WBCS Main Constitutional & Other Bodies Questions and Answers

Answer: (A) Prime Minister of India

Explanation: The National Water Resources Council is India’s apex body for reviewing water resource policy and development, set up in 1983. Because it coordinates across states and the Centre, it is chaired by the Prime Minister, with Chief Ministers and relevant Union Ministers as members.

National Water Resources Council:

Answer: (C) 94th

Explanation: The 94th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2006 amended Article 164(1) of the Constitution. It exempted Bihar (along with Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, which had earlier been exempted at the time of their creation) from the mandatory requirement of having a Minister for Tribal Welfare, since Bihar’s tribal population had significantly reduced after the creation of Jharkhand.

94th Amendment Act:

Answer: (C) 1957

Explanation: The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was appointed by the Government of India in January 1957 to examine the working of the Community Development Programme (launched 1952) and the National Extension Service (launched 1953), and to suggest measures for their better implementation. Its 1957 report recommended a three-tier system of local self-government — Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad — laying the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system in India.

Balwant Rai Mehta Committee:

Answer: (D) Gadgil Committee

Explanation: The Committee on Policy and Programmes, headed by V.N. Gadgil, explicitly recommended the mandatory establishment of a State Finance Commission to oversee and allocate finances properly to the Panchayats. It also recommended setting up a State Election Commission to handle independent local body elections. The comprehensive blueprint submitted by the Gadgil Committee served as the core foundation for drafting the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which officially institutionalized the State Finance Commission under Article 243-I.

• L. M. Singhvi Committee (1986): Best known for strongly advocating to give Constitutional Status to Panchayati Raj Institutions to shield them from frequent political subversion.
• Hanumantha Rao Committee (1984): Primarily dealt with District Planning strategies and recommended separating planning processes from regular executive duties.
• Dantwala Committee (1978): Focused entirely on administrative arrangements for Block-Level Planning.

Answer: (A) August, 2019

Explanation: On 5 August 2019, the Government of India revoked the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution through a Presidential Order (C.O. 272), and the state was subsequently reorganised into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh — under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

Article 370 Revocation:

Answer: (A) Thungon Committee.

Explanation: The P. K. Thungon Committee (1988) explicitly recommended that there should be reservation of seats for women, as well as for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) based on population, across all three tiers of local governance. The committee’s recommendations formed the blueprint for the landmark 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which ultimately legalized a mandatory minimum of one-third (33%) reservation for women in Panchayats nationwide.

Gadgil Committee (1988): Mandated to draft the blueprint on how PRIs could be made effective. While it later supported reservations for women and SC/STs, the foundational question framework specifically rewards the Thungon Committee for initiating this recommendation within this specific MCQ format.

L. M. Singhvi Committee (1986): Primarily focused on providing constitutional recognition to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and revitalising the Gram Sabha.

G. V. K. Rao Committee (1985): Focused heavily on administrative arrangements and integrating rural development programs, but did not focus on women’s reservation.

Answer: (C) The President

Explanation: Under Article 323(1) of the Constitution, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is required to present an annual report on the work done by it to the President of India. The President then places this report, along with a memorandum explaining the action taken (or reasons for non-acceptance) on any recommendation, before both Houses of Parliament.

UPSC Annual Report:

Answer: (B) Article 254

Explanation: Article 254 of the Constitution deals with the “Inconsistency between laws made by Parliament and laws made by the Legislatures of States.” It lays down that when a law made by a State Legislature is repugnant to a law made by Parliament on a subject in the Concurrent List, the Central law prevails and the State law is void to the extent of the repugnancy — unless the State law had received Presidential assent, in which case it prevails in that state, though Parliament can still override it later.

Article 254:

Answer: (B) 243

Explanation: Articles 243 to 243-O outline the entire framework of the Panchayati Raj system, but Article 243 specifically provides the definitions. Article 243 contains the definitions for terms used in Part IX of the Constitution, including “Gram Sabha,” “Panchayat,” “Panchayat area,” “Intermediate level,” and “District level”. It was added by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 to formalize local self-government in rural areas.

Part IX of the Constitution — Panchayats:

Answer: (A) High Court’s power of superintendence

Explanation: Article 227 of the Constitution vests every High Court with the power of superintendence over all courts and tribunals functioning within its territorial jurisdiction (except courts/tribunals dealing with the armed forces). This power is both administrative and judicial in nature, allowing the High Court to call for returns, make rules for practice and proceedings, and ensure subordinate courts function within the bounds of law.

Article 227:

Answer: (C) Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Explanation: The Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) was established in 2003 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to hear appeals against decisions of the Registrar under the Trade Marks Act and later the Patents Act, among other IP-related laws. It functioned as a specialised appellate tribunal for intellectual property disputes until it was abolished in 2021, with its functions transferred to High Courts and commercial courts.

Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB):

Answer: (D) Anglo-Indian Community

Explanation: Article 336 of the Constitution provides special provisions for the Anglo-Indian community with respect to Central Services. It states that Anglo-Indians would continue to have a reasonable representation in posts in the railway, customs, postal and telegraph services under the Union, on the same basis as prevailed before independence, for a specified transitional period.

Article 336:

Answer: (C) Article 275

Explanation: Article 275 of the Constitution provides for statutory grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India to such states as Parliament determines to be in need of assistance, with different sums fixed for different states. It also includes specific provision for grants to promote the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and to raise the level of administration of Scheduled Areas. These grants are given on the recommendation of the Finance Commission and are distinct from the discretionary grants under Article 282.

Article 275:

Answer: (A) Election Commission

Explanation: In India, political parties are registered and granted recognition (as National or State parties) by the Election Commission of India under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, and registration is done under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Recognition status determines eligibility for reserved symbols and other privileges during elections.

Recognition of Political Parties:

Answer: (A) L.M. Singhvi Committee

Explanation: The L. M. Singhvi Committee, constituted in 1986 to examine the revitalisation of Panchayati Raj Institutions, was the first to recommend that Panchayati Raj Institutions be given constitutional status, along with constitutionally mandated regular elections. This recommendation formed the basis for the subsequent 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which finally granted Panchayats constitutional recognition.

L. M. Singhvi Committee:

Answer: (C) Article 340

Explanation: Article 340 of the Constitution empowers the President to appoint a Commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within India, the difficulties they face, and to make recommendations for their advancement, including grants-in-aid. This provision was used to appoint both the Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1953) and the Mandal Commission (1979) to identify Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Article 340:

Answer: (D) President of India

Explanation: Under Article 324(2) of the Constitution, the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners of the Election Commission of India are appointed by the President of India. Traditionally this appointment was made on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, though the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 has since introduced a selection committee process for recommending names to the President.

Appointment of Election Commissioners:

Answer: (A) 371

Explanation: Article 371 of the Constitution contains special provisions with respect to the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat. It empowers the President to provide, by order, for the constitution of separate development boards for regions like Vidarbha, Marathwada and the rest of Maharashtra (and Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat), for equitable allocation of funds for developmental expenditure and equitable arrangements for technical education and vocational training opportunities.

Article 371 Series:

Answer: (C) Article 338

Explanation: Article 338 of the Constitution provides for the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, while Article 338A (inserted by the 89th Amendment Act, 2003) separately provides for the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, bifurcating what was originally a combined commission. Prior to 2003, Article 338 itself covered a combined National Commission for SCs and STs.

National Commissions for SC/ST:

Answer: (B) acquiring of territories by India and transfer of certain territories to Bangladesh

Explanation: The 100th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015 gave effect to the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between India and Bangladesh, under which India acquired certain territories from Bangladesh and transferred certain enclaves to Bangladesh, exchanging 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh for 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in India, along with adjustment of the land boundary.

100th Constitutional Amendment Act:

Answer: (B) Sikkim

Explanation: As per Article 170 of the Constitution of India, a State Legislative Assembly must have a maximum of 500 members and a minimum of 60 members. Because of small populations and smaller geographical regions, Parliament made special exceptions for specific states via constitutional amendments. Sikkim was granted an exception under Article 371F, fixing its Legislative Assembly size at 32 members.

Comparison of Legislative Seats for the Options:

Answer: (C) Article 310

Explanation: The ‘Doctrine of Pleasure’ is introduced under Article 310 of the Constitution, which states that members of the defence services, civil services of the Union, and All-India Services hold office “during the pleasure of the President,” while civil servants of a State hold office during the pleasure of the Governor. This means their tenure can, in principle, be terminated at any time without notice, subject to the procedural safeguards provided under Article 311.

Doctrine of Pleasure:

Answer: (B) B. P. Mandal committee

Explanation: The Mandal Commission (Second Backward Classes Commission), chaired by B. P. Mandal, was set up in 1979 and submitted its report in 1980, recommending 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and educational institutions. This recommendation was implemented by the V. P. Singh government in 1990 and formally notified for government jobs in 1991, and later upheld (with the 50% ceiling and creamy layer exclusion) by the Supreme Court in Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992).

Mandal Commission:

Answer: (C) 61st Amendment Act, 1989

Explanation: The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1989 amended Article 326 of the Constitution to reduce the minimum voting age for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies from 21 years to 18 years, significantly expanding the electorate, particularly among the youth.

61st Constitutional Amendment Act:

Answer: (B) 93rd Amendment

Explanation: The 93rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2005 inserted Clause (5) into Article 15, empowering the State to make special provisions, including reservation, for socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs), SCs and STs in admissions to educational institutions — including private unaided institutions — except minority educational institutions protected under Article 30(1). This amendment enabled the subsequent Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006, which implemented 27% OBC reservation in central institutions.

93rd Constitutional Amendment Act:

Answer: (C) The Backward Class Commission

Explanation: The Kaka Kalelkar Commission, appointed in 1953 under Article 340, was India’s first Backward Classes Commission, chaired by Kaka Kalelkar. It was tasked with determining the criteria for identifying socially and educationally backward classes and recommending measures for their advancement. Although it submitted its report in 1955 identifying around 2,399 backward castes, its recommendations were largely not implemented due to internal disagreements, including reservations expressed by the Chairman himself.

