Polity 3 - Features of the Indian constitution

Question 0

Out of 395 articles how many are functional articles?

Answer 0

Only 150 are functional articles while the remaining are all enabling articles

Question 1

Which is the bulkiest and largest written constitution in the world

Answer 1

Indian constitution

Question 2

Schedules in the Indian constitution

Answer 2

1. Names of the states and union territories and the extent of their boundaries
2. Salaries of P,VP etc
3. Oaths and affirmations
4. Allocation of seats to the Rajya Sabha
5. Provisions for administration of tribal and scheduled areas
6. Provisions for administration of Scheduled tribes in Asom, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura
7. Division of power between Centre and states
8. Official languages
9. Land reforms
10. Anti defection law
11. Functioning of Panchayats
12. Functioning of municipalities

Question 3

What was the Indian constitution criticised as

Answer 3

It was criticised as a “patchwork “ and a “borrowed constitution “ but in reality even though many aspects of the constitution were borrowed,they were suitably modified to meet the needs of the country

Question 4

What is the Indian constitution a mix of

Answer 4

A mix of flexibility and rigidity

Question 5

Indian has adopted a federal system with __________ bias

Answer 5

Unitary bias

Question 6

What are the federal features that can been seen in Indian polity

Answer 6

2 governments
Division of power
Written and rigid constitution
Independent judiciary
Bicameralism

Question 7

What are the unity features seen in Indian polity?

Answer 7

Strong centre
Single constitution 
Single citizenship
All India services
Emergency provision

Question 8

Who called the Indian polity as “ Cooperative Federalism”?

Answer 8

Granville Austin

Question 9

Who referred to the Indian system as “ federation with centralising tendency”?

Answer 9

Ivor Jennings

Question 10

How is India a hybrid of Parliamentary sovereignty and judicial supremacy?

Answer 10

Indian Parliament is not a sovereign parliament like the British Parliament nor do Indian courts have the judicial supremacy as seen in the USA.
The Supreme Court can keep the parliamentary laws in check with the power of judicial review while the parliament can amend most of the constitution using its amending powers.

Question 11

Explain the integrated and independent judiciary of India

Answer 11

Supreme Court
            I
State High courts
            I
District courts

This single system of courts in India can enforce both central and state laws unlike the US where the federal court enforces only federal law while state courts enforce state laws.

Question 12

Explain the features of Supreme Court

Answer 12

1. Highest court of appeal in India
2. It is the guarantor of the Fundamental Rights of the people
3. It is the guardian of the constitution

Question 13

What provisions have been made so the judiciary is protected in India?

Answer 13

Fixed tenure of judges
Fixed service conditions
All charges incurred by the SC are charged on Consolidation Fund of India
Prohibition of discussion on conduct of judges in parliament
Power to punish for contempt against court

Question 14

What are fundamental rights?

Answer 14

These are the rights of the citizens enshrined in the constitution which protect them from absolute and arbitrary use of power by the government

Question 15

List the Fundamental Rights

Answer 15

1. Right to equality (14-18)
2. Right to freedom (19- 22)
3. Right against exploitation (23-24)
4. Right to freedom of religion (25-28)
5. Cultural and educational rights (29-30)
6. Right to constitutional remedies 32

Question 16

Explain DPSP

Answer 16

Meant for promoting the ideals of social and economic democracy
Non justiciable in nature
They are fundamental in nature and it is the duty of the state to ensure that these ideals are adopted while making laws

Question 17

Fundamental duties

Answer 17

These are 11 in number and have been where introduced by the 42nd constitutional amendment in 1976

Question 18

What does secular mean?

Answer 18

The term secular was added during 42nd constitutional amendment of 1976.
It means that state does not endorse any one particular religion and has equal respect to all religions.

Question 19

Universal adult franchise?

Answer 19

It means that all adults above the age of 18 years can participate in the voting process.
The voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st constitutional amendment of 1988.

Question 20

Summary of the features

Answer 20

1. Lengthiest and bulkiest constitution in the world
2. Drawn from a number of sources
3. Blend of rigidity and flexibility
4. Federal system with unitary bias
5. Parliamentary system
6. Blend of parliamentary sovereignty and judicial supremacy
7. Secular
8. Integrated and independent judiciary
9. Fundamental rights
10. DPSP
11. Fundamental duties
12. UAF
13. Single citizenship
14. Independent bodies
15. Emergency provisions