Indian Polity GK Questions with Answers – Page 62

Article 51A(h) asks every citizen "to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform". It means questioning superstition, looking for evidence before believing a claim, and being open to change.

The very first Fundamental Duty asks every citizen to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.

The 86th Amendment Act, 2002 inserted clause (k) in Article 51A: "who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years." The same amendment made free and compulsory education for children…

The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 added ten Fundamental Duties in Article 51A, clauses (a) to (j).

The idea of writing citizens' duties into the Constitution was taken from the Constitution of the former Soviet Union, which listed duties alongside rights.

In 1976 the government set up a committee under Sardar Swaran Singh to suggest changes to the Constitution. It recommended a separate chapter on Fundamental Duties, arguing that citizens should be conscious of their duties as well as their rights.

Passed during the Emergency on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee, the 42nd Amendment inserted Part IVA and Article 51A with ten Fundamental Duties.

The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 inserted a new Part IVA into the Constitution, with a single Article, 51A, that lists the Fundamental Duties of every citizen.

Under Article 131, disputes between the Government of India and one or more States, or between States, can be heard only by the Supreme Court and by no other court.

The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 added Article 43B, a new Directive Principle asking the State to promote the voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of cooperative societies.

Certiorari means 'to be certified' or 'to be informed'. By this writ a higher court orders a lower court or tribunal to send up a case pending before it, or quashes an order it has already passed, when there is lack of jurisdiction, excess of jurisdiction or an error of…

Article 239 says every Union Territory is administered by the President, acting through an administrator appointed by him with such designation as he thinks fit.

Article 239AA(5) of the Constitution says the Chief Minister of Delhi shall be appointed by the President.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is covered by a neat run of four articles in Part V of the Constitution.

The Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962-64), headed by K. Santhanam, recommended a central body to keep watch over honesty in government, and the Central Vigilance Commission was set up in February 1964 by an executive resolution of the Union government.

Each case tested an amendment against the basic structure of the Constitution.

Only five Fundamental Rights are reserved for Indian citizens. Article 15 bars discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth; Article 16 gives equality of opportunity in public employment; Article 19 gives the six freedoms of speech, assembly, association, movement, residence and profession; Article 29 protects…

Article 103 says the President shall obtain the opinion of the Election Commission and shall act according to that opinion.

Article 371C makes special provision for Manipur, not Meghalaya: the President may provide for a committee of the Legislative Assembly made up of members elected from the Hill Areas, and the Governor reports to the President on the administration of those areas.

Under Article 131, only the Supreme Court can hear disputes between the Centre and one or more states, between the Centre and some states on one side and other states on the other, and between two or more states.