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

Which one of the following Articles was defended by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on the plea that it would be used as a 'matter of last resort'?

  1. A.Article 352
  2. B.Article 359
  3. C.Article 356
  4. D.Article 368

Correct answer

C. Article 356

Explanation

The correct answer is C, Article 356. Defending President's Rule in the Constituent Assembly, Ambedkar said he hoped such Articles would never be called into operation and would remain a 'dead letter', used only as a last resort.

Article 356 lets the President take over the government of a State when its constitutional machinery has failed, usually on the Governor's report. Members feared the Centre would misuse it against State governments, and Ambedkar replied that the President would first warn the State and use the power only as a matter of last resort. Its frequent use later led the Supreme Court, in the S. R. Bommai case of 1994, to make such proclamations open to judicial review and to require a floor test to decide majority.

A is wrong because Article 352 deals with a national emergency on grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion. B is wrong because Article 359 suspends the enforcement of Fundamental Rights during an emergency. D is wrong because Article 368 covers the amendment of the Constitution.

Exam tip: Article 356 = President's Rule; Ambedkar's 'dead letter'; checked by the S. R. Bommai judgment (1994).

Practice Questions

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Q1.Indian PolityAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2026, GATHard

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?

  1. A.I only
  2. B.II only
  3. C.Both I and II
  4. D.Neither I nor II
Show answer
Correct answer: 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.

Q2.Indian PolityAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2026, GATMedium

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 ?

  1. A.II, III and IV
  2. B.I, II and IV
  3. C.III and IV only
  4. D.II and III only
Show answer
Correct answer: A. II, III and IV

Statement I is wrong: raising regional issues and aspirations is a normal and legitimate part of democratic politics, not something outside it.

Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2018, GATMedium

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?

  1. A.Jawaharlal Nehru
  2. B.B. R. Ambedkar
  3. C.Rajendra Prasad
  4. D.Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Jawaharlal Nehru

Nehru moved the resolution on the National Flag in the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947, and the Assembly adopted it the same day.

Q4.Indian PolityAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2018, GATEasy

The word 'socialist' was inserted into the Preamble to the Constitution of India through which one of the following Amendment Acts?

  1. A.41st Amendment Act
  2. B.42nd Amendment Act
  3. C.43rd Amendment Act
  4. D.44th Amendment Act
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 42nd Amendment Act

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.

Q5.Indian PolityAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2026, GATMedium

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 :

  1. A.I only
  2. B.I, II and III
  3. C.II, III and IV
  4. D.I, II and IV
Show answer
Correct answer: D. I, II and IV

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.