The Indian Constitution is a unique blend of various constitutional models, borrowing features from countries like the United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and more. Understanding these influences is not just important for academic clarity—it’s a repeated theme in exams like UPSC, State PSCs, SSC, and other competitive tests.
This post presents a set of carefully curated Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) focusing on the comparative aspects of the Indian Constitution with other major constitutions of the world. Each question is backed by concise explanations to help you grasp not only the borrowed features but also the logic and significance behind them.
Comparison of Indian Constitution MCQs and Answers
1. Which of the following is a key similarity between the Indian and US Constitutions?
(a) Both establish a parliamentary system of government.
(b) Both have a head of state who is a hereditary monarch.
(c) Both enshrine a charter of fundamental rights that are legally enforceable.
(d) Both have a single, unified judicial system with the Supreme Court at the apex for all laws.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Both the Indian Constitution (Part III) and the US Constitution (Bill of Rights) guarantee fundamental rights to citizens that can be enforced by the judiciary.
2. A major difference between the Indian and US federal systems lies in the:
(a) Existence of a written and supreme constitution in both countries.
(b) Division of powers between the central and state governments.
(c) Indestructible nature of the Union in India versus a more voluntary union of states in the US.
(d) Presence of a bicameral legislature at the federal level in both countries.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Indian Constitution describes India as an “indestructible union of destructible states,” implying that while states can be reorganized, the Union is permanent. The US federation is often seen as a more voluntary compact of sovereign states.
3. Which of the following features of the Indian Constitution is primarily borrowed from the British constitutional tradition?
(a) The principle of judicial review.
(b) The presidential form of government.
(c) The parliamentary system with a nominal head of state and a real executive.
(d) The concept of fundamental rights.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: India adopted the parliamentary system of government, with a President as the nominal head of state and a Prime Minister as the real executive accountable to the legislature, from the British model.
4. The concept of “parliamentary sovereignty” is a fundamental tenet of the UK Constitution but is absent in the Indian Constitution due to:
(a) India being a republic with an elected head of state.
(b) India having a federal system with a division of powers.
(c) India’s adherence to the supremacy of the Constitution and judicial review.
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (d)
Explanation: The supremacy of the written Constitution, the federal division of powers, and the power of judicial review vested in the Indian judiciary all limit the sovereignty of the Indian Parliament, unlike the absolute sovereignty of the UK Parliament.
5. Which of the following is a key difference between the amendment processes of the Indian and US Constitutions?
(a) Only the US Constitution can be amended.
(b) The Indian Constitution has a more flexible amendment process than the US Constitution.
(c) Amendments to both constitutions require ratification by all states.
(d) Only the Indian Constitution allows for amendments by a simple majority of the federal legislature.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Indian Constitution provides for different methods of amendment, some requiring a special majority in Parliament and ratification by states, while others need only a special majority. The US process, requiring ratification by three-fourths of the states, is generally considered more rigid.
6. The Indian Constitution’s “Directive Principles of State Policy” are unique and do NOT have a direct equivalent in:
(a) The US Constitution.
(b) The UK constitutional framework.
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Directive Principles of State Policy, enshrined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution, are guidelines for the state in formulating policies for social and economic welfare and are a unique feature not directly found in the US or UK constitutional systems.
7. In terms of judicial systems, a significant difference between India and the USA is that India has:
(a) A dual court system with separate federal and state hierarchies.
(b) An integrated judicial system with the Supreme Court at the apex for both Union and State laws.
(c) No provision for judicial review of legislative actions.
(d) A system where the judiciary is subordinate to the legislature.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: India has a single, integrated judicial system where the Supreme Court is the final court of appeal for both Union and State laws, unlike the dual system in the USA.
8. Which of the following is a similarity between the Head of State in India and the UK?
(a) Both are directly elected by the people.
(b) Both hold hereditary positions.
(c) Both are primarily nominal heads acting on the advice of the executive.
(d) Both possess significant executive powers.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The President of India and the Monarch of the UK are both primarily nominal heads of state who act on the advice of the Prime Minister and the cabinet in their respective parliamentary systems.
9. The concept of “due process of law” is explicitly enshrined in the US Constitution, while the Indian Constitution initially adopted “procedure established by law” under Article 21. This difference historically implied:
(a) Greater judicial scrutiny of the fairness of laws in India compared to the US.
