UPSC Indian Polity – Chapter 31: Separation of Powers and Comparison of Constitutions (26 MCQs)

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UPSC Indian Polity – Chapter 31: Separation of Powers and Comparison of Constitutions (26 MCQs) – 26 questions, subject: Polity. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The doctrine of separation of powers was most famously set out by:

Correct Answer: A [Montesquieu]

Explanation:

The Spirit of the Laws , 1748.

2.  

Consider the following statements:

1. The Indian Constitution does not recognise the doctrine of separation of powers in its absolute rigidity.
2. Separation of powers has been held to be outside the basic structure of the Constitution.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 only]

Explanation:

Ram Jawaya Kapur ; basic structure in Kesavananda and Raj Narain .

3.  

Which Article directs the State to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services?

Correct Answer: D [Article 50]

Explanation:

a Directive Principle.

4.  

The validity of proceedings in Parliament cannot be questioned in a court on the ground of irregularity of procedure under:

Correct Answer: C [Article 122]

Explanation:

Article 122.

5.  

The case in which the Supreme Court held that the Indian Constitution has not recognised separation of powers in its absolute rigidity is:

Correct Answer: C [Ram Jawaya Kapur v State of Punjab]

Explanation:

1955.

6.  

Which case is most associated with the principle of judicial restraint?

Correct Answer: A [Aravali Golf Club v Chander Hass]

Explanation:

2007.

7.  

In In re Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (1991), the Supreme Court held that:

Correct Answer: C [a State ordinance nullifying the Tribunal's interim order was unconstitutional]

Explanation:

usurpation of judicial power.

8.  

Which of the following is a check of the legislature on the judiciary?

Correct Answer: D [Removal of judges]

Explanation:

removal by Parliament.

9.  

The British Parliament differs from the Indian Parliament mainly because the British Parliament:

Correct Answer: B [is sovereign, with no written constitution limiting it]

Explanation:

parliamentary sovereignty.

10.  

Assertion (A): The United States has single citizenship.

Reason (R): The United States has a dual system of federal and State courts.

Correct Answer: D [A is not correct but R is correct]

Explanation:

the USA has dual citizenship and dual courts.

11.  

The phrase "an indestructible Union of destructible States" describes the federation of:

Correct Answer: C [India]

Explanation:

Parliament can alter State boundaries (Article 3).

12.  

Match List I (Country) with List II (Feature):

List I: A. United Kingdom B. United States C. India D. Australia

List II: 1. Source of India's Concurrent List 2. Constitution supreme, single citizenship 3. Presidential system, due process 4. Parliamentary sovereignty

Correct Answer: B [A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1]

Explanation:

all four match.

13.  

Under Article 145(3), a substantial question of law on the interpretation of the Constitution is heard by a Bench of at least:

Correct Answer: A [five judges]

Explanation:

a Constitution Bench.

14.  

Which one of the following is a feature of the presidential system but NOT of the parliamentary system?

Correct Answer: C [A fixed term for the executive]

Explanation:

presidential.

15.  

The UK Supreme Court began functioning in:

Correct Answer: A [2009]

Explanation:

it took over the judicial work of the House of Lords.

16.  

A State legislature passes a law declaring a High Court judgment "void" without changing the law on which it was based. The law is likely to be:

Correct Answer: B [struck down for encroaching on judicial power]

Explanation:

a legislature may remove the basis, not overrule.

17.  

India uses the single transferable vote system for elections to the:

Correct Answer: C [Rajya Sabha]

Explanation:

proportional representation by STV.

18.  

In Kalpana Mehta v Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court held that courts:

Correct Answer: B [may refer to parliamentary committee reports but cannot question them]

Explanation:

reference without adjudication.

19.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Kesavananda Bharati
2. Marbury v Madison
3. Ram Jawaya Kapur
4. Aravali Golf Club

Select the correct answer:

Correct Answer: D [2-3-1-4]

Explanation:

1803, 1955, 1973, 2007.

20.  

In Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975), the Supreme Court struck down:

Correct Answer: A [clause (4) of Article 329A, inserted by the 39th Amendment]

Explanation:

free and fair elections were held to be part of the basic structure.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 1997

Proportional representation is NOT necessary in a country where

Correct Answer: B [a two-party system has developed]

Explanation:

a two-party system rarely distorts representation.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2018

Which of the following are regarded as the main features of the "Rule of Law"?

1. Limitation of powers
2. Equality before law
3. People's responsibility to the Government
4. Liberty and civil rights

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [1, 2 and 4 only]

Explanation:

Dicey's features.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2019

In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the most appropriate definition of liberty?

Correct Answer: D [Opportunity to develop oneself fully]

Explanation:

positive liberty.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

Constitutional government means

Correct Answer: D [a government limited by the terms of the Constitution]

Explanation:

limited government.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

Correct Answer: D [Separation of powers]

Explanation:

Montesquieu.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model?

1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited.
2. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of the Amendment of an Act of the Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]

Explanation:

limited Parliament; Article 145(3).

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U11 · Indian Polity (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-indian-polity

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