Indian Polity Quiz (Polity MCQs)

Which Article of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws?

• Article 14
• Article 19
• Article 21
• Article 32

Answer: Article 14. Article 14 opens the Right to Equality. Article 19 covers freedoms, Article 21 life and liberty, and Article 32 constitutional remedies.

Subjects on which both Parliament and state legislatures can make laws are listed in which list of the Seventh Schedule?

• Union List
• State List
• Concurrent List
• Residuary List

Answer: Concurrent List. The Concurrent List (List III) covers shared subjects such as education and forests. If a central and a state law clash, the central law usually prevails.

Which writ, whose name literally means "we command", orders a public official to perform a duty they have failed to do?

• Habeas corpus
• Mandamus
• Certiorari
• Quo warranto

Answer: Mandamus. Mandamus means "we command". Habeas corpus means "to have the body", and quo warranto asks "by what authority" someone holds an office.

Who administers the oath of office to the President of India?

• The Vice-President
• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
• The Prime Minister
• The Chief Justice of India

Answer: The Chief Justice of India. Under Article 60 the Chief Justice of India administers the oath. In the CJI's absence, the senior-most available Supreme Court judge does it.

The Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in which Part of the Constitution?

• Part III
• Part IV
• Part IVA
• Part V

Answer: Part IV. Part IV (Articles 36 to 51) holds the Directive Principles. Part III has the Fundamental Rights and Part IVA the Fundamental Duties.

President's Rule in a state, after the failure of its constitutional machinery, is imposed under which Article?

• Article 352
• Article 360
• Article 356
• Article 370

Answer: Article 356. Article 356 deals with state emergency. Article 352 is for a National Emergency and Article 360 for a Financial Emergency.

If a dispute arises over whether a bill is a Money Bill, whose decision is final?

• The President
• The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
• The Finance Minister

Answer: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Article 110(3) makes the Speaker's decision final, and the Speaker certifies the bill as a Money Bill before it goes to the Rajya Sabha.

Within how many days must the Rajya Sabha return a Money Bill, after which it is deemed passed by both Houses?

• 14 days
• 30 days
• 60 days
• 6 months

Answer: 14 days. Under Article 109 the Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes within 14 days. The Lok Sabha may accept or reject those recommendations.

Which type of emergency provided for in the Constitution has never been proclaimed in India?

• National Emergency
• President's Rule in a state
• Emergency on grounds of external aggression
• Financial Emergency

Answer: Financial Emergency. A Financial Emergency under Article 360 has never been declared. National Emergencies were proclaimed in 1962, 1971 and 1975.

In which 1973 case did the Supreme Court hold that Parliament cannot alter the "basic structure" of the Constitution?

• Golaknath case
• Kesavananda Bharati case
• Minerva Mills case
• Maneka Gandhi case

Answer: Kesavananda Bharati case. A 13-judge bench gave the basic structure doctrine in Kesavananda Bharati (1973). Minerva Mills (1980) later reaffirmed it.

The 73rd Amendment, which gave constitutional status to panchayats, added which Schedule listing their 29 subjects?

• Ninth Schedule
• Tenth Schedule
• Eleventh Schedule
• Twelfth Schedule

Answer: Eleventh Schedule. The 73rd Amendment (1992) added the Eleventh Schedule. The 74th Amendment added the Twelfth Schedule for municipalities.

Which official is not a member of Parliament but can speak in either House, though without the right to vote?

• Attorney General of India
• Comptroller and Auditor General
• Chief Election Commissioner
• Cabinet Secretary

Answer: Attorney General of India. Article 88 lets the Attorney General, India's top law officer, take part in proceedings of both Houses and their committees, but not vote.

What is the maximum gap the Constitution allows between two sessions of Parliament?

• Three months
• Four months
• One year
• Six months

Answer: Six months. Article 85 says six months must not pass between the last sitting of one session and the first sitting of the next, so Parliament meets at least twice a year.

What is the quorum needed for a sitting of either House of Parliament?

• One-tenth of the total members
• One-fourth of the total members
• One-third of the total members
• Half of the total members

Answer: One-tenth of the total members. Article 100(3) fixes the quorum at one-tenth of the total membership of the House, including the person presiding.

To whom does the Speaker of the Lok Sabha address a letter of resignation?

• The President
• The Prime Minister
• The Deputy Speaker
• The Chief Justice of India

Answer: The Deputy Speaker. Under Article 94 the Speaker writes to the Deputy Speaker, and the Deputy Speaker resigns by writing to the Speaker.