Indian Constitution and Legislature

Questions and Answers

What is the minimum age to become a member of Lok Sabha?

21 years

25 years (correct)

30 years

18 years

What is the purpose of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)?

To conduct elections on the basis of proportional representation

To elect the Speaker of Lok Sabha

To conduct elections on the basis of simple majority through secret ballot (correct)

To count votes manually

What is the tenure of Lok Sabha unless dissolved earlier by the President of India?

5 years (correct)

3 years

6 years

4 years

Who is the Presiding Officer of Lok Sabha?

Speaker of Lok Sabha Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of joint electorate in SC/ST reserved constituencies?

All eligible voters, irrespective of caste, creed or community participate in the election Signup and view all the answers

What is the condition for a person to contest from a reserved constituency?

The person must be from the SC/ST category Signup and view all the answers

When can the tenure of Lok Sabha be extended?

During emergency Signup and view all the answers

When does the Speaker of Lok Sabha have a vote?

In case of a tie Signup and view all the answers

What is required for certain provisions of the Indian Constitution to be amended?

Ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures and passage by Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which judges of the Supreme Court, High Courts, and the President and Vice President can be removed from office?

Impeachment Signup and view all the answers

What is required for the creation or abolition of a State Legislative Council?

Approval by both Houses of Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What can be introduced only in Lok Sabha?

Money Bill Signup and view all the answers

What is the Supreme Court's ruling on Parliament's power to change the Constitution?

Parliament cannot change the basic structure of the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a State to be split or merged with another State?

Approval by both Houses of Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What happens after the Minister moves the motion for leave to introduce the bill?

The bill is formally introduced if permitted by the House Signup and view all the answers

What are the options available to the House after the Second Reading of the Bill?

The bill is immediately taken into consideration by the House Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the House decides to immediately take up the bill for consideration?

The bill is debated, amendments are proposed and put to vote Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Second Reading of the Bill?

It is the most important stage in law making Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the bill is passed by the House?

It is sent to the other House where the same procedure is repeated Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of circulating the bill among the people?

To elicit public opinion Signup and view all the answers

How many states in India have Legislative Councils?

Only five states Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum number of members in a Vidhan Parishad?

40 Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for a State Assembly to pass a resolution for the creation or abolition of the Legislative Council?

Special majority Signup and view all the answers

Who has the discretion to have or not to have a Legislative Council?

State Government Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of the Vidhan Parishad?

Partly elected and partly nominated Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum number of members in a Vidhan Parishad?

One-third of the total members of Vidhan Sabha Signup and view all the answers

What is the exception to the rule that the number of Vidhan Parishad members should not be less than 40?

Jammu and Kashmir Signup and view all the answers

What are the qualifications to become a member of the State Council?

Same as those for Rajya Sabha membership Signup and view all the answers

Under which condition can a State law on a subject in the Concurrent List prevail over a Union law on the same subject?

Never, the Union law will always prevail. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a bill to be introduced in the State Legislature regarding imposing restrictions on trade and commerce?

Prior approval of the President of India. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a bill passed by the State Legislature if it is sent to the President for consideration?

It becomes a law after the President's assent. Signup and view all the answers

Can a constitutional amendment be initiated in the State Legislature?

No, it cannot be initiated in the State Legislature. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the State Legislature in amending the Constitution?

It has a limited role in amending the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Concurrent List in relation to the powers of the State Legislature?

It lists the subjects on which the State Legislature and the Parliament have concurrent power. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the State Legislature and the Centre in terms of law-making?

Both the State Legislature and the Centre can make laws on subjects in the Concurrent List. Signup and view all the answers

What is the power of the Governor in relation to a bill passed by the State Legislature?

The Governor can send the bill to the President for consideration before giving assent. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Legislative System in India

Lok Sabha (Lower House) elections are conducted on the basis of Universal Adult Franchise, with a voting age of 18 years and above.
The election is held through a secret ballot with the help of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) based on simple majority.

Qualifications to become a Member of Lok Sabha

A person must be a citizen of India, having attained the age of 25 years.
They must be registered as a voter in any constituency in India.
They must be from SC/ST category, if contesting from a reserved constituency.
They must possess other qualifications as may be laid down by the Parliament by law.

Tenure and Allowances

The tenure of Lok Sabha is five years, unless dissolved earlier by the President of India.
During emergency, its tenure can be extended by one year at a time, but it will not exceed six months after the emergency is over.

Officials of Lok Sabha

The Presiding Officer of Lok Sabha is known as the Speaker.
There is a provision for a Deputy Speaker also.
Both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are elected by the members of Lok Sabha from amongst themselves.
The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker can be removed from their office if the House passes a resolution to this effect.

Judicial Powers and Functions

The judges of the Supreme Court, High Courts, the President of India, and the Vice President may be removed from office through the process of impeachment.

Miscellaneous Powers and Functions

The Parliament has the power to approve the Proclamation of Emergency declared by the President of India through an Ordinance.
The Parliament's approval is required for splitting a State to form a new State, merging two States, or changing the boundaries or name of a State.

Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad)

The Legislative Council is the Upper House of the State Legislature.
Only five states in India have a Legislative Council.
The creation or abolition of the Upper House can be finalized by the Parliament if a State Assembly passes a resolution to this effect by Special Majority.
The number of Vidhan Parishad members should not exceed one-third of the total members of Vidhan Sabha, but it cannot be less than 40, except for Jammu and Kashmir, which has 36 members.

Limitations of the Powers of the State Legislature

The powers of the State Legislature are limited in many ways.
If any State law on a subject in the Concurrent List is in conflict with the Union law on the same subject, the law made by the Parliament shall prevail.
Some bills cannot be introduced in the State Legislature without seeking prior approval of the President of India.
The Governor may send a bill passed by the Legislature for the consideration of the President, and it becomes a law only after the President gives his/her assent.

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of the Indian Constitution, legislature, and electoral systems, including reserved constituencies and joint electorate.