2015
Q10. In whom is the executive power of the Union of India vested?
[UPPSC Preliminary Examination 2015]
(A) Prime Minister
(B) President of India
(C) Council of Ministers
(D) Parliament
Answer: (B) President of India
Explanation: Article 53 vests Union executive power in the President. Under Article 74, however, the President ordinarily acts on advice from the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The formal vesting therefore does not produce a presidential system.
Q9. Parliament of India consists of which of the following?
[UPPSC Preliminary Examination 2015]
(A) Lok Sabha only
(B) Rajya Sabha only
(C) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha only
(D) President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Answer: (D) President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Explanation: Article 79 makes the President a constituent of Parliament along with the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The President is not a voting member of either House but participates constitutionally through summons, addresses and assent to Bills.
Q8. Who summons a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament?
[UPPSC Preliminary Examination 2015]
(A) President of India
(B) Lok Sabha Speaker
(C) Prime Minister
(D) Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Answer: (A) President of India
Explanation: Article 108 empowers the President to notify an intention to summon a joint parliamentary sitting when a qualifying legislative deadlock occurs. The sitting is generally presided over by the Lok Sabha Speaker and is unavailable for Money Bills.
Q7. Which Article governs impeachment of the President of India?
[UPPSC Preliminary Examination 2015]
(A) Article 53
(B) Article 61
(C) Article 74
(D) Article 13
Answer: (B) Article 61
Explanation: Article 61 establishes the impeachment mechanism for violation of the Constitution. Charges can begin in either parliamentary House, with fourteen days’ notice and heightened voting thresholds to protect the constitutional office from ordinary political removal.
Q6. Who discharges the duties of President if both the President and Vice-President are unable to act?
[UPPSC Preliminary Examination 2015]
(A) Chief Justice of India
(B) Prime Minister
(C) Lok Sabha Speaker
(D) Attorney-General of India
Answer: (A) Chief Justice of India
Explanation: The President (Discharge of Functions) Act, 1969 enables the Chief Justice of India, or the senior-most available Supreme Court judge, to discharge presidential functions if the offices of President and Vice-President are both unable to function.
2007
Q5. Consider:
1. A Financial Emergency proclamation under Article 360 ceases after two months unless approved by both Houses.
2. During such emergency, the President may reduce Union government salaries but cannot reduce Supreme Court or High Court judges’ salaries.
Which statement is correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2007]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (A) 1 only
Explanation: Article 360 imposes parliamentary approval within two months for Financial Emergency. Presidential financial directions may extend to reduction of salaries and allowances, including those of Supreme Court and High Court judges, so the second statement is incorrect.
2004
Q4. Match the books with their authors:
A. My Presidential Years;
B. The Hindu View of Life;
C. Voice of Conscience;
D. Without Fear or Favour.
Authors:
1. S. Radhakrishnan;
2. V. V. Giri;
3. N. Sanjiva Reddy;
4. R. Venkataraman.
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2004]
(A) 2, 1, 4, 3
(B) 4, 3, 2, 1
(C) 2, 3, 4, 1
(D) 4, 1, 2, 3
Answer: (D) 4, 1, 2, 3
Explanation: R. Venkataraman authored My Presidential Years, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan wrote The Hindu View of Life, V. V. Giri wrote Voice of Conscience, and Neelam Sanjiva Reddy authored Without Fear or Favour. The resulting sequence is 4–1–2–3.
2003
Q3. Under which Article did the President promulgate the electoral-reforms ordinance in 2002 after the Union Cabinet returned it without changes?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2003]
(A) Article 121
(B) Article 122
(C) Article 123
(D) Article 124
Answer: (C) Article 123
Explanation: Article 123 grants the President the ordinance-making power when Parliament is not fully in session. The 2002 electoral-reforms ordinance raised questions concerning the President’s ability to seek reconsideration of Cabinet advice, but promulgation was governed by this Article.
Q2. Under which Article did the President refer the question of deferring Gujarat Assembly elections to the Supreme Court for its opinion in 2002?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2003]
(A) Article 142
(B) Article 143
(C) Article 144
(D) Article 145
Answer: (B) Article 143
Explanation: Article 143 permits the President to refer qualifying questions of law or fact of public importance to the Supreme Court for an advisory opinion. The Gujarat election scheduling controversy resulted in a presidential reference under this special advisory jurisdiction.
2002
Q1. Which Constitutional Amendment empowered the President to send a matter back to the Council of Ministers for reconsideration?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2002]
(A) Thirty-ninth Amendment
(B) Fortieth Amendment
(C) Forty-second Amendment
(D) Forty-fourth Amendment
Answer: (D) Forty-fourth Amendment
Explanation: The Forty-fourth Constitutional Amendment introduced the President’s express power to request reconsideration of ministerial advice once under Article 74. Once the Council has reconsidered and returned its advice, the President is constitutionally bound to act accordingly.
