UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of daily subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Each day, we cover one new subject. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Polity and Governance to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the History, Culture, and Social Issues MCQs. Don’t miss checking the answers and explanations at the end of the quiz.

With reference to the power of President to promulgate Ordinances, consider the following statements:

1. Under Article 143 of the Constitution, the President may promulgate such Ordinances when both Houses of Parliament are not in session.

2. The government is required to bring an Ordinance before Parliament for ratification at the expiration of six months from the reassembly of Parliament.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Which of the following motions depend upon or relate to other motion or follow upon some proceedings in the House?

(a) Subsidiary Motions

(b) Closure Motion

(c) Substitute Motions

(d) Substantive Motions

With reference to the disqualification of an MP, consider the following statements:

1. A person shall be disqualified if he is not a citizen of India

2. A person shall be disqualified if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State.

3. A person shall not be disqualified if he is of unsound mind.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Consider the following statements:

1. The Cabinet Secretariat functions directly under the Prime Minister.

2. The Cabinet Secretariat is not responsible for the administration of the Government of India.

3. The Cabinet Secretary is the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Which of the following articles of the Constitution of India provides for the duration of Houses of Parliament?

(a) Article 80

(b) Article 81

(c) Article 82

(d) Article 83

FYI:

— Under Article 123 of the Constitution (“Power of President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of Parliament”), “if at any time, except when both Houses of Parliament are in session, the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action, he may promulgate such Ordinances as the circumstances appear to him to require.” Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— An Ordinance “shall have the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament”. But the government is required to bring an Ordinance before Parliament for ratification — and failure to do so will lead to its lapsing “at the expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament”. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The Ordinance may lapse earlier if the President withdraws it — or if both Houses pass resolutions disapproving it. Also, if an Ordinance makes a law that Parliament is not competent to enact under the Constitution, it shall be considered void.

— Since the President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers, it is in effect the government that decides to bring the Ordinance. The President may return the recommendation of the Cabinet once if she feels it warrants reconsideration; if it is sent back (with or without reconsideration), she has to promulgate it.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— Motions can be classified under the following categories, namely:—

(i) Substantive Motions;

(ii) Substitute Motions; and

(iii) Subsidiary Motions.

— A substantive motion is a self-contained, independent proposal submitted for the approval of the House and drafted in such a way as to be capable of expressing a decision of the House, e.g. all resolutions are substantive motions.

— Motions moved in substitution of the original motion for taking into consideration a policy or situation or statement or any other matter are called substitute motions.

— Subsidiary Motions depend upon or relate to other motion or follow upon some proceedings in the House. They by themselves have no meaning and are not capable of stating the decision of the House without reference to the original motion or proceedings of the House.

— Subsidiary motions can be further divided into:—

(1) Ancillary Motions;

(2) Superseding Motions; and

(3) Amendments

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: sansad.in)

FYI:

— Article 102 deals with the disqualification of MPs from either house of the Parliament. A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of Parliament —

(a) if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder; Hence, statement 2 is correct.

(b) if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

(c) if he is an undischarged insolvent;

(d) if he is not a citizen of India, or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State, or is under any acknowledgment of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State; Hence, statement 1 is correct.

(e) if he is so disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament.”

— A person shall be disqualified for being a member of either House of Parliament if he is so disqualified under the Tenth Schedule.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— The Cabinet Secretariat functions directly under the Prime Minister. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The administrative head of the Secretariat is the Cabinet Secretary who is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for administrating the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961 and Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 facilitating smooth business transaction in Ministries/ Departments. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The Secretariat assists in decision-making in Government by ensuring Inter-Ministerial coordination, ironing out differences amongst Ministries/Departments and evolving consensus through the instrumentality of the standing/adhoc Committees of Secretaries.

— One of the duties of the Cabinet Secretariat is to manage significant crisis situations in the nation and to coordinate the actions of several ministries in such a circumstance.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: cabsec.gov.in)

FYI:

— Article 83 of the Constitution of India provides for the duration of Houses of Parliament.

— The Council of States shall not be subject to dissolution, but as nearly as possible one-third of the members thereof shall retire as soon as may be on the expiration of every second year in accordance with the provisions made in that behalf by Parliament by law.

— The House of the People will last for five years from its first meeting, unless sooner dissolved. The House will be disbanded after the five-year period expires.

— Provided that, while a Proclamation of Emergency is in effect, Parliament may by legislation extend the duration for no more than one year at a time, and in no case for more than six months after the Proclamation has expired.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Source: Constitution of India)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 50)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 49)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 49)

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Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 49)

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