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Q.1
WBCS Prelims 2023
Which among the following was set up under Part III of the States Re-organization Act, 1956?
A.Inter-state council
B.Zonal council
C.Language commission
D.Sarkaria commission
Explanation
Why Correct: Part III of the States Reorganization Act, 1956 established Zonal Councils to promote cooperation and coordination among states within each zone. Distractor Analysis: The Inter-state Council was established under Article 263 of the Constitution in 1990. The Language Commission refers to the Official Language Commission established in 1955. The Sarkaria Commission was a 1983 commission on Centre-State relations. Takeaway: The States Reorganization Act of 1956 created five Zonal Councils: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern.
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Q.2
WBCS Prelims 2023
Socio-economic planning is a part of
A.Union list
B.State list
C.Concurrent list
D.Reserved list
Explanation
Why Correct: Socio-economic planning appears in the Concurrent List (List III) at Entry 20 of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, allowing both Union and State governments to legislate on it. Distractor Analysis: Union List contains subjects like defense and foreign affairs exclusively for Parliament. State List contains subjects like police and public health exclusively for State Legislatures. Reserved List is not a constitutional term; the Constitution has Union, State, and Concurrent Lists only. Takeaway: Key Concurrent List entries include criminal law, marriage and divorce, education, and forests, reflecting shared legislative authority between Centre and States.
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Q.3
WBCS Prelims 2022
For the purpose of the legislation, education is enlisted in the
A.State List
B.Union List
C.Concurrent List
D.Residuary List
Explanation
Why Correct: Entry 25 in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India explicitly includes "Education, including technical education, medical education and universities, subject to the provisions of entries 63, 64, 65 and 66 of List I; vocational and technical training of labour." Distractor Analysis: The State List contains primary education and other local governance matters, while the Union List includes institutions of national importance and coordination of higher education standards. The Residuary List contains subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists, which Parliament has exclusive power to legislate on. Takeaway: The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 transferred education from the State List to the Concurrent List, enabling both Parliament and State Legislatures to make laws on this subject.
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Q.4
WBCS Prelims 2021
Inter-state council is formed by the
A.Prime Minister
B.Parliament
C.Chief Justice of India
D.President
Explanation
Why Correct: Article 263 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council to facilitate coordination between states and between states and the Union. Distractor Analysis: The Prime Minister chairs the Inter-State Council but does not form it. Parliament can legislate on inter-state matters but does not directly form the council. The Chief Justice of India heads the judiciary and has no role in forming executive bodies like the Inter-State Council. Takeaway: The Inter-State Council comprises the Prime Minister (Chairperson), Chief Ministers of all states and union territories with legislatures, and six Union Cabinet Ministers nominated by the Prime Minister.
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Q.5
WBCS Prelims 2019
Which Schedule of the Constitution of India distributes power between the Union and the States?
A.First Schedule
B.Second Schedule
C.Sixth Schedule
D.Seventh Schedule
Explanation
Why Correct: The Seventh Schedule contains three legislative lists - Union List (97 subjects), State List (66 subjects), and Concurrent List (47 subjects) - that distribute legislative powers between the Union and States. Distractor Analysis: The First Schedule lists states and union territories. The Second Schedule deals with emoluments and allowances of constitutional functionaries. The Sixth Schedule provides for administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. Takeaway: The Union List includes defense, foreign affairs, banking, and currency; the State List includes police, public health, and agriculture; while both can legislate on Concurrent List subjects like education, marriage, and bankruptcy.
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Q.6
WBCS Prelims 2018
In the classification of power in the Constitution of India, education falls under
A.Central list
B.State list
C.Concurrent list
D.None of the above
Explanation
Why Correct: The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 transferred 'Education' from the State List to the Concurrent List (List III) of the Seventh Schedule, enabling both Union and State governments to legislate on it. Distractor Analysis: The Union List contains exclusive central subjects like defense and atomic energy. The State List originally held education before 1976. 'None of the above' is incorrect because education appears explicitly in the Constitution's Seventh Schedule. Takeaway: The 42nd Amendment also shifted 'Forests', 'Weights & Measures', and 'Administration of Justice' from State to Concurrent List.
