that mentions to promote international peace and security and maintain just and honourable relations between nations between nations; to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and to encourage settlements of international disputes by arbitration.

Promotion of peace and security in the neighbouring countries is a form of promise which was done at the initiation of India as a federation because it largely never wanted to attack or assault and member nation for widening of its areas and believed in coexistence of everyone.

5. The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to: [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
Solution:
Aspect5th Schedule ​6th Schedule ​
CoverageScheduled Areas and Scheduled TribesTribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram
AuthorityPresident declares Scheduled Areas by orderGovernor creates Autonomous Districts or Regions
Autonomy LevelLesser autonomyMore autonomy (Legislative, Executive, Financial, Judicial)

6. Who/Which of the following is the custodian of the Constitution of India? [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (d) The Supreme court of India
Solution:The Supreme Court of India is the apex court in India. As stated by the Indian Constitution, the function of the Supreme Court of India is that of the custodian of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court of India is the apex court of India under the integrated judicial system established by the Constitution of India.
It has been envisaged as:
• A federal Court
• The highest court of appeal in India
• The guarantor of Fundamental Rights
• The guardian of the Constitution of India and
• The final interpreter of the Constitution of India

7. "To uphold and protect the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India" is a provision made in the [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (d) Fundamental Duties
Solution:The idea behind incorporation of fundamental duties was to remind the citizens of the country that they have certain obligations towards the country and society. The fundamental duties were added to the constitution on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. There were ten fundamental duties at the time of incorporation but the eleventh was inserted by the 86th Amendment in 2002. To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India is one of the fundamental duty mentioned in the constitution.

8. 'The idea of Welfare State' in the Indian Constitution is enshrined in its : [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Preamble
Solution:A welfare state is a concept of the government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) provides guidelines to the central and the state governments of India, to be kept in mind while framing laws and policies. The concepts behind DPSP is to establish a "Welfare State" rather than a "Police State" Such as of colonial era. In other words, motive behind inclusion of DPSP is to establish social and economic democracy rather than political democracy.

9. Consider the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy: [2015-1]

1. The Principles spell out the socio-economic democracy in the country.

2. The provisions contained in these Principles are not enforceable by any court.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 & 2
Solution:Socio-economic democracy is spelt out because it provides for the idea of a welfare state. For e.g. consider Article 39 (b) and (c) which provide for minimizing inequalities in income and wealth; and ensuring that the wealth is not concentrated in the hands of few, While other article provide for the health of children, rights of working women etc. DPSP is not enforceable by courts. Only fundamental rights can be enforced by the courts.

10. Which of the following statements is/are correct? [2016-1]

1. A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation.

2. A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:prorogation doesn't affect the bills of anyother business pending before the house so 1st statement is wrong. Ref. Disha Polity Compendium Page P-54.

A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha but not passed by the Lok Sabha does not lapse if the president has notified the holding of a joint sitting before the dissolution of Lok Sabha. So, statement 2 is right.