30. Which statements about the Indian Constitution are incorrect?
1. It does not use the word federation.
2. Article 5 empowers Parliament to create States.
3. State legislatures may legislate on Union List subjects.
4. Both levels may legislate on Concurrent List subjects.
[SSC CHSL 2024 Tier-I, 3 July 2024, Shift 2]
(A) Only 1
(B) 1 and 3
(C) 2 and 3
(D) 1 and 4
Answer: (C) 2 and 3
Explanation: Article 3, not Article 5, governs formation of new States. Union List matters generally lie within Parliament’s exclusive legislative competence. The Constitution does not use federation to describe India, and both Parliament and State legislatures may legislate on Concurrent List subjects.
29. On which of these subjects can a State Legislative Assembly make laws:
(i) Public order,
(ii) Agriculture,
(iii) Public health,
(iv) Cultivation of opium?
[MPPSC Assistant Professor, Political Science Paper II, 4 August 2024]
(A) Only (i)
(B) (i) and (ii) only
(C) (i), (ii) and (iii) only
(D) All four
Answer: (C) (i), (ii) and (iii) only
Explanation: Public order, agriculture and public health belong to the State List. Cultivation of the opium poppy and manufacture of opium fall under the Union List. The lists in the Seventh Schedule determine primary legislative authority, subject to constitutional exceptions.
28. Which scholar said that Centre–State relations under Congress governments in the 1970s shifted from political bargaining towards feudal tutelage?
[RPSC Assistant Professor, Political Science Paper II, 11 September 2024]
(A) J. R. Siwach
(B) Bhagwan Dua
(C) Myron Weiner
(D) Morris Jones
Answer: (D) Morris Jones
Explanation: Political scientist Morris Jones used this characterisation to describe growing central dominance over State governments during the period. It captures the tension between formal constitutional federalism and actual party-political arrangements that may weaken State bargaining power.
27. Which statements are correct about Centre–State legislative relations?
A. Unlisted subjects are residuary subjects.
B. The Union List prevails in a legislative competence conflict with the State List.
C. A law passed at the request of two States applies automatically to every State.
[SSC CGL 2023 Tier-I, 17 July 2023, Shift 4]
(A) A and C only
(B) B and C only
(C) A, B and C
(D) A and B only
Answer: (D) A and B only
Explanation: A and B are correct. Residuary law-making power belongs to Parliament, and the Union List has priority in its field. Under Article 252, a parliamentary law requested by two or more States applies to those States and subsequently adopting States, not automatically everyone.
26. Statement I: States manage prisons using their own day-to-day rules.
Statement II: The Prisons Act, 1894 retained prison administration with provincial governments.
Which option is correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, General Studies Paper I]
(A) Both are correct, and II explains I
(B) Both are correct, but II does not explain I
(C) I is correct and II is incorrect
(D) I is incorrect and II is correct
Answer: (A) Both are correct, and II explains I
Explanation: Prisons are primarily a State List subject and State administrations manage them. The Prisons Act, 1894 historically placed this responsibility with provincial authorities, explaining the established practice. States administer their prisons under applicable legislation, rules and prison manuals.
25. Which commission recommended an Inter-Governmental Council under Article 263 in the place of the proposed Inter-State Council?
[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination 2023]
(A) Rajamannar Commission
(B) Punchhi Commission
(C) Administrative Reforms Commission
(D) Sarkaria Commission
Answer: (D) Sarkaria Commission
Explanation: The Sarkaria Commission proposed a permanent Inter-Governmental Council as a national consultative institution under Article 263. The Union subsequently established the Inter-State Council in May 1990. The recommendation aimed to institutionalise dialogue and coordination among governments.
24. Which Article deals with grants-in-aid from the Union to the States?
[WBCS Mains 2023, Polity]
(A) Article 270
(B) Article 280
(C) Article 275
(D) Article 265
Answer: (C) Article 275
Explanation: Article 275 provides for statutory grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India to States needing assistance. Article 280 establishes the Finance Commission, which recommends principles governing these grants. Article 270 concerns tax distribution and Article 265 concerns lawful taxation.
23. The Punchhi Commission report related to which issue?
[SSC CHSL 2023, 9 August 2023, Shift 1]
(A) Centre–State relations
(B) Electoral reforms
(C) Fiscal federalism alone
(D) Creation of new States
Answer: (A) Centre–State relations
Explanation: The Union appointed the Punchhi Commission in 2007 under former Chief Justice M. M. Punchhi to review the working of Centre–State relations. Its 2010 report covered legislative, administrative and financial coordination, Governors and other federal issues.
22. Article 279A of the Constitution relates to which body?
[RRB Group D 2022, 17 August 2022, Shift 2]
(A) Goods and Services Tax Council
(B) Election Commission of India
(C) Finance Commission
(D) Union Public Service Commission
Answer: (A) Goods and Services Tax Council
Explanation: Article 279A provides for the GST Council, chaired by the Union Finance Minister and including State representatives. It recommends GST rates, exemptions and related arrangements to foster coordinated indirect taxation across the Union and States. It embodies cooperative fiscal federalism.
21. The Finance Commission is established under which Article of the Constitution?
[RRB Group D 2022, 14 September 2022, Shift 3]
(A) Article 276
(B) Article 280
(C) Article 273
(D) Article 288
Answer: (B) Article 280
Explanation: Article 280 provides for a Finance Commission appointed by the President at five-year intervals or earlier when necessary. Its duties include advising on distribution of Union tax proceeds and grants to States, helping correct fiscal imbalances in the federation.
