Indian Federalism and Centre-State Relations (Question & Answers)

Indian Federalism and Centre-State Relations (Question & Answers)
1. Which of the following is in the Concurrent List in the Constitution of India? (IAS 1993)
(a) Population control and family planning
(b) Public health and sanitation
(c) Capitation taxes
(d) None of the above
Ans: (a)
2. Which subject was transferred from State List to Concurrent List by the 42nd amendment of the Constitution? (Teachers’ Exam 1993)
(a) Agriculture
(b) Education
(c) Irrigation
(d) Local Self Government
Ans: (b)
3. Lotteries organised by the government of a State come under: (IFS 1993)
(a) Union List
(b) State List
(c) Concurrent List
(d) no list mentioned in the Seventh Schedule
Ans: (b)
4. In India both direct and indirect taxes are levied by the Central and State Government. Which of the following is levied by the State Governments? (Railway Apprentices’ Exam 1993)
(a) Excise Duty on liquor
(b) Capital gains Tax
(c) Customs Duty
(d) Corporation Tax
Ans: (a)
5. The largest contribution to the total combined annual tax revenue of the Centre States and Union Territories in India is made by : (SBI PO 1990)
(a) Sales tax
(b) Income and Corporation Tax
(c) Custom duties
(d) Union Excise duties
Ans: (d)
6. Corporation Tax: (IAS 1995)
(a) is levied by the Union and collected and appropriated by the States
(b) is levied by the Union and belongs to it exclusively
(c) is levied and appropriated by the States
(d) is levied by the Union and shared by the Union and the States
Ans: (b)
7. Agricultural Income Tax is assigned to the State Governments by: (IAS 1995)
(a) the Constitution of India
(b) the National Development Council
(c) the Finance Commission
(d) the Inter-State Council
Ans: (a)
8. The authority empowered to make laws in respect of matters not enumerated in any of three lists is/are:
(a) State Legislatures
(b) Union Parliament
(c) Union Parliament and State Legislatures
(d) The Advocate General of the States
Ans: (b)
9. Both Union and State Legislature can legislate on :
(a) criminal law and procedure
(b) marriage, contracts and torts
(c) economic and social planning
(d) All of the above
Ans: (d)
10. The Central Government’s exclusive powers are enumerated in the:
(a) Concurrent List
(b) State List
(c) Union List
(d) Federal List
Ans: (c)
11. Under the Constitution, the residuary powers vest with the: (Delhi Police 1994)
(a) President
(b) Supreme Court
(c) Union Government
(d) State Governments
Ans: (c)
12. The executive power relating to concurrent subjects remain with:
(a) the States
(b) the Centre
(c) the Constitution
(d) the President
Ans: (b)
13. The Union list contains:
(a) 47 subjects
(b) 97 subjects
(c) 63 subjects
(d) 92 subjects
Ans: (b)
14. The State List contains:
(a) 97 subjects
(b) 69 subjects
(c) 66 subjects
(d) 103 subjects
Ans: (c)
15. The Concurrent List contains:
(a) 47 subjects
(b) 68 subjects
(c) 42 subjects
(d) 38 subjects
Ans: (a)
