UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I
Question 58: Polity and Governance
Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India :
- IList I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule
- IIExtent of the executive power of a State
- IIIConditions of the Governor’s office
For a constitutional amendment with respect to which of the above, ratification by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States is required before presenting the bill to the President of India for assent?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Article 368(2) requires ratification by the Legislatures of at least half the States, before the Bill goes to the President, for amendments affecting the federal structure. These cover the election of the President, the extent of the executive power of the Union and the States, the Union and State judiciary, the distribution of legislative powers, any of the Lists in the Seventh Schedule, the representation of States in Parliament, and Article 368 itself. The conditions of the Governor's office are not on that list, so Parliament can amend them under the ordinary amendment procedure.
- I. Changes to any Seventh Schedule List need ratification by half the States.
- II. The extent of the executive power of a State is in the ratification list.
- III. The Governor's conditions of office are not in the list.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement III is not correct, (b), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes III.
What you needed to know: The Governor's conditions of office are not in the list.
Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 2.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: the Union List and the extent of State executive power need ratification by half the States.
- (b) Wrong: the Governor's conditions of office do not need State ratification.
- (c) Wrong: the Governor's conditions of office are outside the ratification list.
- (d) Wrong: III does not need State ratification.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.