(b) A more limited scope for judicial review of the substantive fairness of laws in India initially.
(c) No judicial review of laws related to personal liberty in India.
(d) That both phrases had identical legal implications from the outset.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: “Procedure established by law” historically focused more on whether the correct legislative procedure was followed, while “due process” allows courts to examine the substantive fairness and reasonableness of the law itself. Indian judicial interpretations have increasingly incorporated elements of due process.
10. Which of the following is a unitary feature present in the Indian Constitution that is absent in the US federal structure?
(a) A written and supreme constitution.
(b) The division of powers between the central and state governments.
(c) The existence of All India Services.
(d) A bicameral legislature at the federal level.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS), whose members are recruited and trained by the Union government but serve under both the Union and State governments, are a unitary feature designed to maintain uniformity and coordination across the country, a concept not replicated in the US federal system.
11. A key difference in the upper houses of the legislatures in India and the USA is that:
(a) The Rajya Sabha has equal representation for all states, similar to the US Senate.
(b) The US Senate has representation based on the population of each state, similar to the Rajya Sabha.
(c) The Rajya Sabha has members elected by state legislative assemblies, while US Senators are directly elected.
(d) The US Senate has nominated members, unlike the elected members of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies, reflecting the representation of the States’ interests. US Senators are directly elected by the people of their respective states.
12. The UK Constitution is characterized by:
(a) A rigid amendment process requiring the consent of all constituent nations.
(b) The principle of parliamentary sovereignty, where Parliament can make or repeal any law.
(c) A detailed written document outlining fundamental rights and the structure of government.
(d) A federal system with a clear division of powers between the central and devolved governments.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Parliamentary sovereignty is the bedrock of the UK Constitution, meaning Parliament’s legislative power is supreme and not subject to being overturned by the judiciary on constitutional grounds.
13. Which of the following is a similarity in the way the executive branch is structured in India and the UK?
(a) Both have a directly elected President as the head of government.
(b) Both have a Prime Minister who is the head of government and leader of the majority party in the legislature.
(c) Both have a strict separation of powers between the executive and the legislature.
(d) In both, cabinet members are chosen from outside the legislature and are only accountable to the head of state.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Both India and the UK have a parliamentary system where the Prime Minister is the head of government, typically the leader of the party or coalition that commands a majority in the lower house of the legislature.
14. The absence of a formal “Bill of Rights” in the original UK Constitution (before the Human Rights Act 1998) meant that:
(a) Citizens had no fundamental rights or freedoms.
(b) Fundamental rights were protected through common law, statutes, and conventions, but were not entrenched against parliamentary repeal.
(c) The judiciary had the power to strike down any law violating fundamental rights.
(d) The Monarch had absolute power over citizens’ rights.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: While the UK has a long tradition of protecting individual liberties, these were historically derived from common law, statutes like Magna Carta, and conventions, and were not constitutionally entrenched against being altered by an Act of Parliament due to parliamentary sovereignty.
15. A significant difference between the Indian and UK systems regarding judicial review is that:
(a) Only the UK judiciary has the power to review legislative actions for constitutionality.
(b) The Indian judiciary has a more explicit and wider scope for judicial review of both legislative and executive actions.
(c) Neither country’s judiciary has the power to review laws passed by the legislature.
(d) Judicial review in both countries is limited to matters of procedural fairness.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Indian Constitution explicitly grants the judiciary the power to review the constitutionality of laws (judicial review), a power that is more circumscribed in the UK due to the principle of parliamentary sovereignty.
16. Which of the following features of the Indian Constitution is NOT found in the US Constitution?
(a) A written and supreme constitution.
(b) Fundamental rights.
(c) A federal system of government.
(d) Directive Principles of State Policy.
Answer: (d)
Explanation: The Directive Principles of State Policy are a unique feature of the Indian Constitution, guiding the state in its policy-making for social and economic justice, and do not have a direct counterpart in the US Constitution.
17. The concept of “single citizenship” in India, as opposed to the dual citizenship in the USA, reflects a stronger emphasis on:
(a) The autonomy of the states within the federation.
(b) The primary allegiance of citizens being to the Union.
