As defined in Article 12 of the Constitution of India, 'State' includes: 1. Parliament of India 2. State Governments 3. State Legislatures 4. Local authorities in India Select the answer using the code given below:
- A.1 and 3 only
- B.1, 2 and 3 only
- C.1, 2, 3 and 4
- D.2 and 4 only
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, 1, 2, 3 and 4. Article 12, the first article of Part III, defines "the State" for the purpose of Fundamental Rights. It includes the Government and Parliament of India, the Government and the Legislature of each State, and all local or other authorities within the territory of India or under the control of the Government of India. So all four bodies in the question fall within it. Local authorities cover municipalities, panchayats, district boards and similar bodies. "Other authorities" has been read widely by the Supreme Court: in cases such as Ajay Hasia (1981) and Pradeep Kumar Biswas (2002), bodies financially, functionally and administratively controlled by the government, such as LIC, ONGC and many public sector companies, were held to be "State". This matters because Fundamental Rights are mainly enforceable against the State. Option A is wrong because it leaves out State Governments and local authorities. Option B is wrong because it leaves out local authorities. Option D is wrong because it leaves out Parliament and State Legislatures. Exam tip: Article 12 = Union and State governments and legislatures, plus local and other authorities.
Practice Questions
View allConsider the following statements :
I. The Constitution of India mentions that the Speaker has the power to adjourn both the Houses sine die.
II. On prorogation, it is only the Speaker who can summon the Houses.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.I only
- B.II only
- C.Both I and II
- D.Neither I nor II
Show answer
The Constitution gives the Speaker no power to adjourn both Houses sine die, and the power to summon and prorogue the Houses belongs to the President.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements related to national integration :
I. The expression of regional issues is not a part of democratic politics.
II. Nation-building is an ongoing process.
III. Regional imbalance is associated with India's development experience.
IV. Regions together form the nation.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- A.II, III and IV
- B.I, II and IV
- C.III and IV only
- D.II and III only
Show answer
Statement I is wrong: raising regional issues and aspirations is a normal and legitimate part of democratic politics, not something outside it.
Read the full explanation →Which member of the Constituent Assembly proposed the resolution that the National Flag of India be a "horizontal tricolour of saffron, white and dark green in equal proportion", with a wheel in navy blue at the centre?
- A.Jawaharlal Nehru
- B.B. R. Ambedkar
- C.Rajendra Prasad
- D.Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Show answer
Nehru moved the resolution on the National Flag in the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947, and the Assembly adopted it the same day.
Read the full explanation →The word 'socialist' was inserted into the Preamble to the Constitution of India through which one of the following Amendment Acts?
- A.41st Amendment Act
- B.42nd Amendment Act
- C.43rd Amendment Act
- D.44th Amendment Act
Show answer
The Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976 added the words 'socialist' and 'secular' to the Preamble, along with 'integrity'. The 42nd Amendment was passed during the Emergency, under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and is often called a 'mini-Constitution' because it changed so many provisions.
Read the full explanation →With reference to the Panchsheel, which of the following is/are correct ?
I. Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty
II. Mutual non-interference
III. Collective security against non-aggression
IV. Peaceful co-existence
Select the answer using the code given below :
- A.I only
- B.I, II and III
- C.II, III and IV
- D.I, II and IV
Show answer
Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference and peaceful co-existence are all Panchsheel principles; collective security is not one of them.
Read the full explanation →