Political Systems MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Political Systems - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Single Executive.

Key Points

• Single Executive is not a feature of the Parliamentary Government.
• The Single Executive is the feature of the Presidential form of Government.
• In the Parliamentary Government system, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the lower house under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
• Every five years, the Lower house is dissolved and fresh elections are held for the new session of Lok Sabha.

Additional Information

• Features of the Parliamentary system  
  • Dual Executive 
  • Majority party rule
  • Collective responsibility
  • Political homogeneity
  • Double membership
  • The leadership of Prime Minister
  • Dissolution of the lower house.

Key Points

• In both Houses of the Parliament, a Bill must pass through three readings before it is enacted into law.
• The three readings of a Bill are: First Reading (introduction), Second Reading (detailed discussion), and Third Reading (final vote).
• The First Reading is primarily procedural and involves the introduction of the Bill to the House.
• The Second Reading is the most important stage, where the principles of the Bill are debated in detail and amendments can be proposed.
• The Third Reading involves the final debate and voting on the Bill in its entirety.

Important Points

• The Bill must pass through the same stages in both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
• Once approved by both Houses, the Bill is sent to the President of India for assent, after which it becomes an Act.
• In some cases, Bills may be referred to a Parliamentary committee for detailed examination between the Second and Third Readings.
• Money Bills and Ordinary Bills follow slightly different procedures, but both must pass through the three readings.

The correct answer is Parliamentary System.

Key Points

• Collective responsibility is one of the key features of the Parliamentary system of government.
• It implies that all members of the executive (the Council of Ministers) are collectively responsible to the legislature.
• If a vote of no-confidence is passed against the Council of Ministers, the entire council must resign, including the Prime Minister.
• This ensures accountability and strengthens the relationship between the executive and the legislature.

Important Points

• Collective responsibility is enshrined in Article 75 of the Indian Constitution, which states that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
• This principle is essential for the functioning of a Parliamentary democracy, ensuring that the executive branch cannot act independently of the legislature.
• It fosters unity among the ministers and emphasizes the importance of maintaining trust and confidence in the legislature.

Additional Information

• Presidential System: In a Presidential system, the executive branch is separate from the legislature. The President is independently elected and is not accountable to the legislature in the same manner as in a Parliamentary system.
• Unitary System: A Unitary system refers to a system of governance where all powers are concentrated in the central government. It does not inherently imply collective responsibility but focuses on centralized decision-making.
• Federal System: A Federal system divides powers between the central and state governments. It focuses on decentralization and autonomy rather than collective responsibility at the central level.
• Parliamentary System: As explained above, this system emphasizes collective responsibility, close collaboration between the legislature and executive, and accountability to the legislature.

Key Points

• Justice DY Chandrachud is served as the 50th Chief Justice of India.
• He has been part of several landmark judgments in the Indian judiciary.
• He is known for his progressive and liberal judgments on issues like privacy, LGBTQ rights, and women's rights.
• Justice Chandrachud's tenure has been marked by efforts to make the judiciary more transparent and accessible.

Additional Information

• Parliamentary Privilege:
  • Parliamentary privilege refers to the special rights and immunities enjoyed by members of Parliament and state legislatures, which are essential for them to perform their functions effectively.
  • These privileges include freedom of speech in the legislature, immunity from legal action for statements made in the course of legislative business, and exemption from jury service.
  • However, these privileges are not absolute and can be subject to judicial scrutiny in cases of misuse or criminal conduct.
• Criminal Prosecution of Legislators:
  • Legislators, like any other citizens, are subject to the rule of law and can be prosecuted for criminal offenses.
  • Accepting bribes to vote or speak in the legislature is a criminal act and can lead to prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
  • The Supreme Court's ruling clarifies that parliamentary privilege cannot be used as a shield to protect legislators from prosecution for such criminal acts.
• Supreme Court of India:
  • The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in India, established by the Constitution of India.
  • It has the power to interpret the Constitution, protect fundamental rights, and adjudicate disputes between states or between the union and states.
  • The decisions of the Supreme Court are binding on all lower courts in India.

Key PointsDemocracy is of two types- direct and indirect.

• Direct democracy also called pure democracy is a system of governance where the people exercise their supreme power directly. There are four devices of direct democracy:
  • Referendum - a procedure whereby proposed legislation is referred to the electorate for settlement through direct voting.
  • Initiative - a method by means of which the people can propose a bill to the legislature for enactment.
  • Recall - way for voters to remove a representative or an officer before the expiry of his/her term when he fails to discharge his duties properly.
  • Plebiscite - method of obtaining the opinion of people on any issue of public importance. It is generally used to solve territorial disputes.
  • Examples:
    • Switzerland traditionally has the most elaborate system of direct democracy at the national, cantonal, and municipal levels
    • More than one of the instruments of direct democracy are also provided for and practised on the national level in Uruguay and, more recently, in some eastern European countries such as Latvia and Lithuania.
• In an indirect democracy, the representatives elected by the people exercise the supreme power and thus carry on the government and make the laws. This kind of government is also known as representative democracy.
  • This form of democracy is practised in countries like  India, the USA, Canada and the UK. 