(c) The right of individuals to choose their citizenship.
(d) A weaker sense of national unity.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Single citizenship in India underscores the idea that all citizens are primarily citizens of India, regardless of their state of residence, emphasizing national unity over separate state allegiances in terms of citizenship.
18. Which of the following best describes the nature of the UK Constitution?
(a) A fully codified and written document.
(b) A federal structure with a clear division of powers.
(c) An unwritten constitution based on statutes, common law, and conventions.
(d) A presidential system with a strict separation of powers.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The UK Constitution is unique in being unwritten, drawing its authority from various sources including statutes, judicial precedents (common law), constitutional conventions, and historical documents.
19. A key difference in the removal process of the head of government is that a President in the US is removed through impeachment, while a Prime Minister in the UK (and India) is removed through:
(a) A presidential decree.
(b) A vote of no confidence in the legislature.
(c) A judicial order.
(d) A national referendum.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: In a parliamentary system like the UK and India, the Prime Minister and the government remain in power as long as they command the confidence of the lower house of the legislature. A successful vote of no confidence can lead to their removal.
20. Which of the following principles is a stronger feature of the US Constitution compared to the Indian Constitution in its original form?
(a) The principle of federalism.
(b) The principle of judicial review.
(c) The principle of separation of powers.
(d) The guarantee of fundamental rights.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The US Constitution explicitly establishes a system of checks and balances based on a stricter separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. While India also has separation of powers, the parliamentary system inherently involves a closer relationship (fusion of powers) between the executive and the legislature.
21. Which of the following aspects of the Indian Constitution shows a clear influence of the US Constitution?
(a) The parliamentary form of government.
(b) The concept of judicial review and the independence of the judiciary.
(c) The principle of parliamentary sovereignty.
(d) The single, integrated judicial system.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Indian Constitution’s provisions for judicial review, empowering the Supreme Court to examine the constitutionality of laws, and the emphasis on the independence of the judiciary are significantly influenced by the US constitutional framework.
22. A fundamental difference in the nature of rights guaranteed is that the Indian Constitution includes Fundamental Duties for citizens, which are absent in:
(a) The original US Constitution (though some responsibilities are implied).
(b) The UK constitutional framework.
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Part IVA of the Indian Constitution lays down Fundamental Duties for citizens, a unique feature not explicitly present in either the original US Constitution or the UK constitutional system.
23. In the context of emergency powers, the Indian Constitution differs significantly from the US Constitution by:
(a) Not having any provisions for the suspension of fundamental rights.
(b) Explicitly outlining different types of emergencies (National, State, Financial) and their effects on the federal structure and fundamental rights.
(c) Granting more power to the states during emergencies.
(d) Requiring a constitutional amendment to declare any form of emergency.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Indian Constitution has detailed provisions for various types of emergencies under Articles 352, 356, and 360, specifying their impact on the federal balance and the suspension of certain fundamental rights, which is much more elaborate than the implicit and less defined emergency powers in the US system.
24. Which of the following principles is more strongly emphasized in the UK’s constitutional system compared to India’s written and codified Constitution?
(a) The rule of law.
(b) The separation of powers.
(c) Parliamentary sovereignty.
(d) Judicial review.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: While India adheres to the rule of law and a degree of separation of powers, and has judicial review, the UK’s defining constitutional principle is parliamentary sovereignty, which places ultimate legal authority in the Parliament.
25. A key difference in the structure of the executive is that the USA has a fixed-term President who is not part of the legislature, whereas India has a:
(a) Fixed-term President who is the head of government and leader of the legislature.
(b) Prime Minister who is the head of government and accountable to the legislature.
(c) Monarch who wields significant executive powers.
(d) Directly elected executive council independent of the legislature.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: India follows the parliamentary model where the Prime Minister is the head of government, drawn from and accountable to the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament), unlike the US presidential system.
26. Which of the following is a similarity between the Rajya Sabha (India) and the House of Lords (UK)?
(a) Both have directly elected members representing the people.
(b) Both have equal representation for all constituent units (states/regions).
(c) Both serve as a revising chamber with limited powers to block legislation passed by the lower house.
