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Indian PolityMediumAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2018, Paper I

Which one of the following Constitutional Amendments has enormously strengthened the powers of the Speaker/Chairman of the Houses of the Parliament/State Legislatures?

  1. A.61st Amendment which reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years
  2. B.Anti-defection provisions of 52nd Amendment
  3. C.Repealing of many of the provisions of 42nd Amendment by 44th Amendment
  4. D.73rd Amendment that conferred extensive powers on Panchayat Bodies

Correct answer

B. Anti-defection provisions of 52nd Amendment

Explanation

The correct answer is B, the anti-defection provisions of the 52nd Amendment. The 1985 amendment made the presiding officer of each House the authority who decides whether a member is disqualified for defection.

The 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 added the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution. A member loses their seat for voluntarily giving up party membership, or for voting or abstaining against the party whip without permission. Under paragraph 6, any question of such disqualification is decided by the Speaker or the Chairman, which gave presiding officers a powerful role over members' seats. In Kihoto Hollohan (1992) the Supreme Court upheld the law but ruled that the presiding officer's decision is open to judicial review.

A is wrong: the 61st Amendment (1988) lowered the voting age; it had nothing to do with presiding officers.

C is wrong: the 44th Amendment (1978) mainly restored civil liberties and changed emergency provisions.

D is wrong: the 73rd Amendment (1992) gave constitutional status to panchayats, not new powers to presiding officers.

Exam tip: Tenth Schedule = 52nd Amendment (1985); the 91st Amendment (2003) removed the "one-third split" exception, leaving only two-thirds mergers protected.

Practice Questions

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Q2.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IMedium

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:

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.1 and 3
  3. C.2 and 3
  4. D.3 only
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 2 and 3

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.

Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2018, Paper IMedium

Which one of the following Committees of the Parliament has no Members from the Rajya Sabha?

  1. A.Public Accounts Committee
  2. B.Committee on Public Undertakings
  3. C.Estimates Committee
  4. D.Departmentally Related Standing Committee (DRSC) on Finance
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Estimates Committee

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.

Q4.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IHard

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 ?

  1. A.There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.
  2. B.There are two correct statements, that are statements 1 and 3.
  3. C.There is only one correct statement.
  4. D.All three statements are correct.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.

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.

Q5.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

Democracy's superior virtue lies in the fact that it calls into activity

  1. A.the intelligence and character of ordinary men and women.
  2. B.the methods for strengthening executive leadership.
  3. C.a superior individual with dynamism and vision.
  4. D.a band of dedicated party workers.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. the intelligence and character of ordinary men and women.

Democracy rests on the idea that ordinary citizens are capable of judging public matters and taking part in their own government.