Daily subject-wise quiz: Polity and Governance MCQs on Vice-President of India, Sessions of Parliament and more (Week 120)

Indian Express

22-07-2025

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of daily subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Polity and Governance to check your progress.
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With reference to the Sessions of Parliament, consider the following statements:
1. India has a fixed parliamentary calendar.
2. Parliament generally meets for three sessions in a year.
3. The longest session is the Monsoon session.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Explanation
— India does not have a fixed parliamentary calendar. By convention, Parliament meets for three sessions in a year. Hence, statement 1 is not correct and statement 2 is correct.
— The longest, the Budget Session, begins towards the end of January and ends by the end of April or the first week of May. The session is adjourned so that Parliamentary Committees can debate budget suggestions. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
— The second session is the three-week Monsoon Session, which typically starts in July and ends in August. The parliamentary year concludes with a three-week Winter Session, which runs from November to December.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
(Other Source: prsindia.org)
With reference to the summoning of Parliament, consider the following statements:
1. It is based on a provision of the Government of India Act, 1935.
2. It is not specified in the Constitution of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
— The summoning of Parliament is specified in Article 85 of the Constitution. Like many other articles, it is based on a provision of the Government of India Act, 1935. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.
— This provision specified that the central legislature had to be summoned to meet at least once a year, and that not more than 12 months could elapse between two sessions.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
(Other Source: prsindia.org)
Consider the following statements about ancestral property:
1. A tribal woman is not entitled to an equal share in ancestral property.
2. In the absence of a specific law governing intestate succession among Scheduled Tribes, the principle of 'justice, equity and good conscience', extending the provisions of the Central Provinces Laws Act, 1875, is invoked.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
— The Supreme Court held that a tribal woman would be entitled to an equal share in ancestral property. The SC observed that denying a female heir right in the property unless otherwise prescribed in law only exacerbates gender division and discrimination, which the law should weed out. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
— In the absence of a specific law governing intestate succession among Scheduled Tribes, Justices Sanjay Karol and Joymalya Bagchi invoked the principle of 'justice, equity and good conscience', extending the provisions of the Central Provinces Laws Act, 1875 to the case and set aside the July 1, 2022 judgement of the Chhattisgarh HC, which had upheld the lower court order denying her the inheritance rights. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
Which of the following articles of the Constitution of India provides for the reservation of seats for women in the Legislative Assemblies of the States?
(a) Article 331
(b) Article 332
(c) Article 332-A
(d) Article 333
Explanation
— Article 332-A of the Constitution of India provides for the reservation of seats for women in the Legislative Assemblies of the States.
— Seats shall be reserved for women in the Legislative Assembly of every State.
— As nearly as may be, one-third of the total number of seats reserved under clause (3) of article 332 shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes.
— As nearly as may be, one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in the Legislative Assembly of every State shall be reserved for women.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
(Source: Constitution of India)
With reference to the removal of a judge, consider the following statements:
1. A notice for the removal of a judge has to be signed by not less than 50 members in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
2. Once the MPs submit the motion, the presiding officer of the House has to accept it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
— Across party lines, 145 Lok Sabha members and 63 Rajya Sabha members have given notice to file a motion demanding the dismissal of former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, who is currently placed at Allahabad High Court. Justice Varma is at the focus of a controversy when a Supreme Court-appointed commission found credibility in allegations that wads of cash notes were discovered at his official residence when a fire broke out on March 14.
— A notice for the removal of a judge has to be signed by not less than 100 members in the Lok Sabha and 50 in the Rajya Sabha, as per the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
— Once the MPs submit the motion, the presiding officer of the House can either accept or reject it. If accepted, a three-member committee, comprising two judges and a jurist, will be constituted to probe the complaint and determine if it is a case fit for initiating the process of impeachment. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
Consider the following personalities who held Constitutional positions in India:
1. V.V. Giri
2. R. Venkataraman
3. Shankar Dayal Sharma
Which of the above-mentioned Vice-Presidents of India resigned before completing their term to contest the presidential elections?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
— Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation late on Monday night has created a rare mid-term vacancy in the country's second-highest constitutional office. He is only the third Vice-President in India's history to resign before completing his term, after V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman—both of whom stepped down to contest presidential elections and were succeeded by Gopal Swarup Pathak and Shankar Dayal Sharma, respectively.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements with reference to the office of Vice President of India:
1. In case of vacancy, the Constitution requires it to be filled within six months.
2. The elected candidate serves a full five-year term from the date of assuming office — not just the remainder of its predecessor's tenure.
3. The Constitution does not provide for an acting Vice-President.
Which of the above given statements is/are true?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Who performs the Vice-President's duties now?
— The Constitution does not provide for an acting Vice-President. However, since the Vice-President is also the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Deputy Chairman will preside over the House in his absence. Hence, statement 3 is true.
When will the election be held?
— In the case of the President, the Constitution requires that a vacancy be filled within six months. But for a Vice-Presidential vacancy, there is no such fixed deadline. The only requirement is that the election be held 'as soon as possible' after the post falls vacant. The Election Commission will announce the schedule. The poll is conducted under the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952. As per convention, the Secretary General of either House of Parliament is appointed as the Returning Officer, in rotation. Hence, statement 1 is not true.
How long will the new Vice-President serve?
— The elected candidate serves a full five-year term from the date of assuming office — not just the remainder of the predecessor's tenure. Hence, statement 2 is true.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
With reference to election of Vice-President of India, consider the following statements:
1. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college made up of members from both Houses of Parliament — Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — excluding nominated members.
2. To be declared elected, a candidate must reach a required minimum number of votes — called the quota which is calculated by dividing the total number of valid votes by two and adding one (fractions, if any, are ignored).
Which of the above given statements is/are true?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
How is the Vice-President elected in India?
— The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college made up of members from both Houses of Parliament — Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — including nominated members. Unlike in a presidential election, state legislatures do not participate. Hence, statement 1 is not true.
— Voting is held in Parliament House in New Delhi, by secret ballot, using the system of proportional representation with a single transferable vote. Each MP casts a vote by ranking candidates in order of preference. All votes carry equal value.
— To be declared elected, a candidate must reach a required minimum number of votes — called the quota. This is calculated by dividing the total number of valid votes by two and adding one (fractions, if any, are ignored). If no candidate crosses the quota in the first round, the one with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the remaining candidates based on second preferences. The process continues until one candidate crosses the quota. Hence, statement 2 is true.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 118)
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Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 119)
Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 119)
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Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'LIVE with Manas'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More