1. Who among the following is considered a part of the Parliament of India?
a) The President
b) The Prime Minister
c) The Chief Justice of India
d) The Attorney General
Answer: a) The President
Explanation: As per Article 79 of the Constitution, the Parliament of India consists of the President and the two Houses: the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). While the President is not a member of either house, he is an integral part of the Parliament, as all laws require his assent to be passed.
2. The "Ordinance Making Power" of the President is outlined in which article of the Constitution?
a) Article 123
b) Article 72
c) Article 74
d) Article 352
Answer: a) Article 123
Explanation: Article 123 empowers the President to promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session. This power is exercised on the advice of the Union Cabinet. An ordinance has the same force and effect as an act of Parliament but must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of its reassembly.
3. The Prime Minister of India holds office:
a) For a fixed term of five years
b) During the pleasure of the President
c) As long as he enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha
d) During the pleasure of the Chief Justice of India
Answer: c) As long as he enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha
Explanation: The Prime Minister is the head of the government and the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha. As per the parliamentary system, he remains in power as long as he commands the majority support in the Lok Sabha. If he loses a vote of confidence, he must resign.
4. Who acts as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
a) The President
b) The Prime Minister
c) The Vice-President of India
d) The Speaker
Answer: c) The Vice-President of India
Explanation: The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Article 64). He presides over its sessions but is not a member of the House. The Rajya Sabha also elects a Deputy Chairman from amongst its members.
5. The doctrine of "Basic Structure" of the Constitution was propounded by the Supreme Court in which landmark case?
a) Golaknath Case (1967)
b) Maneka Gandhi Case (1978)
c) Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
d) Minerva Mills Case (1980)
Answer: c) Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
Explanation: In the landmark Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala case (1973), the Supreme Court ruled that the Parliament has the power to amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights, but it cannot alter or destroy the "Basic Structure" of the Constitution. This doctrine acts as a check on the amending power of Parliament.
6. A "Money Bill" can be introduced only in:
a) The Lok Sabha
b) The Rajya Sabha
c) Either House of Parliament
d) The Joint Session of Parliament
Answer: a) The Lok Sabha
Explanation: As per Article 109, a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, and that too, only on the recommendation of the President. The Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill; it can only make recommendations, which the Lok Sabha may or may not accept.
7. The power of the Supreme Court to settle disputes between the Government of India and one or more States falls under its:
a) Original Jurisdiction
b) Appellate Jurisdiction
c) Advisory Jurisdiction
d) Writ Jurisdiction
Answer: a) Original Jurisdiction
Explanation: As per Article 131, the Supreme Court has exclusive original jurisdiction in any dispute between the Government of India and one or more States, or between two or more States. This means such disputes can be directly filed with the Supreme Court, not any other court.
8. Who appoints the Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts?
a) The President of India
b) The Prime Minister of India
c) The Chief Justice of India
d) The Parliament
Answer: a) The President of India
Explanation: According to Articles 124 and 217, the President appoints the Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. However, the President acts on the advice of the Union Cabinet, which consults with the Collegium of Judges (as per judicial precedents) in making these appointments.
9. If the President wishes to resign, his resignation letter must be addressed to:
a) The Prime Minister
b) The Chief Justice of India
c) The Vice-President
d) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Answer: c) The Vice-President
Explanation: Article 56(1) of the Constitution states that the President can resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Vice-President of India. The Vice-President immediately communicates this to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
10. The "Leader of the House" in the Lok Sabha is usually:
a) The Speaker
b) The Prime Minister
c) The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
d) The senior-most member of the ruling party
Answer: b) The Prime Minister
Explanation: The Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha is usually the Prime Minister, if they are a member of the Lok Sabha. If the PM is a member of the Rajya Sabha, a senior minister who is a member of the Lok Sabha is appointed as the Leader of the House. They are responsible for the government's business in the House.
11. What is the tenure of a member of the Rajya Sabha?
a) 5 years
b) 6 years
c) 4 years
d) It is not fixed
Answer: b) 6 years
Explanation: