Polity 2019

Question 1

Which amendment to the Constitution of India placed the election of the Prime Minister beyond judicial review?

Answer 1

The 39th Amendment

The 39th Amendment was enacted on 10th August 1975 during the Emergency of 1975–1977.

Question 2

What did the Supreme Court of India rule regarding the 99th Amendment?

Answer 2

Struck down as unconstitutional

The NJAC was intended to change the appointment system for judges but was declared violative of the independence of judiciary.

Question 3

What term did the Forty-Fourth Amendment Act, 1978, restore for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies?

Answer 3

5 years

Question 4

What power was given to the President under the Forty-Fourth Amendment Act?

Answer 4

Empowered to send back cabinet advice for reconsideration

The reconsidered advice is binding on the President.

Question 5

What was deleted from the list of Fundamental Rights by the Forty-Fourth Amendment Act?

Answer 5

Right to property

Question 6

Which Act details the impeachment process for Judges of the Supreme Court of India?

Answer 6

Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968

Question 7

What is required for a motion to impeach a Judge to be taken up for voting?

Answer 7

Majority of total membership and two-thirds of those present and voting

Question 8

Which Prime Minister introduced the Ninth Schedule in the Constitution of India?

Answer 8

Jawaharlal Nehru

Question 9

What does the Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution contain?

Answer 9

Laws that cannot be challenged in courts

This was added to protect laws related to agrarian reform.

Question 10

What does the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 exempt?

Answer 10

Several posts from disqualification on the grounds of ‘Office of Profit’

Question 11

True or False: The term ‘Office of Profit’ is well-defined in the Constitution of India.

Answer 11

False

Question 12

Under which Schedule of the Constitution can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?

Answer 12

Fifth Schedule

Question 13

Which article of the Constitution allows the Supreme Court to act without constraints from ordinary laws?

Answer 13

Article 142

Question 14

What does Article 176(1) of the Constitution of India mandate?

Answer 14

The Governor must address the House at the commencement of the first session of the year.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: The Governor makes a customary address to Members of the House at the commencement of the _______.

Answer 15

first session of the year

Question 16

What happens when a State Legislature does not have a rule on a particular matter?

Answer 16

It follows the Lok Sabha rule on that matter

Question 17

What can rules for regulating the Legislature be made subject to?

Answer 17

Provisions of the Constitution

Question 18

What happens to the existing rules of procedure and standing orders until new rules are made?

Answer 18

They continue to have effect with modifications by the Speaker or Chairman

Question 19

Under a convention since colonial times, what rules do state legislatures follow when there is no rule on a particular subject?

Answer 19

Rules of the Lok Sabha

Question 20

As per the recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, who has the right to fell bamboos grown on forest areas?

Answer 20

Forest dwellers

Question 21

According to the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, what is bamboo classified as?

Answer 21

Minor forest produce

Question 22

What does the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allow forest dwellers to own?

Answer 22

Minor forest produce

Question 23

Which Article of the Constitution of India safeguards one’s right to marry the person of one’s choice?

Answer 23

Article 21

Question 24

What does Article 21 of the Constitution guarantee?

Answer 24

Right to life and personal liberty

Question 25

What is the Supreme Court's view of the right to marry in the context of Article 21?

Answer 25

It is a component of the right to life

Question 26

Which Article embodies the basic freedoms such as freedom of speech?

Answer 26

Article 19

Question 27

What does Article 25 of the Constitution state?

Answer 27

Freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion

Question 28

Which Article grants protection to religious and linguistic minorities?

Answer 28

Article 29

Question 29

According to the Indian Patents Act, can a biological process to create a seed be patented in India?

Answer 29

No

Question 30

Is there an Intellectual Property Appellate Board in India?

Answer 30

Yes

Question 31

Are plant varieties eligible to be patented in India?

Answer 31

No

Question 32

What does Article 3(J) of the Indian Patent Act state?

Answer 32

Excludes plants and animals from patentability

Question 33

What is the purpose of the Plant Variety Protection and Farmers Rights (PPVFR) Act, 2001?

Answer 33

To protect plant varieties and the rights of breeders and farmers

Question 34

What was the principal law for patenting system in India that came into force in 1972?

Answer 34

Patents Act, 1970

Question 35

Which body is responsible for the Indian Patent Act?

