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Indian PolityMediumAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2024, GK

Which one of the following terms was used for the States in the Draft Constitution presented by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on 4th November, 1948?

  1. A.Union of States
  2. B.Federation of States
  3. C.Autonomous States
  4. D.Subsidiary States

Correct answer

A. Union of States

Explanation

The correct answer is A, Union of States. Article 1 of the Draft Constitution described India as a 'Union of States', and the same words survive in Article 1 of the Constitution today. While moving the Draft in the Constituent Assembly on 4 November 1948, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar explained why the Drafting Committee chose 'Union' over 'Federation'. The Indian federation was not the result of an agreement among the States, as in the United States, and so no State has the right to secede from it. The Union is indestructible, though the States can be reorganised by Parliament. Option B is wrong because 'Federation' was deliberately avoided, even though the Constitution has federal features. Option C is wrong because the Draft gave the States no separate autonomous status of their own. Option D is wrong because 'subsidiary' was never a constitutional term for the States; it recalls the colonial subsidiary alliance. Exam tip: Article 1 says 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States', not a federation.

Practice Questions

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Q1.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2021, GKMedium

Who among the following was the Chairman of the National Commission for Review of the Working of the Constitution (2000)?

  1. A.Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah
  2. B.Justice J.S. Verma
  3. C.Justice Ranganath Mishra
  4. D.Justice Y.K. Sabharwal
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah

Venkatachaliah. The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution was set up by the Union government in February 2000 under Justice M.N.

Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2024, GKMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. In India, the Special Marriage Act protects an individual if one enters into an interreligious marriage.

2. Right to marry a person of one's choice is an integral aspect of one's Fundamental Rights under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

3. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights also resonates marital rights of every adult consenting individuals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

All three statements are correct. The Special Marriage Act, 1954 lets any two Indians marry by civil registration whatever their religion, without either partner having to convert, so it is the law that covers inter-religious marriages.

Q4.Indian PolityHard

In which case did the Supreme Court recognise a living will, or advance medical directive, as part of the right to die with dignity?

  1. A.Aruna Shanbaug versus Union of India, 2011
  2. B.Common Cause versus Union of India, 2018
  3. C.Gian Kaur versus State of Punjab, 1996
  4. D.P. Rathinam versus Union of India, 1994
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Common Cause versus Union of India, 2018

A Constitution Bench held that the right to die with dignity is part of the right to life under Article 21, and that an adult of sound mind may draw up an advance directive, popularly called a living will, refusing life support if he later becomes terminally ill or goes…

Q5.Indian PolityMedium

Hussainara Khatoon versus State of Bihar, 1979, is associated with which right under Article 21?

  1. A.Right to a speedy trial
  2. B.Right to privacy
  3. C.Right to shelter
  4. D.Right to a clean environment
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Right to a speedy trial

The petition, India's first reported public interest litigation, brought to light thousands of undertrial prisoners in Bihar jails who had been locked up longer than the maximum sentence for their alleged offence.