President, PM & Parliament — Set 3

Correct Answer: C. Special majority (2/3 of members present and voting + majority of total membership)

A Constitutional Amendment Bill under Article 368 must be passed by a special majority: two-thirds of the members of each House present and voting AND a majority of the total membership of each House. Some amendments also need ratification by at least half of State Legislatures. Ordinary bills require only a simple majority.

Correct Answer: B. Rajya Sabha

The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha under Article 64. The Vice President is elected by members of both Houses of Parliament by proportional representation with single transferable vote. The Vice President can act as President when the office falls vacant or when the President is unable to discharge duties.

Correct Answer: B. Rights of linguistic and religious minorities

Articles 29-30 protect the cultural and educational rights of minorities. Article 29 gives every section of citizens the right to conserve its distinct language, script, or culture. Article 30 gives religious and linguistic minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. The State shall not discriminate against minority institutions in granting aid. These rights protect the diverse cultural fabric of India.

Correct Answer: C. Article 17

Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form. Enforcement of any disability arising out of untouchability shall be an offence punishable under law. The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 (earlier Untouchability Offences Act 1955) was enacted to give effect to Article 17. Article 17 applies not only against the State but also against private individuals, making it one of the unique Fundamental Rights.

Correct Answer: B. Public employment

Article 16 guarantees equality of opportunity to all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State. It prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence. Article 16(3) allows Parliament to make laws prescribing residence requirements for certain state employment. Article 16(4) allows reservation for backward classes inadequately represented in state services.

Correct Answer: D. Speaker of Lok Sabha

A joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha under Article 118(4). A joint sitting can be convened by the President to resolve a deadlock when a bill (other than a Money Bill or Constitutional Amendment Bill) is passed by one House but rejected or delayed by the other. The bill is passed at a joint sitting by simple majority.

Correct Answer: C. Article 18

Article 18 abolishes titles and provides that no title (except military or academic distinctions) shall be conferred by the State. No citizen shall accept any title from a foreign State without the President's consent. No person holding an office of profit under the State shall accept any present, emolument, or office from any foreign State without the President's consent. This article promotes republicanism and equality by eliminating hereditary distinctions.

Correct Answer: A. 86th Amendment 2002

The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 inserted Article 21-A which provides for free and compulsory education to all children between 6 and 14 years as a Fundamental Right. Accordingly, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE Act) was enacted in 2009. The 86th Amendment also amended Article 45 (Directive Principle) and Article 51A (Fundamental Duties) to reflect this change. India became the 135th country to make education a fundamental right.

Correct Answer: B. The Annual Financial Statement (Union Budget)

Article 112 requires the President to cause to be laid before both Houses of Parliament, for every financial year, a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for that year — the Annual Financial Statement, commonly known as the Union Budget. No demand for grants shall be made except on the recommendation of the President. The President of India is the constitutional head of the executive and acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

Correct Answer: A. Right to Property

The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 deleted the Right to Property (Article 31) from the list of Fundamental Rights. Now property rights are only a legal right under Article 300-A which states that no person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law. The 44th Amendment was passed by the Janata government under Prime Minister Morarji Desai. The right to property as a Fundamental Right was always controversial due to land reform legislation.