Practice paper — Constitution Part XXI — Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions

1.For what period does Article 369 empower Parliament to make laws with respect to certain State List matters as if they were in the Concurrent List?

• (A) Five years from the commencement of the Constitution
• (B) Ten years from the commencement of the Constitution
• (C) For the duration of the first Parliament only
• (D) Until revoked by a subsequent constitutional amendment

2.With respect to fees under Article 369(b), which of the following is excluded by the text?

• (A) Fees payable to regulatory authorities for those matters
• (B) Fees taken in any court
• (C) Fees charged by local bodies for those matters
• (D) All fees relating to offences under clause (a)

3.Can Parliament, under Article 369(b), alter the jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court with respect to the matters listed in clause (a)?

• (A) Yes, Parliament can alter the Supreme Court's jurisdiction for those matters
• (B) No, Parliament's power extends to all courts except the Supreme Court
• (C) Yes, but only with the concurrence of the State Legislature
• (D) Only the State Legislature can alter the Supreme Court's jurisdiction

4.Under Article 370(1)(c), which provisions of the Constitution apply of their own force in relation to the State of Jammu and Kashmir?

• (A) Articles 356 and 357
• (B) The whole of Part III
• (C) Article 238
• (D) Article 1 and Article 370 itself

5.According to the Explanation to Article 370(1), the Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir means:

• (A) The Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister
• (B) The Governor acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers
• (C) The person for the time being recognised by the President as the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers under the Maharaja's Proclamation dated 5 March 1948
• (D) The Constituent Assembly of the State

6.Article 371(2) (the quoted provision) applies with respect to which State(s)?

• (A) Maharashtra and Gujarat
• (B) Maharashtra only
• (C) All States of India
• (D) Vidarbha and Marathwada only

7.Under clause (a), a report on the working of each development board must be placed each year before which body?

• (A) Parliament
• (B) State Legislative Council
• (C) State Legislative Assembly
• (D) The Governor

8.Does clause (c) provide for adequate opportunities for employment in services under the control of the Central Government?

• (A) No — it provides for employment opportunities in services under the control of the State Government only
• (B) Yes — it covers services under both State and Central Governments
• (C) Yes — but only for Central Government services
• (D) No — clause (c) deals with technical education but not employment opportunities

9.If a question arises whether a matter is one on which the Governor of Nagaland is required to act in the exercise of his individual judgment under Article 371A(1)(b), whose decision is final on that question?

• (A) The President of India
• (B) The Council of Ministers of Nagaland
• (C) The Governor of Nagaland
• (D) The Legislative Assembly of Nagaland

10.Which statement correctly describes the Governor's power under Article 371A(2)(d) regarding laws applicable to the Tuensang district?

• (A) The Governor may make regulations for the whole State of Nagaland and repeal or amend Acts of Parliament for the entire State with retrospective effect
• (B) The Governor may make regulations for the Tuensang district and may repeal or amend with retrospective effect any Act of Parliament or other law applicable to that district
• (C) The Governor may make regulations for Tuensang but may not repeal or amend any Act of Parliament, and regulations can only have prospective effect
• (D) The Governor may make regulations for Tuensang only after obtaining prior approval of the President

11.Article 371B applies to the Legislative Assembly of which State?

• (A) Manipur
• (B) Assam
• (C) Nagaland
• (D) Arunachal Pradesh

12.Does Article 371B permit modification of the rules of procedure of the Assembly in relation to the committee?

• (A) No, the rules of procedure cannot be modified under this Article
• (B) Yes, but only if the Assembly itself amends its rules
• (C) Yes, but only if Parliament enacts a law authorizing the change
• (D) Yes; it may provide for modifications to the rules of procedure for the constitution and proper functioning of such committee

13.Under Article 371C, what may the President provide for with respect to the Legislative Assembly of Manipur?

• (A) The constitution and functions of a committee of the Legislative Assembly consisting of members elected from the Hill Areas
• (B) The appointment of additional Governors for the State
• (C) The establishment of a separate High Court for the Hill Areas
• (D) The creation of special taxes for the Hill Areas

14.Which of the following describes the extent of the executive power of the Union under Article 371C(2)?

