Polity Set 89 | MROY Class

Polity Set 89 Questions & Answers

Which Act for the first time provided for the association of Indians with the executive councils of the Viceroy and Governors, leading to the appointment of Satyendra Prasad Sinha as the first Indian member? – Indian Councils Act of 1909
Which Act separated, for the first time, provincial budgets from the Central budget and authorised the provincial legislatures to enact their budgets? – Government of India Act of 1919
The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for the establishment of a Federal Court, which was set up in which year? – 1937
Which Act established a Reserve Bank of India to control the currency and credit of the country? – Government of India Act of 1935
The ‘portfolio’ system, where a member of the Viceroy’s council was made in-charge of one or more departments of the government, was introduced by Lord Canning in 1859 and recognised by which Act? – Indian Councils Act of 1861
Who was elected as the temporary President of the Constituent Assembly in its first meeting on December 9, 1946, following the French practice? – Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
On December 11, 1946, who were elected as the President and Vice-President of the Constituent Assembly, respectively? – Dr. Rajendra Prasad and H.C. Mukherjee
The Constituent Assembly had two Vice-Presidents. One was H.C. Mukherjee. Who was the other? – V.T. Krishnamachari
How many members were there in the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar? – Seven
The concept of ‘Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency’ in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from the: – Weimar Constitution of Germany
The feature of ‘Concurrent List’ in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from the Constitution of: – Australia
The structural part of the Constitution is, to a large extent, derived from the: – Government of India Act of 1935
In the Preamble, the term ‘Fraternity’ implies a sense of brotherhood. Which Article of the Constitution promotes this feeling by providing for single citizenship? – Article 9
The term ‘Socialist’ was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by which Amendment Act? – 42nd Amendment Act (1976)
According to the Supreme Court, the Indian brand of socialism is a ‘democratic socialism’ and not a ‘communistic socialism’ (state socialism). Democratic socialism relies on a: – Mixed economy
Which of the following words was NOT added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act (1976)? – Republic
The ideal of ‘Liberty’ in the Preamble is qualified by certain terms. Which of the following is NOT one of those terms? – Property
Which Article of the Constitution abolishes ‘Titles’ (except military and academic)? – Article 18
Article 20 grants protection against arbitrary and excessive punishment to an accused person. Which of the following is one of its provisions? – No double jeopardy
Which writ is issued by a higher court to a lower court to transfer a case pending with the latter to itself or to squash the order of the latter in a case? – Certiorari
Under Article 22, the preventive detention of a person cannot exceed how many months unless an advisory board reports sufficient cause for extended detention? – Three months
Which Article prohibits traffic in human beings, begar (forced labour), and other similar forms of forced labour? – Article 23
Under Article 29, any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own has the right to: – Conserve the same
The Directive Principles of State Policy are enumerated in Part IV of the Constitution, from Articles: – 36 to 51
Which Article (a Gandhian Directive Principle) directs the State to organise village panchayats and endow them with necessary powers and authority? – Article 40
Which Article (a Liberal-Intellectual Principle) directs the State to secure for all citizens a uniform civil code throughout the country? – Article 44
The Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution were inspired by the Constitution of: – USSR (Russia)
How many Fundamental Duties are currently listed under Article 51A of the Constitution? – 11
The 11th Fundamental Duty, which mandates parents or guardians to provide opportunities for education to their children between the ages of 6 and 14, was added by the: – 86th Amendment Act (2002)
Which Constitutional Amendment Act is widely known as the “Mini-Constitution” due to the extensive changes it made to the Constitution? – 42nd Amendment Act (1976)

MROY Class

Polity Set 89

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📌 Indian Polity • Historical Background

Q.1) Which Act for the first time provided for the association of Indians with the executive councils of the Viceroy and Governors, leading to the appointment of Satyendra Prasad Sinha as the first Indian member?

