Q41. Which of the following is a direct consequence of a Financial Emergency on federalism?
Emergency Provisions: RAS Prelims MCQs
70 RAS Prelims MCQs on the emergency provisions cover the three kinds of emergency, their grounds, parliamentary approval and duration, the effects on federalism and rights, and the amendments that changed them. The Emergencies of 1962, 1971 and 1975 and the 38th, 42nd and 44th Amendments are asked as facts and sequences.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 41–50 of 70 questions
Q42. Consider the following constitutional bodies/ offices:
I. Judges of the Supreme Court
II. Judges of the High Courts
III. Persons serving in connection with the affairs of a State
IV. Persons serving in connection with the affairs of the Union
Which among the above can have their salaries reduced during a Financial Emergency?
I. Judges of the Supreme Court
II. Judges of the High Courts
III. Persons serving in connection with the affairs of a State
IV. Persons serving in connection with the affairs of the Union
Which among the above can have their salaries reduced during a Financial Emergency?
Explanation
During a Financial Emergency, the President can order the reduction of salaries and allowances for several classes of persons. This includes those serving the Union, those serving a State, and judges of both the Supreme Court and High Courts. These provisions enable the government to manage a fiscal crisis by reducing expenditure across the entire administrative and judicial framework.
Q43. What happens if the Lok Sabha is dissolved at the time of the proclamation of a National Emergency?
Explanation
If the Lok Sabha is dissolved when a National Emergency is proclaimed, the proclamation survives if the Rajya Sabha approves it within one month. Once the Lok Sabha is reconstituted, it must also approve the proclamation within thirty days of its first sitting. This ensures that the emergency remains valid even during a transition in the lower house of the Parliament.
Q44. Arrange the following steps regarding the revocation of a National Emergency via the Lok Sabha in the correct procedural order:
A. The President revokes the emergency proclamation.
B. Notice is given in writing to the Speaker or the President.
C. A special sitting of the House is held within 14 days.
D. One-tenth of the total members of the Lok Sabha issue a notice.
E. A resolution disapproving the continuation of the emergency is passed by a simple majority.
Select the correct sequence:
A. The President revokes the emergency proclamation.
B. Notice is given in writing to the Speaker or the President.
C. A special sitting of the House is held within 14 days.
D. One-tenth of the total members of the Lok Sabha issue a notice.
E. A resolution disapproving the continuation of the emergency is passed by a simple majority.
Select the correct sequence:
Explanation
To revoke a National Emergency through the Lok Sabha, one-tenth of its members must first give a written notice. This notice is submitted to the Speaker or the President. A special sitting of the House is then held within fourteen days. If the Lok Sabha passes a resolution disapproving the continuation by a simple majority, the President must revoke it.
Q45. Identify the incorrect statement concerning Article 20 of the Indian Constitution during an emergency.
Explanation
The immunity of Articles 20 and 21 was established by the 44th Amendment Act. Article 20 provides protection against arbitrary and excessive punishment to any person accused of an offence. The Forty-fourth Amendment Act made Articles 20 and 21 immune from suspension during an emergency. This ensures that even when the country is under stress, individuals retain their fundamental rights to a fair trial and protection of life.
Q46. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Emergency Declaration | Underlying Cause |
|---|---|
| A. First National Emergency | i. Threat to credit or financial stability |
| B. Second National Emergency | ii. War in Bangladesh (East Pakistan) |
| C. Third National Emergency | iii. JP Movement and political crisis |
| D. Any Financial Emergency | iv. Sino-Indian conflict |
Explanation
The 1962 emergency was triggered by Chinese aggression. The 1971 emergency occurred during the war that led to Bangladesh’s creation. The 1975 emergency followed the JP movement and political instability. While a Financial Emergency is for credit threats, none has been declared. These events represent critical junctures where the Indian state invoked special powers to manage security crises.
Q47. Read the following two statements carefully:
Statement I: Article 358 suspends Article 19 for the entire duration of the National Emergency.
Statement II: Article 359 suspends the Fundamental Rights themselves.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: Article 358 suspends Article 19 for the entire duration of the National Emergency.
Statement II: Article 359 suspends the Fundamental Rights themselves.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Article 358 automatically suspends the rights under Article 19 for the entire duration of an external emergency. However, Article 359 does not suspend the Fundamental Rights themselves. Instead, it only suspends the right to move any court for the enforcement of the rights specified in the Presidential order. The rights remain theoretically alive, but their judicial remedy is unavailable.
Q48. According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Article 356 was expected to remain a:
Explanation
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar hoped that Article 356 would remain a dead letter and would be used only as a last resort. He believed that the Union would intervene in state affairs only when it was absolutely necessary to preserve the constitutional order. However, history shows that the provision has been used frequently, often for purely political reasons.
Q49. Identify the exception. Which of the following is NOT considered a valid ground for the imposition of President’s Rule under Article 356 as per the Bommai case?
Explanation
The S.R. Bommai case identified valid grounds for President’s Rule, such as a hung assembly or a government acting against secularism. However, a massive defeat of the ruling state party in Lok Sabha elections is not a valid ground. The court emphasized that the state government’s mandate is separate from national elections, protecting state governments from political dismissal.
Q50. A law made by the Parliament or the President during President’s Rule in a state remains operative:
Explanation
Any law made by Parliament or the President for a state during President’s Rule remains in force even after the rule is revoked. It does not automatically expire. The law continues until it is specifically repealed, altered, or amended by the State Legislature. This ensures administrative continuity and allows the state to decide whether to keep the central-made laws.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (c) Financial autonomy of states is nullified as the Centre directs their matters. |
| 42 | (d) I, II, III and IV |
| 43 | (a) Proclamation survives if Rajya Sabha approves within one month, and Lok Sabha within 30 days of first sitting. |
| 44 | (c) D, B, C, E, A |
| 45 | (a) The immunity of Article 20 was established by the 42nd Amendment Act. |
| 46 | (d) A-iv, B-ii, C-iii, D-i |
| 47 | (c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 48 | (d) Dead letter |
| 49 | (a) A massive defeat of the ruling state party in the Lok Sabha elections. |
| 50 | (b) Permanently, unless repealed or altered by the State Legislature. |
Key facts from Emergency Provisions
- The emergency provisions exist to safeguard the sovereignty, unity, integrity and security of the country.
- Article 352 deals with National Emergency, Article 356 with President’s Rule (failure of constitutional machinery) and Article 360 with Financial Emergency.
- Article 355 makes it the Union’s duty to protect States, and it is the basis for Article 356.
- The 44th Amendment requires the President to act only on the written advice of the Cabinet before proclaiming an Emergency.
- The Emergencies of 1962, 1971 and 1975 were proclaimed by S. Radhakrishnan, V. V. Giri and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.
- The 38th, 42nd and 44th Amendments affected the Emergency provisions in that order; the Shah Commission inquired into the 1975 excesses.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Emergency Provisions?
This page has 70 practice MCQs on Emergency Provisions (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which Article deals with President’s Rule?
Article 356, which applies when the government of a State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution. Parliament must approve the proclamation within two months, and it can last up to three years in all.
What did the 44th Amendment change about Emergencies?
It required the President to act on the written advice of the Union Cabinet, replaced internal disturbance with armed rebellion as a ground and added safeguards, so that a Prime Minister could not impose an Emergency alone as in 1975.
Has a Financial Emergency ever been declared?
No. Article 360 provides for it, but none has been proclaimed, even in the economic crisis of 1991. In such an emergency the salaries of officials, including judges, could be reduced.