• (A) Power to appoint the committee members for the Legislative Assembly
• (B) Power to legislate for the Hill Areas directly
• (C) Power to give directions to the State as to the administration of the Hill Areas
• (D) Power to remove the Governor of Manipur at will

15.Does Article 371C allow the Union to assume direct administration of the Hill Areas of Manipur in place of the State?

• (A) No — the provision states the Union's executive power extends to giving directions to the State about administration, not to assuming direct administration
• (B) Yes — the Union may assume direct administration of the Hill Areas
• (C) Yes — the President may transfer full administrative control of Hill Areas to the Governor as an agent of the Union
• (D) No — the State has exclusive control and the Union has no role under Article 371C

16.According to Article 371D(3), which types of matters may the Administrative Tribunal for Andhra Pradesh be specified to exercise jurisdiction over?

• (A) Criminal trials and civil tort claims arising in the State
• (B) Election disputes and constitutional writs against the State
• (C) Appointment, allotment or promotion to specified classes of posts, seniority and other conditions of service of persons in those posts
• (D) Revenue and land revenue assessment disputes

17.Which of the following correctly states the limitation on judicial oversight of the Administrative Tribunal under Article 371D?

• (A) No court other than the Supreme Court shall exercise any jurisdiction, power or authority in respect of matters subject to the Administrative Tribunal; the High Court shall have no powers of superintendence over it.
• (B) The High Court retains full powers of superintendence over the Administrative Tribunal but other courts do not.
• (C) All courts including the Supreme Court and High Court may exercise concurrent jurisdiction over matters subject to the Administrative Tribunal.
• (D) No court, including the Supreme Court, may exercise any jurisdiction in respect of matters subject to the Administrative Tribunal.

18.Does the text of Article 371E itself indicate that it repeals any law or that it is repealed?

• (A) Yes — it explicitly repeals earlier laws relating to universities in Andhra Pradesh.
• (B) Yes — it states the provision is temporary and will be repealed after a period.
• (C) No — the provision contains no mention of repeal or that it is repealed.
• (D) No — but it delegates repeal authority to the State Legislature of Andhra Pradesh.

19.Until Parliament makes other provisions by law, how many seats are allotted to the State of Sikkim in the House of the People under Article 371F(d)?

• (A) No fixed seats until delimitation
• (B) One seat
• (C) Two seats
• (D) Seats in proportion to population

20.Who shall elect the representative of the State of Sikkim in the House of the People in existence on the appointed day, as per Article 371F(e)?

• (A) The President of India
• (B) The Governor of Sikkim
• (C) The general electorate of Sikkim
• (D) The members of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Sikkim

21.Which of the following subject‑matters are specifically listed in Article 371G(a) as not applying to the State of Mizoram unless the Legislative Assembly so decides?

• (A) Religious or social practices of the Mizos; Mizo customary law and procedure; administration of civil and criminal justice involving Mizo customary law; ownership and transfer of land
• (B) Only Mizo customary law and the ownership and transfer of land
• (C) Religious or social practices of the Mizos; Mizo customary law and procedure; administration of civil and criminal justice involving Mizo customary law; ownership and transfer of land; and matters in the Concurrent List
• (D) Administration of civil and criminal justice involving Mizo customary law; and matters relating to public order

22.Would a Central Act dealing with 'ownership and transfer of land' automatically apply to Mizoram after enactment of the Act of Parliament, according to Article 371G(a)?

• (A) No — such an Act shall not apply to Mizoram unless the Legislative Assembly of Mizoram by a resolution so decides
• (B) Yes — Acts of Parliament apply automatically throughout India including Mizoram
• (C) Only if the President issues a special notification under Article 370
• (D) Only if the Governor of Mizoram gives assent to the Act

23.Under Article 371H, who is given special responsibility with respect to law and order in the State of Arunachal Pradesh?

• (A) The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh
• (B) The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh
• (C) The President of India
• (D) The Union Home Minister

24.When discharging his functions relating to law and order under Article 371H, what is the Governor required to do before exercising his individual judgment?

• (A) Consult the Council of Ministers
• (B) Obtain prior approval of the President
• (C) Secure a resolution of the Legislative Assembly
• (D) Seek concurrence of the Union Home Minister

25.If a question arises whether a matter is one on which the Governor must act in the exercise of his individual judgment under Article 371H, which of the following is correct?