(d) Both have the power to remove the head of government through a vote of no confidence.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Both the Rajya Sabha and the House of Lords act as upper chambers that can scrutinize and delay legislation passed by the lower house (Lok Sabha and House of Commons, respectively), although their composition and powers differ significantly.
27. The concept of “implied powers” is more explicitly recognized and applied in the interpretation of:
(a) The Indian Constitution, particularly concerning the powers of the states.
(b) The US Constitution, particularly concerning the powers of the Congress.
(c) The UK constitutional framework, through parliamentary conventions.
(d) All three constitutions equally.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The “Necessary and Proper Clause” of the US Constitution has been interpreted to grant Congress implied powers beyond those explicitly enumerated, a doctrine that has played a significant role in expanding federal authority.
28. Which of the following features of the Indian Constitution is a blend of the US and British models?
(a) The federal system with a strong central government.
(b) The fundamental rights and the concept of judicial review.
(c) The parliamentary system with an elected head of state (President).
(d) The division of powers in the Seventh Schedule.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: India adopted the parliamentary system from the UK but combined it with a republican head of state (President), a concept drawn from the US (though the President’s powers are vastly different).
29. A significant difference in the scope of judicial review is that the US Supreme Court has often asserted the power of “substantive due process,” which historically allowed it to:
(a) Review the procedural fairness of laws but not their content.
(b) Examine whether laws are fair, reasonable, and serve a legitimate governmental purpose, going beyond mere procedural compliance.
(c) Only review laws related to fundamental rights explicitly mentioned in the Bill of Rights.
(d) Defer entirely to the legislative wisdom on matters of economic and social policy.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The doctrine of substantive due process in the US has allowed the judiciary to review the content and justification of laws, not just the procedures followed in their enactment, a broader scope than the initial interpretation of “procedure established by law” in India.
30. Which of the following is a unique characteristic of the Indian Constitution not prominently found in either the US or UK systems?
(a) A written and supreme constitution.
(b) A federal system of government.
(c) Provisions for affirmative action (reservations) to address historical inequalities.
(d) A bicameral legislature at the federal level.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Indian Constitution includes specific provisions for reservations in education and employment for certain socially and economically backward classes, a direct effort to address historical inequalities that is not a central feature of the US or UK constitutional frameworks in the same way.
31. The “separation of powers” is implemented differently in the USA and India primarily because:
(a) India has a presidential system, while the USA has a parliamentary system.
(b) The USA has a parliamentary system, while India has a presidential system.
(c) India has a parliamentary system where the executive is drawn from and responsible to the legislature, leading to a fusion of powers to some extent.
(d) The USA has a more flexible constitution that allows for greater interaction between branches.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The parliamentary system in India inherently involves a closer relationship between the executive and the legislature, as the government is formed from the majority party in Parliament and is accountable to it, leading to a less strict separation of powers than in the US presidential system.
32. Which of the following is a similarity between the way fundamental rights are treated in India and the USA?
(a) Both can be absolutely suspended during a national emergency without judicial review.
(b) Both are considered sacrosanct and beyond the reach of constitutional amendments.
(c) Both are subject to reasonable restrictions in the public interest and are protected by judicial review.
(d) Both are primarily economic and social rights rather than civil and political rights.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: In both India and the USA, fundamental rights are not absolute and can be subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest. Moreover, the judiciary in both countries has the power to review laws to ensure they do not unduly infringe upon these rights.
33. The concept of “constitutional conventions” plays a much more significant role in:
(a) The Indian constitutional framework, filling gaps in the written document.
(b) The US constitutional system, guiding the interpretation of its brevity.
(c) The UK constitutional system, providing much of the practical framework of governance.
(d) All three systems equally.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Constitutional conventions, unwritten rules and practices that are considered binding in the political system, are a crucial element of the UK’s unwritten constitution, regulating the exercise of power and the relationship between different parts of government.
34. Which of the following is a power held by the US Senate that is not similarly vested in the Rajya Sabha in India?
(a) The power to amend money bills.
(b) The power to initiate constitutional amendments.
(c) The power to confirm presidential appointments (e.g., cabinet secretaries, judges).
(d) The power to impeach the head of state.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The US Senate has the significant power to confirm or reject key presidential appointments, including cabinet members and federal judges, a power not held by the Rajya Sabha in India, where these appointments are primarily the prerogative of the Prime Minister and the President acts on their advice.
