Previous Year Papers - Indian Polity - 1 - BPSC (Bihar) MCQ

The Constitution of India is the longest, written constitution in the world, with 448 articles under 25 parts, 12 schedules, 5 appendices, and 101 amendments today. But few know that our Constitution borrowed some of its most salient features from other countries around the world.

From- U.S.A Written Constitution

1. Written Constitution

2. Vice President as the ex office Chairman of Rajya Sabha

3. Fundamental Rights

4. Supreme Court

5. Provision of States

6. Independence of Judiciary and

7. judicial review

8. Preamble

9. Removal of Supreme court and High court Judges

The answer is A: Industrial democracy.

Industrial democracy is a philosophy that advocates for workers to have a say in the decisions that are made about their workplace. This can include things like how the work is done, how the company is run, and how the profits are shared. There are many different ways to implement industrial democracy, but some common methods include:

• Worker participation: This is where workers are given the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes, either directly or indirectly.
• Worker representation: This is where workers elect representatives to speak on their behalf in decision-making processes.
• Worker ownership: This is where workers own the company they work for, either directly or indirectly.

Industrial democracy has a number of benefits, including:

• Increased productivity: When workers have a say in how their work is done, they are more likely to be motivated and productive.
• Improved morale: When workers feel like they are part of a team and have a say in the decisions that are made, they are more likely to be satisfied with their work and their workplace.
• Reduced conflict: When workers have a say in how their work is done, they are less likely to feel like they are being treated unfairly, which can lead to reduced conflict in the workplace.

Industrial democracy is not without its challenges. One challenge is that it can be difficult to implement, especially in large organizations. Another challenge is that it can be difficult to get all of the stakeholders (workers, managers, owners) to agree on how to implement industrial democracy.

Despite the challenges, industrial democracy is a worthwhile goal. It can lead to a more productive, motivated, and satisfied workforce, which can benefit both the workers and the company.

Federal form of government
The correct answer is C: Federal form of government.
A federal form of government is characterized by the division of powers and an independent judiciary. Here's why:
1. Division of powers:
- In a federal system, power is divided between a central government and regional or state governments.
- This division of powers ensures that no single authority has absolute control, and it prevents the concentration of power in one level of government.
- It allows for more localized decision-making and helps in addressing regional issues effectively.
- Examples of federal systems include the United States, Canada, Australia, and India.
2. Independent judiciary:
- An independent judiciary is crucial in a federal system to maintain the balance of power between the central and state governments.
- The judiciary acts as an impartial arbiter and interpreter of the constitution, ensuring that the division of powers is respected and maintained.
- It also safeguards the rights of citizens and ensures that any disputes between central and state governments are resolved fairly and impartially.
- The judiciary's independence from the executive and legislative branches of government is critical for maintaining the rule of law and protecting the democratic principles of a federal system.
In conclusion, a federal form of government is characterized by the division of powers between central and regional governments and an independent judiciary. These features ensure a balanced distribution of power, effective decision-making, and protection of democratic principles.

Answer: D. Has no religion of its own
Explanation:
A Secular State is a concept where the government or the state does not have any official religion and does not favor any particular religion or religious organization. In a secular state:

• Separation of religion and state: The government does not endorse or support any specific religion, and it remains neutral in matters of religion. This includes not having an official religion or religious symbols in government institutions.
• Equal treatment of all religions: All religions are treated equally under the law, and no particular faith is given preference over others. This ensures that all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, have equal rights and opportunities.
• Freedom of religion: Citizens have the right to practice their religion or not practice any religion at all, without interference from the government. This includes the freedom to change one's religion or belief, and the freedom to manifest one's religion or belief in worship, teaching, and practice.
• Religious tolerance and respect: A secular state promotes religious tolerance and respect among its citizens, acknowledging that individuals have different beliefs and that these beliefs should be respected and protected.

In summary, a secular state is one that has no religion of its own, does not endorse any specific religion, and treats all religious beliefs equally, allowing for freedom of religion and promoting religious tolerance among its citizens.