• (A) The Governor's decision is final and the validity of anything done by him shall not be called in question on that ground
• (B) The President may substitute his own view and that view is final
• (C) Courts can review and invalidate the Governor's decision on that question
• (D) The Legislative Assembly can overturn the Governor's decision by a majority vote

26.The opening words "Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution" in Article 371I mean that the provision:

• (A) Operates despite any other provision of the Constitution that may be inconsistent with it
• (B) Is subordinate to other constitutional provisions on legislative composition
• (C) Is merely advisory and not mandatory
• (D) Applies only to central laws and not to state matters

27.Does Article 371I set an upper limit on the number of members of the Goa Legislative Assembly?

• (A) Yes — it fixes both minimum and maximum at thirty
• (B) Yes — it fixes a maximum but not stated numerically
• (C) No — it only specifies a minimum number of members
• (D) Cannot be determined from the provision

28.According to Article 372(1) of the Constitution, what happens to laws that were in force in the territory of India immediately before the commencement of the Constitution?

• (A) They are automatically repealed on commencement of the Constitution.
• (B) They continue in force until altered, repealed or amended by a competent Legislature or other competent authority.
• (C) They continue in force only if expressly re-enacted by Parliament.
• (D) They remain in force for a fixed period of five years and then lapse.

29.If an adaptation of a pre-constitutional law is still required five years after the commencement of the Constitution, which authority may validly make that adaptation according to Article 372?

• (A) The President (by order) may still make the adaptation after five years.
• (B) No authority may make any adaptation after three years.
• (C) A competent Legislature or other competent authority may repeal or amend the law.
• (D) Only the Supreme Court may direct such an adaptation after five years.

30.Who is empowered by Article 372A to make adaptations and modifications of existing laws to bring them into accord with the Constitution as amended by the Seventh Amendment Act, 1956?

• (A) The President
• (B) Parliament (both Houses together)
• (C) The Chief Justice of India
• (D) The Governor of a State

31.Under Article 372A(1), in what manner may the President adapt or modify existing laws?

• (A) Only by issuing subordinate legislation
• (B) Only by repeal
• (C) By way of repeal or amendment
• (D) Only by judicial clarification

32.How does Article 372A(2) affect the non-justiciability of Presidential adaptations provided in clause (1)?

• (A) It makes the adaptations subject to judicial review despite clause (1)
• (B) It preserves the power of a competent Legislature or other competent authority to repeal or amend any law adapted by the President
• (C) It restricts competent Legislatures from repealing or amending any adapted law
• (D) It requires prior judicial approval before a competent Legislature can repeal or amend an adapted law

33.For how long does the substitution made by Article 373 operate?

• (A) Until provision is made by Parliament under clause (7) of Article 22, or until one year from commencement of the Constitution, whichever is earlier.
• (B) Until Parliament makes a law, with no time limit.
• (C) For exactly one year from the commencement of the Constitution regardless of Parliamentary action.
• (D) Until the President revokes the orders made under Article 22.

34.Which of the following correctly states how references to "any law made by Parliament" in clauses (4) and (7) of Article 22 are treated under Article 373 during the temporary period?

• (A) They are treated as references to executive notifications issued by ministers.
• (B) They are treated as references to laws made by state legislatures.
• (C) They continue to mean laws made by Parliament; no substitution is made.
• (D) They are treated as references to an order made by the President.

35.Under Article 374(1), who become Judges of the Supreme Court on the commencement of the Constitution?

• (A) Only those appointed after the commencement of the Constitution
• (B) The Judges of the Federal Court holding office immediately before the commencement unless they have elected otherwise
• (C) All sitting High Court judges automatically become Supreme Court Judges
• (D) Only those Federal Court Judges expressly reappointed by the President

36.If a Judge of the Federal Court immediately before commencement has 'elected otherwise' under Article 374(1), what is the effect?

• (A) They do not become Judges of the Supreme Court
• (B) They automatically become Chief Justices of High Courts
• (C) They continue as Federal Court Judges after commencement
• (D) They retain Federal Court status but receive Supreme Court salaries

37.Which kinds of courts are expressly mentioned in Article 375 as continuing to exercise their functions?

• (A) Courts of civil, criminal and revenue jurisdiction
• (B) Courts of civil and family jurisdiction only
• (C) Courts of criminal and military jurisdiction
• (D) Revenue and municipal courts only

38.Does Article 375, by its text, explicitly include legislative bodies (such as Parliament or State Legislatures) among those that "shall continue to exercise their respective functions"?

