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 61–70 of 86 questions
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q61. The following question consists of two statements -- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option: Assertion (A): The introduction of GST in India is often cited as a prime example of ‘cooperative federalism’. Reason (R): The GST Council requires both the Union and the States to participate in decision-making regarding tax rates, exemptions, and thresholds through a consensus-building mechanism.
Explanation
The GST framework is a significant achievement in cooperative federalism because it mandates collective decision-making. The GST Council brings together the Union and all States to decide on tax rates, exemptions, and administrative rules. This consensus-building approach ensures that both levels of government have a stake in the indirect tax system, fostering a collaborative environment for national economic growth and stability.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q62. Which of the following statements regarding the voting structure in the GST Council is incorrect?
Explanation
Voting in the GST Council is not based on a state’s population or revenue contribution. Instead, the Central Government holds one-third of the total weighted votes, and all State Governments combined hold the remaining two-thirds. This structure ensures that no decision can be taken without the support of both the Centre and a significant majority of the states, regardless of their individual size.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q63. Consider the following taxes: I. Central Excise Duty II. State Value Added Tax (VAT) III. Entry Tax IV. Basic Customs Duty Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct regarding taxes that were subsumed under the Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
Explanation
Several indirect taxes were subsumed into GST to simplify the tax regime. These include Central Excise Duty, State Value Added Tax (VAT), and Entry Tax. However, Basic Customs Duty remains outside the GST framework and continues to be levied separately on imports. Subsuming these various taxes helped eliminate the cascading effect of taxation and created a more streamlined process for businesses nationwide.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q64. Find the odd one out among the following items in the context of items currently kept outside the purview of the GST framework in India:
Explanation
While most goods and services are covered by GST, certain items like alcohol for human consumption, petroleum crude, and aviation turbine fuel are currently kept outside its purview. Electronic goods, however, are fully integrated into the GST framework. The exclusion of petroleum and alcohol allows states and the Union to maintain their traditional tax revenues from these high-value products until the GST Council decides otherwise.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q65. Match the GST components in List-I with their characteristic features in List-II:
GST Components
Characteristic Features
A. CGST
i. Levied on inter-state supply of goods and services
B. SGST
ii. Levied by the Centre on intra-state supply
C. IGST
iii. Levied by Union Territories without legislature on intra-state supply
D. UTGST
iv. Levied by the States on intra-state supply
Explanation
GST is categorized based on the nature of the transaction. CGST is levied by the Centre and SGST by the States on intra-state supplies. IGST applies to inter-state trade and is collected by the Centre before being shared. UTGST is used in Union Territories without their own legislatures. This multi-layered structure ensures that tax revenue is appropriately distributed between the central and regional authorities.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q66. The Governor of a State acts as a ‘constitutional link’ between the Centre and the State. Which of the following most appropriately describes this dual role?
Explanation
The Governor occupies a dual position in the Indian federal structure. As the constitutional head of the state, the Governor performs formal executive functions. Simultaneously, as a representative of the Union, the Governor acts as a crucial link between the two levels of government. This role ensures that the state administration remains consistent with the Constitution and the national interests of the federation.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q67. Consider the following matters: I. Reserving a bill passed by the State Legislature for the consideration of the President. II. Recommending the imposition of President’s Rule in the State. III. Seeking information from the Chief Minister regarding administrative and legislative matters. IV. Determining the amount payable by the Government of Assam to the autonomous Tribal District Councils as royalty from minerals. V. Appointing the State Cabinet Ministers based on the advice of the Prime Minister. In which of the above matters does the Governor exercise discretionary powers that have direct implications for Centre-State relations?
Explanation
The Governor exercises significant discretionary powers, such as reserving bills for the President, recommending President’s Rule, and seeking administrative information from the Chief Minister. In states like Assam, the Governor also determines mineral royalties for tribal councils. While the Governor appoints state ministers, this is done on the advice of the Chief Minister, not the Prime Minister, making the fifth point irrelevant to gubernatorial discretion.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q68. Under Article 200 of the Constitution, the Governor is constitutionally obligated to reserve a bill for the consideration of the President if the bill:
Explanation
Under Article 200, the Governor is constitutionally mandated to reserve a bill for the President if it would, in the Governor’s opinion, endanger the position and powers of the State High Court. This safeguard ensures the independence of the judiciary is not compromised by state legislation. For other matters, the Governor has the discretion but not a strict obligation to reserve the bill for central review.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q69. Which of the following represents the correct sequence of actions when a State Legislature passes a Bill that the Governor decides to reserve for the President under Article 200?
Explanation
When a Governor reserves a bill, the President can either give assent, withhold it, or direct the bill to be returned for reconsideration.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union-State Relations
Q70. When a Governor sends a report to the President recommending the invocation of Article 356, the Governor is expected to base this report on:
Explanation
The Governor’s report under Article 356 is based on the Governor’s satisfaction that the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
61
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
62
(d) A state’s voting weightage is directly proportional to its population and GST revenue collection.
63
(a) I, II and III only
64
(c) Electronic goods
65
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
66
(d) Constitutional head of State and representative of the Union.
67
(a) I, II, III and IV only
68
(c) Endangers the position of the State High Court.
69
(b) Governor reserves Bill President directs Governor to return it State Legislature reconsiders within 6 months President is not bound to give assent upon representing.
70
(a) Satisfaction that State governance violates the Constitution.
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).
