President of India MCQ: State Bills, National Emergency & 44th Amendment

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

1. Q1.When can the President summon a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament?

   • A.For a Money Bill
   • B.For a Constitutional Amendment Bill
   • C.For an Ordinary Bill✓ Correct Answer
   • D.For impeachment of a judge

   Explanation: The President can summon a joint sitting of both the Houses to resolve a deadlock only in the case of an Ordinary Bill or a Finance Bill (Category I & II), but not for Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills.

2. Q2.Can the President legislate on a subject in the State List?

   • A.Never
   • B.Yes, if the state legislature is suspended
   • C.Yes, through an ordinance when the state is under President's Rule✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Yes, if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution

   Explanation: The President can legislate on a subject in the State List through an ordinance when the State Legislature is suspended or dissolved during President's Rule.

3. Q3.Which report is NOT laid by the President before the Parliament?

   • A.Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
   • B.Report of the Union Public Service Commission
   • C.Report of the Finance Commission
   • D.Report of the Public Accounts Committee✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Public Accounts Committee submits its report to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, not the President. The President lays reports of CAG, UPSC, Finance Commission, etc.

4. Q4.The President constitutes the Finance Commission under which Article?

   • A.Article 280✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 260
   • C.Article 270
   • D.Article 290

   Explanation: Article 280 of the Constitution provides for a Finance Commission to be constituted by the President every fifth year.

5. Q5.What happens to a bill passed by a State Legislature which is reserved by the Governor for consideration of the President?

   • A.The President must give assent within 6 months
   • B.The President has no time limit to decide✓ Correct Answer
   • C.It automatically becomes law after 6 months
   • D.The President must return it to the Governor

   Explanation: The Constitution does not prescribe any time limit within which the President has to take a decision with regard to a bill reserved by the Governor for his consideration.

6. Q6.If the President returns a state bill for reconsideration and the state legislature passes it again, is the President obliged to give assent?

   • A.Yes, he must give assent
   • B.No, he is not obliged to give assent✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Yes, within 6 months
   • D.Yes, if passed by a two-thirds majority

   Explanation: Unlike a parliamentary bill, the President is NOT bound to give his assent to a state bill even if the state legislature passes it again and sends it to him.

7. Q7.Who appoints the judges of the High Courts?

   • A.The Governor of the State
   • B.The Chief Justice of the High Court
   • C.The President✓ Correct Answer
   • D.The Chief Justice of India

   Explanation: The President appoints the Chief Justice and other judges of the High Courts of the states.

8. Q8.What is the maximum life of an ordinance without Parliamentary approval?

   • A.6 months
   • B.6 weeks
   • C.6 months and 6 weeks✓ Correct Answer
   • D.1 year

   Explanation: The maximum life of an ordinance can be six months and six weeks, in case of non-approval by the Parliament (6 months being the maximum gap between sessions, and 6 weeks being the time to approve after reassembly).

9. Q9.The power of the President to grant pardon extends to cases where the punishment or sentence is for an offense against a:

   • A.State Law only
   • B.Union Law only
   • C.Concurrent Law only
   • D.Union Law, Court Martial, and Death Sentences✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The pardoning power of the President extends to offenses against Union Law, sentences by a court-martial, and sentences of death.

10. Q10.What is the term 'Respite' in the context of Presidential clemency?

    • A.Staying the execution of a sentence
    • B.Awarding a lesser sentence due to some special fact✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Substitution of one form of punishment for a lighter form
    • D.Reducing the period of sentence

    Explanation: Respite denotes awarding a lesser sentence in place of one originally awarded due to some special fact, such as the physical disability of a convict or the pregnancy of a woman offender.

11. Q11.Under which article does the President declare a National Emergency?

    • A.Article 352✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 356
    • C.Article 360
    • D.Article 365

    Explanation: Article 352 empowers the President to declare a National Emergency if he is satisfied that the security of India or any part of it is threatened by war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.

12. Q12.Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners?

    • A.The Parliament
    • B.The Prime Minister
    • C.The President✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Chief Justice of India

    Explanation: The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are appointed by the President.

13. Q13.Can the President declare a Financial Emergency on his own satisfaction?

    • A.Yes✓ Correct Answer
    • B.No, only on the written advice of the Cabinet
    • C.No, only with Parliament's prior approval
    • D.Yes, but only for 1 month

    Explanation: The President can declare a Financial Emergency under Article 360 if he is satisfied that a situation has arisen due to which the financial stability or credit of India is threatened. However, this satisfaction is subject to judicial review.

14. Q14.What is the President's role in the administration of Scheduled Areas?

    • A.No role
    • B.He can declare any area as a scheduled area✓ Correct Answer
    • C.He acts on the advice of the Governor only
    • D.He needs Parliament's approval to alter boundaries

    Explanation: The President is empowered to declare any area as a scheduled area and has powers with respect to the administration of scheduled areas and tribal areas.

15. Q15.Can the President act without the advice of the Council of Ministers?

    • A.Yes, always
    • B.No, never
    • C.Yes, in situations where the Council of Ministers has lost the confidence of the Lok Sabha✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Yes, in all legislative matters

    Explanation: While generally bound by advice, the President can act on his own discretion (without advice) if the Council of Ministers has lost the confidence of the Lok Sabha and acts as a caretaker government.

16. Q16.The President is an integral part of which of the following?

    • A. The Parliament✓ Correct Answer
    • B. The Lok Sabha
    • C. The Rajya Sabha
    • D. The Union Council of Ministers

    Explanation: The Parliament of India consists of three parts: the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).

17. Q17.Which amendment limited the President's power by obliging him to act according to the advice of the Council of Ministers?

    • A.42nd Amendment Act, 1976✓ Correct Answer
    • B.44th Amendment Act, 1978
    • C.24th Amendment Act, 1971
    • D.86th Amendment Act, 2002

    Explanation: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 made the President bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers.

18. Q18.Under the 44th Amendment Act, the President can return the advice of the Council of Ministers for reconsideration:

    • A.Once✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Twice
    • C.Any number of times
    • D.Never

    Explanation: The 44th Amendment Act authorized the President to require the Council of Ministers to reconsider such advice either generally or otherwise, but he shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration (only once).

19. Q19.A candidate loses his security deposit in the Presidential election if he fails to secure what fraction of the valid votes polled?

    • A.1/3
    • B.1/4
    • C.1/5
    • D.1/6✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The security deposit is liable to be forefeited in case the candidate fails to secure one-sixth of the votes polled.

20. Q20.The oath of the President includes the promise to 'preserve, protect and defend' the:

    • A.Unity and Integrity of India
    • B.Constitution and the Law✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Parliamentary Sovereignty
    • D.Rights of the Citizens

    Explanation: The President swears to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law.