• (A) Yes, it expressly includes all legislative bodies
• (B) Yes, but only the Parliament
• (C) No, legislative bodies are not expressly mentioned
• (D) Yes, but only state legislatures are included

39.Which of the following best captures the limitation placed by Article 375 on the continuance of functions of courts, authorities and officers?

• (A) It guarantees uninterrupted functioning regardless of any other constitutional provision
• (B) It allows continuation only insofar as the functioning conforms with the Constitution's provisions
• (C) It suspends other constitutional provisions to ensure courts and officers keep functioning
• (D) It applies only to temporary officials and not to permanent officers

40.In Article 376, does the expression 'Judge' include an acting Judge or an additional Judge?

• (A) Yes, it includes both acting Judges and additional Judges.
• (B) No, it does not include an acting Judge or an additional Judge.
• (C) It includes only acting Judges but not additional Judges.
• (D) It includes only additional Judges but not acting Judges.

41.Can a person who was a Judge immediately before commencement and is not a citizen of India be appointed as Chief Justice of that High Court under Article 376(1)?

• (A) No — only Indian citizens can be appointed as Chief Justice.
• (B) Yes — but only with the President's special approval.
• (C) Yes — but only for a temporary transitional period.
• (D) Yes — notwithstanding that he is not a citizen of India.

42.Who, according to the provision, shall become the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India on the commencement of the Constitution?

• (A) The Auditor-General of India holding office immediately before the commencement, unless he has elected otherwise
• (B) Any person appointed by Parliament after commencement
• (C) The President of India’s nominee on commencement
• (D) The Auditor-General to be appointed after commencement

43.If the Auditor-General holding office immediately before commencement "has elected otherwise", what does the provision imply will happen?

• (A) He will still become Comptroller and Auditor-General but only for a transitional year
• (B) He will be appointed later by the President
• (C) He will not become the Comptroller and Auditor-General on such commencement
• (D) He will become Comptroller and Auditor-General but without pension rights

44.Who, under Article 378(1), become members of the Public Service Commission for the Union on the commencement of the Constitution?

• (A) The members of the Public Service Commission for the Dominion of India holding office immediately before commencement, unless they elected otherwise.
• (B) Only those appointed after commencement by the President.
• (C) Members who resigned before commencement but are reappointed.
• (D) All civil servants serving in the Dominion immediately before commencement.

45.Under Article 378(2), members of a Public Service Commission of a Province serving a group of Provinces immediately before commencement become what on commencement?

• (A) Members of the Public Service Commission for the Union.
• (B) Members of a new federal commission only if reappointed.
• (C) Members of the corresponding State Public Service Commission or members of the Joint State Public Service Commission serving the needs of the corresponding States, as the case may be.
• (D) Automatically retired and replaced by state nominees.

46.If a member "has elected otherwise" before commencement, what is the effect under Article 378?

• (A) They will not become a member of the corresponding Public Service Commission on commencement.
• (B) They still become a member but without vote.
• (C) They become a temporary member until reappointment.
• (D) They automatically become member of the Union Commission regardless of election.

47.What is the legal effect when the five-year period mentioned in Article 378A expires?

• (A) The expiration of the said period shall operate as a dissolution of that Legislative Assembly.
• (B) The Assembly continues until the Governor issues a dissolution order.
• (C) Expiration does not dissolve the Assembly; only a separate dissolution act does.
• (D) Dissolution occurs only if the President issues directions under Article 356.

48.From which date does the five-year period in Article 378A run?

• (A) The date of the first sitting of the Assembly
• (B) The date of the general election
• (C) The date of the Governor's proclamation of constitution
• (D) The date referred to in section 29 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956

49.Who is empowered by Article 392(1) of the Constitution of India to issue orders for removing difficulties?

• (A) The President of India
• (B) Parliament
• (C) The Supreme Court
• (D) The Governor-General of the Dominion of India

50.Under Article 392, when is the President prohibited by the proviso from making orders under clause (1)?

• (A) Before the first meeting of Parliament duly constituted under Chapter II of Part V
• (B) After the first meeting of Parliament duly constituted under Chapter II of Part V
• (C) After the period specified in any such order expires
• (D) After the commencement of the Constitution