Q31. According to Article 256 of the Constitution, the executive power of every State shall be so exercised as to ensure compliance with:
Union-State Relations: RAS Prelims MCQs
86 RAS Prelims MCQs on Union-State relations cover how legislative and executive powers are divided and when Parliament can make laws on State subjects. Residuary powers, Articles 249, 250, 252 and 253, the Governor’s role as an agent of the Centre, Article 356 and the landmark cases are asked as facts and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 31–40 of 86 questions
Q32. Consider the following matters:
I. Construction and maintenance of means of communication of national or military importance.
II. Measures to be taken for the protection of railways within the State.
III. Provision of adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to linguistic minority groups.
IV. Drawing up and execution of specified schemes for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes in the State.
V. The day-to-day deployment of local police forces. Regarding which of the above matters can the Union executive give directions to the State executive?
I. Construction and maintenance of means of communication of national or military importance.
II. Measures to be taken for the protection of railways within the State.
III. Provision of adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to linguistic minority groups.
IV. Drawing up and execution of specified schemes for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes in the State.
V. The day-to-day deployment of local police forces. Regarding which of the above matters can the Union executive give directions to the State executive?
Explanation
The Union can issue executive directions to states regarding the maintenance of national communications, protection of railways, and schemes for Scheduled Tribes and linguistic minorities. These directions ensure that national interests and constitutional protections for vulnerable groups are upheld. However, the day-to-day deployment of local police is a state subject and typically falls under the exclusive administrative control of the state government.
Q33. Which of the following statements regarding the mutual delegation of executive functions between the Union and the States is incorrect?
Explanation
The Constitution allows for the mutual delegation of executive functions between the Union and the States, generally requiring the consent of the other party. While the President or Governor can entrust duties with consent, and Parliament can do so via law without state consent, a State Government cannot unilaterally entrust its functions to the Union. This ensures that the Union’s administrative burden is managed.
Q34. Regarding the application of Article 256 (obligation of States and the Union), which of the following views represents the most appropriate legal interpretation?
Explanation
Article 256 is intended as a safeguard to ensure states comply with parliamentary laws. Legally, it is viewed as a coercive tool that the Union should use sparingly and only after other administrative and legal dialogues have failed. Invoking such directions is a serious matter, as continued non-compliance by a state can lead to the imposition of President’s Rule under Article 365.
Q35. Arrange the following constitutional steps in the correct chronological sequence for when a State fails to comply with a legitimate direction given by the Union under Article 256:
I. The President considers the breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State.
II. The Union issues a formal executive direction to the State.
III. The President imposes President’s Rule under Article 356.
IV. Article 365 is invoked establishing that a situation has arisen where the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution.
I. The President considers the breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State.
II. The Union issues a formal executive direction to the State.
III. The President imposes President’s Rule under Article 356.
IV. Article 365 is invoked establishing that a situation has arisen where the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution.
Explanation
The process begins when the Union issues a formal direction to a state under Article 256. If the state fails to comply, Article 365 is invoked, establishing that the state cannot be governed constitutionally. The President then considers this a breakdown of constitutional machinery. Finally, after this assessment, President’s Rule is formally imposed under Article 356 to restore lawful administration.
Q36. Which of the following statements regarding the adjudication of inter-state water disputes under Article 262 is correct?
Explanation
Article 262 empowers Parliament to provide for the adjudication of disputes relating to inter-state river waters. Crucially, Parliament can by law exclude the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and all other courts in these matters. Instead, specific tribunals are created to resolve these complex issues, ensuring that technical and regional considerations are prioritized over standard judicial proceedings in water-sharing conflicts.
Q37. Under which Article of the Constitution of India can the Parliament create a new All-India Service?
Explanation
Article 312 of the Indian Constitution grants Parliament the authority to create new All-India Services. These services are common to both the Union and the States. The inclusion of this article underscores the federal nature of the Indian administration, as these officers serve both levels of government, ensuring a high standard of administrative efficiency and national integration across the various states.
Q38. The creation of a new All-India Service requires a resolution to be passed by the:
Explanation
The creation of a new All-India Service must be initiated in the Rajya Sabha. Under Article 312, the Council of States must pass a resolution supported by at least two-thirds of the members present and voting, declaring it necessary in the national interest. This gives the states, represented in the Rajya Sabha, a decisive voice in expanding the administrative framework shared with the Union.
Q39. Match the Committees/Commissions in List-I with their corresponding recommendations/ views regarding All-India Services (AIS) in List- II:
| Committees/Commissions | Recommendations or Views on AIS |
|---|---|
| A. Rajamannar Committee | i. Supported strengthening of AIS and creation of new ones |
| B. Sarkaria Commission | ii. Recommended abolition of IAS and IPS |
| C. Anandpur Sahib Resolution | iii. Called for decentralization, effectively diminishing central services’ role in states |
| D. First Administrative Reforms Commission | iv. Emphasized retaining AIS but urged better personnel management and state consultation |
Explanation
The Rajamannar Committee recommended abolishing IAS and IPS to increase state autonomy, while the Sarkaria Commission favored strengthening these services for national unity. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution advocated for decentralization to reduce central control.
Q40. In the context of All-India Services (IAS and IPS), how is the disciplinary control managed between the Union and the States?
Explanation
All-India Service officers are recruited and trained by the Central Government but assigned to state cadres. Consequently, the state government exercises immediate disciplinary and administrative control over them during their posting. However, the ultimate power to take major disciplinary actions, such as dismissal or removal from service, rests solely with the Union Government, ensuring the independence and security of tenure for these officers.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (c) Compliance with Parliamentary laws and applicable existing statutes. |
| 32 | (d) I, II, III and IV only |
| 33 | (c) Unilateral entrustment of functions to the Union by the State. |
| 34 | (b) Coercive tool used only as a last resort after legal dialogue. |
| 35 | (a) II, IV, I, III |
| 36 | (c) Parliament may legally exclude all courts from such disputes. |
| 37 | (b) Article 312 |
| 38 | (d) Rajya Sabha resolution by a two-thirds majority of members voting. |
| 39 | (b) A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv |
| 40 | (c) Immediate control by the State and ultimate control by the Union. |
Key facts from Union-State Relations
- Residuary powers, over subjects in none of the three lists, belong to Parliament.
- Parliament can legislate on a State List subject by a two-thirds Rajya Sabha resolution (Article 249), in a National Emergency (Article 250), with State consent (Article 252) and to implement a treaty (Article 253).
- A Rajya Sabha resolution under Article 249 lasts one year at a time.
- Article 256 requires the States to exercise their executive power in compliance with Union laws.
- The S. R. Bommai case (1994) laid down guidelines on Article 356 and made it subject to judicial review.
- The Sarkaria Commission recommended that the Governor be an eminent person from outside the State.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Union-State Relations?
This page has 86 practice MCQs on Union-State Relations (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What are residuary powers?
The powers of legislation over subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists. Article 248 gives them to Parliament, unlike in the United States, where residuary powers belong to the States.
What did the S. R. Bommai case decide?
In 1994 the Supreme Court laid down guidelines to prevent misuse of Article 356 (President’s Rule). It held that a proclamation is subject to judicial review, and that a floor test is the way to test a government’s majority.
When can Parliament make laws on State subjects?
In five situations: a Rajya Sabha resolution (Article 249), a National Emergency (250), consent of two or more States (252), implementation of international treaties (253) and President’s Rule (356).