Indian Polity: asked again and again

Answer: (A) Rajya Sabha.

Under Article 64 the Vice-President is ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). The Lok Sabha is presided over by the Speaker, and the Planning Commission and NDC were chaired by the Prime Minister.

Answer: (B) the Vice-President

Under Articles 64 and 89 the Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; he is not a member of the House and votes only in case of a tie (casting vote). The Deputy Chairman, by contrast, is elected by the Rajya Sabha from among its own members. When the Vice-President acts as President, he does not perform the duties of the Chairman. The Lok Sabha is presided over by the Speaker, who is elected by its members.

Answer: (C) the Vice-President of India

The Vice-President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Answer: (D) The Vice-President of India

Under Article 64 of the Constitution of India, the Vice-President of India is ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Vice-President presides over Rajya Sabha sessions but cannot vote except to break a tie. The Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha.

Answer: (A) Corporation Tax

Corporation Tax (tax on profits of companies) is a Central Government tax levied under List I (Union List) of the Seventh Schedule. Professional Tax and Land Revenue are State subjects. Excise duty on alcoholic liquors is also a State subject (states collect this revenue).

Answer: (C) President of India

A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and only on the prior recommendation of the President (Article 117). The Speaker's role is different: he or she certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill, and that decision is final (Article 110). The Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill; it can only make recommendations and must return the bill within 14 days. There is no joint sitting on a Money Bill.

Answer: (C) President of India.

Under Article 109 of the Constitution, a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. It can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only on the recommendation of the President of India. The President's prior sanction/recommendation is mandatory.

Answer: (D) Article 19

Article 19(1)(a) guarantees all citizens the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, subject to "reasonable restrictions" laid out in Article 19(2) on grounds like public order, security of the state, and defamation.

Answer: (C) three tiers

The 73rd Amendment established a uniform three-tier Panchayati Raj structure across India: the Gram Panchayat at the village level, the Panchayat Samiti (or Block/Mandal) at the intermediate level, and the Zilla Parishad at the district level.

Answer: (A) Article 40

Article 40, a Gandhian Directive Principle in Part IV, asks the State to organise village panchayats and give them the powers needed to work as units of self-government; it was given effect by the 73rd Amendment (1992). The neighbouring articles: Article 41 - right to work, education and public assistance; Article 42 - just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief; Article 43 - living wage and cottage industries.