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Questions and Answers
What is one of the ceremonial duties performed by the President of India?
What is one of the ceremonial duties performed by the President of India?
Which of the following powers allows the President to summon and prorogue Parliament sessions?
Which of the following powers allows the President to summon and prorogue Parliament sessions?
Under which article of the Constitution can the President grant pardons?
Under which article of the Constitution can the President grant pardons?
What is the term for which the President of India is elected?
What is the term for which the President of India is elected?
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How is the Vice-President of India elected?
How is the Vice-President of India elected?
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What function does the Vice-President perform in the absence of the President?
What function does the Vice-President perform in the absence of the President?
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What voting system is used to elect the President of India?
What voting system is used to elect the President of India?
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Which of the following is NOT a power of the President?
Which of the following is NOT a power of the President?
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What is the term length for members of the Lok Sabha?
What is the term length for members of the Lok Sabha?
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Which house of Parliament cannot reject or amend Money Bills?
Which house of Parliament cannot reject or amend Money Bills?
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How many members does the Rajya Sabha consist of?
How many members does the Rajya Sabha consist of?
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What type of bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha?
What type of bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha?
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Which session of the Parliament focuses primarily on the annual budget?
Which session of the Parliament focuses primarily on the annual budget?
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What is the primary function of the Lok Sabha?
What is the primary function of the Lok Sabha?
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What happens to one-third of the members of the Rajya Sabha every two years?
What happens to one-third of the members of the Rajya Sabha every two years?
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Which statement about the introduction of bills is correct?
Which statement about the introduction of bills is correct?
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What is the primary function of the Public Accounts Committee?
What is the primary function of the Public Accounts Committee?
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What must happen before a bill can become law in India?
What must happen before a bill can become law in India?
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What power allows the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional?
What power allows the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional?
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What role does the President of India play in relation to Parliament sessions?
What role does the President of India play in relation to Parliament sessions?
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Which jurisdiction allows the Supreme Court to hear disputes between states?
Which jurisdiction allows the Supreme Court to hear disputes between states?
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Who appoints the Chief Justice of India?
Who appoints the Chief Justice of India?
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What is the role of advisory jurisdiction in the Supreme Court?
What is the role of advisory jurisdiction in the Supreme Court?
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What is the maximum number of judges that can be in the Supreme Court of India?
What is the maximum number of judges that can be in the Supreme Court of India?
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What is required for the impeachment of a Supreme Court judge?
What is required for the impeachment of a Supreme Court judge?
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Which type of jurisdiction involves the Supreme Court reviewing decisions from lower courts?
Which type of jurisdiction involves the Supreme Court reviewing decisions from lower courts?
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What does the Supreme Court consider during the review jurisdiction?
What does the Supreme Court consider during the review jurisdiction?
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What is one of the key functions of the Indian Parliament?
What is one of the key functions of the Indian Parliament?
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At what age do Supreme Court judges in India retire?
At what age do Supreme Court judges in India retire?
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How does the Supreme Court's role as the guardian of the Constitution manifest?
How does the Supreme Court's role as the guardian of the Constitution manifest?
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What does the bench system refer to in the context of the Supreme Court?
What does the bench system refer to in the context of the Supreme Court?
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What allows individuals or organizations to file petitions on behalf of those unable to access justice?
What allows individuals or organizations to file petitions on behalf of those unable to access justice?
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What is the primary role of the Prime Minister in India?
What is the primary role of the Prime Minister in India?
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How is the Prime Minister of India appointed?
How is the Prime Minister of India appointed?
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What happens if the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no confidence against the Council of Ministers?
What happens if the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no confidence against the Council of Ministers?
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Which groups comprise the Council of Ministers?
Which groups comprise the Council of Ministers?
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What is the tenure of a Prime Minister in India?
What is the tenure of a Prime Minister in India?
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What is the main function of the Council of Ministers?
What is the main function of the Council of Ministers?
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Who leads the Council of Ministers?
Who leads the Council of Ministers?
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What defines the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers?
What defines the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers?
