Major Amendments — Set 10
Constitution Special · प्रमुख संशोधन · Questions 91–100 of 200
The original Constitution of India (1950) had how many Articles?
Correct Answer: A. 395
The original Constitution of India (1950) had 395 Articles in 22 Parts and 8 Schedules. Due to amendments, there are now approximately 448 Articles in 25 Parts and 12 Schedules. The Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949 and came into force on January 26, 1950.
The 89th Amendment (2003) bifurcated the National Commission for SCs and STs into?
Correct Answer: A. Two separate Commissions: NCSC (Art. 338) and NCST (Art. 338A)
The 89th Amendment of 2003 bifurcated the earlier National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes into the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (under Art. 338) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (under new Art. 338A), giving tribal communities their own separate body.
Under Article 72, who has power to grant pardon including in death sentence cases?
Correct Answer: C. President of India
Under Article 72, the President has power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions including in capital punishment cases. The President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The Governor has pardon power under Article 161 but cannot pardon death sentences — that is the President's exclusive power.
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957) recommended which system?
Correct Answer: B. Three-tier Panchayati Raj system
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957) recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj: Gram Panchayat at village level, Panchayat Samiti at block level, and Zila Parishad at district level. Rajasthan was first to implement this in 1959, leading eventually to the 73rd Amendment (1992). Understanding this constitutional provision is essential for competitive examinations and civic awareness.
The 42nd Amendment inserted Article 48A related to?
Correct Answer: B. Environmental protection as a state duty
The 42nd Amendment of 1976 inserted Article 48A directing the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. The same amendment also added Article 51A(g) as a Fundamental Duty for citizens to protect the natural environment. These form the constitutional basis for environmental legislation.
Judicial review in India enables courts to examine the constitutional validity of?
Correct Answer: C. Both legislative enactments and executive actions
Judicial review enables courts to examine constitutional validity of both legislative enactments and executive actions. Courts can strike down laws and declare executive orders unconstitutional. The power flows from Articles 13, 32, and 226, and has been declared a part of the Basic Structure in Kesavananda Bharati (1973).
Which list in the Seventh Schedule gives Parliament exclusive power to legislate?
Correct Answer: C. Union List
The Union List (List I) in the Seventh Schedule has subjects on which only Parliament can legislate exclusively — currently 100 subjects including defence, foreign affairs, currency, banking, railways, and atomic energy. The State List has 61 subjects; the Concurrent List has 52. Residuary powers vest with Parliament.
The 98th Amendment (2013) inserted Article 371J providing special status to?
Correct Answer: B. Hyderabad-Karnataka region
The 98th Amendment of 2013 inserted Article 371J providing special status to the Hyderabad-Karnataka region (six districts: Bidar, Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Bellary) in Karnataka — a separate development board, separate reservation in educational institutions and government jobs, and a separate selection board. This constitutional provision under Article 371J is an essential part of the Indian constitutional framework The power to amend the Constitution is a special power that cannot be used to destroy its basic structure. The Supreme Court in Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) held that the basic structure of the Constitution cannot be amended by Parliament.
The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution deals with?
Correct Answer: B. Administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes
The Fifth Schedule deals with administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes. It empowers the President to declare Scheduled Areas and provides for Tribal Advisory Councils in states with Scheduled Areas or Scheduled Tribes. The Sixth Schedule deals with tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
The 40th Amendment (1976) placed certain laws in the Ninth Schedule related to?
Correct Answer: B. Land reforms
The 40th Amendment of 1976 placed certain land reform laws in the Ninth Schedule to protect them from Fundamental Rights challenge. This was consistent with the established legislative pattern of using the Ninth Schedule to shield land reform and socio-economic legislation from judicial review. The power to amend the Constitution is a special power that cannot be used to destroy its basic structure.