Constitutional Bodies

280

Q175. Which constitutional Article establishes the Finance Commission in India?

[DSSSB MTS, 1 August 2026 (Shift 1)]

1. Article 280
2. Article 19
3. Article 324
4. Article 51A

Answer: (A) Article 280

Explanation: Article 280 directs the President to constitute a Finance Commission every five years, or sooner if necessary. The Commission recommends division of tax proceeds between the Union and the States and principles governing grants-in-aid.

Q174. Who chaired the Sixteenth Finance Commission, whose report was tabled in February 2026?

[RRB Group D, 9 August 2026 (Shift 1)]

1. Arvind Panagariya
2. Sanjay Malhotra
3. Montek Singh Ahluwalia
4. Ashok Lahiri

Answer: (A) Arvind Panagariya

Explanation: The President constituted the Sixteenth Finance Commission in December 2023 under Arvind Panagariya. Its central responsibility was to recommend fiscal transfers for the five-year period beginning in April 2026, including both vertical and horizontal tax devolution.

Q173. Who heads the Council of Ministers that assists and advises a State Governor?

[DSSSB MTS, 25 July 2026 (Shift 2)]

1. Chief Minister
2. Advocate General
3. Chief Secretary
4. Speaker of the Assembly

Answer: (A) Chief Minister

Explanation: Article 163 provides for a Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister to aid and advise the Governor, except where discretion applies. The Advocate General is the State’s chief legal adviser, not the political executive’s head.

Q172. Which unified election-related digital platform was announced by the Election Commission in May 2025?

[DSSSB Assistant Superintendent, 3 July 2026 (Shift 2)]

1. ElectNet
2. ECIAPP
3. ElectApp 1.0
4. ECINET

Answer: (D) ECINET

Explanation: ECINET was announced as a consolidated platform bringing together over forty separate Election Commission mobile and web applications. It aimed to simplify access for voters, candidates and officials while improving the delivery of election-related digital services.

Q171. Which Article establishes the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?

[DSSSB Assistant Superintendent, 1 July 2026 (Shift 3)]

1. Article 340
2. Article 336
3. Article 342
4. Article 338

Answer: (D) Article 338

Explanation: Article 338 provides for the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. The Commission monitors constitutional safeguards, investigates complaints and reports to the President. Article 338A separately concerns Scheduled Tribes, while Article 338B concerns Backward Classes.

Q170. The constitutional post of Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities is provided under which Article?

[DSSSB Court Attendant, 28 June 2026 (Shift 2)]

1. Article 370
2. Article 343
3. Article 326
4. Article 350B

Answer: (D) Article 350B

Explanation: Article 350B was inserted through the Seventh Constitutional Amendment in 1956. The President appoints the Special Officer to investigate implementation of constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities and submit reports for placement before Parliament.

Q169. Which body is described as the balancing wheel of fiscal federalism?

[DSSSB Court Attendant, 24 June 2026 (Shift 2)]

1. Comptroller and Auditor General
2. NITI Aayog
3. Inter-State Council
4. Finance Commission

Answer: (D) Finance Commission

Explanation: The Finance Commission evaluates both the financial imbalance between the Union and States and disparities among States. Under Article 280, its recommendations guide tax sharing and grants so that different governments can meet their responsibilities.

Q168. Which Article provides for a Finance Commission to review the finances of municipalities?

[DSSSB Court Attendant, 22 June 2026 (Shift 2)]

1. Article 243Y
2. Article 243I
3. Article 243X
4. Article 243H

Answer: (A) Article 243Y

Explanation: Article 243Y extends the State Finance Commission’s review to municipalities. Article 243I provides for a commission at the State level to examine Panchayat finances, and the same institutional mechanism also recommends measures for urban local bodies.

Q167. Which amendment introduced the constitutional framework for the GST Council?

[DSSSB Court Attendant, 21 June 2026 (Shift 2)]

1. 98th Amendment
2. 100th Amendment
3. 101st Amendment
4. 99th Amendment

Answer: (C) 101st Amendment

Explanation: The Constitution (101st Amendment) Act, 2016 added Article 279A for the GST Council. It created an institutional forum bringing Union and State representatives together to recommend GST rates, exemptions and related administration.

Q166. The Election Commission of India is best classified as which kind of body?

[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, 20 June 2026 (Shift 3)]

1. Non-constitutional body
2. Constitutional body
3. Statutory body
4. Only a quasi-judicial body

Answer: (B) Constitutional body

Explanation: The Election Commission derives its existence directly from Article 324 of the Constitution, making it a constitutional rather than merely statutory institution. It supervises national and State legislative elections and elections for President and Vice-President.