Indian Polity and Constitution Mixed Practice — MCQs with Answers (Set 11)

Piracy under international law (and UNCLOS) requires two specific elements: the act must occur on the high seas (outside any state’s territorial waters), and it must be committed for private ends, not political or state motives. This is why the 2026 Strait of Hormuz tanker attacks, being state-linked military action, do not legally qualify as piracy, while Somali pirate attacks do.

PESA, 1996, extends the Panchayati Raj system into Scheduled Areas — but with a key difference from ordinary Panchayats: it recognises the Gram Sabha’s authority over customary law, community resources, and minor forest produce, respecting tribal self-governance traditions rather than a one-size-fits-all model.

Security operations can clear an area of armed cadres, but if schools, roads, and land grievances remain unaddressed, the same conditions that drove recruitment the first time persist — and can produce a new generation of recruits once security forces move on. Governance and development sustain gains that force alone cannot.

A Tribes Advisory Council advises the state Governor on matters affecting the welfare and advancement of Scheduled Tribes — an advisory body, not a governing one. The Governor retains real administrative authority over Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule.

The Fifth Schedule governs the administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in most states. The Sixth Schedule is a separate, distinct mechanism for tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram — a common mix-up in exams.

Statement-I is correct: Article 292 lets the Union borrow inside/outside India within Parliament-set limits, while Article 293 restricts State borrowing to within India. Statement-II is incorrect because India’s public debt includes not just the Central Government’s liabilities but also those of States and other components.

Article 285(1) exempts Union property from all State and local-authority taxes unless Parliament provides otherwise. It safeguards Union property (e.g. railways) from State taxation, with Clause (2) saving pre-Constitution levies.

Article 15(5), added by the 93rd Amendment (2005), permits the State to make special provisions, including reservation, for SC/ST/OBC in admission to educational institutions, including private aided and unaided ones — other than minority institutions protected under Article 30(1).

The answer is Right to education. Article 21A gives free and compulsory education to children aged six to fourteen. The Eighty-sixth Amendment Act, 2002 inserted it, in force from 1 April 2010. Why the others fail: health, livelihood and a clean environment were read into Article 21 by the Court. They are not named in Article 21A. Memory hook: 21A is the A for Admission to school.

The answer is Article 21. Article 359 lets the President suspend the right to move court for Part III rights, except Articles 20 and 21. The words “except articles 20 and 21” came from the Forty-fourth Amendment Act, in force from 20 June 1979. Why the others fail: Articles 14, 19 and 22 are not in that exception. Memory hook: after 1979, the court door for Article 21 stays open.

The correct answer is K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India. A nine-judge bench decided it on 24 August 2017. The case began as a challenge to Aadhaar. Memory hook: Puttaswamy means privacy.

The answer is Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India. On 25 January 1978 a seven-judge bench held that the procedure under Article 21 must be right, just and fair. It must not be arbitrary, fanciful or oppressive. Why the others fail: Gopalan (1950) read the phrase narrowly. Kesavananda Bharati is a basic-structure case, not the source of this test. I.R. Coelho is not where the fairness test began. Memory hook: Maneka means fair procedure.

The answer is Procedure established by law. Article 21 says no person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. The first draft said “due process of law”, but the Drafting Committee recommended the new wording. After Maneka Gandhi (1978), that procedure must be right, just and fair. Why the others fail: due process of law is the draft wording that was not kept. Natural justice and executive order are not the words of Article 21. Memory hook: the text says procedure, the Court made it fair.

A policy cut reduces the demand to Re 1 and shows disapproval of the policy behind it. A token cut reduces it by Rs 100 and airs a specific grievance. An economy cut reduces it by a stated sum for economy.

India modernised Haj infrastructure across three pillars — Digital, Medical, and Physical — letting the Ministry measure progress on each separately.

Haj 2026 introduced a short-duration Haj option lasting around 20 days, responding to demand from working professionals who cannot commit to the traditional multi-week itinerary.

The Haj Suvidha Smart Wristbands help locate missing pilgrims and assist with navigation and emergency alerts — solving the problem of pilgrims getting separated in unfamiliar cities abroad.

The Haj Committee of India is a statutory body under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, set up under the Haj Committee Act, 2002.

Panchayat and Municipality elections belong to State Election Commissions. Article 243K covers Panchayats and Article 243ZA covers Municipalities. The national Commission handles Parliament, State Legislatures, and the two top offices.

Article 324(1) covers elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State. It also covers elections to the offices of President and Vice-President.

Article 350B creates a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities, commonly known as the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM), who investigates safeguards and reports to the President.

TRAI is a statutory regulatory authority established by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, to regulate telecom services including tariffs and quality.

Statement-I is correct: Article 292 lets the Union borrow inside and outside India within Parliament-set limits, while Article 293 restricts State borrowing to within India. Statement-II is incorrect because India’s public debt includes not just the Central Government’s internal and external liabilities but also those of States and other components.

The correct answer is preventing infiltration along borders and coasts. These units help the Border Security Force. They are raised in border States only. Memory hook: Border Wing means infiltration.

The correct answer is the Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on 9 December 2019. It made celebratory gunfire that endangers life an offence. Memory hook: gunfire means Arms Act.