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Q.7
WBCS Prelims 2017
‘Law and Order‘ is included in the
A.Concurrent List
B.State List
C.Union List
D.None of the Above
Explanation
Why Correct: The Constitution of India places 'Police' and 'Public Order' in the State List (List II, Entry 1 and 2), making law and order primarily a state subject under Article 246. Distractor Analysis: The Concurrent List (List III) contains subjects where both Parliament and State Legislatures can legislate, like education and marriage. The Union List (List I) contains subjects exclusively for Parliament, like defense and foreign affairs. Takeaway: The Seventh Schedule's State List also includes prisons, local government, and public health, while the Union List includes banking, currency, and inter-state trade.
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Q.8
WBCS Prelims 2017
Grant-in-aid are provided for in the Constitution of India under Articles
A.274 and 275
B.275 and 296
C.275 and 285
D.275 and 282
Explanation
Why Correct: Article 275 provides grants from the Union to states for revenue deficit assistance and specific development needs, while Article 282 allows both Union and states to make grants for any public purpose, including those to local bodies. Distractor Analysis: Article 274 deals with prior presidential recommendation for bills affecting taxation where states are interested. Article 285 exempts Union property from state taxation. Article 296 covers property accruing by escheat or lapse. Takeaway: Article 275 grants are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, making them non-votable in Parliament.
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Q.9
WBCS Prelims 2016
The number of subjects enumerated in the concurrent list for purpose of Legislation is :
A.40
B.47
C.50
D.57
Explanation
Why Correct: The Constitution's Seventh Schedule enumerates 47 subjects in the Concurrent List where both Parliament and State Legislatures can legislate. Distractor Analysis: 40 subjects appear in the State List, 50 subjects appear in the Union List, and 57 is not a valid count for any legislative list in the Indian Constitution. Takeaway: The Union List contains 100 subjects (originally 97, now expanded), while the State List contains 61 subjects (originally 66, now reduced).
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Q.10
WBCS Prelims 2014
Education, under the Indian Constitution is included in
A.The Union list
B.The State list
C.The concurrent list
D.None of the above
Explanation
Why Correct: Entry 25 of the Concurrent List (List III) in the Seventh Schedule includes education, including technical education, medical education, and universities. Distractor Analysis: The Union List contains subjects where only Parliament can legislate, such as defense, foreign affairs, and atomic energy. The State List contains subjects where only State Legislatures can legislate, such as police, public health, and agriculture. None of the above is incorrect because education is explicitly listed in the Concurrent List. Takeaway: The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) moved education from the State List to the Concurrent List, enabling both Parliament and State Legislatures to make laws on education.
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Q.11
WBCS Prelims 2013
Agriculture, under Indian Constitution is —
A.State subject
B.Union Government subject
C.Concurrent list
D.None of the above
Explanation
Why Correct: Entry 14 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution places 'Agriculture, including agricultural education and research' under exclusive State jurisdiction. Distractor Analysis: Union subjects are listed in the Union List (List I). Concurrent List (List III) contains subjects where both Union and States can legislate, like education and forests. Since agriculture is specifically in the State List, 'None of the above' is incorrect. Takeaway: Other important State List entries include police (Entry 2), public health (Entry 6), and land (Entry 18), while defense and foreign affairs are Union subjects.
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Q.12
WBCS Prelims 2011
The Parliament has power to legislate with respect to a matter in the State List provided it is in the
A.National interest
B.Interest of the concerned State
C.Interest of the underprivileged
D.Interest of the minority
Explanation
Why Correct: Article 249 of the Indian Constitution empowers Parliament to legislate on State List subjects when the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by two-thirds majority declaring that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest. Distractor Analysis: Interest of the concerned State refers to State List matters where states have primary legislative authority. Interest of the underprivileged relates to Directive Principles of State Policy and social justice provisions. Interest of the minority pertains to fundamental rights protections under Articles 29-30. Takeaway: Article 249 resolutions remain valid for one year initially, but Parliament can extend them indefinitely through annual renewals.
