Q80. Which Article lays down the procedure for amending the Constitution?
[RRB Group D (26 September 2022)]
(A) Article 324
(B) Article 368
(C) Article 148
(D) Article 110
Answer: (B) Article 368
Explanation: Article 368 prescribes the procedure for constitutional amendments. Depending on the subject, a special parliamentary majority and sometimes ratification by at least half the States are required; the basic structure doctrine also limits amendments.
Q79. Who held the Union Parliamentary Affairs portfolio in March 2022?
[RRB Group D (12 September 2022)]
(A) Arjun Ram Meghwal
(B) Pralhad Joshi
(C) Kiren Rijiju
(D) Nitin Gadkari
Answer: (B) Pralhad Joshi
Explanation: Pralhad Joshi served as Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in March 2022. This ministry helps coordinate government business between the Cabinet and both Houses, including scheduling parliamentary work and liaison concerning legislative priorities.
Q78. Which Union Ministry introduced the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022?
[RRB Group D (6 September 2022)]
(A) Home Affairs
(B) Finance
(C) Law and Justice
(D) Defence
Answer: (A) Home Affairs
Explanation: The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022 was introduced through the Ministry of Home Affairs. It sought to provide a legislative framework for taking and preserving specified measurements to assist criminal investigation and identification.
Q77. Regarding membership of the Indian Parliamentary Group, consider:
I. Only serving Lok Sabha MPs can join.
II. Former MPs can become members.
III. Certain parliamentary presiding officers hold ex officio membership.
Which are correct?
[CGPSC State Service Prelims (13 February 2022)]
(A) I only
(B) I and II
(C) II and III
(D) All three
Answer: (C) II and III
Explanation: The Indian Parliamentary Group includes eligible current and former Members of Parliament and designated ex officio parliamentary office-holders. Its activities promote parliamentary dialogue and international legislative cooperation rather than restricting membership solely to current Lok Sabha representatives.
Q76. Indian parliamentary democracy differs from Britain because:
1. British Parliament is sovereign whereas Indian Parliament has constitutional limits.
2. Constitutional-amendment validity issues may be referred to a Supreme Court Constitution Bench.
Which is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2021)]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (C) Both
Explanation: Unlike the British legislature, India’s Parliament is constrained by a written Constitution and judicially enforceable limits. Constitutional interpretation involving substantial questions of law can be heard by Supreme Court benches of the required constitutional strength.
Q75. The construction of the new Parliament building formed part of which redevelopment project?
[RRB NTPC (31 July 2021)]
(A) Central Vista
(B) Golden Quadrilateral
(C) Bharatmala
(D) Sagarmala
Answer: (A) Central Vista
Explanation: The new Parliament building was developed under the Central Vista redevelopment project in New Delhi. Its objective included updated legislative facilities and expanded chamber capacity, reflecting the evolving operational requirements of India’s Parliament.
Q74. When may Parliament legislate on a State List matter in the national interest?
[RRB NTPC (24 July 2021)]
(A) Following a two-thirds Rajya Sabha resolution under Article 249
(B) After a Supreme Court direction
(C) At the Speaker’s discretion
(D) By approval of every District Collector
Answer: (A) Following a two-thirds Rajya Sabha resolution under Article 249
Explanation: Article 249 allows Parliament to make laws on State List subjects where Rajya Sabha adopts a national-interest resolution by at least two-thirds of members present and voting. The power is temporary and governed by constitutional safeguards.
Q73. Which is the Upper House of the Indian Parliament?
[RRB NTPC (8 February 2021)]
(A) Lok Sabha
(B) Rajya Sabha
(C) Legislative Assembly
(D) Gram Sabha
Answer: (B) Rajya Sabha
Explanation: Rajya Sabha, or the Council of States, is India’s Upper House. Unlike Lok Sabha, it is a continuing body. Most members are indirectly elected, with periodic retirement, and twelve distinguished individuals may be nominated.
Q72. Which constitutional Article empowers Parliament to form new States or change existing States’ names and boundaries?
[RRB NTPC (7 April 2021)]
(A) Article 3
(B) Article 110
(C) Article 123
(D) Article 280
Answer: (A) Article 3
Explanation: Article 3 authorises Parliament by law to form new States and alter the area, boundaries or names of existing States. The Bill requires presidential recommendation and the affected State Legislature is given an opportunity to express its views.
Q71. Which body is NOT part of the Indian Parliament?
[RRB NTPC (31 January 2021)]
(A) President
(B) Lok Sabha
(C) Rajya Sabha
(D) State Legislative Council
Answer: (D) State Legislative Council
Explanation: Parliament comprises the President, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha under Article 79. Legislative Councils are components of bicameral State Legislatures where they exist, not institutions of the Union Parliament.