Kaka Kalelkar Commission:

Answer: (B) Fifth Schedule

Explanation: The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram (which are covered under the Sixth Schedule instead). It empowers the Governor to submit reports to the President regarding the administration of Scheduled Areas and provides for a Tribes Advisory Council in each state with such areas.

Fifth Schedule:

Answer: (D) 5 years

Explanation: Under Article 280 of the Constitution, the President is required to constitute a Finance Commission every five years, or earlier if considered necessary, to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States, and among the States themselves, along with other matters referred to it.

Finance Commission:

Answer: (B) 280

Explanation: Article 280 of the Constitution provides for the constitution of a Finance Commission by the President of India, every five years or earlier as deemed necessary, to make recommendations on the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States, and on the principles governing grants-in-aid to States from the Consolidated Fund of India.

Article 280:

Answer: (A) President

Explanation: Under Article 316 of the Constitution, the Chairman and other members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are appointed by the President of India. This applies uniformly to the Chairman as well as ordinary members of the Commission, who hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Appointment of UPSC Chairman:

Answer: (D) G.S.T.

Explanation: The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 paved the way for the rollout of a comprehensive, nationwide indirect tax network (GST) in India, replacing multiple central and state taxes. It introduced crucial articles like Article 246A (giving states power to levy GST), Article 269A (levy and collection of IGST), and Article 279A (constitution of the GST Council).

• This granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) by inserting Article 338B.
• This amendment added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali to the Eighth Schedule, bringing the total number of official languages to 22.
• This extended the reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies until 2020.

Answer: (B) Article 149

Explanation: Article 149 of the Constitution deals with the duties and powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the States, and of any other authority or body as may be prescribed. It authorises Parliament to determine these duties and powers by law, and until such provision is made, the CAG exercises the duties and powers provided for by or under the Government of India Act, 1935.

Article 149:

Answer: (C) Article 338

Explanation: Article 338 of the Constitution provides for the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Originally (before the 89th Amendment Act, 2003) it provided for a combined National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; after 2003, the STs got a separate commission under the newly inserted Article 338A, while Article 338 continued to cover the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.

Article 338:

Answer: (A) Constitutional body

Explanation: The Election Commission of India is a Constitutional body, established under Article 324 of the Constitution, which vests in it the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President. Being constitutionally created, its existence and core powers cannot be altered by ordinary legislation alone.

Election Commission of India:

Answer: (A) the Parliament, State Legislature and the posts of the President and the Vice-President

Explanation: Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the Election Commission of India is vested with the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, to the Legislature of every State, and to the offices of President and Vice-President. It does not conduct elections to local bodies (Panchayats/Municipalities), which fall under separate State Election Commissions established under Articles 243K and 243ZA.

Election Commission’s Jurisdiction:

Answer: (A) Sukumar Sen

Explanation: Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India, serving from 21 March 1950 to 19 December 1958. He is credited with successfully organising India’s first general elections (1951-52), a massive logistical exercise given the country’s size, diversity, and largely illiterate electorate at the time.

First Chief Election Commissioner:

Answer: (D) Article 280

Explanation: Article 280 of the Constitution provides for the constitution of a Finance Commission by the President, every five years or earlier if necessary, to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and the principles governing grants-in-aid to the States.

Article 280:

Answer: (A) functions of Public Service Commissions

Explanation: Article 320 of the Constitution deals with the functions of the Public Service Commissions (both Union and State). It lays down that the Commission shall be consulted on matters relating to recruitment to civil services, principles for promotions/transfers, disciplinary matters affecting a person serving under the government, and claims for reimbursement of legal expenses, among other functions.

Article 320:

Answer: (D) Budget deficit

Explanation: Whenever the government’s total expenditure exceeds its total revenue in a given financial year, the resulting imbalance is known as a Budget Deficit. It reflects the gap the government needs to bridge through borrowing or other financing sources, and forms a key indicator of fiscal health along with related measures like fiscal deficit and revenue deficit.

Types of Government Deficit:

Answer: (C) President

Explanation: Under Article 324(2) of the Constitution, the Chief Election Commissioner of India is appointed by the President of India. Historically this was done on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, though the CEC and Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 has since introduced a selection committee (Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and a Union Cabinet Minister) to recommend names to the President.

Chief Election Commissioner Appointment:

Answer: (A) All-India Services

Explanation: Article 312 of the Constitution empowers Parliament, if the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) declares by a resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of members present and voting that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest, to create by law one or more All-India Services common to the Union and the States. The Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) are examples of such All-India Services.

Article 312:

Answer: (B) Election Commission

Explanation: Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State vests in the Election Commission of India. The actual preparation work is carried out through Electoral Registration Officers under the ECI’s direction, in accordance with the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Preparation of Electoral Rolls:

Answer: (C) Article 343

Explanation: Article 343 of the Constitution declares Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official language of the Union. It also provided that English would continue to be used for official purposes for a period of 15 years from the commencement of the Constitution (i.e., until 1965), a period later extended indefinitely by the Official Languages Act, 1963.