Ans > Indian Councils Act of 1909

The Morley-Minto Reforms: The Indian Councils Act of 1909 is widely known in history as the Morley-Minto Reforms. It was named after John Morley, the Secretary of State for India, and Lord Minto, who was the Viceroy of India at the time. This act represented a cautious step toward increasing Indian participation in the highest levels of the colonial administration.
Satyendra Prasad Sinha’s Historic Appointment: Under the provisions of this Act, Satyendra Prasad Sinha became the very first Indian to be appointed to the Viceroy’s Executive Council. He was designated as the law member, breaking a long-standing racial barrier within the British Indian government.
Introduction of Communal Electorates: A highly controversial and consequential feature of this Act was the legal introduction of communal representation for Muslims. It created a separate electorate where Muslim members were elected exclusively by Muslim voters. This policy earned Lord Minto the title of the ‘Father of Communal Electorate’.
Expansion of Legislative Councils: The Act significantly expanded the size of both Central and Provincial Legislative Councils. For instance, the number of members in the Central Legislative Council increased from 16 to 60, giving Indian representatives a larger platform, even though the official British majority was still strictly maintained at the center.

📌 Indian Polity • Historical Background

Q.2) Which Act separated, for the first time, provincial budgets from the Central budget and authorised the provincial legislatures to enact their budgets?

Ans > Government of India Act of 1919

The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms: The Government of India Act of 1919 is also referred to as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. Edwin Montagu was the Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford was the Viceroy. The act aimed to introduce self-governing institutions gradually to India.
Financial Decentralisation: This Act marked a watershed moment in financial administration by separating provincial budgets from the central budget for the very first time. Provincial legislatures were officially authorised to enact and manage their own financial budgets, laying the groundwork for federal financial structures.
Introduction of Dyarchy: The Act introduced a unique administrative system in the provinces called ‘Dyarchy’ (rule of two). Provincial subjects were divided into two halves: ‘Transferred’ subjects (administered by the Governor with the aid of ministers responsible to the legislative council) and ‘Reserved’ subjects (administered by the Governor and his executive council without legislative responsibility).
Bicameralism and Direct Elections: For the first time, this Act introduced a bicameral legislature at the center, replacing the Indian Legislative Council with an Upper House (Council of State) and a Lower House (Legislative Assembly). It also introduced direct elections for a significant portion of these members.

📌 Indian Polity • Historical Background

Q.3) The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for the establishment of a Federal Court, which was set up in which year?

Ans > 1937

Establishment and Operations: While the Government of India Act was passed in 1935, the Federal Court of India was officially established and began its operations two years later, in 1937. It functioned out of the Chamber of Princes in the Parliament building in New Delhi until 1950.
Jurisdiction of the Court: The Federal Court was granted exclusive original jurisdiction to resolve complex disputes between the Central Government and the provinces (or princely states). It also held appellate jurisdiction, meaning it could hear appeals from the High Courts of the provinces under specific constitutional circumstances.
First Chief Justice: Sir Maurice Gwyer was appointed as the first Chief Justice of the Federal Court of India. The court initially consisted of the Chief Justice and two puisne judges, providing a structured legal framework for interpreting the Government of India Act of 1935.
Predecessor to the Supreme Court: The Federal Court served as the direct institutional predecessor to the modern Supreme Court of India. When the Indian Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, the Federal Court was abolished, and the Supreme Court of India took over its functions and expanded its jurisdictional powers.

📌 Indian Polity • Historical Background

Q.4) Which Act established a Reserve Bank of India to control the currency and credit of the country?

Ans > Government of India Act of 1935

Constitutional Provision: In the context of constitutional development, the Government of India Act of 1935 specifically laid down the federal provision for establishing a central bank. Its primary stated objective was to expertly manage the currency and control the credit system of British India to ensure economic stability.
The Hilton Young Commission: The conceptual foundation for the Reserve Bank of India was heavily based on the recommendations made by the Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance, famously known as the Hilton Young Commission, which submitted its critical report in 1926.
Statutory Framework: While the 1935 Act provided the broad constitutional mandate, the actual operational and legal framework of the bank was established by passing the Reserve Bank of India Act of 1934. The bank officially commenced its operations on April 1, 1935.
Nationalisation: The RBI initially started as a privately owned institution with shareholders. Following India’s independence, recognizing the need for sovereign control over monetary policy, the institution was fully nationalised on January 1, 1949, becoming entirely owned by the Government of India.

📌 Indian Polity • Historical Background

Q.5) The ‘portfolio’ system, where a member of the Viceroy’s council was made in-charge of one or more departments of the government, was introduced by Lord Canning in 1859 and recognised by which Act?

