Introduction Political parties are a cornerstone of any democratic framework, serving as essential instruments for…
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on “Emergency Provisions in the Indian Constitution: Safeguards and Misuse” with answers.
1. Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the proclamation of a National Emergency?
- a) Article 352
- b) Article 356
- c) Article 360
- d) Article 365
Answer: a) Article 352
2. National Emergency can be declared in India on which of the following grounds?
- a) Armed rebellion
- b) External aggression
- c) War
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
3. During the proclamation of a National Emergency, the term of the Lok Sabha can be extended by a period of:
- a) 1 year at a time
- b) 6 months at a time
- c) 3 months at a time
- d) 5 years
Answer: a) 1 year at a time
4. Which of the following provisions was added by the 44th Amendment to the Constitution with regard to Emergency Provisions?
- a) National Emergency cannot be declared without prior approval of Parliament
- b) National Emergency can be revoked only by the President
- c) The phrase “armed rebellion” replaced “internal disturbance”
- d) Emergency can be declared only with a written recommendation of the Council of Ministers
Answer: c) The phrase “armed rebellion” replaced “internal disturbance”
5. Under the National Emergency, which fundamental rights are automatically suspended?
- a) Articles 19, 21
- b) Articles 14, 19
- c) Articles 20, 21
- d) Article 19 only
Answer: d) Article 19 only
6. The 44th Amendment of the Constitution, 1978 made the declaration of National Emergency subject to approval by:
- a) Parliament by a simple majority
- b) Parliament by a two-thirds majority
- c) Parliament by a three-fourths majority
- d) A joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament
Answer: b) Parliament by a two-thirds majority
7. Which of the following is NOT a safeguard against misuse of Emergency powers?
- a) Judicial review of the President’s proclamation
- b) Requirement of written advice from the Cabinet
- c) The President’s unilateral power to proclaim Emergency
- d) Mandatory approval by both Houses of Parliament within a month
Answer: c) The President’s unilateral power to proclaim Emergency
8. A State Emergency under Article 356 can be in force for a maximum period of:
- a) 6 months
- b) 1 year
- c) 2 years
- d) 3 years
Answer: d) 3 years
9. Financial Emergency can be proclaimed under which Article of the Indian Constitution?
- a) Article 352
- b) Article 356
- c) Article 360
- d) Article 365
Answer: c) Article 360
10. Which body has the power to review the President’s proclamation of Emergency?
- a) Supreme Court
- b) Parliament
- c) Council of Ministers
- d) Governor
Answer: a) Supreme Court
11. During a Financial Emergency, the President can reduce the salaries of which of the following?
- a) Central Government employees
- b) State Government employees
- c) Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
12. The declaration of Emergency under Article 356 in a state is often referred to as:
- a) National Emergency
- b) President’s Rule
- c) Martial Law
- d) Constitutional Amendment
Answer: b) President’s Rule
13. President’s Rule under Article 356 must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within:
- a) One week
- b) Two months
- c) Six months
- d) One year
Answer: b) Two months
14. Which of the following is suspended automatically during a National Emergency?
- a) Right to life and personal liberty
- b) Right to constitutional remedies
- c) Right to equality
- d) Right to freedom of speech
Answer: d) Right to freedom of speech
15. National Emergency has been declared in India how many times?
- a) Once
- b) Twice
- c) Thrice
- d) Four times
Answer: c) Thrice
16. The maximum period for which a Financial Emergency can continue is:
- a) 6 months
- b) 1 year
- c) 2 years
- d) Indefinite, until revoked by the President
Answer: d) Indefinite, until revoked by the President
17. The 42nd Amendment of the Constitution had a significant impact on the Emergency provisions by:
- a) Limiting the powers of the President
- b) Enhancing the powers of the executive
- c) Allowing judicial review of Emergency
- d) Imposing restrictions on proclamation of Emergency
Answer: b) Enhancing the powers of the executive
18. Which of the following rights cannot be suspended during a National Emergency?
- a) Right to life and personal liberty (Article 21)
- b) Right to freedom of speech (Article 19)
- c) Right to form associations (Article 19(1)(c))
- d) Right to constitutional remedies (Article 32)
Answer: a) Right to life and personal liberty (Article 21)
19. Who has the authority to proclaim an Emergency in India?
- a) Prime Minister
- b) President
- c) Parliament
- d) Supreme Court
Answer: b) President
20. The President can proclaim an Emergency only on the written advice of:
- a) The Prime Minister
- b) The Council of Ministers
- c) The Cabinet
- d) The Attorney General
Answer: c) The Cabinet
21. What is the role of the Rajya Sabha in the continuation of President’s Rule?
- a) It has no role
- b) It can only reject the proclamation
- c) It must approve the proclamation by a simple majority
- d) It must approve the proclamation by a two-thirds majority
Answer: c) It must approve the proclamation by a simple majority
22. The duration of an Emergency declared under Article 352 is initially for:
- a) 1 month
- b) 6 months
- c) 2 years
- d) Indefinite
Answer: b) 6 months
23. Under Article 358, the suspension of fundamental rights under National Emergency applies only to:
- a) Article 19
- b) Article 21
- c) Article 32
- d) Article 20
Answer: a) Article 19
24. During a National Emergency, how often must the Parliament approve its continuation?
- a) Every 3 months
- b) Every 6 months
- c) Every year
- d) Every 2 years
Answer: b) Every 6 months
25. Which amendment restored some checks on the misuse of Emergency provisions in India?
- a) 42nd Amendment
- b) 44th Amendment
- c) 52nd Amendment
- d) 61st Amendment
Answer: b) 44th Amendment
26. Which one of the following is not a feature of the Emergency Provisions?
- a) The federal structure is transformed into a unitary one
- b) Fundamental rights are curtailed
- c) The judiciary is suspended
- d) The executive powers of the states come under the Union government
Answer: c) The judiciary is suspended
27. The declaration of Emergency due to internal disturbances was first made in India in:
- a) 1962
- b) 1965
- c) 1971
- d) 1975
Answer: d) 1975
28. The suspension of fundamental rights during an Emergency can be challenged in:
- a) Parliament
- b) High Courts
- c) The Supreme Court
- d) None of the above
Answer: c) The Supreme Court
29. The President’s power to proclaim Emergency is subject to judicial review. Which case established this principle?
- a) Minerva Mills case
- b) Keshavananda Bharati case
- c) Golaknath case
- d) ADM Jabalpur case
Answer: a) Minerva Mills case
30. Which of the following is considered a safeguard against the abuse of Emergency provisions?
- a) Approval by the Cabinet before proclamation
- b) Judicial review of Emergency proclamations
- c) Parliamentary approval every six months
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
These questions cover various aspects of Emergency provisions, safeguards, and their misuse in the Indian Constitution.