16. Which Articles of Indian Constitution discuss the financial relations between the Centre and the States?
(a) Articles 268 to 281
(b) Articles 278 to 291
(c) Articles 289 to 295
(d) Articles 168 to 171
Ans: (a)
17. A change in distribution of powers between the Centre and the States can be done by:
(a) the Central Government
(b) the federating units by themselves
(c) amending the Constitution
(d) None of the above
Ans: (c)
18. The distribution of power between Centre and the States is based on the scheme provided in :
(a) Minto-Morley Reforms, 1909
(b) Montague-Chelmsford Act, 1919
(c) Government of India Act, 1935
(d) Indian Independence Act, 1947
Ans: (c)
19. Union Parliament has the power to legislate on the subjects of all three lists in respect of:
(a) Scheduled areas
(b) Hill areas
(c) Backward areas
(d) Union Territories
Ans: (d)
20. When can a State law on a subject in the Concurrent List get precedence over a Central law on the same subject :
(a) in no circumstance
(b) if it was made before the Central law
(c) if it had got the President’s assent before the enactment of the Central law
(d) if it had got the President’s consent before being introduced as a Bill in the State Legislature
Ans: (c)
21. The provisions regarding division of taxes between Union and the States:
(a) can be suspended during National Emergency
(b) can be suspended during Financial Emergency
(c) can be suspended only with the consent of the majority of State legislatures
(d) cannot be suspended under’ any circumstances
Ans: (c)
22. What can the President do if the States fail to comply with the directives of Central Government:
(a) He can dissolve State Legislature and order fresh elections
(b) He can send reserve police to the State to secure compliance
(c) He can declare the breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State and assume responsibility for the governance of the State
(d) Any of the above
Ans: (c)
23. In the case of a conflict between the Centre and a State in respect of a subject included in the Concurrent List:
(a) the State Law prevails
(b) the Union Law prevails
(c) the matter is resolved by the Supreme Court
(d) the law which had been passed first would prevail
Ans: (b)
24. The idea of incorporation of the Concurrent List in the Indian Constitution has been borrowed from the Constitution of:
(a) Ireland
(b) Britain
(c) Australia
(d) Canada
Ans: (c)
25. In which respect have the Centre-State relations been specifically termed as ‘municipal relations’ ? (IAS 1994)
(a) Centre’s control of the State in the legislative sphere
(b) Centre’s control of the State in financial matters
(c) Centre’s control of the State in administrative sector
(d) Centre’s control of the State in planning process
Ans: (d)
26. Which of the following is/are extra constitutional and extra-legal device (s)for securing co-operation and co-ordination between the States in India? (IAS 1995)
1. The National Development Council.
2. The Governor’s Conference.
3. Zonal Councils.
4. The Inter-State Council
(a) I and II
(b) I, III and IV
(c) III and IV
(d) Only IV
Ans: (b)
27. Jammu and Kashmir has a Constitution framed by:
(a) the Constituent Assembly which framed India’s Constitution
(b) a Constituent Assembly set up by Parliament
(c) a Constituent Assembly set up by the State
(d) its State Legislature
Ans: (c)
28. The residuary powers of legislation in case of Jammu and Kashmir belong to:
(a) Parliament
(b) the State Legislature
(c) Governor
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Ans: (b)
29. An amendment of the Constitution of India can extend to Jammu and Kashmir:
(a) automatically
(b) only if ratified by State Legislature
(c) by an order of the President under Article 370
(d) under no circumstance
Ans: (c)
30. A proclamation of Emergency by the President:
(a) cannot apply to Jammu and Kashmir
(b) shall have effect in Jammu and Kashmir only on the concurrence of the State Legislature
(c) shall apply to Jammu and Kashmir only on endorsement by its Governor
(d) has to be separately issued for Jammu and Kashmir
Ans: (b)
31. When can Parliament legislate on a subject in the State List?
1. If Lok Sabha passes a ‘resolution by two-thirds majority that it is in national interest to do so.
2. When the legislatures of two or more States request Parliament to legislate on a State subject.
3. Under a proclamation of Emergency.
(a) I and III
(b) II and III
(c) I, II and III
(d) I and II
Ans: (b)
32. The Central Government can issue directions to the States with regard to the:
1. Union List
2. State List
3. Concurrent List
(a) I only
(b) I and III
(c) II and III
(d) I, II and III
Ans: (d)
33. The Union Territories are administered by the:
(a) Parliament
(b) Union Council of Ministers
(c) President, through administrators appointed by him
(d) Prime Minister
Ans: (c)
34. Match the following:
A. Passport 1. Union List
B. Electricity 2. State List
C. Animal Husbandry 3. Concurrent List
D. Family Planning
A B C D
(a) 1 3 2 3
(b) 2 3 1 2
(c) 2 3 1 3
(d) 1 2 3 3
Ans: (a)
35. With reference to the Constitution of India, which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? (IAS 2004)
(a) Forests: Concurrent List
(b) Stock Exchanges: Concurrent List
(c) Post Office Savings Bank: Union List
(d) Public Health: State List
Ans: (b)
36. Which of the following is/are correctly matched?
1. Stamp duties and duties on medical and toilet preparations-levied by the Union but collected and appropriated by the States.
2. Duties on succession to property other ” than agricultural land-levied and’ collected by the Union but assigned to the States.
3. Taxes on income other than corporation tax and tax on agricultural income-levied. collected and appropriated by the Union.
