Important Questions on Indian Polity for Competitive Exams | AISSEE | KV | JNV Entrance Exam
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1. What is the preamble of the Indian Constitution?
Answer: The preamble of the Indian Constitution is an introductory statement that sets out the guiding values and principles of the Constitution. It declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, and it aims to secure justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for its citizens.
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2. Who is known as the "Father of the Indian Constitution"?
Answer: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is known as the "Father of the Indian Constitution" for his significant role in drafting and shaping the constitution.
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3. What is the composition of the Parliament of India?
Answer: The Parliament of India consists of two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
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4. How is the President of India elected?
Answer: The President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both houses of Parliament, as well as the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union territories.
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5. What is the term duration of the Lok Sabha?
Answer: The term duration of the Lok Sabha is five years, unless dissolved earlier.
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6. What is the minimum voting age in India?
Answer: The minimum voting age in India is 18 years.
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7. What is the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in India?
Answer: The CAG is responsible for auditing the accounts of the Union and State governments. It ensures transparency, accountability, and proper use of public funds.
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8. Define federalism in the Indian context.
Answer: Indian federalism involves the distribution of powers and responsibilities between the Union and State governments as outlined in the Constitution. It emphasizes cooperative federalism where both levels of government work together for the common good.
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9. What is the significance of Article 370 in the Indian Constitution?
Answer: Article 370 granted special autonomy to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. However, it was abrogated in 2019, revoking the special status of the state.
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10. Who appoints the Chief Justice of India?
Answer: The Chief Justice of India is appointed by the President of India.
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11. Explain the concept of Judicial Review.
Answer: Judicial Review is the power of the judiciary to review and potentially invalidate laws and actions of the executive and legislative branches if they are found to be unconstitutional.
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12. What is the term duration of the Rajya Sabha?
Answer: The term duration of the Rajya Sabha is six years.
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13. Define the doctrine of Separation of Powers.
Answer: The doctrine of Separation of Powers emphasizes the division of governmental powers into three branches – executive, legislative, and judicial – to prevent the abuse of power and ensure checks and balances.
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14. Who is the head of the Union Executive in India?
Answer: The President of India is the head of the Union Executive.
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15. What is the importance of the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution?
Answer: The 73rd and 74th Amendments introduced the concept of Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies, respectively, aiming to decentralize power and enhance local governance.
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16. What is the procedure for amending the Indian Constitution?
Answer: The Constitution can be amended through a special majority in both houses of Parliament. Certain amendments require ratification by a majority of the states.
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17. Who presides over the joint sessions of Parliament in India?
Answer: The Vice President of India, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, presides over joint sessions of Parliament.
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18. What is the significance of the National Emergency provision in the Constitution?
Answer: The National Emergency provision, as outlined in Article 352, grants the President extraordinary powers during times of perceived threat to the security of India.
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19. Define the term "Quorum" in the context of parliamentary proceedings.
Answer: Quorum refers to the minimum number of members required to be present for a parliamentary session to conduct its business. It is essential to ensure the legitimacy of proceedings.
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20. What is the purpose of the Finance Commission in India?
Answer: The Finance Commission is constituted to recommend the distribution of financial resources between the Union and the States and among the States themselves.
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21. Explain the concept of Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution.
Answer: Fundamental Rights are constitutional guarantees that protect the individual liberties and freedoms of citizens. They are enforceable by the judiciary.
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22. Who has the power to remove the President of India from office?
Answer: The President of India can be impeached by Parliament for violating the Constitution. The impeachment process involves charges, investigation, and a two-thirds majority in both houses.
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23. What is the significance of the 44th Amendment to the Constitution?
Answer: The 44th Amendment aimed to restore some of the democratic rights that were curtailed during the Emergency period. It made changes to various articles related to fundamental rights.
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24. Who appoints the Governor of a State in India?
Answer: The Governor of a State is appointed by the President of India.
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25. Explain the concept of Directive Principles of State Policy.
Answer: Directive Principles of State Policy are non-justiciable guidelines in the Constitution that direct the government to achieve social and economic justice, and promote the welfare of the people.
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26. What is the function of the Election Commission of India?
Answer: The Election Commission of India conducts free and fair elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. It ensures the implementation of the electoral process.
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27. Define the term "Writs" in the Indian legal context.
Answer: Writs are legal orders issued by the judiciary to enforce fundamental rights or protect against violations of the law.
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28. What is the structure of the Supreme Court of India?
Answer: The Supreme Court of India consists of a Chief Justice and a maximum of 34 other judges. It is the highest court in the country.
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29. What is the role of the Attorney General of India?
Answer: The Attorney General of India is the chief legal advisor to the government. They provide legal advice to the President and government ministries and represent the government in legal matters.
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30. Explain the concept of Ombudsman in India.
Answer: The Ombudsman, also known as the Lokpal, is an independent body appointed to investigate and address complaints of corruption against public officials and functionaries.
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31. Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
Answer: The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
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32. What is the significance of the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution?
Answer: The 42nd Amendment, also known as the "Mini Constitution," made significant changes to the Constitution, expanding the powers of the Executive and limiting the scope of judicial review.
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33. Explain the concept of the Speaker's casting vote.
