State and Union Territories of India

149

Q10. By which constitutional amendment was Sikkim admitted as a full State of India?

[UPSC CDS General Knowledge (04 Feb 2018), 2018]

1. 35th
2. 36th
3. 37th
4. 38th

Answer: (B) 36th

Explanation: The Thirty-sixth Constitutional Amendment Act, 1975 made Sikkim a full State of the Indian Union. The earlier Thirty-fifth Amendment had created an intermediate associate-state arrangement. Sikkim’s capital is Gangtok and it is a Himalayan border state.

Q9. What is Rajasthan’s official state bird?

[RPSC Assistant Engineer DLB (2016), 2016]

1. Great Indian bustard (Godawan)
2. Owl
3. Crane
4. Sarus crane

Answer: (A) Great Indian bustard (Godawan)

Explanation: The Great Indian bustard, locally called Godawan, is Rajasthan’s state bird. It inhabits dry grasslands and desert landscapes and faces serious conservation threats. Rajasthan’s animal symbols include the chinkara and camel, representing its wildlife and desert heritage.

Q8. Put Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka in descending order of area.

[MPPSC State Service General Studies (2016), 2016]

1. Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka
2. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
3. Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
4. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu

Answer: (C) Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

Explanation: Rajasthan is largest among the four states, followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This ordering uses their geographic areas, not population. The question rewards knowing both comparative size and the difference between state and Union Territory rankings.

Q7. What majority is ordinarily needed in Parliament to pass a law creating a new State?

[UPPSC Civil Services GS I (2016), 2016]

1. Simple majority plus ratification by two-thirds of States
2. Simple majority in Parliament
3. Two-thirds parliamentary majority plus State ratification
4. None of these

Answer: (B) Simple majority in Parliament

Explanation: A new-state law under Articles 3 and 4 is passed by a simple majority of Parliament. The President’s recommendation and consultation with affected state legislatures are procedural requirements, but states do not possess a binding veto over the reorganisation.

Q6. Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, lies comparatively near which major latitude?

[WBCS Preliminary Examination (2015), 2015]

1. Equator
2. Tropic of Cancer
3. Tropic of Capricorn
4. Arctic Circle

Answer: (B) Tropic of Cancer

Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer crosses West Bengal north of Kolkata through parts of the state. Kolkata itself is situated at about 22.6 degrees north, a short distance south of the Tropic near 23.4 degrees north.

Q5. Which is the correct order of statehood: Nagaland, Haryana, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh?

[UPSC CSE Prelims GS I (2007), 2007]

1. Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Haryana
2. Nagaland, Haryana, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh
3. Sikkim, Haryana, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh
4. Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Haryana

Answer: (B) Nagaland, Haryana, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh

Explanation: Nagaland became a State in 1963, Haryana in 1966, Sikkim in 1975 and Arunachal Pradesh in 1987. This chronological sequence reflects different constitutional and legislative processes through which India’s map evolved after Independence.

Q4. Which territories border Uttar Pradesh: 1. Punjab 2. Rajasthan 3. Chhattisgarh 4. Jharkhand?

[UPSC CSE Prelims GS I (2005), 2005]

1. 1, 2, 3 and 4
2. 2, 3 and 4
3. 1 and 4
4. 1 and 3

Answer: (B) 2, 3 and 4

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh shares borders with Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, but not Punjab. Haryana and Delhi intervene to the west. The 2005 UPSC question requires recognizing actual state boundaries rather than relying only on regional proximity.

Q3. Which statement about Goa, Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli is incorrect?

[UPSC CSE Prelims GS I (2000), 2000]

1. Goa gained statehood in 1987
2. Diu is an island in the Gulf of Khambhat
3. Daman and Diu separated from Goa in 1987
4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli was under French rule until 1954

Answer: (D) Dadra and Nagar Haveli was under French rule until 1954

Explanation: Dadra and Nagar Haveli was formerly Portuguese, not French, territory; local liberation occurred in 1954. Goa gained statehood in 1987, leaving Daman and Diu a separate Union Territory. The question tests colonial history tied to Union Territory formation.

Q2. Under Article 3, which assertions are incorrect:
1. Parliament may enlarge a State;
2. Parliament may reduce it;
3. Parliament cannot change boundaries;
4. Parliament cannot rename a State?

[UPSC CSE Prelims GS I (1994), 1994]

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 3
3. 3 and 4
4. None

Answer: (C) 3 and 4

Explanation: Article 3 expressly permits Parliament to increase or diminish state territory, alter boundaries and change state names. Hence claims that Parliament cannot alter boundaries or names are incorrect. The constitutional procedure includes a presidential recommendation and consultation with the state concerned.

Q1. Which pair of northeastern States was NOT carved out from Assam: Manipur-Meghalaya, Mizoram-Tripura, Arunachal-Nagaland or Manipur-Tripura?

[UPSC CSE Prelims GS I (1992), 1992]

1. Manipur and Meghalaya
2. Mizoram and Tripura
3. Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland
4. Manipur and Tripura

Answer: (D) Manipur and Tripura

Explanation: Manipur and Tripura were former princely states and were not carved out of Assam. By contrast, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have histories involving separation from Assam or the former North-East Frontier administrative region. This was asked in 1992.