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Administrative and Legal Terms with Meanings
Practice administrative-glossary with 20 free MCQ questions covering english. Detailed explanations in English and Hindi, perfect for UPSC, SSC, and competitive exam preparation.
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Administrative and Legal Terms with Meanings20:00
administrative-glossary — Answer Key & Explanations (20 Questions)
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Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.
Q1.What does the term "quorum" mean?
- A.the minimum number of members needed to hold a valid meeting✓ Correct Answer
- B.the chairperson of the meeting
- C.the record of the previous meeting
- D.a vote of no confidence
Explanation: Without a quorum (गणपूर्ति) a meeting cannot take binding decisions.
Q2.What is a "gazette"?
- A.a private newspaper
- B.an official journal in which the government publishes notices and laws✓ Correct Answer
- C.a type of tax
- D.a government office building
Explanation: The Gazette (राजपत्र) publishes official notifications, appointments and laws.
Q3.What is an "ordinance"?
- A.a law issued by the executive when the legislature is not in session✓ Correct Answer
- B.a bill rejected by the legislature
- C.an order of a civil court
- D.a budget proposal
Explanation: In India the President or a Governor can promulgate an ordinance (अध्यादेश) while the legislature is not in session.
Q4.What does it mean to "adjourn" a meeting?
- A.to suspend it until a later time✓ Correct Answer
- B.to end it permanently by a vote
- C.to open it formally
- D.to record its minutes
Explanation: To adjourn (स्थगित करना) is to break off a meeting to resume later.
Q5.What are the "minutes" of a meeting?
- A.a list of the members present only
- B.the official written record of what was discussed and decided✓ Correct Answer
- C.the time limit of each speaker
- D.a notice calling the meeting
Explanation: Minutes (कार्यवृत्त) are the formal record of a meeting.
Q6.What is meant by the "veto" power?
- A.the power to approve a budget
- B.the power to reject a decision or a bill✓ Correct Answer
- C.the power to amend the constitution
- D.the power to call elections
Explanation: Veto (निषेधाधिकार) is the right to refuse assent to a proposal.
Q7.What is a "memorandum" in an office?
- A.an oral instruction
- B.a penalty order
- C.a short written note or record used for communication✓ Correct Answer
- D.an account book
Explanation: A memorandum (ज्ञापन) is a brief written communication within or between offices.
Q8.What is a "tender"?
- A.a fine imposed by a court
- B.a monthly salary slip
- C.a legal notice of eviction
- D.a formal offer to supply goods or services at a stated price✓ Correct Answer
Explanation: Tender (निविदा) is a bid submitted in response to a request for goods, services or works.
Q9.What is an "audit"?
- A.a recruitment test
- B.an order of transfer
- C.an official examination of accounts✓ Correct Answer
- D.a loan sanction
Explanation: Audit (अंकेक्षण) checks that accounts are accurate and spending is proper.
Q10.What is "bureaucracy"?
- A.rule by the army
- B.rule by a hereditary monarch
- C.rule by elected members only
- D.a system of administration run by appointed officials✓ Correct Answer
Explanation: Bureaucracy (नौकरशाही) is administration carried out by non-elected officials following fixed rules.
Q11.What is a "notification"?
- A.an informal conversation
- B.a salary increase
- C.a complaint against an officer
- D.an official announcement published for public information✓ Correct Answer
Explanation: Notification (अधिसूचना) is a formal public announcement of a rule, appointment or decision.
Q12.What is "jurisdiction"?
- A.a type of punishment
- B.a fee paid to a court
- C.a lawyer's opinion
- D.the official power to make legal decisions over a defined area or subject✓ Correct Answer
Explanation: Jurisdiction (क्षेत्राधिकार) is the authority of a court or body to act in a particular area or matter.
Q13.What is a "proviso"?
- A.a signature page
- B.a clause that adds a condition or exception to a rule✓ Correct Answer
- C.an appendix of maps
- D.a punishment clause
Explanation: A proviso (परंतुक) qualifies the main provision of a law.
Q14.What is meant by "dereliction of duty"?
- A.outstanding performance of duty
- B.promotion to a higher post
- C.neglect or failure to perform one's duty✓ Correct Answer
- D.voluntary retirement
Explanation: Dereliction of duty (कर्तव्य की उपेक्षा) is a punishable failure to do what one is required to do.
Q15.What does "ad hoc" mean, as in "an ad hoc committee"?
- A.permanent and elected
- B.held every year
- C.formed for a particular purpose or occasion✓ Correct Answer
- D.working in secret
Explanation: Ad hoc (तदर्थ) means set up for a specific task, not permanently.
Q16.What does "sine die" mean when a house is adjourned "sine die"?
- A.without fixing a date for meeting again✓ Correct Answer
- B.with immediate effect
- C.by a majority vote
- D.in secret session
Explanation: Adjournment sine die (अनिश्चित काल के लिए स्थगन) ends a sitting without naming a day to resume.
Q17.What does "ex officio" mean?
- A.without permission
- B.for a temporary period
- C.by virtue of holding a particular office or position✓ Correct Answer
- D.former holder of a post
Explanation: An ex officio (पदेन) member sits because of the office he or she holds, such as the Vice-President chairing the Rajya Sabha.
Q18.What does "status quo" mean?
- A.a new plan of action
- B.the existing state of affairs✓ Correct Answer
- C.an emergency situation
- D.a draft proposal
Explanation: Status quo (यथास्थिति) refers to things as they currently are.
Q19.What does "quasi-judicial" mean?
- A.having powers similar to those of a court although not itself a court✓ Correct Answer
- B.purely executive in nature
- C.belonging only to the legislature
- D.relating to the armed forces
Explanation: Quasi-judicial (अर्ध-न्यायिक) bodies such as tribunals can hear disputes and give decisions.
Q20.What is a writ of "mandamus"?
- A.a writ to produce a detained person before the court
- B.a writ forbidding a lower court from exceeding its jurisdiction
- C.a writ asking by what authority a person holds an office
- D.a writ commanding a public official to perform a public duty✓ Correct Answer
Explanation: Mandamus (परमादेश) compels a public authority to do its duty; the other options describe habeas corpus, prohibition and quo warranto.