4. Receipts from Broadcasting-non- tax revenue of the Union.
(a) I and III
(b) I, II and III
(c) III and IV
(d) I, II and IV
Ans: (d)
37. Which of the following matters are not included in the Union List?
I. Defence
II. Prisons
III. Liquor policy
IV. Ports
V. Irrigation
(a) III and IV
(b) III, IV and V
(c) II, III, IV and V
(d) II, III and V
Ans: (d)
38. Match the following:
A. Union List 1. Banking
B. State List 2. Public order and police
C. Concurrent List 3. Labour Welfare
A B C
(a) 2 1 3
(b) 1 2 3
(c) 1 3 2
(d) 3 2 1
Ans: (b)
39. The State can legislate on subjects in the:
1. State List
2. Union List
3. Concurrent List
4. Residuary List
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 3
Ans: (d)
40. Which of the following is not in the State List under the Constitution of India?
(a) Fisheries
(b) Agriculture
(c) Insurance
(d) Gambling
Ans: (c)
41. Railways is a subject on the: (Teachers’ Exam 1994)
(a) Concurrent List
(b) Union List
(c) State List
(d) Residual List
Ans: (b)
42. Match the following: (CDS 1993)
A. Taxes on income other than agricultural income 1. State list
B. Estate duty in respect of agricultural land 2. Residuary power
C. Inter-planetary outer space travel 3. Concurrent List
D. Acquisition and requisitioning of property 4. Union List
A B C D
(a) 4 3 2 1
(b) 4 1 2 3
(c) 2 3 1 4
(d) 3 2 4 1
Ans: (b)
43. Which of the following is regarded as an essential function of the State ? (Central Excise 1994)
(a) To run schools for education
(b) To provide defence against external attacks
(c) To prevent diseases
(d) To maintain good roads
Ans: (b)
44. Which of the following taxes is exclusively and totally assigned to the Central Government by the Constitution (CDS 1992)
(a) Estate Duty
(b) Sales Tax
(c) Corporation Tax
(d) Taxes on Railway fares and freight
Ans: (d)
45. Which of the following is not included in the State List in the Constitution of India?
(a) Police
(b) Prison
(c) Law and Order
(d) Criminal Procedure Code
Ans: (d)
46. Which of the following items comes under the Concurrent List?
(a) Inter-State rivers
(b) Trade Unions
(c) Citizenship
(d) Local Government
Ans: (b)
47. Match the following
Year of Creation States
A. 1960 1. Sikkim
B. 1962 2. Goa
C. 1975 3. Maharashtra
D. 1987 4. Nagaland
A B C D
(a) 2 4 3 1
(b) 3 4 1 2
(c) 4 3 2 1
(d) 3 4 2 1
Ans: (b)
48. The first State to become bifurcated after independence was:
(a) Madras
(b) Bombay
(c) Punjab
(d) Assam
Ans: (a)
49. When was the Madras State renamed Tamil Nadu?
(a) 1969
(b) 1970
(c) 1968
(d) 1971
Ans: (a)
50. Which of the following did India acquire from France?
(a) Yanam
(b) Mahe
(c) Karaikal
(d) All of these
Ans: (d)
51. Which one of the following is not administered by a Lieutenant Governor?
(a) Delhi
(b) Puducherry
(c) Chandigarh
(d) Andaman and Nicobar
Ans: (c)
52. The old name of which State/Union Territory is wrongly given?
(a) Karnataka – Mysore
(b) Tamil Nadu – Madras
(c) Lakshadweep – Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindiv Islands
(d) Meghalaya – Eastern Hill Province
Ans: (d)
53. Which of the following States and the year of their creation is incorrectly matched?
(a) Andhra Pradesh : 1956
(b) Maharashtra : 1960
(c) Arunachal Pradesh : 1987
(d) Goa : 1987
Ans: (a)
54. Put in the correct order of their creation:
1. Assam
2. Nagaland
3. Goa
4. Mizoram
(a) I, II, III, IV
(b) II, I, IV, III
(c) I, II, IV, III
(d) I, IV, II, III
Ans: (c)
55. The Sarkaria Commission dealing with the Centre-State .relationship has not laid down which of the following regarding the appointment of Governors?