Ans > Indian Councils Act of 1861

Statutory Recognition: Lord Canning practically introduced the portfolio system in 1859, but it received official statutory recognition through the Indian Councils Act of 1861. This transformed the Viceroy’s executive council into a more modern cabinet-style government where specific members held specific departmental responsibilities.
Efficiency in Administration: By allocating distinct departments to individual council members, the system vastly improved administrative efficiency. It allowed council members to issue final orders on behalf of the entire government concerning matters within their specific departmental jurisdictions.
Reversing Centralisation: The Act of 1861 is historically significant because it initiated the process of decentralisation. It deliberately restored the legislative powers to the Bombay and Madras Presidencies, reversing the intense centralising tendency that had peaked with the Charter Act of 1833.
Ordinance Making Power: Another crucial provision of the 1861 Act was granting the Viceroy the extraordinary power to issue ordinances without the concurrence of the legislative council during times of emergency. These ordinances had a maximum validity period of six months.

📌 Indian Polity • Constituent Assembly

Q.6) Who was elected as the temporary President of the Constituent Assembly in its first meeting on December 9, 1946, following the French practice?

Ans > Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha

The First Historic Meeting: The Constituent Assembly of India convened for its very first session on December 9, 1946, in the Constitution Hall (now the Central Hall of Parliament) in New Delhi. This momentous meeting marked the formal beginning of the drafting of independent India’s Constitution.
Adopting the French Practice: Seeking a procedural method to conduct the initial election of officers, the Assembly adopted the established French constitutional practice. This tradition dictates that the oldest member of the assembly is appointed as the interim or temporary president to oversee the initial proceedings.
Role of Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha: Being the most senior and oldest member present in the Assembly, Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, an eminent lawyer and parliamentarian, was respectfully elected as the temporary President. He presided over the house until a permanent president could be formally elected two days later.
Muslim League Boycott: The inaugural meeting presided over by Dr. Sinha was notably boycotted by the Muslim League. They insisted on their demand for a separate state of Pakistan, resulting in an attendance of only 211 members out of the total allocated strength of the Assembly.

📌 Indian Polity • Constituent Assembly

Q.7) On December 11, 1946, who were elected as the President and Vice-President of the Constituent Assembly, respectively?

Ans > Dr. Rajendra Prasad and H.C. Mukherjee

Formal Election of Leadership: Two days after the inaugural session, on December 11, 1946, the Constituent Assembly moved to solidify its leadership structure by holding formal elections. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, a prominent leader of the independence movement, was unanimously elected as the permanent President of the Assembly.
Role of Dr. Rajendra Prasad: As President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was responsible for guiding the extensive debates, maintaining order during highly contentious arguments, and ensuring the democratic process of drafting the Constitution progressed smoothly over the next three years.
Election of H.C. Mukherjee: Harendra Coomar Mookerjee (H.C. Mukherjee), a highly respected Christian leader from Bengal and a former Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University, was elected as the Vice-President. He played a crucial role in representing minority interests during the drafting process.
Appointment of Constitutional Advisor: On this same historic day, Sir B.N. Rau, a distinguished jurist and civil servant, was appointed as the Constitutional Advisor to the Assembly. His primary task was to study world constitutions and prepare an initial draft for the Assembly to debate.

📌 Indian Polity • Constituent Assembly

Q.8) The Constituent Assembly had two Vice-Presidents. One was H.C. Mukherjee. Who was the other?

Ans > V.T. Krishnamachari

Dual Vice-Presidency Strategy: The Constituent Assembly uniquely opted to elect two Vice-Presidents. This strategic decision was made to ensure broader representation across different political, regional, and administrative segments of the Indian subcontinent during the complex drafting process.
Representation of Princely States: While H.C. Mukherjee represented the minority communities of British India, V.T. Krishnamachari was brought in to provide a strong voice for the Princely States. His inclusion helped bridge the gap between the British Indian provinces and the autonomous princely domains.
Profile of V.T. Krishnamachari: V.T. Krishnamachari was a highly experienced and seasoned administrator. He had previously served as the Diwan (Prime Minister) of the prominent princely states of Baroda and Jaipur, giving him deep insights into the administrative challenges of integrating these states into the Indian Union.
Later Contributions: Beyond his role in the Constituent Assembly, V.T. Krishnamachari continued to serve the newly independent nation. He famously became the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, playing a vital role in shaping India’s early economic planning and development policies.

