Indian Polity MCQ: Voting Age, Sarkaria Commission & Parliamentary Committees

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

1. Q1.Single Citizenship in India is a provision borrowed from which country?

   • A.USA
   • B.Canada
   • C.Britain✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Ireland

   Explanation: The concept of Single Citizenship was borrowed from the British Constitution (UK). USA has dual citizenship.

2. Q2.Under Article 326, what is the basis for elections to the Lok Sabha?

   • A.Property qualification
   • B.Education level
   • C.Adult suffrage✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Nominated by Governor

   Explanation: Article 326 states that elections to the House of the People and Legislative Assemblies shall be on the basis of adult suffrage.

3. Q3.The 61st Amendment Act 1988 reduced the voting age from 21 years to what?

   • A.20 years
   • B.19 years
   • C.18 years✓ Correct Answer
   • D.16 years

   Explanation: The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988 lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years.

4. Q4.Which Article empowers the President to grant pardons?

   • A.Article 61
   • B.Article 72✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Article 123
   • D.Article 352

   Explanation: Article 72 empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment.

5. Q5.The Attorney-General of India is appointed under which Article?

   • A.Article 74
   • B.Article 75
   • C.Article 76✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Article 78

   Explanation: The Attorney-General for India is appointed by the President under Article 76.

6. Q6.How many members are there in the Public Accounts Committee?

   • A.15
   • B.22✓ Correct Answer
   • C.30
   • D.25

   Explanation: The PAC consists of 22 members: 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha.

7. Q7.Which committee is the largest committee of Parliament?

   • A.Public Accounts Committee
   • B.Estimates Committee✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Committee on Public Undertakings
   • D.Petitions Committee

   Explanation: The Estimates Committee is the largest, comprising 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha.

8. Q8.The "Zero Hour" in Parliamentary procedure starts at what time in Lok Sabha?

   • A.11:00 AM
   • B.12:00 Noon✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1:00 PM
   • D.10:00 AM

   Explanation: Zero Hour starts immediately after the Question Hour and lasts until the agenda for the day is taken up (usually around 12 Noon).

9. Q9.Who acts as the Chairman of the National Development Council?

   • A.President
   • B.Prime Minister✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Finance Minister
   • D.Vice-President

   Explanation: The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the National Development Council (NDC).

10. Q10.Article 213 empowers whom to promulgate ordinances?

    • A.President
    • B.Governor✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Chief Minister
    • D.Speaker

    Explanation: Article 213 empowers the Governor of a state to promulgate ordinances during the recess of the state legislature.

11. Q11.The Sarkaria Commission was set up to review what?

    • A.Tribal welfare
    • B.Centre-State relations✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Judicial reforms
    • D.Financial emergency

    Explanation: The Sarkaria Commission was set up in 1983 to examine the relationship and balance of power between Centre and States.

12. Q12.Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?

    • A.K.V.K. Sundaram
    • B.Sukumar Sen✓ Correct Answer
    • C.S.P. Sen Verma
    • D.Nagendra Singh

    Explanation: Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India, serving from 1950 to 1958.

13. Q13.What is the tenure of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)?

    • A.5 years
    • B.6 years or 65 years of age✓ Correct Answer
    • C.5 years or 65 years of age
    • D.Till the pleasure of President

    Explanation: The CAG holds office for a period of six years or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

14. Q14.Article 356 is related to what?

    • A.National Emergency
    • B.Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in states✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Financial Emergency
    • D.Official Language

    Explanation: Article 356 relates to President's Rule (State Emergency) in case of failure of constitutional machinery in states.

15. Q15.Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 was originally known by what name?

    • A.Untouchability Act
    • B.The Untouchability (Offences) Act✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Anti-Caste Act
    • D.Human Rights Act

    Explanation: It was originally enacted as 'The Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955' and renamed in 1976.

16. Q16.Who is the highest civil services officer of the Central Government?

    • A.Home Secretary
    • B.Cabinet Secretary✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Finance Secretary
    • D.Principal Secretary to PM

    Explanation: The Cabinet Secretary is the ex-officio head of the Civil Services Board and the highest civil servant in India.

17. Q17.Which Amendment is known as the "Mini-Constitution"?

    • A.24th Amendment
    • B.42nd Amendment✓ Correct Answer
    • C.44th Amendment
    • D.73rd Amendment

    Explanation: The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 is called the 'Mini-Constitution' due to its extensive changes and additions.

18. Q18.Article 249 gives power to the Parliament to legislate on subjects in which list?

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

    Explanation: Article 249 empowers Parliament to make laws on State List subjects if Rajya Sabha passes a resolution in national interest.

19. Q19.The Finance Commission is constituted every how many years?

    • A.3 years
    • B.4 years
    • C.5 years✓ Correct Answer
    • D.6 years

    Explanation: The Finance Commission is constituted by the President every 5th year or earlier if considered necessary.

20. Q20.Who was the Chairman of the first Finance Commission?

    • A.C. Rangarajan
    • B.K.C. Neogy✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Vijay Kelkar
    • D.Y.V. Reddy

    Explanation: K.C. Neogy was appointed as the Chairman of the first Finance Commission in 1951.