1. India is described as a:
A) Federation of states
B) Union of states
C) Confederation of states
D) Quasi-federation
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 1 describes India as a “Union of States” to indicate indestructibility of the Union.
2. The federal features of the Indian Constitution are derived mainly from:
A) USA
B) Canada
C) UK
D) Ireland
Answer: B
Explanation: Federal system with a strong Centre was inspired by the Canadian model.
3. The word “federation” does not appear in the Constitution because:
A) India is not federal
B) States have no sovereignty
C) It is unitary in nature
D) All of the above
Answer: B
Explanation: The Constitution-makers emphasised unity and indestructibility of the Union.
4. In India, residuary powers belong to:
A) States
B) Centre
C) Concurrent List
D) Supreme Court
Answer: B
Explanation: Residuary powers are with Union (Article 248), unlike USA where they rest with states.
5. Which Schedule contains Union, State, and Concurrent Lists?
A) Fifth Schedule
B) Seventh Schedule
C) Eighth Schedule
D) Ninth Schedule
Answer: B
Explanation: Seventh Schedule defines distribution of powers between Union and States.
6. Number of subjects in Union List originally:
A) 66
B) 97
C) 47
D) 52
Answer: B
Explanation: Originally, 97 subjects were in Union List; now 100 after amendments.
7. Number of subjects in State List originally:
A) 66
B) 97
C) 47
D) 61
Answer: A
Explanation: Originally, 66 subjects in State List; reduced to 61 after GST reforms.
8. Number of subjects in Concurrent List originally:
A) 47
B) 52
C) 66
D) 97
Answer: A
Explanation: Concurrent List originally had 47; now 52 subjects.
9. Residuary power distribution in India is similar to:
A) USA
B) Canada
C) Australia
D) Switzerland
Answer: B
Explanation: Like Canada, India vests residuary powers in the Centre.
10. Which Article provides that Union law prevails over State law in case of conflict on Concurrent List?
A) Article 245
B) Article 246
C) Article 254
D) Article 256
Answer: C
Explanation: Article 254 ensures supremacy of Union law in Concurrent List conflicts.
11. Which Article empowers Parliament to make laws on state subjects under national interest?
A) Article 245
B) Article 249
C) Article 252
D) Article 253
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 249 allows Parliament to legislate on State List subjects if Rajya Sabha passes resolution (2/3 majority).
12. Which Article allows Parliament to legislate on state subjects if states request?
A) Article 249
B) Article 252
C) Article 253
D) Article 254
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 252 allows Parliament to legislate for two or more states by consent.
13. Which Article empowers Parliament to legislate on any subject for implementing international treaties?
A) Article 250
B) Article 252
C) Article 253
D) Article 254
Answer: C
Explanation: Article 253 empowers Parliament for international treaties/agreements.
14. During National Emergency, Parliament can legislate on:
A) Union List only
B) State List only
C) Both Union and State List
D) Concurrent List only
Answer: C
Explanation: During Emergency, Parliament can legislate on all subjects (Article 250).
15. Distribution of taxation powers between Union and States is under:
A) Article 245–255
B) Article 264–300
C) Article 268–293
D) Article 280–281
Answer: C
Explanation: Articles 268–293 deal with distribution of taxation powers.
16. The Union can give grants-in-aid to states under:
A) Article 268
B) Article 275
C) Article 280
D) Article 282
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 275 provides statutory grants to certain states.
17. Discretionary grants-in-aid to states are given under:
A) Article 275
B) Article 282
C) Article 280
D) Article 286
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 282 allows Centre to give discretionary grants for public purposes.
18. Which body recommends distribution of taxes between Union and States?
A) NITI Aayog
B) Finance Commission
C) Planning Commission (abolished)
D) GST Council
Answer: B
Explanation: Finance Commission (Article 280) recommends tax distribution.
19. Which Amendment introduced GST and altered financial federalism?
A) 97th Amendment
B) 100th Amendment
C) 101st Amendment
D) 103rd Amendment
Answer: C
Explanation: 101st Amendment (2016) introduced GST.
20. Which Article empowers Parliament to create new states?
A) Article 2
B) Article 3
C) Article 4
D) Article 5
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 3 deals with formation of new states or alteration of boundaries.
21. The power to reorganise states lies with:
A) President
B) Prime Minister
C) Parliament
D) Supreme Court
Answer: C
Explanation: Only Parliament can reorganise states.
22. Which case upheld supremacy of Union Parliament over states?
A) Kesavananda Bharati (1973)
B) State of West Bengal v. Union of India (1963)
C) S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994)
D) Minerva Mills (1980)
Answer: B
Explanation: SC upheld Union’s power to acquire state property.
23. The distribution of powers in Indian Constitution is taken from:
A) USA
B) Canada
C) UK
D) Switzerland
Answer: A
Explanation: Distribution of powers between Union and States is inspired by USA.
24. Which case held that federalism is part of basic structure?
A) Kesavananda Bharati (1973)
B) Minerva Mills (1980)
C) S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994)
D) I.R. Coelho (2007)
Answer: C
Explanation: SC held federalism to be part of basic structure in Bommai case.
25. Who described India as “federation with a strong centralising tendency”?
A) B.R. Ambedkar
B) K.C. Wheare
C) Granville Austin
D) Jennings
Answer: B
Explanation: K.C. Wheare described India’s federalism as “quasi-federal”.