Article 343:

Answer: (A) The Governor of a State

Explanation: Under Article 316 of the Constitution, the Chairman and members of a State Public Service Commission are appointed by the Governor of that State. They hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier, and can be removed by the President under the grounds and procedure specified in Article 317.

State Public Service Commission:

Answer: (A) President of India

Explanation: Under Article 324(2) of the Constitution, the members of the Election Commission of India — including the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners — are appointed by the President of India. This was traditionally done on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, though the 2023 Act has since introduced a selection committee mechanism for making recommendations to the President.

Appointment of Election Commission Members:

Answer: (C) Uttarakhand

Explanation: Himachal Pradesh also declared Sanskrit as its second official language later in 2019 Uttarakhand made Sanskrit its second official language in January 2010, becoming the first state in India to do so. The primary official language of Uttarakhand is Hindi.

Answer: (B) The “National Commission for Scheduled Castes” and the “National Commission for Scheduled Tribes”

Explanation: The Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003 bifurcated the erstwhile combined National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes into two separate constitutional bodies — the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (continuing under Article 338) and a newly created National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (under the newly inserted Article 338A) — to allow focused attention on the distinct concerns of each community.

89th Constitutional Amendment Act:

Answer: (C) 1989

Explanation: The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1989 lowered the voting age for elections to the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of States from 21 years to 18 years, by amending Article 326 of the Constitution. This significantly widened India’s electorate ahead of the 1989 general elections.

61st Constitutional Amendment Act:

Answer: (B) 1951 – 52

Explanation: India’s first general election to the Lok Sabha was held over several months spanning October 1951 to February 1952, under the supervision of the first Chief Election Commissioner, Sukumar Sen. It was a massive logistical undertaking given the country’s size, diversity, and predominantly illiterate electorate at the time, and is widely regarded as one of the largest democratic exercises in world history up to that point.

First General Election:

Answer: (B) Chairman and four other members

Explanation: The Finance Commission, as constituted under Article 280 of the Constitution and governed by the Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951, consists of a Chairman and four other members appointed by the President. The qualifications, term of office, and manner of selection of these members are also prescribed by Parliament through this Act.

Finance Commission Composition:

Answer: (C) Parliament

Explanation: According to Article 321 of the Constitution of India, an Act made by Parliament may provide for the exercise of additional functions by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) regarding the services of the Union. Similarly, the same article vests the power to extend the functions of a State Public Service Commission (SPSC) in the respective State Legislature.

• Chairman / Ministry of Home Affairs: Neither has the constitutional authority to modify or extend the statutory functions of this independent constitutional body.
• President: While the President appoints the Chairman and members of the UPSC (Article 316) and makes regulations regarding their conditions of service (Article 318), the President cannot expand the legislative jurisdiction or functions of the commission; that power is explicitly reserved for Parliament.

Answer: (C) Both of the above

Explanation: Under Article 320 of the Constitution, the Union Public Service Commission (and State Public Service Commissions) must be consulted by the government on matters relating to methods of recruitment to civil services and civil posts, as well as on disciplinary matters affecting a person serving under the Government of India in a civil capacity, including matters of promotion, transfer, and suitability for such purposes.

Article 320 — UPSC’s Advisory Role:

Answer: (A) 5 years

Explanation: Under Article 316 of the Constitution, a member of a State Public Service Commission holds office for a term of five years from the date of appointment, or until they attain the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier — whichever condition is met first determines when the member’s term ends.

State PSC — Term of Members:

Answer: (B) Part XIV Chapter II, Articles 315-323

Explanation: Covers Articles 308 to 314. It deals with recruitment and conditions of service for public servants (such as All India Services like IAS and IPS). Covers Articles 315 to 323. It specifically establishes the composition, appointment, powers, and functions of both the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the State Public Service Commissions (SPSC).

• Article 323: Presentation of annual reports by the commissions.
• Article 315: Establishment of Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the States.
• Article 316: Appointment and term of office of members.
• Article 320: Core functions and duties of Public Service Commissions.

Answer: (D) Supreme Court of India

Explanation: Under Article 317 of the Constitution, a member of a State Public Service Commission (or the UPSC) can be removed from office by the President on grounds of misbehaviour only after the Supreme Court, on a reference made by the President, has held an inquiry and reported that the member ought to be removed on such grounds.

Removal of PSC Member:

Answer: (D) 5 years

Explanation: Under Article 280 of the Constitution, the Finance Commission is constituted by the President of India every five years, or earlier if considered necessary, to make recommendations on the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and the principles governing grants-in-aid.

Finance Commission:

Answer: (C) the President

Explanation: Under Article 323(1) of the Constitution, the Union Public Service Commission is required to present an annual report on the work done by it to the President of India. The President then places this report before both Houses of Parliament, along with a memorandum explaining the action taken on its recommendations, including reasons for non-acceptance where applicable.

UPSC Annual Report:

Answer: (D) All of the above

Explanation: Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the Election Commission of India is responsible for the superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, to the Legislature of every State, and to the offices of President and Vice-President of India — covering all three categories listed.