📌 Indian Polity • Constituent Assembly

Q.9) How many members were there in the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar?

Ans > Seven

Establishment and Mandate: The Drafting Committee, arguably the most important of all the Constituent Assembly committees, was established on August 29, 1947. Its specific mandate was to meticulously scrutinize the initial drafts and formulate the final text of the Constitution of India.
The Chairman: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, renowned as a brilliant legal scholar and a tireless champion for the marginalized, was appointed as the Chairman. His profound legal acumen and rigorous logical defense of the draft earned him the title of the “Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution.”
The Seven Members: The committee comprised exactly seven members: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman), N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, Dr. K.M. Munshi, Syed Mohammad Saadullah, N. Madhava Rau (who replaced B.L. Mitter due to ill health), and T.T. Krishnamachari (who replaced D.P. Khaitan after his death).
Drafting Timeline: The committee worked with remarkable speed and dedication, taking a total of 141 days to sit and deliberate. They successfully published the first comprehensive Draft Constitution of India in February 1948, which was then thrown open for public discussion and subsequent amendments.

📌 Indian Polity • Sources of Constitution

Q.10) The concept of ‘Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency’ in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from the:

Ans > Weimar Constitution of Germany

The Source of Inspiration: The specific provision allowing the state to suspend Fundamental Rights during a declared national emergency was directly inspired by the Weimar Constitution of Germany (1919-1933). The Indian constitution-makers studied its mechanisms for crisis management.
Balancing State Security and Individual Rights: The framers recognized that during extreme crises, such as war or armed rebellion, the very survival of the state must take precedence. They incorporated this feature to ensure the central government had unimpeded power to tackle existential threats without legal paralysis.
Mechanism in the Indian Constitution: In India, this concept is operationalized primarily through Articles 358 and 359. Article 358 automatically suspends the vital freedoms guaranteed under Article 19 as soon as a National Emergency is declared on grounds of war or external aggression.
Presidential Discretion: Article 359 goes further, granting the President of India the authority to issue an order suspending the right to move any court for the enforcement of other specific Fundamental Rights (except those protected under Articles 20 and 21) during the emergency period.

📌 Indian Polity • Sources of Constitution

Q.11) The feature of ‘Concurrent List’ in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from the Constitution of:

Ans > Australia

The Australian Model: The framers of the Indian Constitution closely studied various federal systems globally and chose to borrow the concept of the ‘Concurrent List’ directly from the Australian Constitution. It provided a tested framework for shared legislative jurisdiction between the center and states.
Purpose of the Concurrent List: The primary purpose of this list is to include subjects that require uniformity in legislation across the nation but are not of such absolute national importance that they must be exclusively controlled by the central government. Examples include criminal law, marriage, and education.
Shared Legislative Power: Items placed in the Concurrent List (found in the Seventh Schedule) can be legislated upon by both the Parliament of India and the state legislatures. This promotes cooperative federalism and allows states to adapt broad laws to their local conditions.
Rule of Repugnancy: To prevent legal chaos, the Constitution establishes a clear rule of supremacy. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between a central law and a state law regarding a subject on the Concurrent List, the central law prevails over the state law.

📌 Indian Polity • Sources of Constitution

Q.12) The structural part of the Constitution is, to a large extent, derived from the:

Ans > Government of India Act of 1935

The Blueprint for the Constitution: The Government of India Act of 1935 served as the foundational blueprint for the structural and administrative framework of the independent Indian Constitution. Over 250 articles were either directly adopted or slightly modified from this colonial-era legislation.
Federal Scheme Architecture: The fundamental federal architecture—detailing the complex division of powers between the powerful central government and the regional states through exhaustive administrative lists—was heavily modeled on the provisions set forth in the 1935 Act.
Administrative and Institutional Details: Key institutional structures, including the framework for the judiciary, the establishment of Public Service Commissions, and detailed emergency administrative provisions, were heavily reliant on the administrative scaffolding provided by the 1935 Act.
Why It Was Chosen: Despite being a product of British rule, the framers utilized the 1935 Act extensively because it offered a highly detailed, tested, and ready-made administrative machinery that suited the vast size, diversity, and complexity of the newly independent Indian nation.

