Executive

Question 3

Who specifies the Scheduled Tribes for a particular State or Union Territory under Article 342?

Answer 3

The President (after consultation with the Governor, in case of a State).

Question 4

If a community is declared a Scheduled Tribe in one State, is it automatically considered a Scheduled Tribe in another State?

Answer 4

No, the list of Scheduled Tribes is State/UT specific.

Question 5

If the election of a President or Vice-President is declared void by the Supreme Court, are acts done by them prior invalidated?

Answer 5

No, acts done by them on or before the date of the Supreme Court decision are not invalidated (Article 71).

Question 6

Can the election of a President or Vice-President be questioned on the ground of any vacancy in the electoral college?

Answer 6

No (Article 71).

Question 7

Does the Constitution prescribe a time limit for the President to give assent to a Bill?

Answer 7

No. This power is sometimes referred to as the President’s ‘pocket veto’.

Question 8

Who has the right to participate in Parliamentary proceedings among these: Attorney General, Solicitor General?

Answer 8

Only the Attorney General (Article 76).

Question 9

Who appoints the Attorney General for India?

Answer 9

The President (on the advice of the Government).

Question 10

What typically happens to the Attorney General when the government (Council of Ministers) resigns?

Answer 10

Conventionally, the Attorney General resigns as he is appointed on the government’s advice.

Question 11

As per the Sarkaria Commission, should the Governor belong to the state where he/she is posted?

Answer 11

No, the Governor should be an eminent person and not belong to that state.

Question 12

As per the Sarkaria Commission, should the Governor have taken part in active politics in the recent past?

Answer 12

No, the Governor should be a detached figure without intense political links or recent political participation.

Question 13

During President’s Rule (Article 356), whose functions can the President take up?

Answer 13

Functions of the state government and powers vested in the Governor or any other state executive authority.

Question 14

During President’s Rule, who can exercise the powers of the state legislature?

Answer 14

The Parliament.

Question 15

During President’s Rule, who carries on the state administration on behalf of the President?

Answer 15

The state governor, with the help of the Chief Secretary or advisors appointed by the President.

Question 16

Can criminal proceedings be initiated against the President or a Governor during their term of office?

Answer 16

No (Article 361).

Question 17

Can the emoluments and allowances of a Governor be diminished during their term of office?

Answer 17

No (Article 158).

Question 18

During President’s Rule, if Parliament is not in session, who can authorise expenditure from the state consolidated fund?

Answer 18

The President (pending sanction by Parliament).

Question 19

During President’s Rule, if Parliament is not in session, who can promulgate ordinances for the governance of the state?

Answer 19

The President.

Question 20

What happens to the state council of ministers when President’s Rule is imposed?

Answer 20

The President dismisses the council of ministers headed by the chief minister.

Question 21

Are local bodies (third-tier government) dissolved during President’s Rule?

Answer 21

No, they are not affected and carry on their work.

Question 22

Who appoints the Chief Secretary in a State?

Answer 22

The Chief Minister (though the order is executed in the Governor’s name).

Question 23

Does the Chief Secretary of a State have a fixed tenure?

Answer 23

No.

Question 24

The executive power of the Union is vested in whom?

Answer 24

The President.

Question 25

The supreme command of the Defence Forces of the Union vests in whom?

Answer 25

The President.

Question 26

The Cabinet Secretariat functions directly under whom?

Answer 26

The Prime Minister.

Question 27

Who is the administrative head of the Cabinet Secretariat and ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board?

Answer 27

The Cabinet Secretary.

Question 28

Who makes rules for the convenient transaction of business of the Government of India and allocation of business among Ministers?

Answer 28

The President (Article 77).

Question 29

All executive actions of the Government of India are expressed to be taken in whose name?

Answer 29

The President.

Question 30

Who communicates all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to administration and legislation proposals to the President?

Answer 30

The Prime Minister (Article 78).

Question 31

For how long does the Governor hold office?

Answer 31

For a term of 5 years, holding office during the pleasure of the President (Article 156).

Question 32

Does the Constitution lay down a specific procedure for the removal of the Governor?

Answer 32

No.

Question 33

Can the same person be appointed as Governor for two or more States?

Answer 33

Yes (provision added by 7th Amendment Act, 1956).

Question 34

Who appoints the judges of a High Court?

Answer 34

The President (in consultation with CJI, Governor, and Chief Justice of the concerned High Court).

Question 35

In a Union Territory having a legislative assembly, who appoints the Chief Minister?

Answer 35

The President.

Question 36

In a parliamentary system like India's, who is the formal Head of the State?

Answer 36

The President.

Question 37

Who appoints the Prime Minister?

Answer 37

The President.

Question 38

Ministers hold office during the pleasure of whom?

Answer 38

The President (Article 75).

Question 39

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Answer 39

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Question 40

What is the composition of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)?

Answer 40

22 Members (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha).

Question 41

What is the composition of the Estimates Committee?

Answer 41

30 Members (all from Lok Sabha).

Question 42

What is the composition of the Committee on Public Undertakings (CoPU)?

Answer 42

22 Members (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha).

Question 43

What is the usual term of office for members of the PAC, Estimates Committee, and CoPU?

Answer 43

One year.

Question 44

Does the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs hold cabinet rank?

Answer 44

Yes.

Question 45

Which Cabinet Committee does the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs work under?

Answer 45

Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.

Question 46

Who chairs the Cabinet Committee of Parliamentary Affairs?

Answer 46

The Home Minister of India.

Question 47

Which Ministry handles the nomination of MPs to committees and other bodies set up by the Government?

Answer 47

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

Question 48

Under Article 138, who can enlarge the jurisdiction and power of the Supreme Court regarding matters in the Union List?

Answer 48

Parliament, by law.