Answer: The Speaker's casting vote is used in the case of a tie during voting in the Lok Sabha. The Speaker can cast a vote to break the tie, but only to maintain the status quo.
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34. What is the role of the Planning Commission in India?
Answer: The Planning Commission was responsible for formulating five-year plans for economic development. However, it was replaced by the NITI Aayog in 2015.
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35. What is the purpose of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India?
Answer: PIL is a legal action initiated by individuals or organizations for the benefit of the public. It allows citizens to seek justice and protect public interest.
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36. Who has the power to create new states and Union territories in India?
Answer: The Parliament of India has the power to create new states and Union territories or alter their boundaries.
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37. What is the role of the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
Answer: The Chief Election Commissioner heads the Election Commission of India and oversees the conduct of elections in the country.
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38. Define the term "Cabinet" in the context of the Indian government.
Answer: The Cabinet is a body of senior government ministers chosen by the Prime Minister. It is responsible for formulating policies and making decisions on key issues.
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39. What is the concept of "Rule of Law" in the Indian Constitution?
Answer: Rule of Law means that all individuals, including government officials, are subject to the law. It ensures fairness, justice, and equal treatment under the law.
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40. Explain the concept of the President's Rule in a State.
Answer: President's Rule is the imposition of direct federal rule by the President of India on a state, suspending the state government and the elected legislature.
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41. Who is the head of the State Executive in a state of India?
Answer: The Governor is the head of the State Executive in a state of India.
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42. What is the role of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)?
Answer: UPSC is responsible for conducting civil services examinations and recruiting candidates for various central government services.
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43. Define the term "Zero Hour" in parliamentary proceedings.
Answer: Zero Hour is a time during parliamentary sessions when members can raise important issues without prior notice. It allows for spontaneous discussions on urgent matters.
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44. What is the significance of the 97th Amendment to the Constitution?
Answer: The 97th Amendment deals with the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
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45. Explain the concept of Double Jeopardy in the legal context.
Answer: Double Jeopardy means that a person cannot be prosecuted or punished twice for the same offense.
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46. What is the role of the Chief Justice of India as the "Master of the Roster"?
Answer: The Chief Justice of India, as the "Master of the Roster," has the authority to allocate cases and determine the benches that will hear them.
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47. Define the term "Cognizable Offense" in criminal law.
Answer: A cognizable offense is a serious crime for which a police officer can make an arrest without a warrant and start an investigation.
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48. What is the purpose of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in India?
Answer: NHRC is tasked with promoting and protecting human rights in India. It investigates complaints of human rights violations and recommends measures for their prevention.
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49. Explain the concept of the "Doctrine of Pleasure" regarding the President's appointment.
Answer: The Doctrine of Pleasure gives the President the authority to appoint or dismiss certain constitutional functionaries at their discretion.
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50. What is the role of the Chief Minister in a state government?
Answer: The Chief Minister is the head of the state government and is responsible for the overall administration and governance of the state.
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51. Define the term "Sedition" in the legal context.
Answer: Sedition involves conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state.
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52. What is the purpose of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in India?
Answer: NGT is dedicated to hearing cases related to environmental protection and conservation. It addresses matters concerning the violation of environmental laws.
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53. Explain the concept of "Judicial Activism."
Answer: Judicial Activism refers to judges interpreting and shaping the law to address social issues actively. It involves the judiciary taking an assertive role in protecting individual rights.
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54. What is the significance of the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution?
Answer: The 73rd Amendment introduced Panchayati Raj institutions to ensure local self-governance in rural areas.
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55. Who appoints the Chief Justice and judges of the High Courts?
Answer: The President of India appoints the Chief Justice and judges of the High Courts in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the respective state.
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56. Define the term "Contempt of Court."
Answer: Contempt of Court refers to any deliberate disobedience or disregard of the authority, justice, or dignity of a court.
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57. What is the purpose of the National Commission for Women (NCW) in India?
Answer: NCW is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of women. It investigates and addresses complaints related to women's rights.
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58. Explain the concept of "Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers" or the Whistleblower Protection Act.
Answer: The Whistleblower Protection Act aims to protect individuals who expose corruption and wrongdoing in government organizations by providing them with legal safeguards.
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59. What is the role of the Attorney General of a State?
Answer: The Attorney General of a State is the chief legal advisor to the state government, providing legal guidance and representation.
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60. Define the term "Lok Adalat."
Answer: Lok Adalat is a forum where disputes are resolved amicably through mediation and conciliation, promoting speedy and cost-effective justice.
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61. What is the purpose of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)?
Answer: NCSC is tasked with investigating and monitoring the implementation of safeguards for Scheduled Castes and ensuring their socio-economic development.
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62. Explain the concept of "Doctrine of Lapse" in Indian history.
Answer: The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy through which the British East India Company annexed Indian states if their rulers died without a male heir.
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63. What is the significance of the 104th Amendment to the Constitution?
Answer: The 104th Amendment provides 10% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for economically weaker sections of the general category.
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64. Who appoints the members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)?
Answer: The President of India appoints the members of the UPSC, and they can serve until the age of 65.
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65. Define the term "Money Bill" in parliamentary procedures.
Answer: A Money Bill exclusively deals with matters related to taxation, government expenditure, or loans. It can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and requires the President's assent.
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