35. A key difference in the electoral systems is that the US President is elected through an Electoral College, while the Indian President is elected by:
(a) Direct popular vote of all citizens.
(b) An electoral college comprising members of both houses of Parliament and the state legislative assemblies.
(c) A secret ballot by the members of the Lok Sabha only.
(d) Nomination by a committee of senior political leaders.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Indian President is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States (and Union Territories with legislatures).
36. Which of the following principles is a more defining characteristic of the US system of government compared to the UK or India?
(a) Parliamentary sovereignty.
(b) Fusion of powers between the executive and legislature.
(c) A strict separation of powers with checks and balances.
(d) A unitary system of governance.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The US system is fundamentally based on a strict separation of powers among the three branches of government, with a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
37. The concept of “judicial activism,” where the judiciary plays a more proactive role in shaping public policy, has been a notable feature in:
(a) The UK, due to the absence of a written constitution.
(b) The USA and India, where the judiciary interprets written constitutions and fundamental rights.
(c) All three countries equally.
(d) None of the three countries.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Judicial activism, involving a more assertive role of the judiciary in addressing social and political issues through constitutional interpretation, has been prominent in both the USA and India, given their written constitutions and the power of judicial review over legislation.
38. Which of the following is a power held by the Lok Sabha (India) that is not similarly as strong in the House of Commons (UK) relative to their upper houses?
(a) The power to initiate and pass all types of legislation.
(b) The primary power over money bills.
(c) The power to remove the government through a vote of no confidence.
(d) The power to impeach the head of state.
Answer: (d)
Explanation: While the House of Commons has the crucial power to remove the government through a vote of no confidence, the power to impeach the head of state (President in India) primarily rests with the Parliament as a whole, not exclusively the Lok Sabha in a way that mirrors the Commons’ power over the government. Impeachment of the US President also involves both houses of Congress.
39. A key difference in the structure of sub-national governments is that the USA has states with their own constitutions and significant autonomy, while India has:
(a) Provinces with powers directly derived from the Crown.
(b) States whose boundaries and powers can be altered by the Union Parliament.
(c) Regions with no legislative or executive powers of their own.
(d) Autonomous territories directly administered by the Union government.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Indian states, while having defined powers under the Constitution, do not have their own separate constitutions, and their boundaries and even their existence can be altered by the Union Parliament under Article 3.
40. Which of the following best summarizes a fundamental difference in the constitutional philosophies of the UK and India?
(a) UK emphasizes the separation of powers, while India emphasizes parliamentary sovereignty.
(b) India emphasizes the supremacy of the Constitution, while the UK emphasizes the sovereignty of Parliament.
(c) Both emphasize the supremacy of a written constitution.
(d) Both emphasize the absolute sovereignty of the legislature.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The core difference lies in the principle of constitutional supremacy in India, where all branches of government, including the Parliament, are bound by the Constitution, versus the UK’s principle of parliamentary sovereignty, where Parliament is the supreme legal authority.
41. The concept of “responsible government” is a key feature of the parliamentary systems in India and the UK, implying that:
(a) The government is responsible only to the head of state.
(b) The executive (government) is drawn from and accountable to the legislature.
(c) The judiciary has the power to hold the government accountable for its actions.
(d) The government is directly elected by and responsible to the people through referendums.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Responsible government in a parliamentary system means that the executive (Prime Minister and cabinet) is formed from the legislature (Parliament) and remains in power only as long as it retains the confidence of the lower house.
42. Which of the following is a power exercised by the US President that is not typically exercised by the President of India?
(a) Acting as the nominal head of the executive branch.
(b) Appointing ambassadors and other diplomats.
(c) Serving as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
(d) Vetoing legislation passed by the legislature.
Answer: (d)
Explanation: The US President has a significant power to veto legislation passed by Congress, which can only be overridden by a supermajority. The President of India has a limited suspensive veto but cannot ultimately block legislation passed by Parliament.
43. A key difference in the structure of the legislature is that the UK’s House of Lords includes hereditary peers, while the Rajya Sabha in India:
(a) Consists entirely of nominated members.
(b) Has members elected by state legislative assemblies and nominated by the President.
(c) Is entirely an elected body based on proportional representation.