Question 49

What is 'jurisdiction' in a legal context?

Answer 49

The power of a state to affect persons, property, and circumstances within its territory, exercised via legislative, executive, or judicial actions.

Question 50

During which situation can the tenure of Lok Sabha be extended by Parliament?

Answer 50

During the proclamation of a National Emergency.

Question 51

For how long can the Lok Sabha's term be extended at a time during a National Emergency?

Answer 51

For a period of one year at a time.

Question 52

What is the maximum period the extended term of Lok Sabha can continue after the National Emergency ceases to operate?

Answer 52

Six months.

Question 53

Is the Executive responsible to the Parliament in India's parliamentary system?

Answer 53

Yes (collectively responsible to Lok Sabha under Article 75).

Question 54

Name three parliamentary devices used to exercise control over the Executive.

Answer 54

Question Hour, Zero Hour, Adjournment Motion, Calling Attention Motion, No-Confidence Motion, Censure Motion, various discussions, committee supervision.

Question 55

What does the parliamentary procedure term 'yielding the floor' mean?

Answer 55

When the speaker asks a member to stop speaking to allow another member to speak; or when a member yields their allotted time to another.

Question 56

Where can a Money Bill (Article 110) be introduced?

Answer 56

Only in the Lok Sabha.

Question 57

Whose recommendation is required to introduce a Money Bill?

Answer 57

The President's recommendation.

Question 58

Can a Money Bill be introduced by a private member?

Answer 58

No, it is considered a government bill and can only be introduced by a minister.

Question 59

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Answer 59

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Question 60

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to which House of Parliament?

Answer 60

House of the People (Lok Sabha).

Question 61

What duty does Article 78 impose on the Prime Minister regarding Council of Ministers' decisions?

Answer 61

To communicate all decisions relating to administration and legislation proposals to the President.

Question 62

Who appoints the Prime Minister according to Article 75?

Answer 62

The President.

Question 63

In appointing the Prime Minister, when can the President exercise discretion?

Answer 63

When no single party secures a clear majority in the Lok Sabha.

Question 64

Must the Prime Minister be a member of Parliament at the time of appointment?

Answer 64

No, but he/she must become a member of either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha within six months.

Question 65

Name three bodies whose reports the President lays before Parliament.

Answer 65

Auditor General (CAG), UPSC, Finance Commission, Special officers for SC/ST, National Commission for SC/ST, National Commission for Backward Classes (any three).

Question 66

Does the President lay the report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) before Parliament?

Answer 66

No (PAC is a parliamentary committee that examines reports like CAG's).

Question 67

Which Article provides for the Finance Commission?

Answer 67

Article 280.

Question 68

How often is the Finance Commission constituted by the President?

Answer 68

Every fifth year, or earlier if considered necessary.

Question 69

To whom does the Finance Commission submit its report?

Answer 69

The President (who then lays it before Parliament).

Question 70

Was the word 'Cabinet' mentioned in the original Constitution?

Answer 70

No, it was inserted into Article 352 by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978.

Question 71

Must all Cabinet Ministers be sitting members of Lok Sabha only?

Answer 71

No.

Question 72

The Union Cabinet Secretariat functions under the direct direction of whom?

Answer 72

The Prime Minister.

Question 73

Who creates the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India?

Answer 73

The President, on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Question 74

Who recommends persons to be appointed as Ministers by the President?

Answer 74

The Prime Minister.

Question 75

India is a signatory to which international protocol related to Biosafety and Living Modified Organisms (LMOs)?

Answer 75

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

Question 76

Which Ministry implements the Cartagena Protocol in India?

Answer 76

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Question 77

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) functions under the direct charge of whom?

Answer 77

The Prime Minister.

Question 78

Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission?

Answer 78

The Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Atomic Energy.

Question 79

Who generally assists a Minister in charge of a Ministry/Department on policy matters and general administration?

Answer 79

A Secretary to the Government of India.

Question 80

The Department of Border Management falls under which Union Ministry?

Answer 80

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Question 81

Under Article 143, the President can seek the Supreme Court's advisory opinion on which two categories of matters?

Answer 81

1. Any question of law or fact of public importance. 2. Any dispute arising out of pre-constitution treaties, agreements, etc.

Question 82

Is the Supreme Court obligated to give its opinion when sought under Article 143 on a question of law/fact of public importance?

Answer 82

No, the Supreme Court may refuse to tender its opinion in this case.

Question 83

Is the Supreme Court obligated to give its opinion when sought under Article 143 on a dispute from a pre-constitution treaty/agreement?

Answer 83

Yes, the Supreme Court 'must' tender its opinion in this case.

Question 84

Is the advisory opinion rendered by the Supreme Court under Article 143 binding on the President?

Answer 84

No, it is only advisory.

Question 85

Does the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India have control over the issue of money from the Consolidated Fund?

Answer 85

No, the CAG is concerned only at the audit stage after expenditure has occurred.

Question 86

Name three types of accounts audited by the CAG.

Answer 86

Expenditure from Consolidated Fund (Union/State/UT), Expenditure from Contingency Fund/Public Account (Union/State), Trading/manufacturing/profit & loss accounts of govt depts.

Question 87

What qualifications must a person possess to be appointed Attorney General for India?

Answer 87

Must be qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court (Citizen, HC Judge for 5 yrs OR HC Advocate for 10 yrs OR eminent jurist).

Question 88

Is the term of office for the Attorney General fixed by the Constitution?

Answer 88

No, the AG holds office during the pleasure of the President.

Question 89

Which tax proceeds were mandatorily shared between the Union and States under Article 270?

Answer 89

Net proceeds of Income Tax levied and collected by the Union.

Question 90

Which tax proceeds could be shared between the Union and States if Parliament provided by law, under Article 272?

Answer 90

Union Excise Duties.