Ans: C

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Prime Minister advises the president with regard to the appointment of important officials like attorney general of India, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, chairman and members of the UPSC, election commissioners, chairman and members of the finance commission and so on. The president then appoints the said functionaries as per the advice of the prime minister.

Statement 2 is correct: The Prime Minister is the leader of the Lower House. In this capacity, he enjoys the following powers: 

1. He advises the President with regard to summoning and proroguing of the sessions of the Parliament. 
2. He can recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President at any time. 
3. He announces government policies on the floor of the House.

Statement 3 is correct: The Prime Minister enjoys the following powers as head of the Union Council of Ministers: 

1. He recommends a person who can be appointed as minister by the president. The President can appoint only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Prime Minister. 
2. He allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among the ministers. 
3. He can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss him in case of a difference of opinion.

Ans: A

Exp:

The Governor is neither directly elected by the people nor indirectly elected by a specially constituted electoral college as is the case with the president. He is appointed by the president by warrant under his hand and seal. In a way, he is a nominee of the Central government.  

The Constitution lays down only two qualifications for the appointment of a person as a Governor. These are: 

• He should be a citizen of India.

• He should have completed the age of 35 years. Hence, Options 1 and 2 are correct:

Additionally, two conventions have also developed with regard to the appointment of the Governor. First, he should be an outsider; that is, he should not belong to the state where he is appointed so that his neutrality in local politics is ensured. Second, while appointing the governor, the president is required to consult the Chief Minister of the State concerned to ensure the smooth functioning of the constitutional machinery of the state.  Hence, Options 3 and 4 are incorrect. 

Ans: D

Exp:

The executive powers and functions of the President are: 

1. All executive actions of the Government of India are formally taken in his name.
2. He appoints the prime minister and the other ministers. They hold office during his pleasure. Hence, Option 1 is correct
3. He appoints the attorney general of India and determines his remuneration. The attorney general holds office during the pleasure of the President.
4. He can seek any information relating to the administration of affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation from the prime minister. Hence, Option 4 is correct. 

The President is an integral part of the Parliament of India and enjoys the following legislative powers.

1. He can summon or prorogue the Parliament and dissolve the Lok Sabha. He can also summon a joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament, which is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Hence, Option 2 is incorrect.
2. He can nominate two members to the Lok Sabha from the Anglo Indian Community. 
3. He decides on questions as to the disqualification of members of the Parliament in consultation with the Election Commission. Hence, Option 3 is incorrect.
4. His prior recommendation or permission is needed to introduce certain types of bills in the Parliament. For example, a bill involving expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India or a bill for the alteration of boundaries of states or the creation of a new state.

Ans: B

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president (which means the cabinet) in consultation with the members of the judiciary itself (i.e., judges of the Supreme Court and the high courts). This provision curtails the absolute discretion of the executive as well as ensures that judicial appointments are not based on any political or practical considerations.

Statement 2 is correct: A judge of the Supreme Court can be removed from his office by an order of the president.  If a motion for the removal of the judge is passed by both houses of Parliament, it is presented to the President for approval. The President can then issue an order for the removal of the judge. The President can issue the removal order only after an address by Parliament has been presented to him in the same session for such removal.

Ans: C

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: The territorial jurisdiction of a high court usually coincides with the territory of a state. Similarly, the territorial jurisdiction of a common high court is co-terminus with the territories of the concerned states and union territory. The territorial jurisdiction of a high court is “co-terminus” with the territory of a state means that the high court’s jurisdiction and the geographical boundaries of the state are the same. This is essential for maintaining the separation of powers and preserving the federal structure of India’s legal system.

Presently (2019), there are 25 high courts in the country. Out of them, only three high courts have jurisdiction over more than one state. Among the nine union territories, Delhi alone has a separate high court (since 1966). The union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh have a common high court. The other union territories fall under the jurisdiction of different state high courts.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Parliament can extend the jurisdiction of a high court to any union territory or exclude the jurisdiction of a high court from any union territory. This provision allows the Indian Parliament to adapt the legal framework to the specific needs and circumstances of union territories, which may vary significantly. It ensures that the jurisdiction of high courts in union territories can be modified as deemed appropriate by Parliament, in line with the principles of federalism and administrative efficiency in India’s legal system.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Constitution does not specify the strength of a high court and leaves it to the discretion of the president. Accordingly, the President determines the strength of a high court from time to time, depending upon its workload. The President’s authority to determine the strength of a high court ensures that judges can effectively manage their caseloads and provide timely and well-considered judgments.