2018 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I

Question 53: Polity and Governance

If the President of India exercises his power as provided under Article 356 of the Constitution in respect of a particular State, then

athe Assembly of the State is automatically dissolved.
bthe powers of the Legislature of that State shall be exercisable by or under the authority of the Parliament.
cArticle 19 is suspended in that State.
dthe President can make laws relating to that State.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Under Article 356, when the President is satisfied that a State's government cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution, the President may take over the State government's functions and declare that the powers of the State Legislature are exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. The Assembly is not automatically dissolved; it may be kept in suspended animation. Article 19 is not suspended by it, and the President does not legislate himself unless Parliament authorises him to.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: the Assembly is dissolved or suspended only if the President so decides, not automatically.
  • (b) Right: Article 356(1)(b) says so.
  • (c) Wrong: Article 19 is not suspended under Article 356.
  • (d) Wrong: the President legislates only if Parliament confers that power (Article 357).

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.