The correct answer is India.

Key Points

• Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a central body and different constituent units of the country.
• There are mainly two kinds of routes through which federations have been formed.
  1. Holding together federations.
  2. Coming together federations.
• In holding together federations a large country is dividing its power between the constituent states and the national government.
  • India is an example of ‘holding together federation’
  • Countries like Spain and Belgium are the other examples of holding together federations.
  • The central government tends to be more powerful in holding together federations.
• In coming together federations independent States coming together on their own to form a bigger unit, so that by pooling sovereignty and retaining identity they can increase their security.
  • Countries like the USA, Switzerland, and Australia are examples of coming together’ federations.

The correct answer is All India Services.

Except Option 2, others are Federal features. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Key Points Unitary features

• Union of States
• Power to form new States and to change existing boundaries
• Unequal Representation in the Legislature
• Single Constitution
• Single citizenship
• Emergency provisions
• All India Services

Additional Information

 Federal features

• Distribution of Powers
• Supremacy of the Constitution
• Written Constitution
• Rigidity
• Independent Judiciary
• Bicameral Legislature
• Dual Government Polity
• Division of Power

The correct answer is  Dual Government.Mistake Points 

• "The federal systems of India and the USA are different in all the following respects, except. -------- It means the similarity between the Indian and American Federal systems has asked in this question. 

Key Points

• Dual government is found in both India and the USA so it is similar in both the countries. Hence, Option 4 is correct.
• In India, states are proportionately represented. whereas in the USA equal representation to all states so both are different.  Hence, Option 1 is Not correct.
• Dual citizenship is offered in the USA while not in India. Hence, Option 2 is Not correct.
• Dual courts at both state and central levels are found in both countries but in India, courts are integrated. The high court is integrated with the Supreme court whereas in the USA both courts are separate. Hence, Option 3 is Not correct.

Additional Information

• The term ‘federation’ is derived from the Latin word 'foedus' which means ‘Treaty’ or ‘Agreement’.  
  • Thus, a federation is a new state (political system) that is formed through a treaty or an agreement between the various units.  
  • The units of a federation are known by various names like
    • States (as in the US) or
    • Cantons (as in Switzerland) or
    • Provinces (as in Canada) or
    • Republics (as in Russia).

Federalism of US Vs India:

The Correct Answer is Option 3 i.e India.

• India:
  • It shares a border with seven countries, namely China, Pakistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
  • India shares the longest border with Bangladesh.
  • It is the largest democracy in the world, the representative with the most number of votes gets the power.
  • New Delhi is the capital of India.
  • Droupadi Murmu is the current President of India and Narendra Modi is the current PM of India.
• Sweden:
  • It is a country in Europe.
  • Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.
  • Stockholm is the capital of Sweden.
  • Ulf Kristersson is the current PM of Sweden.
• Iceland:
  • It is an Island country in Europe.
  • Iceland is a constitutional republic with a multi-party system and is considered as the worlds' oldest parliamentary democracy.
  • Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland.
  • Guoni Thorlacius Johannesson is the current President of Iceland.
• Norway:
  • It is located in Northwestern Europe.
  • It is a constitutional monarchy.
  • Jonas Gahr Støre is the current Prime Minister of Norway.
  • Oslo is the capital city of Norway.

The correct answer is Sarkaria Commission.

• The Inter-State Council was set up in 1990 on the recommendation of Sarkaria Commission

Key Points

• It was set up in June 1983 by the central government of India. The Sarkaria Commission's charter was to examine the relationship and balance of power between state and central governments in the country and suggest changes.

Additional Information

• Punchhi Commission
  • The Punchhi Commission was constituted by the Government of India on 27th April 2007 as a Commission on Centre-State relations.
  • It was chaired by Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi who was formerly the Chief Justice of India from 18 January 1998 until his retirement on 9 October 1998.
  • The Commission examined and reviewed the working of the existing arrangements between the Union and States, various pronouncements of the Courts in regard to powers, functions, and responsibilities.
• Rajamannar Committee:
  • In 1969, the Tamil Nadu Government (DMK) appointed a three-member committee under the chairmanship of Dr P. V. Rajamannar to examine the entire question of Centre-state relations and to suggest amendments to the Constitution so as to secure utmost autonomy to the states.
  • The committee submitted its report to the Tamil Nadu Government in 1971.
• Recommendations:
  • The setting of an Inter-State council immediately.
  • Finance commission to be made a permanent body.
  • Deletion of Articles 356, 357, and 365 which dealt with the President’s rule.
  • Abolition of All-India Services (lAS, IPS, and IFS).
  • Planning Commission to be replaced by a statutory body.
  • The Central government completely ignored its recommendations.

