Q1. Which feature of the Indian Constitution reflects a deviation from the pure federal model as per classical federal theories?
- Division of powers between Centre and States
- Supremacy of the Constitution
- Existence of a single judiciary
- Bicameral legislature at the Centre
Correct Option: 3. Existence of a single judiciary
Explanation: In classical federalism (like the USA), separate judicial systems exist for the union and the states. India’s single, integrated judiciary is a unitary feature, showing deviation from the pure federal model.
Q2. Which constitutional provision allows the Parliament to make laws on subjects in the State List under certain circumstances, thereby indicating the centralising bias of the Constitution?
- Article 249
- Article 263
- Article 265
- Article 311
Correct Option: 1. Article 249
Explanation: Under Article 249, Parliament can legislate on State List subjects in the national interest if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution supported by two-thirds of members present and voting. This highlights India’s unitary tendency.
Q3. Which of the following statements about the ‘basic structure doctrine’ is incorrect?
- It was propounded in the Kesavananda Bharati case.
- It allows Parliament to amend all provisions including those affecting the federal structure.
- It restricts Parliament from altering essential constitutional features.
- It has been upheld in subsequent cases like Minerva Mills and I.R. Coelho.
Correct Option: 2. It allows Parliament to amend all provisions including those affecting the federal structure.
Explanation: The basic structure doctrine limits Parliament’s amending power, especially regarding features fundamental to the Constitution such as federalism, secularism, and the separation of powers.
Q4. The Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution were inspired from which of the following sources?
- U.S. Constitution
- Weimar Constitution of Germany
- Irish Constitution
- French Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen
Correct Option: 3. Irish Constitution.
Explanation: India adopted the concept of Directive Principles from the Irish Constitution, which emphasizes social and economic democracy.
Q5. Which Schedule of the Constitution was added to protect land reform laws from judicial review and was later challenged in courts?
- Sixth Schedule
- Ninth Schedule
- Eleventh Schedule
- Twelfth Schedule
Correct Option: 2. Ninth Schedule.
Explanation: The Ninth Schedule was added by the First Amendment Act, 1951, to shield land reform and other laws from judicial review. However, in I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu (2007), the Supreme Court ruled that even laws under the Ninth Schedule must adhere to the basic structure.