Who among the following scholars has conceptualized the Constitution of India as a 'seamless web' ?
- A.MV Pylee
- B.DD Basu
- C.Granville Austin
- D.Subhash Kashyap
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, Granville Austin. The American historian described the Indian Constitution as a "seamless web" of three closely linked strands.
Austin wrote two classic studies of the Constitution: The Indian Constitution: Cornerstone of a Nation (1966), on the work of the Constituent Assembly, and Working a Democratic Constitution (1999), on how the Constitution worked after 1950. In them he argued that the Constitution's three strands — protecting and strengthening national unity and integrity, establishing democratic institutions, and bringing about a social revolution — form a seamless web, so that none can be pursued at the cost of the others. He also called it "first and foremost a social document".
A is wrong: M.V. Pylee was a constitutional scholar known for books such as Constitutional Government in India, not for this phrase.
B is wrong: D.D. Basu wrote the widely used Introduction to the Constitution of India and a commentary on it.
D is wrong: Subhash Kashyap, a former Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha, wrote Our Constitution and Our Parliament.
Exam tip: Granville Austin — "seamless web" and "Cornerstone of a Nation" (1966).
Practice Questions
View allWhich one of the following statements is not correct?
- A.The Supreme Court of India is a Court of Record.
- B.High Courts in India are Courts of Record.
- C.Subordinate Courts in India are Courts of Record.
- D.All Courts in India are not Courts of Record.
Show answer
Only the Supreme Court and the High Courts are courts of record under the Constitution; subordinate courts are not. Article 129 declares the Supreme Court a court of record, and Article 215 does the same for every High Court.
Read the full explanation →With 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 →