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Q.13
WBCS Prelims 2011
The Sarkaria Commission was set up for the review of the relation between
A.The Prime Minister and the President
B.The Legislative and the Executive
C.The Executive and the Judiciary
D.The Centre and the States
Explanation
Why Correct: The Sarkaria Commission (1983) specifically examined Centre-State relations and recommended cooperative federalism principles. Distractor Analysis: The Prime Minister and President relationship falls under constitutional conventions and executive functions. Legislative-Executive relations involve parliamentary procedures and separation of powers. Executive-Judiciary relations concern judicial review and independence of judiciary. Takeaway: The Inter-State Council was established in 1990 based on Sarkaria Commission recommendations to promote coordination between states and between Centre and states.
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Q.14
WBCS Prelims 2011
Finances are distributed between the Centre and the States on the basis of the recommendations of the
A.Planning Commission
B.Finance Commission
C.National Development Council
D.Public Accounts Committee
Explanation
Why Correct: Article 280 mandates the Finance Commission to recommend distribution of net tax proceeds between Union and States and allocation among States. Distractor Analysis: The Planning Commission was a non-constitutional advisory body for five-year plans, replaced by NITI Aayog in 2015. The National Development Council coordinates state policies for national plan implementation but lacks constitutional financial distribution authority. The Public Accounts Committee examines government expenditure accounts to ensure parliamentary grants are properly spent. Takeaway: The Finance Commission is constituted every five years, with its recommendations covering tax devolution, grants-in-aid, and fiscal discipline measures for states.
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Q.15
WBCS Prelims 2011
Which of the following items comes under the concurrent list?
A.Agriculture
B.Labour Welfare
C.Public Health
D.Insurance
Explanation
Why Correct: Labour Welfare (Entry 24 in the Concurrent List) allows both Parliament and State Legislatures to legislate on conditions of work, provident funds, and employer liability. Distractor Analysis: Agriculture (Entry 14) belongs to the State List, giving exclusive power to State Legislatures. Public Health (Entry 6) also resides in the State List. Insurance (Entry 47) falls under the Union List, reserved for Parliament. Takeaway: Concurrent List entries include education, forests, marriage, and adoption, while Union List includes defense, banking, and atomic energy.
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Q.16
WBCS Prelims 2007
Under which Article of the Constitution of India, Parliament can make laws under the Residuary powers?
A.Article 248
B.Article 249
C.Article 250
D.Article 251
Explanation
Why Correct: Article 248 grants Parliament exclusive power to make laws on any matter not enumerated in the State List or Concurrent List, establishing residuary legislative authority. Distractor Analysis: Article 249 allows Parliament to legislate on State List matters in national interest when Rajya Sabha passes a resolution. Article 250 permits Parliament to legislate on State List matters during a Proclamation of Emergency. Article 251 addresses inconsistency between laws made under Articles 249-250 and State laws. Takeaway: Residuary powers under Article 248 include subjects like cyber law and space technology that weren't anticipated when the Constitution was framed.
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Q.17
WBCS Prelims 2006
In the classification of power in the Constitution of India, education falls in
A.Central List
B.State List
C.Concurrent List
D.None of the above
Explanation
Why Correct: Education appears at Entry 25 in the Concurrent List (List III) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, allowing both Parliament and State Legislatures to legislate on it. Distractor Analysis: The Central List (Union List) contains subjects where only Parliament can legislate, such as defense and foreign affairs. The State List contains subjects where only State Legislatures can legislate, such as police and public health. 'None of the above' is incorrect because education is explicitly mentioned in the Concurrent List. Takeaway: The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 moved education from the State List to the Concurrent List, making it a shared responsibility between the Centre and States.
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Q.18
WBCS Prelims 2000
Taxes on income other than agricultural income shall be levied and collected by the Government of India under Article of the India.
A.268
B.269
C.270
D.275
Explanation
Why Correct: Article 270 of the Constitution empowers the Union Government to levy and collect taxes on income excluding agricultural income, with the collected revenue distributed between the Union and States. Distractor Analysis: Article 268 covers stamp duties and duties on medicinal and toilet preparations levied by the Union but collected and appropriated by States. Article 269 deals with taxes levied and collected by the Union but assigned to States, like taxes on sale or purchase of goods in inter-state trade. Article 275 provides grants from the Union to certain States as specified by Parliament. Takeaway: Article 271 allows Parliament to impose surcharges on Union taxes for Union purposes, not shared with States.
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