Union & its Territories MCQ: Part A-D States, Dhar Commission & Kerala Formation

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

1. Q1.According to the Supreme Court in 1969, can the settlement of a boundary dispute between India and another country be done by executive action?

   • A.No, it requires amendment
   • B.Yes, it does not involve cession of territory✓ Correct Answer
   • C.No, it requires a referendum
   • D.Yes, but only with UN approval

   Explanation: The SC ruled that settlement of a boundary dispute does not imply cession of territory and can be done by executive action without a constitutional amendment.

2. Q2.Under the 100th Constitutional Amendment Act, how many enclaves were transferred to Bangladesh?

   • A.51
   • B.111✓ Correct Answer
   • C.100
   • D.75

   Explanation: India transferred 111 enclaves to Bangladesh, while Bangladesh transferred 51 enclaves to India.

3. Q3.The North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971 led to the statehood of which states?

   • A.Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Assam and Nagaland
   • C.Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh
   • D.Sikkim and Manipur

   Explanation: The 1971 Act elevated Manipur and Tripura to statehood and created the state of Meghalaya (initially a sub-state).

4. Q4.Which article declares that India is a sovereign state and can acquire foreign territories?

   • A.Article 1
   • B.Article 2
   • C.Implicit in sovereignty (International Law)✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Article 4

   Explanation: The Constitution does not explicitly define the mode of acquisition in an Article; it is an inherent right of a sovereign state under international law, though recognized by the phrase 'territories that may be acquired' in Article 1.

5. Q5.Which state was the first to be formed on a linguistic basis?

   • A.Andhra State✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Gujarat
   • C.Maharashtra
   • D.Punjab

   Explanation: Andhra State was the first linguistic state, formed in 1953.

6. Q6.Who was the ruler of Hyderabad during 'Operation Polo'?

   • A.Hari Singh
   • B.Nizam Osman Ali Khan✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Muhammad Ali Jinnah
   • D.Hyder Ali

   Explanation: The Nizam of Hyderabad (Osman Ali Khan) wanted an independent status but was forced to accede to India.

7. Q7.The term 'Territory of India' in Article 1 is categorized into how many parts?

   • A.Two
   • B.Three✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Four
   • D.Five

   Explanation: Three parts: 1. Territories of States, 2. Union Territories, 3. Territories that may be acquired.

8. Q8.Prior to 1956, states were classified into Part A, B, C, and D. How many Part A states were there?

   • A.9✓ Correct Answer
   • B.8
   • C.10
   • D.12

   Explanation: There were 9 Part A states, which were the former governor's provinces of British India.

9. Q9.Which was the only Part D territory in the original classification (1950)?

   • A.Delhi
   • B.Andaman and Nicobar Islands✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Coorg
   • D.Ajmer

   Explanation: Andaman and Nicobar Islands was the solitary Part D territory.

10. Q10.In the 1950 classification, Part B states consisted of?

    • A.British Provinces
    • B.Princely States with legislatures✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Chief Commissioner's Provinces
    • D.Union Territories

    Explanation: Part B states consisted of 9 erstwhile princely states with legislatures.

11. Q11.The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act (1956) abolished which classification of states?

    • A.Part A and B only
    • B.Part C and D only
    • C.Part A, B, C and D classification✓ Correct Answer
    • D.It created new classifications

    Explanation: It abolished the distinction between Part A and Part B states and abolished Part C and Part D states entirely, replacing them with 14 States and 6 UTs.

12. Q12.Why did the Dhar Commission reject the linguistic basis for reorganization?

    • A.It would threaten national unity
    • B.It was administratively inconvenient
    • C.Language is not a static marker
    • D.All of the above✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The commission felt it would create sub-nations, threaten unity, and hinder administrative convenience (though admin convenience was their preferred basis).

13. Q13.Which committee formally rejected language as the basis for reorganization of states in April 1949?

    • A.Fazl Ali Commission
    • B.JVP Committee✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Dhar Commission
    • D.Patel Committee

    Explanation: The JVP Committee (Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, Pattabhi Sitaramayya) formally rejected language as the basis for reorganization.

14. Q14.What happens to the laws made under Article 2 and Article 3 regarding amendment of the First and Fourth Schedules?

    • A.They are deemed amendments under Article 368
    • B.They are NOT deemed amendments under Article 368✓ Correct Answer
    • C.They require ratification by half the states
    • D.They require a joint sitting of Parliament

    Explanation: Article 4 declares that such laws are not to be considered as amendments to the Constitution for the purposes of Article 368.

15. Q15.The power of Parliament to form new states includes the power to unite a part of any state or Union territory to any other state or Union territory. This was clarified by which Amendment?

    • A.18th Amendment Act, 1966✓ Correct Answer
    • B.7th Amendment Act, 1956
    • C.35th Amendment Act, 1974
    • D.42nd Amendment Act, 1976

    Explanation: The 18th Amendment Act (1966) clarified that the power to form a new state includes the power to form a new state or union territory by uniting a part of any State or Union territory to any other State or Union territory.

16. Q16.The power to cede Indian territory to a foreign state can be exercised by Parliament through which method?

    • A.Simple Majority under Article 3
    • B.Executive Order
    • C.Special Majority under Article 368✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Joint Sitting of Parliament

    Explanation: The Supreme Court in the Berubari Union case (1960) held that the power to cede territory is not covered by Article 3 and requires a Constitutional Amendment under Article 368.

17. Q17.Which Amendment Act conferred statehood on Goa?

    • A.52nd Amendment Act
    • B.56th Amendment Act✓ Correct Answer
    • C.61st Amendment Act
    • D.71st Amendment Act

    Explanation: The 56th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1987 separated Goa from the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu, and conferred full statehood upon it.

18. Q18.In the 1956 reorganization, the state of Kerala was formed by merging the Travancore-Cochin state with which territory?

    • A.Malabar District✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Coorg
    • C.Hyderabad Karnataka
    • D.Saurashtra

    Explanation: Kerala was formed by merging the Travancore-Cochin state with the Malabar district of the erstwhile Madras state and Kasaragod.

19. Q19.Which Part of the Constitution was repealed by the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956?

    • A.Part VI
    • B.Part VII✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Part VIII
    • D.Part IX

    Explanation: Part VII (dealing with Part B states) was repealed. Part IX was also repealed initially but later reintroduced for Panchayats.

20. Q20.Under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, the Part C state of Ajmer was merged into which state?

    • A.Gujarat
    • B.Madhya Pradesh
    • C.Rajasthan✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Punjab

    Explanation: Ajmer was merged into Rajasthan.