Constitutional Amendment MCQ: 103rd EWS Quota, I.R. Coelho Case & Shankari Prasad Ruling

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

1. Q1.The 91st Amendment Act limited the size of the Council of Ministers to what percentage of the total strength of the Lok Sabha?

   • A.10%
   • B.12%
   • C.15%✓ Correct Answer
   • D.20%

   Explanation: The 91st Amendment Act (2003) limited the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, to 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.

2. Q2.Which amendment included Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali in the Eighth Schedule?

   • A.91st Amendment
   • B.92nd Amendment✓ Correct Answer
   • C.96th Amendment
   • D.86th Amendment

   Explanation: The 92nd Amendment Act of 2003 included four more languages in the Eighth Schedule: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali.

3. Q3.The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011 is related to:

   • A.Anti-Defection
   • B.Co-operative Societies✓ Correct Answer
   • C.GST
   • D.Reservation in Promotions

   Explanation: The 97th Amendment Act gave constitutional status and protection to co-operative societies and added Part IX-B.

4. Q4.Which amendment accorded constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)?

   • A.101st Amendment
   • B.102nd Amendment✓ Correct Answer
   • C.103rd Amendment
   • D.104th Amendment

   Explanation: The 102nd Amendment Act of 2018 conferred constitutional status on the National Commission for Backward Classes (Article 338B).

5. Q5.The 103rd Amendment Act provides for what percentage of reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)?

   • A.5%
   • B.10%✓ Correct Answer
   • C.15%
   • D.7.5%

   Explanation: The 103rd Amendment Act (2019) provides for 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in central government jobs and educational institutions.

6. Q6.Which amendment removed the reserved seats for the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies?

   • A.103rd Amendment
   • B.104th Amendment✓ Correct Answer
   • C.105th Amendment
   • D.100th Amendment

   Explanation: The 104th Amendment Act (2020) extended the reservation for SCs/STs but discontinued the reservation of seats for Anglo-Indians.

7. Q7.The 105th Constitutional Amendment Act clarified whose power to identify and specify socially and educationally backward classes?

   • A.Central Government
   • B.State Governments✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Supreme Court
   • D.President

   Explanation: The 105th Amendment Act (2021) restored the power of State governments to identify and specify Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) for their own purposes.

8. Q8.What type of majority is required to amend the 'Salaries and allowances of the members of Parliament'?

   • A.Simple Majority✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Special Majority
   • C.Special Majority + Ratification
   • D.Executive Order

   Explanation: Salaries and allowances of MPs (Second Schedule) can be amended by a simple majority of Parliament.

9. Q9.Delimitation of constituencies can be amended by:

   • A.Simple Majority✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Special Majority
   • C.Special Majority + Ratification
   • D.Cannot be amended

   Explanation: Delimitation of constituencies is a provision that can be amended by a simple majority of Parliament.

10. Q10.To amend the provisions of Article 368 itself, what is required?

    • A.Simple Majority
    • B.Special Majority
    • C.Special Majority + Ratification by half of states✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Unanimous consent

    Explanation: Amending Article 368 itself affects the amending power and procedure, which is a federal feature, thus requiring Special Majority and Ratification by states.

11. Q11.In Shankari Prasad case (1951), the Supreme Court ruled that:

    • A.Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights
    • B.The word 'law' in Article 13 includes constitutional amendments
    • C.Parliament can take away Fundamental Rights by amendment✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Basic structure cannot be amended

    Explanation: The SC ruled that the power to amend the Constitution under Article 368 includes the power to amend Fundamental Rights, and 'law' in Article 13 does not include constitutional amendments.

12. Q12.Which case clarified that the 'Basic Structure' doctrine applies to constitutional amendments enacted after April 24, 1973?

    • A.Golak Nath Case
    • B.Kesavananda Bharati Case
    • C.Waman Rao Case✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Minerva Mills Case

    Explanation: In the Waman Rao Case (1981), the Supreme Court adhered to the Basic Structure doctrine and clarified that it applies to amendments enacted after April 24, 1973.

13. Q13.In I.R. Coelho Case (2007), the Supreme Court ruled that laws placed in the Ninth Schedule:

    • A.Are completely immune from judicial review
    • B.Are open to judicial review if they violate Basic Structure✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Cannot be challenged on any ground
    • D.Can only be reviewed by the President

    Explanation: The Court ruled that laws placed in the Ninth Schedule after April 24, 1973, are open to judicial review if they violate the Basic Structure of the Constitution.

14. Q14.Which of the following is considered a defect in the amendment procedure of the Indian Constitution?

    • A.Parliament cannot initiate amendments
    • B.The procedure is too rigid
    • C.No time limit for states to ratify✓ Correct Answer
    • D.States have too much power

    Explanation: A criticism is that the Constitution is silent on the time limit within which the state legislatures should ratify or reject an amendment.

15. Q15.In which case did the Supreme Court explicitly state that 'Judicial Review' is a basic feature of the Constitution?

    • A.Minerva Mills Case✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Shankari Prasad Case
    • C.Golak Nath Case
    • D.Berubari Union case

    Explanation: In the Minerva Mills case (1980), the Supreme Court invalidated the provision that excluded judicial review, stating that judicial review is a basic feature.