1. In Indian Parliamentary System, which of the following could have been the reasons for not adopting the Proportional Representation system in elections to the Lok Sabha?

(1) The low literacy rate in India at the time of independence.

(2) Adoption of parliamentary form of the government with multiparty system.

(3) The members of Drafting Committee were unaware of this system.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) Explanation: Though some members of the Constituent Assembly had advocated the system of proportional representation for the election of members to the Lok Sabha, the Constitution has not adopted the system due to two reasons. 1. Difficulty for the voters to understand the system of proportional representation (which is complicated) due to low literacy scale in the country. 2. Unsuitability to the Parliamentary Government due to the tendency of the system to multiply political parties leading to instability in government. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is not correct.

2. Which of the following is the highest decision-making authority in Indian politico-administrative system?

(a) The President

(b) The Prime Minister

(c) The Union Council of Ministers

(d) The Union Cabinet

Answer: (d) Explanation: COUNCIL OF MINISTERS VS CABINET The words ‘Council of Ministers’ and ‘Cabinet’ are often used interchangeably though there is a definite distinction between them. They differ from each other in respect of composition, functions, and role. Cabinet It is a smaller body consisting of 15 to 20 ministers. It includes the Cabinet Ministers only. Thus, it is a part of the Council of Ministers. Role of Cabinet:

• It is the highest decision-making authority in our politico-administrative system.

• It is the chief policy formulating body of the Central government.

• It is the supreme executive authority of the Central government.

• It is chief coordinator of Central administration.

• It is an advisory body to the President and its advice is binding on him.

• It is the chief crisis manager and thus deals with all emergency situations.

• It deals with all major legislative and financial matters.

• It exercises control over higher appointments like constitutional authorities and senior secretariat administrators.

• It deals with all foreign policies and foreign affairs. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

3. With reference to the High Courts in India, which of the following statements is correct?

(a) The name of a High Court can be altered by the respective State Legislative Assembly through suitable legislation.

(b) A new High Court can be created by the President on the recommendation of the Union Council of Ministers.

(c) Only two (and not more) States can have a common High Court.

(d) The Parliament can exclude the jurisdiction of a High Court from any Union Territory.

Answer: (d) Explanation: Statements (a) and (b) are not correct. Only the Parliament has the power with respect to establishing the new High Courts and altering their name. Statement (c) is not correct. After the Seventh Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956, the Parliament can create a common High Court for 2 or more States, or for 2 or more States and a Union Territory. Statement (d) is correct. The Parliament can extend or exclude the jurisdiction of High Court with respect to any Union Territory. Thus, the territorial jurisdiction of the High Court remains co-terminus with the territory of respective State or the territories of the concerned States and the Union Territory. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

4. With respect to the Constitutional provisions regarding the office of the President, what is meant by ‘Alternative Vote System’?

(a) System of indirect election of the President

(b) System of impeachment of the President.

(c) Process of transfer of votes by Single transferable vote system

(d) Resorting to the indirect election of the President by the Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies.

Answer: (c) Explanation: Election of the President:

● Each voter is entitled to cast as many preferences as there are candidates in the fray.

● If in the first round of counting, a candidate secures the required quota, he is declared winner.

● But if no candidate secures the requisite quota then second round of counting is started along with transfer of votes. The ballots of the candidate securing the least number of first preference votes are cancelled and his second preference votes are transferred to the first preference votes of other candidates.

● This process continues until the requisite quota votes are secured by someone. This process of transfer of votes is also known as ‘alternative vote system’. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

5. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 added a new Part IX-A to the Constitution titled as Municipalities. In this context, which of the following bodies find mention in the Constitution of India?

(1) Nagar Panchayat

(2) Municipal Corporation

(3) Port Trust

(4) Cantonment Board

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a) Explanation: Points 1 and 2 are correct: Three types of bodies are mentioned in the 74th Amendment:

• Nagar Panchayat (by whatever name called) for a transitional area from rural to urban

• Municipal Council for a smaller urban area

• Municipal Corporation for a larger urban area Points 3 and 4 are not correct: Port Trusts are created by Acts of the Parliament. The Cantonment Board was set up under the provisions of the Cantonments Act of 2006- a legislation enacted by the Central government. Both of them contain elected as well as nominated members. They are not mentioned in the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992.