Consider the following statements: I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own discretion. II. The President of India can, of his/her own, reserve a bill passed by a State Legislature for his/her consideration without it being forwarded by the Governor of the State concerned. 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
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, I only. Article 163 speaks expressly of functions the Governor exercises in his or her discretion, but only the Governor can reserve a State bill for the President.
Article 163(1) says the Council of Ministers aids and advises the Governor except where the Constitution requires the Governor to act in his or her discretion, and Article 163(2) makes the Governor's decision on what falls in that discretion final. Examples of express discretion include the Governor of Assam's role regarding tribal area revenue under the Sixth Schedule and special responsibilities under Article 371. Reservation of bills is governed by Article 200: when a bill passed by the State Legislature is presented, the Governor may assent, withhold assent, return it, or reserve it for the President. Article 201 then lets the President act on a bill so reserved.
B and C are wrong because statement II is false: the President has no power to call up a State bill that the Governor has not reserved. D is wrong because statement I is true.
Exam tip: Article 163 = Governor's discretion; Article 200 = Governor reserves a bill; Article 201 = President decides on it.
Practice Questions
View allWhich one of the following States does not find a mention in Article 371 of the Constitution of India?
- A.Maharashtra
- B.Madhya Pradesh
- C.Gujarat
- D.Karnataka
Show answer
Article 371 and its sub-articles make special provisions for several States, but Madhya Pradesh is not one of them.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following is/are correct in relation to the Panchayats?
1. Only the Parliament may endow Panchayats with powers and authority.
2. A State may devolve powers to Panchayats in preparation of plans for economic development and social justice.
3. A State may devolve powers to Panchayats in implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 3
- C.2 and 3
- D.3 only
Show answer
Under Article 243G, it is the Legislature of a State, not Parliament, that may by law give Panchayats powers to prepare plans and to carry out schemes for economic development and social justice.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following Committees of the Parliament has no Members from the Rajya Sabha?
- A.Public Accounts Committee
- B.Committee on Public Undertakings
- C.Estimates Committee
- D.Departmentally Related Standing Committee (DRSC) on Finance
Show answer
All 30 members of the Estimates Committee are elected by the Lok Sabha from among its own members; the Rajya Sabha has no place on it.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India :
1. Provisions regarding the administration of the Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are given in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
2. Some tribes of India are entitled to exemption from paying Income Tax on certain incomes.
3. The Constitution of India provides for reservation of seats in Panchayats for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?
- A.There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.
- B.There are two correct statements, that are statements 1 and 3.
- C.There is only one correct statement.
- D.All three statements are correct.
Show answer
Statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 confuses the Fifth Schedule with the Sixth. The tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are governed under the Sixth Schedule (Articles 244(2) and 275(1)), which sets up autonomous district councils.
Read the full explanation →Democracy's superior virtue lies in the fact that it calls into activity
- A.the intelligence and character of ordinary men and women.
- B.the methods for strengthening executive leadership.
- C.a superior individual with dynamism and vision.
- D.a band of dedicated party workers.
Show answer
Democracy rests on the idea that ordinary citizens are capable of judging public matters and taking part in their own government.
Read the full explanation →