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Indian PolityMediumAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2020, GK

A special address by the Governor refers to the address delivered by the Governor

  1. A.when President's Rule is called for
  2. B.when a national emergency necessitates dissolution of the Legislative Assembly
  3. C.at the commencement of the first session after general election and at the first session of each year
  4. D.whenever he/she has concluded that such is necessary

Correct answer

C. at the commencement of the first session after general election and at the first session of each year

Explanation

The correct answer is C, at the commencement of the first session after general election and at the first session of each year. Article 176 of the Constitution requires the Governor to give this special address on these two occasions. In the address the Governor tells the legislature why it has been summoned and sets out the policies and programme of the state government, whose council of ministers actually prepares the text. Members then debate a motion of thanks on it. Article 175 separately lets the Governor address the House or send messages at any time, but that is not the special address. The same rule for the President and Parliament is in Article 87. Option A is wrong because President's Rule under Article 356 is not an occasion for this address. Option B is wrong because a national emergency does not dissolve a state assembly, and the address has no link with dissolution. Option D is wrong because addressing the House whenever needed falls under Article 175, not the special address of Article 176. Exam tip: special address = Article 87 (President) and Article 176 (Governor); first session after election and first session of every year.

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Q2.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2020, GKMedium

Which one among the following is not a character of a secular State?

  1. A.It refuses theocracy.
  2. B.It separates religion from the State.
  3. C.A State in order to be secular must be democratic.
  4. D.It must prevent religious conflict and promote religious harmony.
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Correct answer: C. A State in order to be secular must be democratic.

Secularism concerns the relation between the State and religion, and being democratic is not part of its definition. A secular State is not run by a religious order, keeps religious institutions and State institutions apart, and does not favour or persecute any religion.

Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the most appropriate definition of liberty?

  1. A.Protection against the tyranny of political rulers
  2. B.Absence of restraint
  3. C.Opportunity to do whatever one likes
  4. D.Opportunity to develop oneself fully
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Correct answer: D. Opportunity to develop oneself fully

In political theory, and in the spirit of the Indian Constitution, liberty means positive freedom: the conditions and opportunities a person needs to develop their personality fully.

Q4.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IEasy

Constitutional government means

  1. A.a representative government of a nation with federal structure
  2. B.a government whose Head enjoys nominal powers
  3. C.a government whose Head enjoys real powers
  4. D.a government limited by the terms of the Constitution
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Correct answer: D. a government limited by the terms of the Constitution

Constitutional government means limited government: those in power can act only within the limits that the constitution lays down. The essence of constitutionalism is that state power is restrained by a higher law, so that rights are protected and authority cannot be used arbitrarily.

Q5.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IEasy

What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?

  1. A.A Democratic Republic
  2. B.A Sovereign Democratic Republic
  3. C.A Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic
  4. D.A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic
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Correct answer: B. A Sovereign Democratic Republic

When the Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, its Preamble declared India a Sovereign Democratic Republic.