(a) A politician from the ruling party at the Centre should not be appointed to a State run by some other party
(b) The person should not be too closely connected with the politics of the State where he is to be posted
(c) He should have travelled extensively in and out of India
(d) He should be eminent in some walk of life
Ans: (c)
56. English is the official language of which of the following States? (Railways 1995; MBA 1994)
(a) Manipur
(b) Nagaland
(c) Karnataka
(d) Andhra Pradesh
Ans: (b)
57. Which one of the following was an associate State of India before becoming a full-fledged State? (CDS 1992)
(a) Meghalaya
(b) Mizoram
(c) Sikkim
(d) Manipur
Ans: (c)
58. Match the following:
A. Arunachal Pradesh 1. 22nd State
B. Goa 2. 23rd State
C. Mizoram 3. 24th State
D. Sikkim 4. 25th State
A B C D
(a) 1 3 4 2
(b) 3 4 2 1
(c) 2 1 4 3
(d) 4 3 1 2
Ans: (b)
59. Which of the following features is/are contrary to the norms of a federal polity?
1. Common All India Service
2. Single integrated judiciary
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (CDS 2011)

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
60. A special category State invariably (CDS 2011)
(a) is a border State
(b) has harsh terrain
(c) has low literacy rate
(d) has poor infrastructure
Ans: (d)
61. The vesting of ‘residuary’ powers in the central government by the Constitution of India indicates (Asstt Commdt 2010)
(a) that India is a federal polity
(b) that India is neither federal nor unitary
(c) that India is quasi federal
(d) unitary character of Indian polity
Ans: (c)
62. Who of the following shall cause every recommendation made by the Finance Commission to be laid before each House of Parliament? (IAS 2010)
(a) The President of India
(b) The Speaker of Lok Sabha
(c) The Prime Minister of India
(d) The Union Finance Minister
Ans: (a)
63. In the Constitution of India, the word ‘Federal’ is used in (Asstt Commdt 2011)
(a) the Preamble
(b) Part III
(c) Article 368
(d) Nowhere
Ans: (d)
64. Which of the following statements with regard to the Federal System’ is/are correct?
1. In a federation, two sets of governments co-exist and there is distribution of power.
2. There is a written constitution.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (NDA 2011)
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
65. Which one among the following pairs is not correctly matched? (NDA 2011)
(a) Union List : Banking
(b) State List : Agriculture
(c) Concurrent List : Marriage
(d) Residuary List : Education
Ans: (d)
66. In which one of the following cases the Supreme Court of India gave verdicts which have a direct bearing on the Centre-State relations? (CDS 2011)
(a) Keshavananda Bharati case
(b) Vishakha case
(c) S. R. Bommai case
(d) Indira Sawhney case
Ans: (c)
67. Which one among the following pairs of level of government and legislative power is not correctly matched? (CDS 2011)
(a) Central government : Union List
(b) Local governments : Residuary powers
(c) State governments : State List
(d) Central and State governments : Concurrent List
Ans: (b)
68. With reference to the Finance Commission of India, which of the following statements is correct? (CSAT 2011)
(a) It encourages the inflow of foreign capital for infrastructure development
(b) It facilitates the proper distribution of finances among the Public Sector Undertakings
(c) It ensures transparency in financial administration
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context
Ans: (d)
69. Which of the following Union Territories attained statehood in February 1987 ?
(a) Goa
(b) Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Pondicherry
(d) Daman and Diu
Ans: (a)
70. The State of Bombay was bifurcated into Maharashtra and Gujarat on May 1, in the year:
(a) 1958
(b) 1959
(c) 1962
(d) 1960
Ans: (d)
71. What was the status of Sikkim at the commencement of the Constitution?
(a) A part B State
(b) An independent State
(c) An independent kingdom attached to India by a special treaty
(d) A part C State
Ans: (c)
72. When did the first linguistic State of Andhra come into existence?
(a) October 2, 1953
(b) October 1, 1953
(c) April 1, 1953
(d) January 5, 1953
Ans: (b)
73. For those Union Territories, which have no Legislative Councils of their own, laws are passed by:
(a) Union Ministry
(b) President, through the appointed Administrator
(c) Parliament
(d) Appointed Administrator
Ans: (b)
74. Which of the following does not give correctly the name of the original State out of whose territory the new State was created?
(a) Andhra Pradesh from the State of Madras
(b) Arunachal Pradesh from Assam
(c) Meghalaya from Assam
(d) Goa from Maharashtra
Ans: (d)
75. The States Reorganisation Act created ______ States and _______ Union Territories.
(a) 14;7
(b) 14;6
(c) 15;7
(d) 15;6
Ans: (b)
76. Which of the following were Union Territories before becoming States?
1. Himachal Pradesh
2. Manipur
3. Sikkim
4. Tripura
(a) I, II and IV
(b) I and II
(c) II and III
(d) I and III
Ans: (a)