Q50. Who discharges presidential functions if neither the President nor Vice-President is available?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I, 12 February 2021]
(A) Cabinet Secretary
(B) Union Home Minister
(C) Lok Sabha Speaker
(D) Chief Justice of India
Answer: (D) Chief Justice of India
Explanation: The President (Discharge of Functions) Act, 1969 provides that the Chief Justice of India, or the senior-most available Supreme Court judge, may discharge presidential functions if both the President and Vice-President are unavailable.
Q49. Under which constitutional Article is the Finance Commission constituted by the President?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I, 7 March 2021]
(A) Article 279
(B) Article 282
(C) Article 281
(D) Article 280
Answer: (D) Article 280
Explanation: Article 280 requires the President to constitute a Finance Commission usually once every five years. Its recommendations address tax sharing and related fiscal arrangements. Article 281 concerns the subsequent presentation of those recommendations before Parliament.
Q48. Who elects the President of India?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 22 August 2021]
(A) Members of Parliament only
(B) Members of State Assemblies only
(C) The people directly
(D) Elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the relevant State Assemblies
Answer: (D) Elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the relevant State Assemblies
Explanation: Article 54 establishes the indirect presidential election by an electoral college consisting of elected MPs and eligible elected Assembly members, including those from Delhi and Puducherry. Nominated members and members of Legislative Councils are excluded.
Q47. Which authority constitutes the Election Commission of India?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 22 August 2021]
(A) Vice-President
(B) Prime Minister
(C) President of India
(D) Chief Justice of India
Answer: (C) President of India
Explanation: Article 324 establishes the Election Commission and provides for presidential appointments subject to parliamentary law. The commission conducts elections to Parliament, State legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President. Its independence is constitutionally protected.
Q46. Who may establish an Inter-State Council under the Indian Constitution?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 22 August 2021]
(A) Prime Minister
(B) Parliament
(C) Chief Justice of India
(D) President of India
Answer: (D) President of India
Explanation: Article 263 authorises the President to establish an Inter-State Council to investigate disputes and advise on subjects of common concern. Its purpose is cooperative coordination among governments, rather than independent adjudication of inter-State disputes.
Q45. Which institution is popularly described as having a holder called “His Superfluous Highness”?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination, 22 August 2021]
(A) President of India
(B) Vice-President of India
(C) Governor
(D) Lok Sabha Speaker
Answer: (B) Vice-President of India
Explanation: The phrase has been applied critically to the Indian vice-presidency because ordinary executive responsibilities are limited. The Vice-President principally chairs the Rajya Sabha and acts as President only when constitutional circumstances require it.
Q44. Before deciding an ordinary constitutional disqualification question concerning a Lok Sabha member under Article 103, whose opinion must the President obtain?
[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination 2021]
(A) Lok Sabha Speaker
(B) Election Commission of India
(C) Supreme Court of India
(D) Attorney-General of India
Answer: (B) Election Commission of India
Explanation: Article 103 assigns the President decisions on specified parliamentary membership disqualifications after obtaining the Election Commission’s opinion, which must be followed. Anti-defection disqualification under the Tenth Schedule instead follows a different procedure involving the presiding officer.
Q43. To which Constitutional Amendment Act did President Ram Nath Kovind give assent in August 2021 concerning State identification of backward classes?
[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination 2021]
(A) One Hundred and Sixth
(B) One Hundred and Seventh
(C) One Hundred and Eighth
(D) One Hundred and Fifth
Answer: (D) One Hundred and Fifth
Explanation: The Constitution (One Hundred and Fifth Amendment) Act, 2021 restored States’ and Union Territories’ authority to identify socially and educationally backward classes for their own lists. It received presidential assent in August 2021.
Q42. Who appoints the Speaker pro tem of the Lok Sabha?
[SSC CGL 2020 Tier-I, held 23 August 2021 (Shift 3)]
(A) President of India
(B) Prime Minister
(C) Chief Justice of India
(D) Chief Election Commissioner
Answer: (A) President of India
Explanation: The President appoints a temporary Speaker, generally a senior member, to carry out initial duties after a new Lok Sabha election. The pro tem Speaker presides until the House elects its regular Speaker, including during members’ oath-taking.
Q41. Which Article empowers the President to promulgate ordinances?
[SSC CGL 2020 Tier-I, held 13 August 2021 (Shift 3)]
(A) Article 123
(B) Article 143
(C) Article 77
(D) Article 111
Answer: (A) Article 123
Explanation: Article 123 permits the President to make temporary ordinances when Parliament is not fully in session and immediate action is required. Article 143 instead enables a presidential reference to the Supreme Court for an advisory opinion.