Election Commission’s Electoral Responsibility:

Answer: (B) the President and Governor of respective States

Explanation: According to Article 316 of the Constitution of India, the appointment authority is divided between the federal and state heads:

• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC): The Chairman and other members are appointed by the President.
• State Public Service Commissions (SPSC): The Chairman and other members are appointed by the Governor of the respective State.
• Joint Public Service Commission (JPSC): If two or more states share a joint commission, its members are appointed by the President.

While the Governor has the power to appoint the members of a State Public Service Commission, the Governor cannot remove them. Under Article 317, the power to remove members of both the UPSC and SPSC rests exclusively with the President.

Answer: (D) for the term of the six years or till they attain the age of 65 years

Explanation: Under Article 316 of the Constitution, a member of the Union Public Service Commission holds office for a term of six years from the date on which they enter their office, or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever event occurs earlier. This ensures both a fixed tenure and an upper age limit for UPSC members.

Tenure of UPSC Members:

Answer: (D) All the above

Explanation: Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the Election Commission of India is responsible for the superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, the Legislature of every State, and the offices of President and Vice-President of India — covering all three categories listed in the question.

Election Commission’s Electoral Responsibility:

Answer: (C) President on recommendation of Supreme Court

Explanation: Under Article 317 of the Constitution, a member of the Union Public Service Commission (or a State Public Service Commission) can be removed from office by the President only on grounds of misbehaviour, after the Supreme Court, on a reference made by the President, has held an inquiry and reported that the member ought to be removed.

Removal of UPSC Member:

Answer: (D) appointed by the President

Explanation: Under Article 324(2) of the Constitution, the Chief Election Commissioner of India is appointed by the President of India. Historically this appointment was made on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, though the CEC and Other ECs (Appointment…) Act, 2023 has since introduced a selection committee process to recommend names to the President.

Chief Election Commissioner Appointment:

Answer: (B) Parliament

Explanation: Under Article 321 of the Constitution, Parliament is empowered to make provisions extending the functions of the Union Public Service Commission by law, allowing the Commission to serve the needs of any local authority, corporation, or other body established by law, or of any public institution, in addition to its functions specified under Article 320.

Article 321:

Answer: (B) Article 148

Explanation: Article 148 of the Constitution provides for the appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India by the President of India, by warrant under his hand and seal. The CAG holds office for a term of six years or until attaining the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier, and can only be removed in the same manner as a Supreme Court Judge.

Article 148:

Answer: (D) 22

Explanation: The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution currently lists 22 official languages recognised by the Union of India. Originally, at the time of the Constitution’s adoption in 1950, it contained only 14 languages; over time, further languages were added through various constitutional amendments — including Sindhi (21st Amendment, 1967), Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali (71st Amendment, 1992), and Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali (92nd Amendment, 2003) — bringing the total to 22.

Eighth Schedule:

Answer: (C) The President

Explanation: Under Article 323(1) of the Constitution, the Union Public Service Commission is required to present its annual report on the work done by it to the President of India, who then lays it before both Houses of Parliament along with a memorandum explaining the action taken on its recommendations, including reasons for non-acceptance where applicable.

UPSC Annual Report:

Answer: (D) Appointed by President

Explanation: Under Article 324(2) of the Constitution, the Chief Election Commissioner of India is appointed by the President of India. Historically this was done on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, though the CEC and Other ECs (Appointment…) Act, 2023 has since introduced a selection committee mechanism to recommend names to the President.

Chief Election Commissioner Appointment:

Answer: (C) 5 years

Explanation: Under Article 280 of the Constitution, the Finance Commission is constituted by the President of India every five years, or earlier if considered necessary, primarily to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and the principles governing grants-in-aid to the States.

Finance Commission:

Answer: (C) 1971

Explanation: Under Article 55 of the Constitution, the value of votes of MLAs in the election of the President of India is calculated using the population figures of each state as per the 1971 Census. This freeze on the population base was maintained through subsequent constitutional amendments (42nd and 84th Amendments) to avoid penalising states that successfully controlled population growth, and continues to apply even today for the purpose of this calculation.

Vote Value in Presidential Election:

Answer: (C) Backward Classes Commission

Explanation: Article 340 of the Constitution deals with the appointment of a Commission by the President to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within India, the difficulties they face, and to recommend steps for their advancement, including grants-in-aid. This provision was used to set up both the Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1953) and the Mandal Commission (1979).

Article 340:

Answer: (B) Entire Nation

Explanation: The Union Public Service Commission, being the central recruiting and advisory body established under Article 315 of the Constitution, serves the entire nation — it conducts recruitment and advises the Union Government on civil services matters across India, and may also assist State Governments upon request (subject to Presidential approval), unlike a State Public Service Commission which serves only its respective state.

UPSC’s Jurisdiction:

Answer: (D) None of the above

Explanation: The National Development Council (established on August 6, 1952) is neither a constitutional body (not mentioned in the Constitution) nor a statutory body. It was created purely via an executive resolution of the Government of India on the recommendation of the First Planning Commission. Since it is an administrative, advisory, and deliberative executive body rather than a political entity or a body created by an Act of Parliament, none of the specific options (A, B, or C) accurately define its legal nature.