The Preamble to the Constitution of India mentions several important ideals and goals that the Constitution seeks to achieve. Of the options provided, the correct answer is D: Adult franchise. Here are the explanations for the other options:

A: Justice: The Preamble to the Constitution of India mentions justice as one of its key ideals. The Preamble declares that the Constitution is adopted to secure to all citizens of India "justice, social, economic, and political". This shows the commitment of the Constitution to ensuring that all citizens are treated justly, regardless of their social or economic status.

B: Fraternity: The Preamble also mentions fraternity as one of the key ideals of the Constitution. The term "fraternity" refers to a sense of brotherhood and solidarity among all citizens of India, regardless of their religion, caste, or language. This shows the commitment of the Constitution to promoting national unity and social harmony.

C: Equality of status: The Preamble also mentions equality as one of the key ideals of the Constitution. The term "equality" refers to the equal treatment of all citizens before the law and the absence of any discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, gender, or other factors. This shows the commitment of the Constitution to creating a just and egalitarian society.

D: Adult franchise: The Preamble to the Constitution of India does not mention adult franchise. However, the right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution as a fundamental right and is a key feature of India's democratic system. Adult franchise was introduced in India through the Indian Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988, which lowered the voting age from 21 years to 18 years.

Option B is the correct answer: Dr Rajendra Prasad was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly of India.

• Dr Rajendra Prasad was a freedom fighter, social worker, and the first President of India.
• He was elected as the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly on December 11, 1946.
• As the Chairman, Dr Rajendra Prasad played a key role in guiding the Assembly's proceedings and ensuring that all members had an opportunity to express their views on the Constitution.
• Dr B R Ambedkar (Option A) was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly and played a major role in drafting the Constitution of India. Jawaharlal Nehru (Option C) and Vallabhbhai Patel (Option D) were also members of the Constituent Assembly and played important roles in the making of the Constitution.

Answer is C : 26th November 1949

The drafting of the Indian Constitution was completed on 26th November 1949. The explanation for this answer is as follows:
Background:
- After gaining independence from British rule in August 1947, India needed a new Constitution to govern itself.
- The Constituent Assembly, comprising of representatives from all regions and communities of India, was formed to draft the Constitution.
Drafting Process:
- The drafting process began on 9th December 1946, with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar being appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
- The Committee went through several drafts and discussions, taking into account the experiences of other countries and adapting them to the Indian context.
Completion of the Draft:
- The final draft of the Constitution was completed on 26th November 1949, after nearly three years of deliberations.
- On this day, the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution, and it was signed by 284 members.
Implementation of the Constitution:
- Although the drafting was completed on 26th November 1949, the Constitution did not come into effect immediately.
- The Constitution was implemented on 26th January 1950, a day that is now celebrated as Republic Day in India.

Answer is A: England

Concept of Single Citizenship in India
- India has adopted the concept of single citizenship from England.
- This means that there is only one type of citizenship in India, and that is Indian citizenship.
Features of Single Citizenship in India
- All citizens of India are subject to the same laws and enjoy the same rights and privileges.
- There are no separate citizenships for states or union territories within India.
- Citizens of India are not required to obtain additional permits or documents when moving or working within the country.
Comparison with Other Countries
- In contrast, the United States follows a concept of dual citizenship, where citizens have both federal and state citizenship.
- Canada also has a form of dual citizenship, where citizens have both Canadian citizenship and provincial or territorial citizenship.
- France follows a concept of single citizenship similar to India, where all citizens are subject to the same laws and enjoy the same rights and privileges.
In summary, India has adopted the concept of single citizenship from England, which means that there is only one type of citizenship in the country, and all citizens are subject to the same laws and enjoy the same rights and privileges.

Jaiprakash Narayan's Proposal of Partyless Democracy in India:
Background:

• Jaiprakash Narayan, also known as JP, was an Indian independence activist, social reformer, and political leader.
• He was deeply influenced by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave.
• JP played a significant role during the freedom struggle and later in shaping the political landscape of post-independence India.

Partyless Democracy:

• During the 1950s and 1960s, JP became increasingly disillusioned with the functioning of political parties in India, particularly the dominance of a single party, the Indian National Congress.
• He believed that political parties were becoming increasingly corrupt and were not serving the interests of the people.
• In response, JP proposed the concept of partyless democracy, a system in which people would elect independent candidates instead of candidates affiliated with political parties.
• JP argued that this system would be more transparent, accountable, and would better serve the needs of the people.

