Salient Constitutional Features Practice Questions

Correct answer: Partly rigid and partly flexible

The Indian Constitution is described as partly rigid and partly flexible because some provisions can be amended by a simple majority, while others require a special majority or ratification by states. This balance ensures the document can evolve while maintaining its core structure.

Correct answer: Canada

India's federal system is more akin to the Canadian model than the American one, specifically regarding the 'residuary powers' and the appointment of State Governors by the Centre. It is often described as 'quasi-federal' due to this strong central bias.

Correct answer: 42nd Amendment Act

The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) introduced massive changes to the Preamble, Fundamental Duties, and various other parts of the Constitution. It was enacted during the Emergency and significantly altered the constitutional framework.

Correct answer: The Supreme Court and High Courts form a single hierarchy of courts

India has an integrated judicial system where the Supreme Court stands at the apex, followed by High Courts and subordinate courts. This single system of courts enforces both Central and State laws, unlike the dual system in the USA.

Correct answer: Fundamental Rights

Articles 29 and 30 under Fundamental Rights specifically provide for the protection of interests of minorities. They grant minorities the right to conserve their distinct language, script, or culture and to establish educational institutions.

Correct answer: Cooperation and coordination between legislature and executive

The parliamentary system (Westminster model) emphasizes the interdependence of the legislative and executive organs. The executive is part of the legislature and is collectively responsible to it.

Correct answer: Bicameralism

Bicameralism (presence of two houses) is a federal feature, as the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) represents the states. Unitary features are those that centralize power, such as All-India Services or a single Constitution.

Correct answer: Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies

Universal Adult Franchise allows every citizen who is not less than 18 years of age to vote in direct elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Elections to the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Councils are indirect.

Correct answer: Social and Economic Democracy

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described the DPSP as a 'novel feature' of the Constitution. Their primary objective is to establish social and economic democracy and create a welfare state.

Correct answer: Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles

Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles together are often referred to as the 'Conscience of the Constitution.' They aim to balance individual liberty with social justice.

Correct answer: There is no separate state citizenship

Despite being a federal country like the USA, India provides for only a single citizenship. This means citizens owe allegiance only to the Union and have the same rights throughout the country regardless of the state they reside in.

Correct answer: To serve as bulwarks of the democratic system

The Constitution provides for independent bodies like the Election Commission, CAG, and UPSC to ensure the integrity of the democratic process and administrative accountability. They are intended to function without executive interference.

Correct answer: Narrower than the US model

The scope of judicial review in India is narrower than in the US because the US Constitution provides for 'due process of law' while the Indian Constitution originally provided for 'procedure established by law' (though the gap has narrowed through judicial interpretation).

Correct answer: Detailed administrative provisions

The Indian Constitution is unusually detailed because it incorporates not just the fundamental principles of governance but also extensive administrative provisions. This was done to prevent potential constitutional deadlocks in a newly independent nation.

Correct answer: 73rd and 74th Amendments

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts (1992) added a third tier of government (rural and urban local bodies) which is a feature not found in most other federal constitutions of the world.

Correct answer: Written Constitution

A written constitution is a core federal feature because it defines the division of powers between the centre and the states. Other federal features include the supremacy of the constitution, rigidity, and an independent judiciary.

Correct answer: Equal protection to all religions by the state

Indian secularism is 'positive secularism,' where the state maintains an equal distance from all religions and gives equal respect/protection to all. This differs from the Western 'negative' concept of strict separation.

Correct answer: Fundamental Duties

Fundamental Duties (Part IV-A) were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. Like the DPSP, they are non-justiciable, meaning they cannot be enforced by the courts through writs.

Correct answer: Automatically, without a formal amendment

During an emergency, the Central government becomes all-powerful and states go into total control of the Centre. This unique feature allows the Indian federal system to become unitary without a formal constitutional amendment.

Correct answer: British System

Parliamentary sovereignty is a British principle where Parliament has supreme power. In India, Parliament is not sovereign because its powers are limited by a written Constitution, federalism, and judicial review.