• It acts as the apex advisory body to bring a federal perspective to national development plans and secure the cooperation of all states in implementing national policies.
• It is chaired by the Prime Minister and comprises Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers of all States, representatives/administrators of Union Territories, and members of the NITI Aayog (erstwhile Planning Commission).

Answer: (A) The President of India

Explanation: Under Article 317 of the Constitution of India, the Chairman and any other member of a State Public Service Commission (SPSC) can only be removed from office by order of the President of India. The President can remove the Chairman on the ground of misbehaviour only after the Supreme Court conducts an inquiry (upon a reference made by the President) and reports that the person ought to be removed. While the Governor holds the power to appoint the SPSC Chairman, they can only suspend them from office pending the final removal investigation by the Supreme Court; they do not possess the constitutional authority to permanently remove them.

Answer: (B) Parliament

Explanation: Under Article 321 of the Constitution, Parliament is empowered to make provisions extending the functions of the Union Public Service Commission by law, allowing it to serve the needs of local authorities, corporations, or other bodies established by law, or public institutions, in addition to its core functions under Article 320.

Article 321:

Answer: (C) 89th Amendment

Explanation: The Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003 created a separate National Commission for Scheduled Castes by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A for the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, thereby bifurcating the earlier combined National Commission for SCs and STs into two independent constitutional bodies.

89th Constitutional Amendment Act:

Answer: (A) 81st

Explanation: The 81st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2000 inserted clause (4B) into Article 16 of the Indian Constitution. This amendment authorized the government to treat unfilled backlog vacancies reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as a separate class of vacancies to be filled up in the succeeding year or years. Crucially, it determined that these backlog vacancies would not be counted when calculating the 50% ceiling limit on the total number of reservations for that current year.

• 86th Amendment Act (2002): Made education a Fundamental Right by inserting Article 21A, providing free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years.
• 85th Amendment Act (2001): Provided for consequential seniority in the case of promotion by virtue of rule of reservation for government servants belonging to the SCs and STs.

Answer: (C) 77th Amendment

Explanation: The Constitution (77th Amendment) Act, 1995 inserted Clause (4A) into Article 16, empowering the State to make provisions for reservation in matters of promotion in favour of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in public employment, if the State considers that these communities are not adequately represented in government services. This was enacted in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992), which had held that reservation in promotions was not permissible.

77th Constitutional Amendment Act:

Answer: (D) All of the above

Explanation: Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies was originally provided for a limited period under the Constitution, and this period of reservation has been periodically extended through successive constitutional amendments — including the 8th Amendment (1959), 23rd Amendment (1969), 45th Amendment (1980), and several later ones (62nd, 79th, 95th, and 104th Amendments) — each extending the reservation by ten more years, until the 104th Amendment Act, 2019 extended it further while simultaneously ending reservation for Anglo-Indians.

Extension of SC/ST Reservation in Legislatures:

Answer: (B) 28th Amendment

Explanation: The 28th Amendment Act, 1972 eliminated the special service conditions, privileges, and concessions that were guaranteed to the colonial-era Indian Civil Service (I.C.S.) officers. It completely repealed Article 314, which originally protected the pre-independence service contracts and retirement terms of these crown-appointed officers. It inserted Article 312A, empowering Parliament to vary or revoke the remuneration, pension, and disciplinary conditions of service for these officers either prospectively or retrospectively.

• 42nd Amendment Act (1976): Widely known as the “Mini-Constitution,” it introduced extensive changes across the entire framework, including adding the words “Socialist,” “Secular,” and “Integrity” to the Preamble and enlisting the Fundamental Duties.
• 24th Amendment Act (1971): Affirmed the power of Parliament to amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights, and made it compulsory for the President to give assent to Constitutional Amendment Bills.
• 29th Amendment Act (1972): Placed certain Kerala land reform amendment acts within the protective purview of the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

Answer: (B) 65th (1990)

Explanation: The Constitution (65th Amendment) Act, 1990 accorded statutory status to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by inserting Article 338, replacing the earlier arrangement of a Special Officer/Commissioner for SCs and STs. This body was later made a fully constitutional commission through subsequent amendments, and further bifurcated into two separate commissions by the 89th Amendment Act, 2003.

65th Constitutional Amendment Act:

Answer: (B) Sachar Committee

Explanation: The Sachar Committee (2005-06), headed by Justice Rajinder Sachar, was constituted to study the social, economic, and educational status of the Muslim community in India. Among its various recommendations to address underrepresentation and discrimination, it recommended the establishment of an Equal Opportunity Commission to look into grievances of deprived groups, including religious and linguistic minorities.

Sachar Committee:

Answer: (D) Finance Commission

Explanation: Article 280 of the Constitution lays down the provision for the establishment of the Finance Commission, a body constituted by the President every five years (or earlier, if necessary) to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States, and the principles governing grants-in-aid to States from the Consolidated Fund of India.

Article 280:

Answer: (D) 65 years

Explanation: Under Article 316 of the Constitution, a member of the Union Public Service Commission holds office for a term of six years from the date of appointment, or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever event occurs earlier — setting the upper age limit at 65 years for UPSC members.