Impact and Legacy:

• Although partyless democracy was never implemented in India, JP's ideas did have a lasting impact on the country's political landscape.
• In the 1970s, JP led a mass movement against corruption and the concentration of power in the hands of a few, which ultimately led to the fall of the ruling Congress government and the rise of a coalition government led by the Janata Party.
• JP's ideas continue to influence political thought in India, with many people advocating for electoral reforms to reduce the influence of political parties and promote greater transparency and accountability.

Direct democracy
Direct democracy refers to a form of government wherein citizens out rightly take part in the administration of the government.
Indirect democracy
Indirect democracy implies a democracy in which people vote for their representative, to represent them in the Parliament.

Answer: d. 27th December, 1911 in Calcutta
Explanation:
- The National Anthem of India, "Jana Gana Mana," was written by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
- It was first sung on 27th December 1911 at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress.
- The anthem was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the Indian national anthem on 24th January 1950.
- "Jana Gana Mana" was chosen because it represents the unity and diversity of the country and is a symbol of pride for all Indians.

Answer: B - Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation:
- The Government of India Act, 1858, marked the beginning of British rule in India for the purpose of good governance.
- This act came into effect after the suppression of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which exposed the inadequacies of the British East India Company's administration in India.
The key features of the Government of India Act, 1858, were:
1. End of East India Company's Rule: The act abolished the rule of the British East India Company and transferred the administration of India to the British Crown.
2. Establishment of the Office of Secretary of State for India: A new office, the Secretary of State for India, was created to oversee the administration of India. The Secretary of State was a member of the British Cabinet and was responsible for the governance of India.
3. Creation of the Council of India: A 15-member Council of India was established to assist the Secretary of State for India. The council members were appointed by the British Crown and included both British and Indian members.
4. Appointment of Viceroy and Governors: The act provided for the appointment of a Viceroy to serve as the representative of the British Crown in India. The Viceroy was responsible for the overall administration of India and was assisted by governors in the provinces.
5. Introduction of Indian Civil Services: The act led to the establishment of the Indian Civil Services, a bureaucratic system for the administration of India. The civil servants were responsible for implementing the policies and decisions of the British government in India.
Overall, the Government of India Act, 1858, laid the foundation for British rule in India, aiming to provide good governance and pave the way for several other administrative reforms in the years to come.

The Constitution of India came into force on 26th January, 1950.
Here is an explanation of the answer:
Background:

• India gained independence from British rule on 15th August 1947.
• After gaining independence, there was a need to create a constitution for the newly independent nation to govern its affairs.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee to create the Constitution of India.

Constitution Drafting Process:

• The Drafting Committee submitted the first draft of the Constitution on 4th November 1947 to the Constituent Assembly.
• The Constituent Assembly had several sessions to discuss, debate, and amend the draft constitution.
• The final draft of the Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949.

Constitution Comes into Force:

• The Constitution of India came into force on 26th January 1950, which marked the transition of India from a dominion to a republic.
• 26th January was chosen as the date to commemorate the "Purna Swaraj" declaration of independence that took place on 26th January 1930.
• Since then, India celebrates 26th January as its Republic Day every year, honoring the date when the Constitution came into effect.

The basic features of the Constitution are non-amendable under Article 368. In the seminal Kesavananda Bharti v. Union of India, the following features were considered as the “basic foundation and structure” of the Constitution:
(1) The supremacy of the Constitution; 
(2) Separation of Powers between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary; 
(3) Republican and democratic form of Government’;
(4) Secular character of the Constitution; 
(5) Federal character of the Constitution; 
(6) The dignity of the individual secured by the various Fundamental Rights and the mandate to build a welfare state contained in the directive principles; 
(7) The unity and integrity of the nation.
(8) Parliamentary system. The above features have been mentioned as only illustrative and the list is not by any means exhaustive.

Since, Kesavananda, the matter has been considered by the Supreme Court in several cases and the Court has had occasion to declare several features of the Constitution as fundamental features or basic structures of the Constitution.

