Question 1

Question 11For how long can President's rule be imposed in a state?1 month2 months6 months3 months

Accepted Answer

6 months

Question 2

Question 12Who administers the oath of office to the President of India?Comptroller and Auditor General of IndiaPrime Minister of IndiaChief Justice of IndiaJudge of the Supreme Court

Accepted Answer

Chief Justice of India

Question 3

Question 13Identify the officials who form the electoral college for the election of the Vice-President of India.P: Members of Lok Sabha.Q: Members of Legislative Assemblies of States.R: Members of Legislative Council of States.S: Members of Rajya Sabha.P and SP and QR and SQ and S

Accepted Answer

P and S

Question 4

Question 14Which of the following statements about the Vice-President of India are correct?P : Is the ex-officio Chairman of the Lok Sabha.Q : Holds office for a term of five years.R : Can be removed as the Vice-President by the process of impeachment.S : Gets a salary as the Vice-President of India.P and QQ and SR and SQ and R

Accepted Answer

Q and R

Question 5

Question 15Select an Executive Function of the President of India.Issuing ordinancesAppointing the Prime MinisterGranting assent to bills passed by ParliamentAddressing the nation on Independence Day

Accepted Answer

Appointing the Prime Minister

Question 6

Question 16Ms Anita Singh's nomination for the election as the Vice-President of India was rejected even though she had the qualifications of being a citizen of India and not being a member of the Parliament and State Legislature. On what ground was she disqualified?For being below the age of thirty-five.For being qualified to be a Member of Parliament.For not holding a office of profit.For her mother not being a citizen of India.

Accepted Answer

For being below the age of thirty-five.

Question 7

Question 5Read the following headline that appeared in The Economic Times, April 23, 2020 and answer the question that follow:"COVID-19: Prez Ram Nath Kovind gives nod for promulgating ordinance to punish those attacking healthcare workers."Under which conditions can the President promulgate an Ordinance?

Accepted Answer

The power to promulgate an Ordinance is subject to the following conditions:The President must be satisfied that circumstances make it necessary for him/her to take immediate action.An Ordinance can be promulgated at a time when both Houses of Parliament are not in session. However, if one House is in session, there is no bar in issuing of Ordinances.The Ordinance so promulgated should be laid before both Houses of Parliament when they reassemble. If the Parliament does not approve the Ordinance, it lapses. If an ordinance is not disapproved, it will automatically cease to operate at the end of six weeks from the date the Parliament re-assembles.The Ordinance lapses if it is replaced by an Act of Parliament.

Question 8

Question 6How is the Vice-President elected?

Accepted Answer

An Electoral College consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament elects the Vice-President.The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.The voting at such an election is by secret ballot.Each nomination paper should be proposed by at least twenty electors (MPs) and another twenty electors should second the same.

Question 9

Question 7How long can the Vice-President continue to hold office even after the expiry of his/her term? How can the Vice-President be removed from office?

Accepted Answer

The Vice-President shall continue to hold office, notwithstanding the expiry of his term, until his successor enters upon his office.The Vice-President can be removed from office in the following cases-He may, by writing, addressed to the President, resign his office. Such resignation will be communicated by the President to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.He may, for the violation of the Constitution, be removed from the office by the process of impeachment.

Question 10

Question 8State the power of Vice-President as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Accepted Answer

The Vice-President of the Indian Union acts as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.In this capacity he regulates debates and proceedings of the House and decides the order of speeches.He decides the admissibility of a resolution or of questions.He may suspend or adjourn the business of the House in case of grave disorder.He issues directions to the chairmen of various committees in all matters relating to their working.

Question 11

Question 9Mention the ways in which the Vice-President's office is a unique feature of the Indian Constitution.

Accepted Answer

The Vice President is the second head of the Union Executive. He is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Union Legislature). Thus, he has two distinct and separate offices. This dual capacity is one of unique features of the Indian Constitution.

Question 12

Question 10The excerpt given below shows which feature of the Indian Constitution: Unitary or Federal? Give a reason to support your answer.The Raj Bhavan (Kerala), in an official communication, said, "Hon'ble President of India has withheld assent to the following Bills which Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan had referred to Rashtrapati Bhavan for consideration. ....Of the seven bills which Governor Arif Mohammed Khan referred to the Rashtrapati Bhavan in November last year, assent has been accorded to only one Bill, namely, Kerala Lokayukta Amendment Bill 2022. Decision on other three Bills is awaited."— Indian Express February 29, 2024

Accepted Answer

The excerpt reflects the unitary feature of the Indian Constitution.Although India has a federal structure, certain provisions in the Constitution give greater authority to the Union Government. One such unitary feature is that the Governor of a State can reserve a Bill passed by the State Legislature for the consideration of the President of India.The President may give or withhold assent to such Bills, thereby exercising control over State legislation. This indicates that the States are not fully sovereign in their law-making powers, and the ultimate authority lies with the Centre, which is a unitary characteristic of the Constitution.

Question 13

Question 1The President of India enjoys vast powers. In this context, briefly explain:(a) Any three of his/her Executive Powers.(b) Any three of his/her Legislative Powers.(c) Any two of his/her Judicial Powers.

Accepted Answer

(a) Three executive powers of the President are-Head of the Union Administration — All executive orders are issued in the name of the President. All the Union officials are his subordinates.Control over State Governments — The Union Government may give necessary directions to a State. During President's rule the control of the Union Government over States is complete.Union Territories and Border Areas — The administration of the Union Territories and the Border Areas is the responsibility of the President.(b) Three legislative powers of the President are-Addresses Sessions of Parliament — The President addresses both Houses of Parliament assembled together for the first session after each General Election to the Lok Sabha and at the commencement of the first session of each year. In this address he lays emphasis on the internal and external policies of the Government. The President has the power to address either House of Parliament or their joint sitting at any time.Messages to Parliament — He has the power to send messages to either House of Parliament either in the regard to any pending Bill or to any other matter.Dissolve the Lok Sabha — He can dissolve the Lok Sabha and order fresh elections. Rajya Sabha is a permanent body, not subject to dissolution.(c) Two judicial powers of the President are-The President is not answerable before any court of law for the exercise of the powers and duties of his office.No criminal suit can be initiated against him during his tenure of office.

Question 14

Question 3The President may declare an emergency in a State, if he/she is convinced of the breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State. In this context, answer the following questions:(a) When can such an emergency be proclaimed? Why is such an emergency often referred to as President's Rule?(b) What is the duration of such an emergency? State two conditions under which such an emergency can be extended beyond one year.(c) State the effect of the emergency on the administration of the State.

Accepted Answer

(a) If the President, on receipt of a report from the Governor or otherwise, is satisfied that the governance of a State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, he may declare an emergency in the State. This is called President's rule because the President may assume to himself all or any of the functions of the Government of the State.(b) The duration of such an emergency is two months.If it were to continue beyond two months, it should be ratified by the Parliament.The Proclamation will cease to be valid for six months after the date of its issue even if the Parliament ratifies it.It can, however, be extended for another six months.Thus, President's Rule can normally continue only for a year.It may be extended beyond one year, under two conditions:When a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation in the whole of India or in any part of the StateThe Election Commission certifies that holding elections to the Legislative Assembly of the State is difficult.(c) The effect of the emergency on the administration of the State is as follows-The State administration is directly placed under the President (i.e. the Union Government). The Governor of the concerned State acts in accordance with the instructions that are issued by the Union Government from time to time.The President may:dissolve the Vidhan Sabha of the State and dismiss the Council of Ministerskeep the Assembly and the Council of Ministers in suspended animation.In both cases, the Union Parliament can pass laws, even on all the Subjects of the State List, for that particular State. Even the Annual Budget of that State is presented to and passed by the Parliament.When the Lok Sabha is not in session the President may authorise expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund of the State.The President may suspend the provision of the Constitution relating to any authority of the State except those relating to High Courts.

Question 15

Question 4According to Article 63 of our Constitution "There shall be a Vice-President of India". In this context, state:(a) the manner of his/her election;(b) any three qualifications for election; and(c) two of his/her important powers.

Accepted Answer

(a) An Electoral College consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament elects the Vice-President.The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.The voting at such an election is by secret ballot.Each nomination paper should be proposed by at least twenty electors (MPs) and another twenty electors should second the same.(b) A person shall be eligible for election as Vice-President, if he-is a citizen of India.has completed the age of thirty-five.is qualified for election as a member of the Council of States.(c) Two important powers of a Vice-President are-Chairman of the Rajya Sabha — The Vice-President of the Indian Union acts as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In this capacity he regulates debates and proceedings of the House and decides the order of speeches. He decides the admissibility of a resolution or of questions. He may suspend or adjourn the business of the House in case of grave disorder. He issues directions to the chairmen of various committees in all matters relating to their working.Taking over as the President — The Vice-President takes over the office of the President under the following situations:death of the Presidentresignation of the Presidentremoval of the Presidentwhen the President is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence, illness or any other cause.

Question 16

Question 2Suppose riots break out in your State and there is a break down of law and order. What will the Governor of your State do and what will be its consequences?

Accepted Answer

The Governor of the State will send a report of the situation to the President and will recommend for President's rule. If the President is satisfied with the report he/she will declare an emergency in the state and impose President's rule. Consequences of President's rule in the state will be the following:The State administration is directly placed under the President (i.e. the Union Government). The Governor of the concerned State acts in accordance with the instructions that are issued by the Union Government from time to time.The President may:Dissolve the Vidhan Sabha of the State and dismiss the Council of Ministers; orKeep the Assembly and the Council of Ministers in suspended animation.In both cases, the Union Parliament can pass laws, even on all the Subjects of the State List, for that particular State. Even the Annual Budget of that State is presented to and passed by the Parliament.When the Lok Sabha is not in session the President may authorise expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund of the State.The President may suspend the provision of the Constitution relating to any authority of the State except those relating to High Courts.However, the duration of President's rule is two months. Beyond this, it should be ratified by the Parliament for six months. It can be extended for another six months. Thus, President's rule can normally continue only for a year.

The President and the Vice-President

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