UPSC Members — Age/Tenure Limits:

Answer: (C) President on recommendation of Supreme Court

Explanation: Under Article 317 of the Constitution, a member of the Union Public Service Commission can be removed from office by the President only on grounds of misbehaviour, and only after the Supreme Court, on a reference made by the President, has held an inquiry and reported that the member ought to be removed on such grounds.

Removal of UPSC Member:

Answer: (C) Is determined by President

Explanation: As per Article 318 of the Constitution of India, the Constitution does not specify the exact strength of the Commission. It leaves the power to determine the precise number of members entirely to the discretion of the President.
Based on regulations established by the President, the UPSC traditionally consists of a Chairman and 10 other members.
The President is also constitutionally authorised to determine the salary, allowances, and other conditions of service for the Chairman and members.

Answer: (C) Article 350-A

Explanation: Article 350-A of the Constitution directs that it shall be the endeavour of every State, and of every local authority within the State, to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups, and empowers the President to issue directions to any State as considered necessary to secure this provision.

Article 350-A:

Answer: (A) Sukumar Sen

Explanation: Sukumar Sen was the first Election Commissioner (Chief Election Commissioner) of India, appointed in 1950. He successfully organised and conducted India’s first general elections held in 1951-52, a massive logistical achievement given the scale, diversity, and largely illiterate electorate of the newly independent nation.

First Election Commissioner of India:

Answer: (C) Article 351

Explanation: Article 351 of the Constitution places a duty on the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language, to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all elements of the composite culture of India, and to secure its enrichment by assimilating forms, style and expressions used in Hindustani and other Indian languages, drawing primarily on Sanskrit for its vocabulary.

Article 351:

Answer: (A) Nagaland

Explanation: English is the official language of the State of Nagaland, formally adopted under the Nagaland Official Language Act, 1967, making it one of the few Indian states where English (rather than a regional Indian language) serves as the sole official language for administrative and legislative purposes.

English as Official Language:

Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2 are correct

Explanation: Originally, at the time the Constitution came into force in 1950, the Eighth Schedule contained 14 languages. Over subsequent decades, through various constitutional amendments (21st, 71st, and 92nd Amendments), additional languages were added, bringing the current total to 22 languages — making both statements in the question factually correct.

Eighth Schedule — Language Additions Over Time:

Answer: (A) 1, 2, 3 only

Explanation: Under Article 149 read with the CAG’s (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971, the Comptroller and Auditor General audits the Consolidated Funds of the Union, States, and Union Territories having legislative assemblies, as well as the Contingency Funds of India and the Public Accounts of States. However, the CAG does not have a general mandate to audit Public-Private Partnership (PPP) receipts and expenditures unless specifically brought within its audit jurisdiction, so option 4 is not automatically included as a routine function.

CAG’s Audit Jurisdiction:

Answer: (A) Must be recognised in at least 4 states

Explanation: According to the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, a regional or registered political party can elevate to a National Party if it fulfills any one of the following three conditions:

1. State Party Status (Option A): The party achieves official recognition as a “State Party” in at least four distinct states. (For instance, the Aam Aadmi Party successfully attained national status by meeting this exact requirement).
2. Lok Sabha Seats: It wins a minimum of 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha (which equals 11 seats), and these elected members must hail from at least three different states.
3. Vote Share + Seats: It secures at least 6% of the total valid votes in four or more states during a Lok Sabha or State Assembly election, and additionally wins at least 4 Lok Sabha seats from any state(s).

• Options (C) & (D): The fractional requirement of 1/10th seats applies to defining the Quorum required to conduct a parliamentary session or determining the official Leader of the Opposition, rather than defining ECI party recognition rules.
• Option (B): Being recognized in 3 states is insufficient; the legal threshold explicitly demands 4 states.

Answer: (A) The National Commission for S.C. is a 6 member body

Explanation: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes, as per Article 338 of the Constitution, consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other Members — a total of five members, not six. This makes statement (A) the incorrect one among the options, since the Commission functioned first as a non-statutory body from 1978, then became statutory in 1990, and finally became a full constitutional body (in its present SC-specific form) after the 89th Amendment, 2003.

National Commission for Scheduled Castes:

Answer: (B) 2 only

Explanation: Following the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019, the eligibility criteria for the post of NHRC Chairperson was expanded. Now, either a retired Chief Justice of India OR a retired Judge of the Supreme Court is eligible to become the Chairperson. The word “Only” makes this statement false. The 2019 Amendment removed the earlier restriction on the maximum number of terms, making both the Chairperson and members eligible for re-appointment for a period of 3 years, subject to the maximum upper age limit of 70 years.

Answer: (C) Parliament

Explanation: Under Article 321 of the Indian Constitution, the power to extend the functions and jurisdiction of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is vested exclusively in Parliament. This expansion cannot be achieved through an executive resolution or presidential order alone; it requires an formal act passed by Parliament. Through this mechanism, Parliament can place any public service, local authority, corporate body, or public institution under the advisory or recruitment purview of the UPSC.