📌 Indian Polity • Preamble

Q.13) In the Preamble, the term ‘Fraternity’ implies a sense of brotherhood. Which Article of the Constitution promotes this feeling by providing for single citizenship?

Ans > Article 9

The Concept of Fraternity: The Preamble of the Indian Constitution emphasizes the vital ideal of ‘Fraternity’, which translates to a profound sense of brotherhood and unity among all Indians, transcending immense religious, linguistic, regional, and caste diversities.
Mechanism of Single Citizenship: The Constitution practically enforces this fraternity through the mechanism of single citizenship. Unlike federal systems like the USA, where individuals hold both national and state citizenship, Indians owe allegiance only to the Union of India, regardless of their resident state.
Role of Article 9: Part II of the Constitution deals with citizenship. Article 9 specifically dictates that any person who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of any foreign state shall immediately cease to be a citizen of India, structurally reinforcing the singular, undivided nature of Indian citizenship.
Furthering Brotherhood: In addition to citizenship rules, the concept of fraternity is explicitly promoted by Article 51A (Fundamental Duties), which makes it a constitutional duty of every citizen to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India.

📌 Indian Polity • Preamble

Q.14) The term ‘Socialist’ was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by which Amendment Act?

Ans > 42nd Amendment Act (1976)

Original Preamble Status: When the Constitution was originally adopted in 1949, the term ‘Socialist’ was deliberately not included in the Preamble. The founding fathers wanted to avoid permanently binding the nation’s future economy to any singular, rigid political or economic ideology.
The 42nd Amendment Act: The word ‘Socialist’ was explicitly added to the Preamble during the national Emergency period via the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, fundamentally shifting the explicit ideological declaration of the Indian state.
Implicit vs Explicit: Proponents of the amendment argued that adding the word simply made explicit what was already implicit in the Constitution. The Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) had always contained deep socialist leanings, advocating for equitable wealth distribution and social welfare.
The Swaran Singh Committee: The addition of this term, along with other major changes made by the 42nd Amendment, was heavily based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee, which was constituted by the government to study and suggest constitutional revisions.

📌 Indian Polity • Preamble

Q.15) According to the Supreme Court, the Indian brand of socialism is a ‘democratic socialism’ and not a ‘communistic socialism’ (state socialism). Democratic socialism relies on a:

Ans > Mixed economy

Supreme Court Interpretation: The Supreme Court of India has actively clarified the exact nature of Indian socialism. In landmark rulings, the Court stated that the Indian brand is “democratic socialism,” which aims to end poverty, ignorance, disease, and inequality of opportunity through democratic means.
Rejection of State Socialism: The Court explicitly distinguished Indian socialism from “communistic socialism” (or state socialism). Communistic socialism demands the total nationalization of all means of production and distribution, completely abolishing private property—a path India firmly rejected.
The Mixed Economy Model: Democratic socialism in the Indian context relies heavily on a “mixed economy” framework. In this system, both the public sector (government-owned enterprises) and the private sector coexist, cooperate, and contribute to the nation’s economic growth and development.
Evolution Post-1991: While the Preamble remains Socialist, the practical application of this ideology evolved dramatically after the New Economic Policy of 1991. The liberalization, privatization, and globalization (LPG) reforms diluted strict state control, though the overarching goal of social welfare remains intact.

📌 Indian Polity • Preamble

Q.16) Which of the following words was NOT added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act (1976)?

Ans > Republic

The Original Description: In its original, unaltered form adopted on November 26, 1949, the Preamble proudly described the nascent nation of India as a “Sovereign Democratic Republic.” The word ‘Republic’ was present from the very beginning.
The 42nd Amendment Changes: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, often dubbed the “Mini-Constitution” due to its sweeping changes, is the only time the Preamble has ever been amended. It fundamentally altered the descriptive nature of the Indian state.
The Three New Words: This amendment successfully introduced exactly three new words into the text of the Preamble: ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added to the state’s description, and the phrase “unity of the Nation” was expanded to read “unity and integrity of the Nation.”
Meaning of Republic: The term ‘Republic’, which was never added but always present, signifies that the head of the state in India (the President) is an elected representative chosen by the people for a fixed term, completely rejecting the concept of a hereditary monarchy.

📌 Indian Polity • Preamble