Centre-State Relations MCQ: Article 252 Repeal, Ninth Schedule & Sarkaria on Governors

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.When Parliament legislates on a State subject on the request of two or more states (Article 252), who can amend or repeal that act?

   • A.The State Legislatures concerned
   • B.Only the Parliament✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Both Parliament and State Legislatures
   • D.President

   Explanation: Under Article 252, the Act passed by Parliament can be amended or repealed only by the Parliament and not by the legislatures of the concerned states.

2. Q2.Which Article deals with the exemption of Central property from State taxation?

   • A.Article 285✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 289
   • C.Article 290
   • D.Article 291

   Explanation: Article 285 exempts the property of the Union from all taxes imposed by a State or by any authority within a State.

3. Q3.The 'Punchhi Commission' recommended that the Inter-State Council should meet at least how many times a year?

   • A.Once
   • B.Twice
   • C.Thrice✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Four times

   Explanation: The Punchhi Commission recommended that the Inter-State Council needs to be made more functional and should meet at least thrice a year.

4. Q4.Which subject relates to 'Betting and Gambling'?

   • A.Union List
   • B.State List✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Concurrent List
   • D.Residuary List

   Explanation: Betting and Gambling are listed in the State List (Entry 34).

5. Q5.The power to decide the share of states in the net proceeds of income tax is vested in:

   • A.Parliament
   • B.President (on recommendation of Finance Commission)✓ Correct Answer
   • C.NITI Aayog
   • D.Finance Minister

   Explanation: The President, after considering the recommendations of the Finance Commission, prescribes by order the percentage of the net proceeds of taxes to be assigned to the states.

6. Q6.Which Amendment added the Ninth Schedule to protect land reform laws from judicial review, impacting Centre-State relations?

   • A.1st Amendment, 1951✓ Correct Answer
   • B.7th Amendment, 1956
   • C.24th Amendment, 1971
   • D.42nd Amendment, 1976

   Explanation: The 1st Amendment Act of 1951 added the Ninth Schedule to protect land reforms and other laws included in it from judicial review.

7. Q7.The administrative expenses of the office of the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) are charged upon:

   • A.Consolidated Fund of India✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Contingency Fund of India
   • C.Public Account of India
   • D.Shared between Centre and States

   Explanation: The administrative expenses of the CAG, including all salaries, allowances, and pensions, are charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India and are not subject to the vote of Parliament.

8. Q8.For a state to impose a tax on the consumption or sale of electricity, whose consent is required if the electricity is consumed by the Government of India?

   • A.President
   • B.Parliament
   • C.Supreme Court
   • D.It cannot be taxed✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Article 287 prohibits the State from imposing a tax on the consumption or sale of electricity which is consumed by the Government of India or sold to the Government of India.

9. Q9.Which of the following is NOT a function of the Inter-State Council?

   • A.Inquiring into disputes between states
   • B.Investigating subjects of common interest
   • C.Making binding decisions on water disputes✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Making recommendations for better coordination of policy

   Explanation: The Inter-State Council is an advisory body. Adjudication of water disputes is done by Tribunals under Art 262, not the Council.

10. Q10.Who determines the share of the states in the net proceeds of the GST?

    • A.GST Council✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Finance Commission
    • C.Parliament
    • D.President

    Explanation: While the Finance Commission recommends distribution of the divisible pool, the GST Council makes recommendations on the apportionment of IGST and principles of supply. *Clarification: The sharing of Central GST/IGST is effectively governed by the GST Council's framework within constitutional bounds.*

11. Q11.Article 258A was added by which Amendment?

    • A.7th Amendment, 1956✓ Correct Answer
    • B.42nd Amendment, 1976
    • C.44th Amendment, 1978
    • D.24th Amendment, 1971

    Explanation: Article 258A (Power of the States to entrust functions to the Union) was inserted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956.

12. Q12.The 'Sarkaria Commission' recommended that the Governor should normally be:

    • A.A politician from the ruling party
    • B.An outsider to the state✓ Correct Answer
    • C.A retired civil servant only
    • D.A member of the state legislature

    Explanation: Sarkaria Commission recommended that the Governor should be a person from outside the state and should not be intimately connected with the local politics of the state.

13. Q13.If a State law imposes a tax on the sale of water or electricity stored or generated by a Central authority (like DVC), the law is valid only if:

    • A.Parliament provides for it by law
    • B.President gives assent✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Supreme Court approves
    • D.GST Council approves

    Explanation: Article 288 states that such a state law shall not have effect unless it has been reserved for the consideration of the President and has received his assent.

14. Q14.Which one of the following is an example of 'Cooperative Federalism'?

    • A.Appointment of Governor
    • B.All India Services
    • C.GST Council✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Emergency Provisions

    Explanation: The GST Council is a prime example of cooperative federalism where both Centre and States work together to decide on indirect taxation.

15. Q15.Under Article 268, Stamp Duties are levied by the Union but:

    • A.Collected and appropriated by the Union
    • B.Collected and appropriated by the States✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Collected by Union but shared with States
    • D.Collected by States but appropriated by Union

    Explanation: Article 268: Taxes levied by the Union but collected and appropriated by the States (e.g., Stamp duties on bills of exchange, etc.).

16. Q16.The residuary power of legislation in the US Constitution lies with:

    • A.Federal Government
    • B.States✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Supreme Court
    • D.President

    Explanation: In the US, residuary powers are vested in the States. In Canada and India, they are vested in the Centre (Union).

17. Q17.Which article mandates that the State shall provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education?

    • A.Article 350A✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 351
    • C.Article 343
    • D.Article 29

    Explanation: Article 350A imposes a duty on every State and local authority to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups.

18. Q18.The Governor reserves a state bill for the consideration of the President. This is an example of:

    • A.Executive Control
    • B.Legislative Control✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Judicial Control
    • D.Financial Control

    Explanation: This is a form of Legislative Control of the Centre over the State legislation.

19. Q19.Which of the following is NOT an All-India Service?

    • A.Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
    • B.Indian Police Service (IPS)
    • C.Indian Forest Service (IFS)
    • D.Indian Foreign Service (IFS)✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is a Central Service, not an All-India Service. The three All-India Services are IAS, IPS, and Indian Forest Service.

20. Q20.The division of powers in the Indian Constitution is derived from:

    • A.Government of India Act, 1935✓ Correct Answer
    • B.US Constitution
    • C.Canadian Constitution
    • D.Irish Constitution

    Explanation: The scheme of distribution of legislative powers (Union, State, and Concurrent Lists) is largely based on the Government of India Act, 1935.