Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is (A) - (3), (B) - (4), (C) - (1), (D) - (2)

Key Points

• The Constitution (61st Amendment Act), 1989, reduced the voting age for Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly elections from 21 years to 18 years under Article 326.  
• Article 354 concerns the elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assemblies.
• The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 was enacted from 25 June 1975 – 21 March 1977.
• 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act made two changes in the Preamble that is changed the characterization of India to "sovereign, socialist secular democratic republic" from "sovereign democratic republic.  
• It also changes the words ‘unity of the nation'  to ‘unity and integrity of the nation'.
• 38th Amendment Constitutional Amendment Act, officially known as The Constitution Act, 1975, made the declaration of The Emergency final and conclusive.
• The Constitution (44th Amendment Act), 1978 replaced the term ‘internal disturbance’ with the term ‘armed rebellion’ concerning the national emergency.
• 44th Amendment Act has made the President declare a national emergency only on the cabinet‘s written recommendation.
• 44th Amendment Act also guaranteed the fundamental rights during a national emergency by Articles 20 and 21 can not be suspended. 

Additional Information

• Under The Constitution (36th Amendment) Act, 1975, Sikkim became the 22nd state of the India Union.
• It also includes the omission of the 10th schedule.

The correct answer is The Supreme Court.

Key Points 

• The Supreme Court of India is called the custodian of the Constitution in India.
• The highest court in India, the Supreme Court is considered as the guardian of the Constitution.
• The conflicts or quarrels of jurisdiction between the central government and the state governments or between the legislature and the executive are decided by the court.
• It upholds and uplifts the rule of law and also ensures and protects citizens’ rights and liberties as given in the Constitution.
• Therefore, the Supreme Court is also known as the Guardian of the Constitution.​

Additional Information 

• The Indian constitution provides for a provision of the Supreme Court under Part V (The Union) and Chapter 6 (The Union Judiciary).
• The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial court and the final court of appeal under the Constitution of India, the highest constitutional court, with the power of judicial review.
• India is a federal state and has a single and unified judicial system with a three-tier structure, i.e. Supreme Court, High Courts, and Subordinate Courts.

The correct answer is ​Secularism.

Key Points

• Secularism
  • The Indian Constitution allows individuals the freedom to live by their religious beliefs and practices as they interpret these.
  • In keeping with this idea of religious freedom for all, India also adopted a strategy of separating the power of religion and the power of the State.
  • Secularism refers to this separation of religion from the State. 
  • The most important aspect of secularism is its separation of religion from state power.
  • This is important for a country to function democratically.
  • Almost all countries of the world will have more than one religious group living in them. Within these religious groups, there will most likely be one group that is in a majority.
  • If this majority religious group has access to State power, then it could quite easily use this power and financial resources to discriminate against and persecute persons of other religions.
  • This tyranny of the majority could result in discrimination, coercion, and at times even the killing of religious minorities.
  • The majority could quite easily prevent minorities from practicing their religions.
  • Any form of domination based on religion violates the rights that a democratic society guarantees to every citizen irrespective of their religion.
  • Therefore, the tyranny of the majority and the violation of Fundamental Rights that can result is one reason why it is important to separate the State and religion in democratic societies.
  • Another reason that it is important to separate religion from the State in democratic societies is that we also need to protect the freedom of individuals to exit from their religion, embrace another religion or have the freedom to interpret religious teachings differently.

Explanation:

A money bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha on the recommendation of the president.

After it is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for its consideration.

The Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a money bill. It can only make the recommendations.

It must return the bill to the Lok Sabha within 14 days, with or without recommendations.

The Lok Sabha can either accept/reject all or any of the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha.

If the Lok Sabha accepts any recommendation, the bill is then considered to have been passed by both the Houses

If the Lok Sabha does not accept any recommendation, the bill is then considered to be passed by both the Houses in the form originally approved by the Lok Sabha.

There is no provision of holding a joint sitting in case of disagreement between the two houses.

The correct answer is the Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy.

PREAMBLE:

1. It is a short introduction to the Indian Constitution.
2. According to the Preamble-

   Ø  The source of authority of the Indian Constitution lies with the Indian people.

   Ø  India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, and Republic nation.

   Ø  Objectives - to secure justice, liberty, equality to all citizens and promote fraternity so as to maintain unity and integrity of India.

3. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution secures the Social, Economic, and Political Justice of its people.
4. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution gives Liberty of Thought, Expression, Belief, Faith, and Worship to its people.
5. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution gives  Equality of Status and Opportunity to its people.

DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY (DPSP):

1. These are the 15 guidelines given to the federal institutes governing the State of India that are to be kept under consideration while forming the laws.
2. These are moral obligations and not the legal bindings on the state authorities.
3. Articles 36-51 in Part IV of the Indian Constitution contain the DPSP.
4. Borrowed from the Irish Constitution.
5. As per Article 38 of the DPSP, the state shall strive to promote the welfare of the people of India by securing and protecting their Social, Economic, and Political justice.