Constitutions and Law

Chronology: Partition of Bengal (1905), Foundation of Muslim League (1906), Surat Split (1907), Congress session drafts its constitution (1908).

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, enacted in 1976, added the Fundamental Duties to the Constitution under Article 51A.

Article 108 of the Constitution of India provides for the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) to resolve deadlocks on bills.

Part XX of the constitution of India covered by article 368 mentions amendments of the constitution. It states that an amendment of this Constitution may be initiated only by the introduction of a Bill for the purpose in either House of Parliament, and when the Bill is passed in each House by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting, it shall be presented to the President who shall give his assent to the Bill and thereupon, the Constitution shall stand amended in accordance with the terms of the Bill.

On the question whether the amending power under article 368 was absolute and unlimited, seven judges constituting a majority held that the amending power under article 368 was subject to an implied limitation. By a majority of 7 to 6, the court ruled that “Article 368 does not enable the Parliament to alter the basic structure or framework of the Constitution” without specifying what the basic structure of the Constitution was.

An entrenched clause or entrenchment clause of a basic law or constitution is a provision which makes certain amendments either more difficult or impossible, i.e. inadmissible. It may require a form of supermajority, a referendum submitted to the people, or the consent of another party. Hence, correct answer is option 2.

Since the House has the votes to override a Presidential veto, the President would be wise to compromise and make the best of the situation. 

Economic Planning is a subject listed in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This means both the Union and State governments have the authority to legislate on this matter.

Article 355 of the Indian Constitution imposes a duty on the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance. Article 356 relates to the imposition of President's Rule.

The question appears to combine two separate questions - one about President's rule (Article 356) and another about MAT expansion. MAT stands for Minimum Alternate Tax, a tax mechanism introduced to ensure companies paying minimum tax on declared income. The other options are incorrect expansions.

The 93rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2005, inserted clause (5) into Article 15, allowing the state to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes in private educational institutions.

 Seven fundamental rights were originally provided by the Constitution – right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, right to property and right to constitutional remedies.

Article 356 of the Indian Constitution allows the President to impose President's Rule in a state if the state government cannot function according to constitutional provisions.

The requirement for voter identity cards was introduced through the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 1975.

Education was originally a state subject but was moved to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Amendment of the Indian Constitution in 1976.