Who among the following is empowered to establish Inter State Council under Article 263 of the Constitution of India?
- A.Parliament
- B.Council of Ministers
- C.President of India
- D.Chief Justice of India
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, President of India. Article 263 lets the President set up an Inter-State Council by order whenever it appears that public interest would be served by it.
Such a council can inquire into and advise on disputes between states, discuss subjects of common interest to the Centre and the states, and recommend better coordination of policy. The Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State relations recommended a permanent council, and the President set up the Inter-State Council in 1990. It is chaired by the Prime Minister, and its members include the Chief Ministers of all states, the Chief Ministers of union territories with legislatures, administrators of other union territories and six Union Cabinet Ministers. Its advice is only recommendatory.
A is wrong: Parliament makes laws on inter-state river disputes under Article 262, but Article 263 gives the power to the President.
B is wrong: the Council of Ministers advises the President but is not named in Article 263.
D is wrong: the Chief Justice has no role in setting up the council.
Exam tip: Article 262 — water disputes (Parliament); Article 263 — Inter-State Council (President), set up 1990 on Sarkaria advice.
Practice Questions
View allWith reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc. conferred by the Constitution or delegated by the Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation ?
- A.Committee on Government Assurances
- B.Committee on Subordinate Legislation
- C.Rules Committee
- D.Business Advisory Committee
Show answer
This committee checks whether the rules, regulations and by-laws made by the executive under delegated powers stay within the limits Parliament set.
Read the full explanation →With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements : 1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
2. There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party.
3. The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when presiding over the sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his rulings.
4. The well established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of Deputy Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and duly seconded by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- A.1 and 3 only
- B.1, 2 and 3
- C.3 and 4 only
- D.2 and 4 only
Show answer
The Speaker fixes the date of the Deputy Speaker's election, and a presiding Deputy Speaker has the full powers of the Speaker; statements 2 and 4 describe rules that do not exist.
Read the full explanation →With reference to the writs issued by the Courts in India, consider the following statements :
1. Mandamus will not lie against a private organisation unless it is entrusted with a public duty.
2. Mandamus will not lie against a Company even though it may be a Government Company.
3. Any public minded person can be a petitioner to move the Court to obtain the writ of Quo Warranto.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Mandamus reaches anyone who owes a public duty, including government companies, and quo warranto can be sought by any interested person, not only the aggrieved one.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is not a function of the Constitution of India ?
- A.To ensure participation of good people in politics
- B.To guarantee a set of rights to citizens
- C.To define the power of the different organs of government
- D.To create conditions for a just society
Show answer
A constitution can set rules and limits, but it cannot guarantee that good people will enter politics. A constitution is the basic set of rules by which a country is governed.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is not a part of Fundamental Rights ?
- A.Right to education
- B.Right to establish educational institutions by minorities
- C.Right to be conferred with titles
- D.Right against untouchability
Show answer
The Constitution does the opposite: Article 18 abolishes titles, so receiving a title is not a Fundamental Right. Article 18 forbids the State from conferring any title other than a military or academic distinction, and bars citizens from accepting a title from a foreign State.
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