Consider 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
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, Neither I nor II. 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.
Under Article 85, the President summons each House of Parliament from time to time, prorogues the Houses and may dissolve the Lok Sabha, acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers; the gap between two sessions cannot exceed six months. Adjournment, which suspends a sitting, and adjournment sine die, which ends a sitting without fixing a day to meet again, are done by the presiding officer of each House: the Speaker for the Lok Sabha and the Chairman for the Rajya Sabha. These powers come from the rules of procedure, and neither presiding officer controls the other House.
A is wrong because the Speaker presides only over the Lok Sabha and the power is not stated so in the Constitution. B is wrong because summoning after prorogation is the President's power. C is wrong because both statements are false.
Exam tip: Summon, prorogue, dissolve: President (Article 85); adjourn and adjourn sine die: presiding officer.
Practice Questions
View allConsider 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 →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
Show answer
Article 12, the first article of Part III, defines "the State" for the purpose of Fundamental Rights.
Read the full explanation →