Day 8

• 27 Jul 2020

Welcome to the Prelims Refresher Programme 2020 - Article Page. On this page, we will provide you with 3 things:

• A list of topics for revision.
• A brief discussion of the topics if needed.
• Links to various sources for preparing these topics.

In the comments, you can ask us to clear your doubts regarding any of the topics listed on the page. We will do our best to explain and clarify your doubts. Further, we may also share links to other web based learning sources like websites or videos, or may refer to you, books, documents etc. Please be cordial to your fellow aspirants and use these doubt-clearing conversations strictly to its stated purpose.

Basic Structure

It remains a very important topic for Indian polity in general and for UPSC in particular. A lot of questions have been asked over the years. Questions on Basic Structure Doctrine, Kesavananda Bharati case, have been repeatedly asked in the successive years. So there is a fair bit of chance that the question can be asked.

• Basic Structure of Constitution
• Important Sources of the Indian Constitution
• Basic Structure Doctrine and Democracy
• NJAC and Independence of Judiciary
• Separation of Powers

Previous Year Questions on Basic Structure Doctrine

Q. Consider the following statements: (2018)

1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
2. The validity of a law placed in the Ninth Schedule cannot be examined by any court and no judgement can be made on it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Q. With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: (2019)

1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to be constitutionally invalid.
2. An amendment to the Constitution of India cannot be called into question by the Supreme Court of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Important Amendments to Indian Constitution

There has been a trend that quite often UPSC asks about the latest amendments to the Constitution of India. This can be depicted from the previous year questions. Thus, in this context, knowing about recent constitutional amendment acts become very important for prelims.

• Procedure for Amendment of Indian Constitution
• Rigidity and Flexibility in Amendment to the Indian Constitution
• Major Constitutional Amendment: Part-1
• Major Constitutional Amendments: Part-2
• Major Constitutional Amendments: Part-3

Previous Year Questions on Important Amendments to Indian Constitution

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. The 44^th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyond judicial review.
2. The Supreme Court of India struck down the 99^th Amendment to the Constitution of India as being violative of the independence of the judiciary.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Q. Which one of the following Constitutional Amendments states that the total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the House of the People? (2009)

(a) 90^th

(b) 91^st

(c) 92^nd

(d) 93^rd

---

Q. Under which one of the following Constitution Amendment Acts, four languages were added to the languages under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, thereby raising their number to 22? (2008)

(a) Constitution (Ninetieth Amendment) Act

(b) Constitution (Ninety-first Amendment) Act

(c) Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act

(d) Constitution (Ninety-third Amendment) Act

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Q. The Constitution (Seventy-Third Amendment) Act, 1992, which aims at promoting the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country provides for which of the following? (2011)

1. Constitution of District Planning Committees.
2. State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections.
3. Establishment of State Finance Commissions.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

---

Q. The Ninth Schedule was introduced in the Constitution of India during the prime ministership of (2019)

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru

(b) Lal Bahadur Shastri

(c) Indira Gandhi

(d) Morarji Desai

---

Q. Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India correctly and appropriately imply the above statement? (2018)

(a) Article 14 and the provisions under the 42^nd Amendment to the Constitution.

(b) Article 17 and the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV.

(c) Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III.

(d) Article 24 and the provisions under the 44^th Amendment to the Constitution.

President And Governor

President and Governor are very important constitutional posts that always remain a very important topic for UPSC. A lot of questions have been asked over the years. Questions on these two important institutions have been repeatedly asked in the successive years. One can find related articles on these topics from below.

• US President vs Indian President
• Important Articles from Indian Constitution: Part I
• Article 78
• Ordinance Making Power
• Judicial Powers of President
• Governor
• Governor in Federal Polity

Previous Year Questions on President And Governor

Q. Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State? (2014)

1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule
2. Appointing the Ministers
3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

---

Q. Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past?

(a) First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966)

(b) Rajamannar Committee (1969)

(c) Sarkaria Commission (1983)

(d) National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2000)

---

Q. The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in (2014)

(a) The President of India

(b) The Parliament

(c) The Chief Justice of India

(d) The Law Commission

---

Q. Who of the following shall cause every recommendation made by the Finance Commission to be laid before each House of Parliament? (2010)

(a) The President of India

(b) The Speaker of Lok Sabha

(c) The Prime Minister of India

(d) The Union Finance Minister

---

Q. With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements: (2018)

1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State.
2. The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Parliament and State Legislature

This is an all time favourite topic for UPSC, as a lot of questions have been asked over the years. By analyzing the kind of questions asked on this topic, one can have a fair idea on what can be expected in the prelims.

• Parliamentary Reforms in India
• Role of Rajya Sabha
• 15-Point Reforms Charter for Parliament
• The Big Picture - Strengthening Parliamentary Institutions
• Legislative Council
• Odisha plans Legislative Council
• Andhra Pradesh to Scrap Legislative Council
• One Nation One Election
• Joint Sitting of Parliament
• In Depth – Speaker: Roles and Responsibility
• Elections of Rajya Sabha

Previous Year Questions on Parliament and State legislature

Q. Consider the following statements: (2013)

1. An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by an introduction of a bill in the Lok Sabha only.
2. If such an amendment seeks to make changes in the federal character of the Constitution, the amendment also requires to be ratified by the legislature of all the States of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

---

Q. A deadlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha calls for a joint sitting of the Parliament during the passage of (2012)

1. Ordinary Legislation
2. Money Bill
3. Constitution Amendment Bill

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

---

Q. With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements: (2017)

1. A private member’s bill is a bill presented by a Member of Parliament who is not elected but only nominated by the President of India.
2. Recently, a private member’s bill has been passed in the Parliament of India for the first time in its history.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

---

Q. Consider the following statements: (2013)

1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

---

Q. Consider the following statements: (2017)

1. In the election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, the winning candidate must get at least 50 percent of the votes polled, to be declared elected.
2. According to the provisions laid down in the Constitution of India, in Lok Sabha, the Speaker’s post goes to the majority party and the Deputy Speaker’s to the Opposition.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Emergency Provisions

There is always a chance of questions from this topic. Moreover, the topic assumes importance due to the 45 years of National emergency imposed in 1975. One can go through following links for exam related information.

• President's Rule
• National Emergency of 1975

Previous Year Questions on Emergency Provisions

Q. If the President of India exercises his power as provided under Article 356 of the Constitution in respect of a particular State, then (2018)

(a) the Assembly of the State is automatically dissolved.

(b) the powers of the Legislature of that State shall be exercisable by or under the authority of the Parliament.

(c) Article 19 is suspended in that State.

(d) the President can make laws relating to that State.

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Q. Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences of the proclamation of the President’s rule in a State? (2017)

1. Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly
2. Removal of the Council of Ministers in the State
3. Dissolution of the local bodies

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

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