Explanation of Answer:
India's Constitution Preamble identifies the country as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, and Democratic republic. This can be understood as follows:
Sovereign:
- India is an independent and self-governing nation, free from external control or influence.
- The country has complete authority to make its own decisions and is not subject to any foreign power.
Socialist:
- The term 'socialist' was added to the Preamble through the 42nd Amendment in 1976.
- It signifies the commitment to social justice and a mixed economy, where the state has a responsibility for the welfare of all citizens, including the less privileged and marginalized sections of the society.
Secular:
- India is a secular state, which means that it does not promote or favor any religion.
- All religions are treated equally, and citizens have the freedom to practice and propagate their religion without any discrimination.
Democratic:
- India is a democratic country, which means that it is governed by the people through their elected representatives.
- The government is based on the principles of universal adult suffrage, where every citizen above the age of 18 has the right to vote, and periodic free and fair elections are held.
Republic:
- The head of the state in India is an elected President.
- The President is elected indirectly by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies of the States.
- This ensures that the government is accountable and responsible to the people.

In conclusion, the Preamble of the Indian Constitution enshrines the core principles and values that guide the nation's governance and serves as a reflection of the aspirations and ideals of the Indian people.

Satyameva Jayate is a mantra from the ancient Indian scripture Mundaka Upanishad. Upon independence of India, it was adopted as the national motto of India.

The constitutional head of the Executive of the Union is the President. As per Article 79 of the Constitution of India, the council of the Parliament of the Union consists of the President and two Houses known as the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).

The constitution of India provides for three types of emergency:-

1. National Emergency: due to war, external aggression or armed rebellion.
2. State Emergency: due to failure of constitutional machinery in the States under Article 356 of the constitution.

3. Financial Emergency: provided under Article 360 of the constitution.

Lotus is the National Flower of India. It is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since time immemorial.

Although additional changes to India's state boundaries have been made since 1956, the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 remains the single most extensive change in state boundaries since the independence of India in 1947.

The preamble to the Indian constitution was amended by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 whereby the words Socialist, Secular and Integrity were added to the preamble by the 42nd amendment Act, 1976, to ensure the economic justice and elimination of inequality in income and standard of life.

In the Constitution states that India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States. The territory of India shall consist of: The territories of the states, The Union territories and Any territory that may be acquired. The names of the States and the Unions have been described in the First Schedule.

Mukherjee was elected as vice-president of the constituent assembly. B. N. Rau was appointed as its constitutional adviser.

There is only one article pertaining to the Minorities in the Constitution of India. Article 30 of the Constitution provides that all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. The Constitution thus envisages that minorities can be based on religion or language. Minorities are identified on the basis of percentage of the population of the Group to the total population.

The Constituent Assembly of India was elected to write the Constitution of India. Some of its prominent members were Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Acharya J.B. Kriplani, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Smt. Sarojini Naidu, K M Munshi, Shri Hare-Krushna Mahatab, Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Shri Sarat Chandra Bose, Shri C. Rajagopalachari and Shri M. Asaf Ali.

A Cabinet Mission was sent to India in 1946. While it rejected the idea of two Constituent Assemblies, it put forth a scheme for the Constituent Assembly which more or less satisfied with the Muslim League. The Constituent Assembly was constituted in November 1946 under the scheme formulated by the Cabinet Mission Plan.

The preamble to the Indian constitution was amended by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 whereby the words Socialist, Secular and Integrity were added to the preamble by the 42nd amendment Act, 1976, to ensure the economic justice and elimination of inequality in income and standard of life.

According to Dr. Jennings said that: “Equality before the law means that equality among equals the law should be equal for all. And should be equally administered, that like should treated alike. The right to sue and be sued, to prosecute and prosecuted for the same kind of action should be same for all citizens of full age and understanding without distinctions of race, religion, wealth, social status or political influence.”

A federal system of government is one that divides the powers of government between the national (federal) government and state and local governments. The Constitution of the United States established the federal system, also known as federalism.

"Satyameva Jayate" is a mantra from the ancient Indian scripture Mundaka Upanishad. Following the independence of India, it was adopted as the national motto of India in 26 January 1950. It is inscribed in script at the base of the national emblem. The emblem and the words "Satyameva Jayate" are inscribed on one side of all Indian currency. The emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka which was erected around 250 BCE at Sarnath, near Varanasi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is inscribed on all currency notes and national documents.