Ans: B

Exp:

The constitutional position of the Rajya Sabha can be studied from three angles:

1) When it has equal powers with Lok Sabha

2) When it has unequal powers with Lok Sabha

3) When it has special powers.

When it has equal powers:

• Introduction and passage of ordinary bills.
• Approval of ordinances issued by the president. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.  
• Introduction and passage of constitutional amendment bills. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• Election and impeachment of the president.
• Approval of the proclamation of all three types of emergencies

When it has unequal powers:

• A money bill can only be introduced in Lok Sabha and not in Rajya Sabha. Hence, Statement 4 is incorrect.
• Rajya Sabha can only discuss budgets and cannot vote on demand for grants.
• A resolution for discontinuance of the national emergency can be passed only in Lok Sabha. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
• Rajya Sabha cannot remove ministers by passing No confidence motion.

When it has special powers:

• It can authorise parliament to make a law on a subject enumerated in the state list.  ( Article 249)
• It can authorise the parliament to create a new All India Service common to both the centre and state.
• It alone can initiate a move for the removal of the Vice-President.

Ans: B

Exp:

Certain provisions of the Indian Constitution can be amended by obtaining the consent of at least half of the states in addition to a special majority in both houses of Parliament. This process is outlined in Article 368 of the Constitution. These provisions relate to matters that affect the federal structure of the country, including the distribution of powers between the central government and the states. For example, changes to the provisions related to the election of the President, representation of states in 

Parliament, etc. require the consent of half of the states in India, in addition to the special majority in Parliament.

Ans: C

Exp:

Indian secularism is not the same as the Western concept of the separation of religion and state. In India, there is no mutual exclusion between the State and Religion. Indian secularism emphasises religious tolerance, equal treatment of all religions, and the state’s impartiality towards religious matters. This includes the reasonable interference of the state in religious matters in order to protect individual rights. Ex: Triple Talaq was made a legal offence in India. Originally, the term ‘secularism ’ was not mentioned in the Indian Constitution; it was added by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976.

Option C is correct: Indian secularism gives rights to all religious communities, such as the right to establish and maintain their educational institutions. Freedom of religion in India means the freedom of religion of both individuals and communities.

In contrast, the western model of secularism follows the mutual exclusion of state and religion in order to protect values such as individual freedom and citizenship rights. Both religion and state must stay away from each other’s internal affairs. The state must not intervene in the domain of religion; religion likewise should not dictate state policy or influence the conduct of the state. In other words, mutual exclusion means that religion and state must be strictly separated. The Indian Constitution provides reservations for socially and educationally backward citizens, not religious minorities.

Ans: D

Exp:

• Option D is correct: In India, lack of access to good education or health care and other such facilities is often found combined with social discrimination on grounds of caste. The Constitution therefore allowed for reservations of government jobs and quotas for admissions to educational institutions for people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes. 
• The 103rd Amendment inserted Articles 15(6) and 16(6) in the Constitution to provide up to 10 percent reservation to the economically weaker sections (EWS) among non-OBC and non-SC/ST sections of the population. It introduces a 10% reservation for the EWS for admission to government as well as private, unaided education institutions (except for minority educational institutions) .
• Option A is incorrect: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act is noted for its inconsistent revisions and additions (1976).  The 42nd Amendment provides a provision to temporarily suspend basic rights. In an external emergency, Article 358 suspends constitutionally given rights. “Emergency legislation” is exempt from Article 19.
• Option B is incorrect: 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments were passed by Parliament in December, 1992. Through these amendments local self-governance was introduced in rural and urban India.
• Option C is incorrect:  86th Constitutional Amendment Inserted new article 21A.- After article 21 of the Constitution, the following article shall be inserted, namely:- Right to education.-“21A. The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine.”

Ans: D

Exp:

• Statement 1 is correct: The Indian State may engage with religion negatively to oppose religious tyranny. This is reflected in actions such as the ban on untouchability. The State may also choose a positive mode of engagement. Indian Secularism does not require a total separation of religion from the state of affairs. It rejects non-interference in religion. But it is also not excessively interventionist.
• Statement 2 is correct: Secularism is first and foremost a doctrine that opposes all forms of institutionalised religious domination.It challenges not merely interreligious but also intra-religious domination. Put positively, it promotes freedom within religions, and equality between, as well as within, religions. 
• Statement 3 is correct: Indian secularism is based on the concept of principled distance between the state and the religion. This means that the state gives equal preference to every religion and respects them all equally. However, the state may interfere if such interference is deemed necessary.