(d) Has representation directly proportional to the population of each state.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Rajya Sabha has a mix of elected members (by state legislative assemblies) and members nominated by the President for their contributions to various fields. The House of Lords historically included hereditary peers, though reforms have reduced their number.
44. Which of the following principles is a stronger element of the Indian Constitution compared to the UK’s unwritten one?
(a) The principle of parliamentary sovereignty.
(b) The principle of constitutional supremacy.
(c) The role of constitutional conventions.
(d) The flexibility of the amendment process.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The written and supreme nature of the Indian Constitution establishes its supremacy over all laws and institutions, including the Parliament, a principle more firmly entrenched than in the UK where Parliament is sovereign.
45. A similarity in the impeachment process in the USA and India is that:
(a) Only the head of government (President/Prime Minister) can be impeached.
(b) The process involves charges being brought by one house of the legislature and trial by the other.
(c) A simple majority in both houses is sufficient for impeachment.
(d) The judiciary plays a direct role in the impeachment trial.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: In both the US (impeachment of the President) and India (impeachment of the President and judges), the process typically involves one house of the legislature framing charges and the other house conducting a trial.
46. Which of the following is a power held by the UK Parliament that is constitutionally more constrained in the Indian Parliament?
(a) The power to amend the constitution.
(b) The power to legislate on subjects within the jurisdiction of sub-national units.
(c) The power to remove the head of government through a vote of no confidence.
(d) The power to declare a state of emergency.
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Due to the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, the UK Parliament can amend its constitution (which is primarily statutory) through an ordinary Act of Parliament. The Indian Constitution has a more rigid amendment process under Article 368, requiring special majorities and, for certain provisions, ratification by state legislatures.
47. The concept of “judicial review” in India extends to:
(a) Only the laws made by the Union Parliament.
(b) Only the executive actions of the Union government.
(c) Both legislative enactments (by Union and States) and executive actions (by Union and States).
(d) Only constitutional amendments.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Indian judiciary has the power to review the constitutionality of both laws passed by the Union Parliament and State Legislatures, as well as the actions of the executive branches at both levels, to ensure they are in conformity with the Constitution.
48. Which of the following best describes the relationship between the executive and the legislature in the USA?
(a) Fusion of powers, with the executive being part of and responsible to the legislature.
(b) Strict separation of powers, with the President and cabinet not being members of Congress.
(c) Executive dominance over the legislature due to the President’s direct election.
(d) Legislative control over the executive through mechanisms like the vote of no confidence.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The US presidential system is characterized by a strict separation of powers, where the President and the cabinet are not members of Congress, and there is a system of checks and balances between the two branches.
49. A key difference in the structure of local government is that the UK has a more unitary system with powers devolved to local authorities by Parliament, while India has:
(a) No formal structure of local government enshrined in the Constitution.
(b) A constitutional mandate for the establishment of Panchayats and Municipalities as the third tier of government.
(c) Local governments that are entirely controlled and funded by the State governments without constitutional protection.
(d) Directly elected governors at the local level with significant autonomous powers.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts in India added Part IX (Panchayats) and Part IXA (Municipalities) to the Constitution, providing a constitutional basis and mandate for the establishment of local self-government as the third tier of the federal structure.
50. Which of the following best summarizes a key difference in the approach to constitutionalism between the UK and the USA?
(a) The UK emphasizes a written and codified constitution, while the USA relies on unwritten conventions.
(b) The USA emphasizes parliamentary sovereignty, while the UK adheres to constitutional supremacy.
(c) The UK’s constitutionalism is rooted in the sovereignty of Parliament, while the USA’s is based on the supremacy of a written Constitution and popular sovereignty.
(d) Both have similar approaches, emphasizing the rule of law and the separation of powers.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The UK’s constitutionalism is fundamentally based on the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, where Parliament is the ultimate legal authority. In contrast, the USA’s constitutionalism is grounded in the supremacy of its written Constitution, which derives its legitimacy from the people (popular sovereignty), and establishes a system of checks and balances.
A comparative understanding of constitutions offers valuable insights into the structure, philosophy, and functionality of the Indian Constitution. We hope these MCQs have clarified which provisions India borrowed from other nations and why they remain relevant in today’s governance.
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