The correct answer is 7th   

Key Points

• The 7th Schedule of the Constitution of India deals with the division of powers between the Union government and the States.
• It contains the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.
• Union List:
  • This includes subjects on which only the Union government can make laws.
  • These subjects pertain to national matters such as defense, atomic energy, foreign affairs, war and peace, banking, railways, etc.
  • There are currently 100 items on this list (originally 97).
• State List:
  • This includes subjects on which only the state government can make laws.
  • These subjects are of local or regional interest, such as police, agriculture, prisons, public health, etc.
  • There are currently 61 items on this list (originally 66).
• Concurrent List:
  • This includes subjects on which both the Union and State governments can make laws.
  • These subjects might require uniformity across the country but also local flexibility, like bankruptcy and insolvency, marriage and divorce, bankruptcy and insolvency, education, etc.
  • There are currently 52 items on this list (originally 47).

Additional Information

• 11th Schedule:
  • This schedule deals with the powers, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats, the rural local self-government system in India.
  • It was added by the 73rd Amendment in 1992.
• 9th Schedule:
  • This schedule was added by the 1st Amendment in 1951.
  • It includes acts and regulations of the state legislature dealing with land reforms and the abolition of the zamindari system.
• 5th Schedule:
  • This schedule deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

The correct answer is It grants reservation to women up to 33% at all levels.

Key Points

Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

• It leads to good governance and helps in the Welfare of the public.
• It accommodates diversities like caste, religion, race, religion, ethnicity, etc. 
• People enjoy various rights like fundamental rights under democracy political system.  
• It leads to a government by the people through free and fair elections.
• It leads to the empowerment of weaker sections.  
• The constitution of India accommodates equality among various communities and social groups to strengthen democracy.
• 33% reservation is granted to women in local panchayats.  
• It checks corruption and misuse of power.
• It leads to a transparent and accountable government.

Important Points

Challenges to democracy

• Rigging of elections
• Use of muscle and money power in elections 
• Inadequate representation of women 
• Undemocratic working of institutions 
• Criminalisation of elections 
• Social division and their demands 
• Foundational challenges like Naxalism and insurgency
• Lack of internal democracy in political parties 
• Corruption

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

• Representation of Political Parties:
  • This statement is not a requirement of a parliamentary system, as not all parties need to be represented in the government; typically, the ruling party or coalition governs.
  • Hence, option 1 is incorrect.
• Government Responsibility:
  • In a parliamentary system, the executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislature (Parliament) and is accountable to it.
  • If the government loses a vote of confidence, it can be removed by the Parliament.
  • Hence, option 2 is correct.
• Election by the People:
  • While members of Parliament are elected by the people, the government itself (the Prime Minister and the Cabinet) is formed from the elected members of Parliament.
  • The government is not directly elected by the people in a parliamentary system.
  • Removal by the people typically occurs through general elections, not directly.
  • Hence, option 3 is incorrect.
• Fixed Term of Government:
  • In a parliamentary system, the government can be removed before the end of its term through a vote of no confidence or similar procedures, so this statement does not accurately describe a parliamentary system.
  • Hence, option 4 is incorrect.
• Therefore, the defining feature of a Parliamentary System of Government is that the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it.

The correct answer is 2 only.Key Points

• Federalism can be formed by way of integration (US) or disintegration (Canada). 
• Indian federalism resembles “CANADIAN MODEL”.
• Article 1 describes India as a UNION of states. 
• It is not a result of an agreement between states and states have no right to secede from the federation. 
• It’s an Indestructible union of destructible states.
• KC Wheare described it as “Quasi federalism”.
• Granville Austin called it “Cooperative federalism” (need for national integrity and unity).
• Morris Jones defined it as 'Bargaining Federalism'.
• 'Federalism with Centralizing tendency' by Ivor Jenning.
• India is a holding together type of Federation in which some States have more power than others. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • The central government has more power than the state government. 
• Parliament has the power to make changes in the territory as well as the name of states under articles 1 to 4 of the Indian Constitution.
• Article 1 describes India that is Bharat is a union of the state rather than a Federation of the state as India is a holding together type of Federation rather than coming together type of Federation like the USA. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• In case of collision of decisions in terms of the concurrent list under schedule 7 the union decision making power prevails over the State Power. 
• The residuary power is vested upon the Union government.
• Unitary bias (dominance of centre in financial powers, central grants, Niti Aayog).

Important Points

• In SR Bommai case SC characterized “Federalism” as part of “Basic structure”.

 The correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• The Sarkaria Commission was set up in 1983 under the chairmanship of RS Sarkaria.
• It gave its final report in 1988.
• It made 247 recommendations related to Central state relations that were against over-centralisation or under centralisation. 

Sarkaria Commission Recommendations:

• Centre should consult state while making law on Concurrent list.
• CM should be consulted in the Governor’s appointment.
• Net proceeds of the Corporation tax must be shared with states.
• Governor should have fixed tenure. He cannot dismiss the Council of ministers when it commands a majority.
• Commission of enquiry against state ministers can only be set up after Parliament’s demand.
• Surcharge on Income tax should not be levied by Centre except for a specific purpose.
• Commissioner for linguistic minorities should be activated.
• A permanent Inter-State Council under A-263 should be instituted.
• When President withhold his assent on state bills then the reason should be communicated.
• The centre should have powers to deploy armed forces even without the consent of the states however state should be consulted.