Answer 35

Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks

Question 36

When was the major amendment in the Patent Act made to extend product patents to all fields of technology?

Answer 36

2005

Question 37

What was introduced in the Patent Act amendments related to compulsory licensing?

Answer 37

A provision for enabling grant of compulsory license

Question 38

What does the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021 reduce for educational institutions?

Answer 38

Patent fees

Question 39

What does the Expedited Examination System allow?

Answer 39

Faster patent processing for specific categories of applicants

Question 40

Which commission suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State?

Answer 40

Sarkaria Commission (1983)

Question 41

What does the Sarkaria Commission report emphasize for better inter-governmental coordination?

Answer 41

Establishment of a standing Inter-State Council

Question 42

How many specific recommendations does the Sarkaria Commission report include?

Answer 42

247 recommendations

Question 43

What is the recommendation regarding the appointment of Governors according to the Sarkaria Commission?

Answer 43

Consultation with the Chief Minister and other officials

Question 44

Under which act does the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exist at both National and State levels?

Answer 44

Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016

Question 45

Is people’s participation mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016?

Answer 45

No

Question 46

Which bodies review the independent regulators in sectors like telecommunications and insurance?

Answer 46

Ad Hoc Committees and Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committees

Question 47

What does the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 entitle pregnant women to?

Answer 47

Paid leave of 26 weeks after childbirth

Question 48

What is a new entitlement for adoptive or surrogate mothers under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017?

Answer 48

12 weeks of maternity benefit

Question 49

What is the punishment for violating provisions of the Maternity Benefits Act?

Answer 49

3 months’ punishment, with or without a fine ## Footnote This applies to violations of the Act's provisions.

Question 50

What does the Maternity Benefits (Amendment) Act 2017 allow for biological mothers?

Answer 50

26 weeks of paid leave after childbirth ## Footnote This amendment specifically addresses biological mothers.

Question 51

What maternity benefit period is granted to adoptive or surrogate mothers under the Maternity Benefits (Amendment) Act 2017?

Answer 51

12 weeks from the date the child is handed over ## Footnote This applies to mothers adopting a child below three months.

Question 52

Under the amended Act, what provision allows women to work from home?

Answer 52

Section 5(5) allows work from home if the nature of work permits ## Footnote This is applicable after availing of maternity benefits.

Question 53

What requirement is imposed on establishments with fifty or more employees under the amended Act?

Answer 53

They must have the facility of a creche and allow four visits a day ## Footnote Employers must also provide rest intervals for mothers.

Question 54

Which of the following is part of a country's social capital?

Answer 54

The level of mutual trust and harmony in the society ## Footnote Social capital encompasses values, beliefs, and attitudes governing social interactions.

Question 55

True or False: No High Court can declare any central law to be constitutionally invalid.

Answer 55

False ## Footnote High Courts have the jurisdiction to declare central laws unconstitutional.

Question 56

Which amendment curtailed the judicial review power of high courts?

Answer 56

The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 ## Footnote This amendment limited high courts from considering the constitutional validity of central laws.

Question 57

What did the 43rd Amendment Act of 1978 restore regarding high courts?

Answer 57

Restored jurisdiction to declare central laws constitutionally invalid ## Footnote This amendment reinstated the original powers of high courts.

Question 58

What doctrine allows the Supreme Court to nullify constitutional amendments?

Answer 58

The ‘basic structure’ doctrine ## Footnote Established in the Keshava Nanda Bharti case, 1973.

Question 59

What are some components of the 'basic structure' as interpreted by the Supreme Court?

Answer 59

* Supremacy of the Constitution * Rule of law * Independence of the judiciary * Doctrine of separation of powers * Sovereign democratic republic * Parliamentary system of government * Principle of free and fair elections * Welfare state ## Footnote These components ensure the essence of the Constitution is upheld.

Question 60

What is the most appropriate definition of liberty in the context of polity?

Answer 60

Opportunity to develop oneself fully ## Footnote Liberty is not just absence of restraint but also includes opportunities for individual development.

Question 61

Fill in the blank: Liberty does not mean ______ to do what one likes.

Answer 61

license ## Footnote Liberty is qualified and must be enjoyed within constitutional limitations.

Question 62

How is liberty conceived in the Preamble of the Constitution?

Answer 62

As essential for the successful functioning of the Indian democratic system ## Footnote Liberty is a fundamental aspect of individual rights and societal governance.