An amendment of the Constitution will require ratification by the legislatures of not less than one-half of the States:
- A.If such amendment seeks to make any change in Article 53.
- B.If such amendment seeks to make any change in Article 239-A.
- C.If such amendment seeks to make any change in Article 243-A.
- D.If such amendment seeks to make any change in Article 279-A.
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, If such amendment seeks to make any change in Article 279-A. Article 279A creates the GST Council, and the 101st Amendment of 2016 added it to the proviso to Article 368(2), so changing it needs a special majority of Parliament plus ratification by at least half of the state legislatures. The same federal list covers the election of the President (Articles 54 and 55), the extent of the executive power of the Union and the states, the Supreme Court and the High Courts, the division of legislative powers and the Seventh Schedule lists, the representation of states in Parliament, and Article 368 itself. The logic is simple: what touches the states needs the consent of the states. Option A is wrong because Article 53, on the executive power of the Union, is not in that list. Option B is wrong because Article 239A, on legislatures for certain Union Territories, can be changed by Parliament alone. Option C is wrong because Article 243A, on the Gram Sabha, also needs no ratification by the states. Exam tip: the GST Council of Article 279A came with the 101st Amendment, and changing it needs state ratification.
Practice Questions
View allThe right to form associations and unions is a right
- A.guaranteed to everybody
- B.to freedom guaranteed to citizens only
- C.to equality before law
- D.to life and personal liberty
Show answer
The right to form associations or unions is part of Article 19, and Article 19 rights belong only to citizens of India.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements with regard to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is not correct?
- A.The Union and every State Government shall consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting Scheduled Tribes.
- B.All the reports of the Commission and its recommendations shall be laid only before Lok Sabha.
- C.The Commission, while investigating any matter, has all the powers of a Civil Court.
- D.The Commission has the power to regulate its own procedures.
Show answer
It is not correct, because the President causes the Commission's reports to be laid before each House of Parliament, not only before the Lok Sabha.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements with regard to the conduct of elections in India is/are not correct? 1. The responsibility for the preparation of the electoral rolls is vested in the Election Commission of India. 2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into existence as soon as the date of the election is announced. 3. The laws relating to delimitation of constituencies are made by the Election Commission of India. 4. No election shall be called in question except by an election petition. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.3 only
- B.1, 2 and 4
- C.1, 2 and 3
- D.4 only
Show answer
Statement 3 is the only incorrect one, because laws on the delimitation of constituencies are made by Parliament, not by the Election Commission.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements with regard to the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India is not correct?
- A.It was inserted by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951.
- B.The Acts and Regulations specified in the Ninth Schedule shall become void on the ground that it violates a fundamental right in Part III of the Constitution.
- C.The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review of an Act included in the Ninth Schedule on the doctrine of basic structure.
- D.The appropriate Legislature can repeal or amend an Act specified in the Ninth Schedule.
Show answer
It is not correct, because Article 31B says the opposite: an Act placed in the Ninth Schedule shall not become void merely because it is inconsistent with a fundamental right in Part III.
Read the full explanation →The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India pertains to the administration of tribal areas in which of the following States?
- A.Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
- B.Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram
- C.Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura
- D.Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh
Show answer
The Sixth Schedule covers the administration of tribal areas in exactly these four north-eastern states.
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