Indian Democracy and Governance Quiz

The process of enacting laws, implementing policies and resolving disputes through official institutions like Parliament, Executive and Judiciary.

A written instruction outlining a policy decision issued by a government authority.

A communication issued by an authority highlighting a policy or decision.

The practice of setting aside a certain number of positions in education and employment for individuals and communities that have faced discrimination.

A commission appointed in 1979 to investigate the social and educational backwardness of certain communities in India.

The highest formal authority in a country.

The head of the government, responsible for day-to-day operations and policy decisions.

The legislative body of India, responsible for making laws and overseeing government actions.

The Supreme Court, not the High Court, is responsible for overseeing the judicial system in India.

Treaties and international agreements are made on behalf of the President, not the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister leads and oversees the Cabinet meetings, making most of the decisions.

The President of India is the supreme commander of the armed forces.

The correct sequence of events leading to the implementation of the Mandal Commission's recommendations is:

1. Appointment of the Second Backward Classes Commission
2. Mandal Commission submits its report and recommendations.
3. Lok Sabha elections won by Janata Dal.
4. Formal decision to implement the Mandal Commission recommendations.

The Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Indian Parliament.

The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Indian Parliament.

The Prime Minister is the head of the government, while the President is the head of the state.

The President of India relies on the advice of the Council of Ministers for making decisions. The President can ask for reconsideration, but if the advice is the same, they must act on it. This limits their autonomy.

The President cannot veto bills passed by Parliament. If a bill is passed again after being sent back, the President must sign it.

The President of the USA is directly chosen by the people, while the Indian President is indirectly elected through an Electoral College. This difference reflects different political systems each country has.

The President of the USA has the power to appoint their cabinet, while the Indian President appoints their cabinet based on the advice of the Prime Minister. This reflects a system of parliamentary democracy.

The President of the USA can veto laws, but the Indian President does not have this power. This highlights a key difference in the separation of powers between the USA and India.

India's judiciary is considered powerful due to its independence from the executive and legislature, its high standards for judicial appointments, and its role as the protector of fundamental rights.

Disputes between citizens and the government are ultimately resolved by the Supreme Court of India.

India has a unified judicial system, with the Supreme Court as the highest body. This means the Supreme Court has ultimate control and all other courts abide by its judgments.

The Supreme Court modified its initial ruling to exclude wealthy individuals from the backward classes from receiving reservation benefits. This was part of a larger reform effort.

The Lok Sabha, with its larger number of members, holds more power than the Rajya Sabha. This is due to its ability to control the Council of Ministers and pass budget bills.

The Political Executive is chosen by the people for a fixed term and is responsible to them. The Permanent Executive are long-term government employees appointed to their roles.

A Prime Minister in a coalition government faces constraints due to the need to satisfy multiple groups and factions. This can limit decision-making and even threaten their position if coalition partners withdraw support.

The President appoints 12 members to the Rajya Sabha, participates in joint sessions, and holds the power to dismiss the Lok Sabha. These all affect the legislative process.

The President can declare three types of emergencies: national, state, and financial. Each type has distinct powers and impacts on the country.

A national emergency declared during war, external aggression, or armed rebellion allows the President to suspend some fundamental rights. This is a temporary measure to safeguard national security.

A financial emergency declared when India's financial stability is threatened can lead to the suspension of fundamental rights. This is meant to protect the country's economic well-being during a crisis.

The Parliament has the power to create new laws and change existing ones. It's like the law-making machine of the country.

The Parliament can remove the government if it loses confidence in the Prime Minister and the cabinet. This is like a vote of no confidence, where they say, 'We don't trust you anymore!'.

The Parliament provides a space for people to discuss important issues, like national policies, and express their opinions. Think of it as a big forum for debate.

The Parliament elects important leaders like the President and the Speaker. It's like choosing the leaders of the country through a big vote.

Members of the Lok Sabha are chosen directly by the people, like a regular election. Rajya Sabha members are chosen indirectly by state governments.

The Lok Sabha lasts for 5 years and can be dissolved, like a timer going off. The Rajya Sabha has a 6-year term and cannot be dissolved, like a longer-lasting clock.

The Lok Sabha has more power, it can pass money bills, but the Rajya Sabha can only suggest changes. It's like the Lok Sabha has the final say.

The Prime Minister is the leader of the government, they make decisions, choose ministers, and are responsible to the Lok Sabha. Think of them as the captain of the team.

The process of appointing judges in India is based on merit and seniority, minimizing political influence.

The Constitution makes it extremely difficult to remove judges, requiring a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Parliament. This protects judges from being dismissed for political reasons.

The Constitution clearly defines the powers and roles of the judiciary, preventing other branches of government from encroaching on its authority.

The Indian Judiciary is seen as a guardian of the fundamental rights of the people, ensuring their protection.

The Indian judiciary is perceived as independent and impartial, free from undue political influence, which contributes to public trust.

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) allows anyone to bring issues of public concern to court, providing a means for citizens to seek redress for social problems.

The Parliament, as the legislative branch, is responsible for lawmaking and has control over government finances.

The Executive branch, which implements laws and policies, is accountable to the Judiciary. The judiciary provides checks and balances over the Executive's actions.