Q140. What is the constitutional implication of Article 356 concerning the President’s power and parliamentary safeguards?
[SSC CGL 2025, 26 September (Shift 1)]
(A) Dissolution of Parliament without approval
(B) Assumption of State-government functions subject to parliamentary approval within two months
(C) Declaration of financial emergency subject only to Rajya Sabha approval
(D) Suspension of all fundamental rights with Supreme Court approval
Answer: (B) Assumption of State-government functions subject to parliamentary approval within two months
Explanation: Article 356 permits a presidential proclamation regarding failure of constitutional machinery in a State. It must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months, subject to the constitutional exception where the Lok Sabha stands dissolved.
Q139. Which constitutional Article enables the President to establish an Inter-State Council?
[SSC CGL 2025, 13 September (Shift 1)]
(A) Article 263
(B) Article 264
(C) Article 312
(D) Article 262
Answer: (A) Article 263
Explanation: Article 263 authorises the President to establish an Inter-State Council when public interest would be served. The council can investigate disputes, discuss shared subjects and recommend coordinated policy. Article 262, by contrast, addresses inter-State water disputes.
Q138. Consider the statements:
1. The Solicitor General of India is appointed by the President.
2. A presidential candidate must deposit ₹15,000 as security.
Which is correct?
[SSC CGL 2025, 14 September (Shift 1)]
(A) Statement 1 only
(B) Statement 2 only
(C) Both statements
(D) Neither statement
Answer: (B) Statement 2 only
Explanation: The Solicitor General is a government law officer appointed under executive arrangements, not a constitutional officer appointed by the President. A candidate for President must lodge a ₹15,000 security deposit when filing the nomination papers, making only the second statement correct.
Q137. Under Article 255, what is the effect of not obtaining a required prior presidential recommendation before a law is passed?
[SSC CGL 2025, 13 September (Shift 2)]
(A) The law is automatically void
(B) The recommendation must always be repeated verbatim in the Act
(C) The procedural omission need not invalidate the Act when the required assent is eventually given
(D) The President must assent before Parliament passes the Bill
Answer: (C) The procedural omission need not invalidate the Act when the required assent is eventually given
Explanation: Article 255 treats specified requirements of previous recommendation or sanction as procedural. An Act is not invalid solely because the recommendation was missing, provided the appropriate constitutional assent is ultimately given. This protects legislation from certain procedural defects.
Q136. Consider the statements:
1. A State law on a Concurrent List subject, reserved for and assented to by the President, may prevail over an earlier conflicting Union law within that State.
2. Parliament may subsequently override it.
Which is correct?
[SSC CGL 2025, 15 September (Shift 2)]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Article 254(2) permits a State law on a Concurrent List subject to operate despite repugnancy to an earlier central law if presidential assent is obtained. Parliament retains power to enact a later law overriding or modifying that State provision.
Q135. For how many years does the President of India hold office?
[SSC CHSL 2025 Tier-I, 17 November (Shift 1)]
(A) Three years
(B) Four years
(C) Five years
(D) Six years
Answer: (C) Five years
Explanation: Article 56 fixes the presidential term at five years from the date of entering office. The President can be re-elected and ordinarily continues until a successor assumes office, preventing a vacancy merely because the term has expired.
Q134. What is the normal term of office of the President of India?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, 14 August (Shift 3)]
(A) Five years
(B) Until removed by Parliament
(C) Six years
(D) Four years
Answer: (A) Five years
Explanation: The Constitution establishes a five-year term for the President under Article 56. Removal before completion is possible through the special impeachment procedure, but this does not make the tenure indefinite. Re-election for another term is constitutionally permissible.
Q133. Which Article establishes the office of the President of India?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, 4 September (Shift 3)]
(A) Article 75
(B) Article 53
(C) Article 74
(D) Article 52
Answer: (D) Article 52
Explanation: Article 52 explicitly provides that India shall have a President. Article 53 then vests the Union’s executive power in that office. The two provisions are related but distinct: one establishes the constitutional post and the other sets out executive authority.
Q132. For the President of India, the advice of the Union Cabinet is generally ______.
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 13 June (Shift 2)]
(A) Overruled by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(B) Binding
(C) Merely suggestive
(D) Limited to economic matters
Answer: (B) Binding
Explanation: Article 74 requires the President to act according to the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. The President may request reconsideration once, but must act on the reconsidered advice, maintaining the accountability of the elected government.
Q131. For which kind of Bills may the President summon a joint sitting?
1. Ordinary Bills;
2. Money Bills;
3. Constitutional Amendment Bills.
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 18 June (Shift 3)]
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 1, 2 and 3
(C) 1 only
(D) 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 1 only
Explanation: Article 108 provides a joint sitting to resolve certain disagreements over ordinary legislation. It does not apply to Money Bills or constitutional amendment Bills. The President summons a joint sitting, which is normally presided over by the Lok Sabha Speaker.