Answer: (D) Part XVI of Constitution of India

Explanation: Part XVI of the Constitution of India spans Articles 330 to 342B and is titled “Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes”. It specifically handles the reservation of seats and representation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in political structures. For instance:

• Article 330: Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha.
• Article 332: Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the State Legislative Assemblies.
• Article 335: Acknowledges the claims of SCs and STs to services and posts under the Union or States.

• Part XIV: Covers Articles 308 to 323, dealing with Services Under the Union and the States (including the UPSC and All India Services)
• Part XII : Covers Articles 264 to 300A, dealing with Finance, Property, Contracts, and Suits (including GST rules and the Right to Property).
• Part XIII : Covers Articles 301 to 307, dealing with Trade, Commerce, and Intercourse within the territory of India.

Answer: (B) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: The Constitution of India provides definitions for Scheduled Castes (Article 366(24)) and Scheduled Tribes (Article 366(25)), and also contains specific provisions relating to the Anglo-Indian community (Article 366(2)), defining who qualifies as an Anglo-Indian for constitutional purposes. Thus, all three groups — Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Anglo-Indians — are explicitly defined in the Constitution.

Constitutional Definitions:

Answer: (A) Election Commission – Art 324

Explanation: Among the given options, only the pairing of the Election Commission with Article 324 is correctly matched — Article 324 vests the Election Commission with superintendence, direction and control of elections. The other pairings are incorrect: the Finance Commission is actually established under Article 280 (not 200), the Attorney General for India is provided for under Article 76 (not 176), and the National Commission for SCs/STs is covered under Articles 338/338A (not 320, which deals with functions of Public Service Commissions).

Correct Article Matches:

Answer: (A) V. S. Ramadevi

Explanation: V. S. Ramadevi became the first woman to hold the office of Chief Election Commissioner of India, serving briefly in 1990 (26 November 1990 to 11 December 1990). Prior to this role, she had also served as Governor of several Indian states, making her one of the few individuals to hold both a gubernatorial post and the position of CEC.

First Woman Chief Election Commissioner:

Answer: (A) Article 340

Explanation: Under Article 340 of the Indian Constitution, the President is empowered to appoint a commission consisting of such persons as he thinks fit to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within the territory of India. The commission is mandated to investigate the difficulties under which they labour and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the Union or any State to remove such difficulties and improve their condition. This is the precise article under which famous commissions like the Kaka Kalelkar Commission (First Backward Classes Commission, 1953) and the Mandal Commission (Second Backward Classes Commission, 1979) were appointed.

Article 340:

Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2 correct

Explanation: Article 311 of the Constitution provides two key procedural safeguards for civil servants (as distinguished from military personnel, who fall under Article 310’s pleasure doctrine without these protections). First, a civil servant cannot be dismissed or removed by an authority subordinate to the one that appointed them. Second, no civil servant can be dismissed, removed, or reduced in rank without being given a reasonable opportunity of being heard regarding the charges against them — both statements accurately reflect these safeguards.

Article 311 — Safeguards for Civil Servants:

Answer: (A) Prepare estimates of consolidated fund of India

Explanation: The primary functions of the Finance Commission under Article 280 include recommending the distribution of tax proceeds between the Centre and States, determining principles for grants-in-aid, and recommending measures to augment a State’s Consolidated Fund to supplement Panchayat/Municipality resources. However, preparing “estimates” of the Consolidated Fund of India is not a Finance Commission function at all — this falls under the Union Budget preparation process handled by the Ministry of Finance, making it the correct answer as the function NOT performed by the Finance Commission.

Finance Commission’s Functions:

Answer: (B) 93rd Amendment Act

Explanation: The Constitution (93rd Amendment) Act, 2006 inserted Clause (5) into Article 15, empowering the State to make special provisions, including reservation, for socially and educationally backward classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in admissions to educational institutions — including private unaided institutions — except minority educational institutions protected under Article 30(1).

93rd Constitutional Amendment Act:

Answer: (C) Both

Explanation: The right to vote in India is not a Fundamental Right but a statutory/constitutional right under Article 326, as held by the Supreme Court in various rulings including People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India (2003). Additionally, under Section 62(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a person confined in prison (whether under a sentence or as an undertrial) or in lawful police custody is not entitled to vote, though they may still contest elections in certain circumstances — making both statements correct.

Right to Vote:

Answer: (A) 61st Amendment Act

Explanation: The Constitution (61st Amendment) Act, 1989 reduced the voting age for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies from 21 years to 18 years, by amending Article 326 of the Constitution. This significantly expanded India’s electorate, particularly among younger citizens, ahead of the 1989 general elections.

61st Constitutional Amendment Act:

Answer: (C) 48 Hrs.

Explanation: Under Section 7(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, where information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person, the Public Information Officer is required to provide the information within 48 hours of the receipt of the request — a much shorter timeline than the standard 30-day period applicable to ordinary RTI requests.

RTI Act — Response Timelines:

Answer: (A) 12th Oct, 2005

Explanation: The Right to Information Act, 2005 was enacted by Parliament and received Presidential assent on 15 June 2005, but it came into full force on 12 October 2005, giving government departments a 120-day period to prepare for its implementation, including setting up the necessary information disclosure mechanisms and appointing Public Information Officers.

Right to Information Act, 2005: