Administrative Relations Practice Questions
20 free Administrative Relations practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which Articles of the Indian Constitution primarily deal with the administrative relations between the Centre and the States?
- A Articles 245 to 255
- B Articles 256 to 263
- C Articles 264 to 293
- D Articles 301 to 307
Correct answer: Articles 256 to 263
Articles 256 to 263 in Part XI of the Constitution deal with administrative relations. These provisions ensure that the executive power of the States is exercised in compliance with Union laws and directions.
Under Article 256, what is the obligation of the States regarding the exercise of their executive power?
- A To ensure compliance with the laws made by Parliament
- B To seek permission from the President for every executive action
- C To follow the directions of the Supreme Court only
- D To consult the Governor before implementing Union laws
Correct answer: To ensure compliance with the laws made by Parliament
Article 256 stipulates that the executive power of every State shall be so exercised as to ensure compliance with the laws made by Parliament. This is a mandatory constitutional obligation to maintain the integrity of the Union's legislative authority.
What are the consequences if a State fails to comply with any directions given by the Centre under Article 257?
- A The Supreme Court can dismiss the State Government
- B The President can declare that the State government cannot be carried on (Article 365).
- C The Union Parliament can dissolve the State Legislature
- D The State's share of taxes is permanently withheld
Correct answer: The President can declare that the State government cannot be carried on (Article 365).
According to Article 365, failure to comply with Union directions allows the President to hold that the State government cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution. This provides the ground for the imposition of President's Rule under Article 356.
The power of the Centre to give directions to the States includes which of the following specifically mentioned in Article 257?
- A Appointment of State Cabinet ministers
- B Construction and maintenance of means of communication declared to be of national or military importance
- C Collection of State land revenue
- D Conducting of State University examinations
Correct answer: Construction and maintenance of means of communication declared to be of national or military importance
Article 257 empowers the Union to give directions to a State as to the construction and maintenance of means of communication of national or military importance. It also covers the protection of railways within the State.
Who can settle disputes relating to the use, distribution, or control of the waters of any inter-state river or river valley under Article 262?
- A The Supreme Court of India
- B An Ad-hoc Tribunal established by Parliament
- C The Inter-State Council
- D The Zonal Council
Correct answer: An Ad-hoc Tribunal established by Parliament
Article 262 empowers Parliament to provide for the adjudication of inter-state water disputes. Parliament has enacted the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, which allows for the creation of specific tribunals.
The 'Full Faith and Credit' clause (Article 261) of the Constitution applies to which of the following?
- A Only the political speeches of the Prime Minister
- B Public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of the Union and every State
- C Only the records of the Reserve Bank of India
- D Diplomatic agreements signed with foreign nations
Correct answer: Public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of the Union and every State
Article 261 ensures that full faith and credit shall be given throughout the territory of India to public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of the Union and of every State. This facilitates administrative and judicial harmony across state boundaries.
Which constitutional body can the President establish under Article 263 to investigate and discuss subjects of common interest between the Centre and States?
- A Finance Commission
- B Inter-State Council
- C Planning Commission
- D Zonal Council
Correct answer: Inter-State Council
The Inter-State Council is established under Article 263 to effect coordination between the Centre and the States. It was first set up in 1990 following the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission.
With the consent of the Government of a State, the President may entrust Union executive functions to that State. This is provided under:
- A Article 256
- B Article 258(1)
- C Article 258A
- D Article 260
Correct answer: Article 258(1)
Article 258(1) allows the President to entrust Union executive functions to a State government with its consent. Conversely, Article 258A allows a State Governor to entrust State functions to the Union with the Union's consent.
Regarding the All-India Services (AIS), which of the following is true concerning administrative relations?
- A They are recruited and trained by the States
- B They are controlled jointly by the Centre and the States
- C They are responsible only to the State Legislature
- D They can be abolished by a simple executive order of the Governor
Correct answer: They are controlled jointly by the Centre and the States
All-India Services (IAS, IPS, IFoS) members are recruited and trained by the Centre but serve in the States. They are under the immediate control of the State governments but ultimate disciplinary action can only be taken by the Centre.
Who is the Chairman of the Inter-State Council?
- A The President of India
- B The Union Home Minister
- C The Prime Minister
- D The Vice-President
Correct answer: The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the Inter-State Council. Its members include Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories with legislatures, and administrators of UTs without legislatures.
The Zonal Councils, which aim at promoting inter-state cooperation, are:
- A Constitutional bodies under Article 263
- B Statutory bodies created by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956
- C Non-constitutional advisory bodies under the NITI Aayog
- D Judicial bodies under the Ministry of Law
Correct answer: Statutory bodies created by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956
Zonal Councils are statutory bodies, not constitutional bodies. They were established by the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 to promote cooperation and coordination among states, UTs, and the Centre.
Under administrative relations, the Union's power to give directions to States during a Financial Emergency (Article 360) includes:
- A Directing the reduction of salaries of persons serving in the State
- B Dissolving the State Legislative Assembly
- C Appointing the Chief Minister of the State
- D Merging two or more States for administrative ease
Correct answer: Directing the reduction of salaries of persons serving in the State
During a Financial Emergency, the Union can direct States to observe canons of financial propriety and reduce the salaries of persons serving the State, including High Court judges.
Which Article provides for the appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes?
- A Article 338
- B Article 340
- C Article 342
- D Article 350
Correct answer: Article 340
Article 340 empowers the President to appoint a commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes. This is an administrative power that affects Centre-State relations regarding reservation policies.
The North-Eastern Council was established under a separate Act in which year?
- A 1956
- B 1971
- C 1990
- D 2002
Correct answer: 1971
While five Zonal Councils were created in 1956, the North-Eastern Council was created by the North-Eastern Council Act of 1971. It addresses the special problems of the North-Eastern states.
Article 257(1) states that the executive power of every State shall be so exercised as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the:
- A Legislative power of the Union
- B Executive power of the Union
- C Judicial power of the Union
- D Financial power of the Union
Correct answer: Executive power of the Union
Article 257(1) places a 'negative' obligation on the States. It ensures that the State's executive power does not obstruct or hinder the Union's executive operations within the State's territory.
In the event of a National Emergency, the Centre's administrative control over the States:
- A Remains limited to Union List subjects
- B Becomes all-comprehensive, covering any matter
- C Is suspended until the Supreme Court approves it
- D Is transferred to the Governor of the State exclusively
Correct answer: Becomes all-comprehensive, covering any matter
During a National Emergency (Article 352), the Union is empowered to give executive directions to a State on 'any' matter. This effectively converts the federal structure into a unitary one for the duration of the emergency.
Under Article 258, when the Union confers powers on a State, who bears the cost of administration for those specific functions?
- A The State Government
- B The Government of India
- C Shared 50-50 between Centre and State
- D The Finance Commission decides
Correct answer: The Government of India
When functions are entrusted to a State under Article 258, the Government of India must pay to the State the extra costs of administration incurred by the State in connection with the exercise of those powers.
Who acts as the common Chairman for all the Zonal Councils in India?
- A The Prime Minister
- B The Union Home Minister
- C The President
- D The Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog
Correct answer: The Union Home Minister
The Union Home Minister acts as the Chairman of each of the five Zonal Councils. The Chief Ministers of the States in the zone act as Vice-Chairmen by rotation for a period of one year.
Which constitutional amendment added Article 350B, providing for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities?
- A 1st Amendment
- B 7th Amendment
- C 42nd Amendment
- D 44th Amendment
Correct answer: 7th Amendment
The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 added Article 350B. This officer is appointed by the President to investigate matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities under the Constitution.
Under Article 260, the Government of India can undertake legislative, executive, or judicial functions in a territory outside India by:
- A Declaration of War
- B Agreement with that territory's government
- C Order of the International Court of Justice
- D Resolution of the UN Security Council
Correct answer: Agreement with that territory's government
Article 260 allows the Union to undertake functions in relation to any territory not being part of India by agreement with the government of that territory. This is a unique provision for extra-territorial administrative jurisdiction.