26. The term “quasi-federal” indicates:
A) Federation with weak Centre
B) Federation with strong Centre
C) Pure federal model
D) Confederal system
Answer: B
Explanation: India has federation with strong Centre.
27. Which Article declares that Parliament has power to legislate for territories not part of any state?
A) Article 245
B) Article 246
C) Article 248
D) Article 246(4)
Answer: D
Explanation: Article 246(4) empowers Parliament to legislate for Union Territories.
28. Inter-state disputes are adjudicated by:
A) President
B) Parliament
C) Supreme Court
D) Rajya Sabha
Answer: C
Explanation: Article 131 grants SC original jurisdiction in inter-state disputes.
29. Inter-state trade and commerce is regulated under:
A) Article 301–307
B) Article 312–317
C) Article 368
D) Article 352
Answer: A
Explanation: Articles 301–307 ensure freedom of trade, commerce, and intercourse.
30. Which body resolves inter-state water disputes?
A) Finance Commission
B) Inter-State Council
C) Parliament
D) Tribunals
Answer: D
Explanation: Parliament can set up tribunals for water disputes (Article 262).
31. Inter-State Council was created under:
A) Article 263
B) Article 262
C) Article 280
D) Article 312
Answer: A
Explanation: Article 263 empowers President to establish Inter-State Council.
32. Inter-State Council was set up in:
A) 1985
B) 1990
C) 1992
D) 2000
Answer: B
Explanation: Inter-State Council was set up in 1990 by V.P. Singh government.
33. Sarkaria Commission (1983) was set up to review:
A) Centre-State relations
B) Fundamental Rights
C) Directive Principles
D) Federal Finance
Answer: A
Explanation: Sarkaria Commission reviewed Centre-State relations.
34. Punchhi Commission (2007) was also related to:
A) Judicial reforms
B) Local governance
C) Centre-State relations
D) Taxation reforms
Answer: C
Explanation: Punchhi Commission also studied Centre-State relations.
35. Zonal Councils were created by:
A) Constitution
B) States Reorganisation Act (1956)
C) 42nd Amendment
D) 44th Amendment
Answer: B
Explanation: Zonal Councils were set up under States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
36. How many Zonal Councils are there in India?
A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 7
Answer: C
Explanation: 6 Zonal Councils – North, South, East, West, Central, North-Eastern.
37. Which Article empowers President to appoint Inter-State Council?
A) Article 262
B) Article 263
C) Article 280
D) Article 356
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 263 provides for Inter-State Council.
38. Which provision strengthens unitary features of Indian federation?
A) Emergency provisions
B) Appointment of Governors by Centre
C) Single Constitution
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: All these tilt balance towards Centre.
39. In India, residuary taxation powers lie with:
A) State legislatures
B) Parliament
C) Finance Commission
D) GST Council
Answer: B
Explanation: Residuary taxation powers belong to Parliament.
40. Which body recommends distribution of tax revenues between Union and States?
A) NITI Aayog
B) GST Council
C) Finance Commission
D) President
Answer: C
Explanation: Finance Commission recommends distribution of financial resources.
41. Freedom of trade, commerce, and intercourse is provided under:
A) Part XI
B) Part XII
C) Part XIII
D) Part XIV
Answer: C
Explanation: Part XIII (Articles 301–307) deals with freedom of trade and commerce.
42. The residuary powers in USA are vested in:
A) Congress
B) President
C) States
D) Judiciary
Answer: C
Explanation: In USA, residuary powers are with the states.
43. Which Amendment abolished Legislative Councils in some states?
A) Simple majority amendment
B) 42nd Amendment
C) 44th Amendment
D) 52nd Amendment
Answer: A
Explanation: Creation/abolition of Legislative Councils is by simple majority in Parliament.
44. Indian federalism is often called:
A) Federalism with cooperative spirit
B) Federalism with unitary bias
C) Confederalism
D) Dual federalism
Answer: B
Explanation: Indian federalism has unitary bias due to strong Centre.
45. Which Article deals with distribution of legislative powers?
A) Article 245
B) Article 246
C) Article 248
D) Article 250
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 246 distributes legislative subjects among Union and States.
46. How many subjects are currently in the Union List?
A) 97
B) 100
C) 101
D) 102
Answer: B
Explanation: After amendments, Union List has 100 subjects.
47. Which Amendment deleted “taxes on sale or purchase of goods” from State List?
A) 97th Amendment
B) 101st Amendment
C) 102nd Amendment
D) 103rd Amendment
Answer: B
Explanation: 101st Amendment (GST) deleted it from State List.
48. Which institution is described as “keystone of the arch of Indian federalism”?
A) Finance Commission
B) Planning Commission
C) Inter-State Council
D) Supreme Court
Answer: D
Explanation: Supreme Court is guardian of federalism in India.
49. Which emergency provision makes India a unitary state?
A) Article 352
B) Article 356
C) Article 360
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: All emergency provisions tilt system towards unitary character.
50. Which Article declares that “executive power of the Union extends to giving directions to states”?
A) Article 256
B) Article 257
C) Article 258
D) Article 260
Answer: A
Explanation: Article 256 obligates states to ensure compliance with Union laws.