States and Indian Union Territories (Indian Polity and Governance)

Total Questions: 58

1. Consider the following statements about Union and its Territory. [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

1. India comprises 28 States and 8 Union Territories.

2. India, a Union of States, is a Sovereign, Socialist Secular Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of Government.

Which of the Statement's given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:India, a union of states, is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic Republic with a Parliamentary system of Government. Significantly, the President is the Constitutional head of the executive of the Union. There are 28 States and 8 Union Territories in the country. India ie. Bharat, is described as a 'Union of States' in Article 1 of the Constitution.

Article 1 refers to India as a "Union of States" rather than a "Federation of States." This provision addresses two issues: the name of the country and the type of polity. India is an indestructible Union of States, not a mere federation of states like the United States of America and Australia

2. By which name/names is our country mentioned in the constitution: [R.A.S/R.T.S. (Pre) 2003]

Correct Answer: (a) Bharat and India
Solution:Article I in the constitution of India defines the name and territory of the union, as-India that is Bharat, shall be a union of states. The states and the territories there of shall be as specified in the first schedule.
  • The use of the word "Union" was intended to emphasise that Indian Federation is not the result of an agreement among the states, like the American Federation. The states have no right to secede from the federation.
  • It's important to distinguish between the terms "Union of India" and "Indian Territory."
    ∗ The Union of India is made up of only those states that are members of the federal system and share power distribution with the Union.
    ∗ The Union Territories are not included in the "Union of States," however the term "Territory of India" refers to both the States and the Union Territories, as well as any new territories that India may acquire.
  • In the First Schedule, the names of the States and Union Territories are listed.

3. According to Article 1 of Indian Constitution, India is- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]

Correct Answer: (d) The Union of States
Solution:According to Article I of the Indian Constitution, India, that is Bharat shall be a Union of States. The territory of India shall comprise (1) States (2) Union Territories (3) such other territories as may be acquired. The names and territories of the States has been specified in the First Schedule.
  • The use of the word "Union" was intended to emphasise that Indian Federation is not the result of an agreement among the states, like the American Federation. The states have no right to secede from the federation.
  • It's important to distinguish between the terms "Union of India" and "Indian Territory."
    ∗ The Union of India is made up of only those states that are members of the federal system and share power distribution with the Union.
    ∗ The Union Territories are not included in the "Union of States," however the term "Territory of India" refers to both the States and the Union Territories, as well as any new territories that India may acquire.
  • In the First Schedule, the names of the States and Union Territories are listed.

4. Indian Parliament has the power to create a new State under which of the following Constitutional provisions? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (c) Article 3
Solution:Article 3 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Parliament to form a new State by separation of territory from any State or by uniting two or more States or parts of States. Indian Parliament, under the Constitutional provisions of Article 2, has the power of admission or establishment of new States.

5. The power to carve out a new State is vested in- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]

Correct Answer: (a) The Parliament
Solution:Article 2 of the Indian Constitution provides that the Parliament may by law admit into the Union or establish new States. According to Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament may form a new State by separating two States of by uniting States.

The Parliament can increase and diminish the area of any State or can alter the boundary and name of the State

6. Which one of the following is empowered to alter the boundaries of States under the Constitution of India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]

Correct Answer: (a) Parliament
Solution:Article 2 of the Indian Constitution provides that the Parliament may by law admit into the Union or establish new States. According to Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament may form a new State by separating two States of by uniting States.

The Parliament can increase and diminish the area of any State or can alter the boundary and name of the State

7. Who among the following has the executive power to admit a State in the Union or establish new States ? [U.P.RO/A.R.O. (Mains) 2014, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (a) Parliament
Solution:Article 2 of the Indian Constitution provides that the Parliament may by law admit into the Union or establish new States. According to Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament may form a new State by separating two States of by uniting States.

The Parliament can increase and diminish the area of any State or can alter the boundary and name of the State

8. Power to include or admit any State into Union of India is given to- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1990]

Correct Answer: (c) Parliament
Solution:Article 2 of the Indian Constitution provides that the Parliament may by law admit into the Union or establish new States. According to Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament may form a new State by separating two States of by uniting States.

The Parliament can increase and diminish the area of any State or can alter the boundary and name of the State

9. Which one of the following is not correct in the matter of formation of new States? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]

Correct Answer: (c) Such law shall be deemed to be an amendment of the Constitution for the purpose of Article 368.
Solution:The Parliament may by law, with a simple majority, form a new State, and no special procedure, as in the case of an amendment to the Constitution, is required.

According to the Article 4 (2), such law shall not be deemed to be an Amendment to the Constitution for the purpose of Article 368. Thus, option (c) is wrong, all the other options are correct

10. Creation of a new state requires a...... majority for Constitutional Amendment. [60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (a) Simple
Solution:Parliament may form new states or alter the boundaries etc., of existing states through a simple majority and the ordinary legislative process. No such law shall be deemed to be an amendment of the constitution for the purpose of Article 368.
  • Article 2 provides that the Parliament may, by law, admit into the Union or establish new states on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit. Thus, it gives complete discretion to Parliament.
  • Article 2 grants two powers to the Parliament which are: The power to admit into the Union of India new States the states which are duly established and are already in existence. The power to establish new States formation of a state which was not in existence.
  • Article 2 deals with the admission or establishment of new states that are not part of the Union of India.