The Parliament and the Judiciary

The Indian Parliament normally holds three sessions each year: the Budget Session (February-May), the Monsoon Session (July-September), and the Winter Session (November-December). This pattern has been followed consistently since independence, though the exact dates can vary.

The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the Constitution of India is 552, which is made up by election of up to 530 members to represent the states; up to 20 members to represent the Union Territories and not more than two members of the Anglo-Indian Community.

The Lok Sabha's superiority over the Rajya Sabha primarily stems from its exclusive control over financial matters, particularly the Budget and Money Bills. While the Lok Sabha is directly elected (giving it democratic legitimacy) and the Council of Ministers is responsible only to the Lok Sabha, the key constitutional superiority is financial - Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha cannot reject them, only delay them for 14 days.

The Estimates Committee, constituted for the first time in 1950, is a Parliamentary Committee consisting of 30 members, elected every year by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members.

 The Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) has two ways of meeting finances for the Government. The Expenditure Charged on CFI which generally deals with expenditures mentioned in the constitution itself. For example the salary and allowances. The reason why Parliament isn't allowed to vote on this 'charged' expenditure is to allow financial independence and security to the executive and judiciary during the term of their office.

A writ of habeas corpus is known as "the great and efficacious writ in all manner of illegal confinement", being a remedy available to the meanest against the mightiest. 

Power and position of the Supreme Court in India is very much like those of the highest court in USA.

Sales tax has traditionally been a State subject under the State List, while Defence (Entry 1), Income tax (Entry 82), and Railway (Entry 20) are all explicitly mentioned in the Union List under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Though GST has now subsumed sales tax, the question reflects the traditional constitutional arrangement where states had primary taxation powers over sales within their jurisdiction.

By convention, the Chairman of the Estimates Committee is appointed from the ruling party in the Lok Sabha. This practice ensures that the committee, which scrutinizes government expenditure and suggests economies, works in coordination with the government's financial priorities while maintaining parliamentary oversight.

Habeas corpus is a legal action or writ by means of which detainees can seek relief from unlawful imprisonment. Hence, it is a suitable remedy for the Rajasthani tribal women.

The three Financial Committees of Parliament are the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Estimates Committee, and Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU). The Finance Commission is NOT a parliamentary committee - it is a constitutional body established under Article 280 to recommend financial relations between the Centre and States, appointed every five years.

The maximum duration of Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha is unspecified. Though it is generally from 1200 to 1300 hr, but its duration for maximum period has not been mentioned.

Mandamus literally means 'command'. Therefore, when it is issued, it commands a public authority or officer to do or not to do something which is in the nature of his/her public duty.

Union Parliament has the power to create or abolish the Legislative Council in various states on the basis of resolutions adopted by special majority in the Assemblies.

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan was the Chairman of the first Rajya Sabha. He was the only Chairman to have two terms (13.5.1952-12.5.1962). The allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the States is based on the population; two hundred and forty five (245), of which 233 are elected and 12 are nominated.

Article 226 empowers every High Court to issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights as well as for 'any other purpose' within their territorial jurisdiction. This gives High Courts wider writ jurisdiction than the Supreme Court under Article 32, which is limited only to Fundamental Rights enforcement.

Under Article 108, when a Money Bill is passed by the Lok Sabha and transmitted to the Rajya Sabha, if the Rajya Sabha does not return it within 14 days, it is deemed to have been passed by both Houses. This provision ensures the Lok Sabha's supremacy in financial matters - the Rajya Sabha cannot reject Money Bills, only delay them for a maximum of 14 days.

The Supreme Court of India was established on January 28, 1950, through the Constitution of India itself (Article 124 onwards). It replaced the Federal Court of India which had functioned under the Government of India Act, 1935. The Supreme Court is not created by an Act of Parliament but derives its authority directly from the Constitution.

Uttar Pradesh has the largest percentage of reserved parliamentary seats (Lok Sabha) for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Among the states listed, UP has the highest number of reserved seats - approximately 18-20% of its 80 Lok Sabha seats are reserved for SC/ST candidates, which is a higher percentage compared to Maharashtra, Rajasthan, or Madhya Pradesh.

The federal structure is a basic feature of the Indian Constitution. To alter it substantially (such as switching from federal to unitary), the special procedure under Article 368 would be required - a two-thirds majority in Parliament PLUS ratification by at least half of the state legislatures. This double majority requirement ensures that states cannot be stripped of their powers without their consent.

Article 85 of the Constitution mandates that the gap between two sessions of Parliament cannot exceed six months. This provision ensures that Parliament meets at least twice a year and maintains regular legislative oversight of the executive. In practice, Parliament usually meets three times a year, well within this constitutional limit.

Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) was the strongest advocate of partyless democracy in India. He proposed this idea in the 1950s and 1960s, arguing that political parties were divisive and that democracy should function through direct participation of citizens and consensus-based decision-making. This idea gained traction during his Total Revolution movement in the 1970s. While Gandhi and Lohia criticized party politics, JP was the most systematic proponent of the partyless concept.

In the Indian Constitution, the Concurrent List contains subjects on which both the Central Government and State Governments can legislate. This dual legislative framework allows for uniform laws across the country while permitting states to make amendments based on local needs. Option A refers only to the Centre, and Option C only to states, which is incorrect for this list.

Correct answer is (3). 

One of the powers of the Supreme Court and the High Courts is that of judicial review.