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Study Notes
India's Parliament
- Structure: Bicameral system with Rajya Sabha (upper house) and Lok Sabha (lower house)
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Rajya Sabha:
- Represents states and union territories
- 245 members: 238 elected by state legislative assemblies, 12 appointed by the President
- 6-year term, 1/3 members retire every 2 years
- Reviews legislation, represents state interests, acts as revising chamber
- Can delay, but not block legislation
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Lok Sabha:
- Represents the general population
- 545 members: 543 elected directly, 2 appointed by the President
- 5-year term, early dissolution possible if Prime Minister loses confidence
- Primary legislative body, passes laws, approves budget, addresses public issues
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Parliamentary Sessions:
- Budget Session: February-March, annual budget presented
- Monsoon Session: July-August, legislative business
- Winter Session: November-December, pending legislative business
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Legislative Process:
- Bills introduced in either house by government (ministers) or private members
- Money Bills: Taxation, public expenditure, introduced only in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments but can't reject or amend
- Ordinary Bills: Introduced in either house, both houses must agree
- Constitutional Amendment Bills: Special majority in both houses, may require state legislature ratification
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Parliamentary Procedures:
- Debate: Members discuss bills in both houses, committees scrutinize for discussion
- Committees: Scrutinize legislation, expenditure, policy implementation
- Voting: Multiple stages including introduction, debate, committee scrutiny, voting
- If both houses agree, bill sent to President for assent
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Role of the President:
- Summons, prorogues Parliament, dissolves Lok Sabha on Prime Minister's advice
- Gives assent to bills, can withhold assent or return for reconsideration
Supreme Court of India
-
Composition:
- Chief Justice of India (CJI): Head of the court, appointed by the President
- Judges: Number determined by the President based on Chief Justice and collegium recommendations, currently up to 34 judges
- Appointment: Appointed by the President based on collegium recommendations (Chief Justice and four senior-most judges), not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution but through judgments and practices
- Tenure: Judges retire at 65, can be removed only through impeachment by Parliament
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Powers and Functions:
- Judicial Review: Reviews laws and executive actions for constitutionality
- Original Jurisdiction: Hears disputes between states or Union and states, enforces fundamental rights
- Appellate Jurisdiction: Hears appeals from lower courts in civil and criminal matters
- Constitutional Interpretation: Interprets the Constitution
- Advisory Jurisdiction: Gives advice to the President on matters of law
- Contempt of Court: Punishes those who disrespect court orders
- Public Interest Litigation (PIL): Allows individuals/organizations to file petitions on behalf of those who can't access justice
- Review Jurisdiction: Reviews its own judgments for errors or new evidence
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Judicial Process and Procedure:
- Bench System: Cases heard by one judge or a bench of multiple judges
- Procedure: Structured procedure for hearings, including filing petitions, arguments, judgments
- Legal Precedents: Supreme Court decisions are binding on lower courts
President of India
-
Role and Functions:
- Ceremonial Duties: Inaugurates Parliament, receives dignitaries, presides over state functions
- Executive Powers: Appoints Prime Minister, other ministers, Governors, judges, Comptroller and Auditor General
- Legislative Powers: Summons, prorogues Parliament, dissolves Lok Sabha, gives assent to bills, can withhold assent or return for reconsideration
- Emergency Powers: Assumes greater powers during emergencies
- Judicial Powers: Grants pardons, reprieves, or commutes sentences
-
Election and Tenure:
- Election: Elected by an electoral college (members of Parliament and state legislative assemblies) using proportional representation
- Term: 5 years, eligible for re-election
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Vice-President:
- Role: Second highest constitutional office, serves as ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
- Election: Elected by members of both houses of Parliament using proportional representation
- Tenure: 5 years, eligible for re-election
- Functions: Presides over Rajya Sabha, represents the Rajya Sabha, acts as President when necessary
Prime Minister of India
- Role: Head of government, highest executive authority
- Appointment: Appointed by the President, usually the leader of the majority party in Lok Sabha
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Responsibilities:
- Government Leadership: Leads the executive branch, makes policy, oversees programs
- Cabinet Formation: Appoints ministers, defines their portfolios, advises President on dismissing/reshuffling ministers
- Parliamentary Duties: Represents the government in Parliament, answers questions, debates policies
- Tenure: Serves as long as they maintain the confidence of the Lok Sabha, general election held every 5 years
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Council of Ministers:
- Role: Collective executive decision-making body, headed by the Prime Minister
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Categories:
- Cabinet Ministers: Senior ministers in charge of key ministries
- Ministers of State (MoS): Junior ministers, assist Cabinet Ministers
- Deputy Ministers: Assist Ministers of State
- Functions: Formulates and implements policies, drafts and enforces laws, manages administration
- Collective Responsibility: Entire Council responsible to the Lok Sabha, resign if Lok Sabha passes a vote of no confidence
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Description
Test your knowledge on the structure and functions of India's Parliament, including the roles of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Explore the details of the parliamentary sessions and how laws are made in the country. This quiz is ideal for students and anyone interested in Indian political systems.
