Week 1 review: The Constitution at work

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 got 298 votes for and 230 against in the Lok Sabha. Why did it fail?

Answer: A. It did not get two-thirds of the members present and voting

Article 368(2) needs two-thirds of those present and voting as well as a majority of the total membership. Two-thirds of 528 is 352, and the Bill got 298.

Under Article 94(c), a resolution to remove the Speaker of the Lok Sabha must be passed by:

Answer: D. A majority of all the then members of the House

Article 94(c) requires a majority of all the then members of the House, after at least 14 days' notice. The 2026 resolution was defeated by voice vote on 11 March.

Under paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule, a merger protects legislators from disqualification if at least what share of the legislature party agrees to it?

Answer: B. Two-thirds

Paragraph 4 requires two-thirds. The one-third 'split' exception was deleted by the 91st Amendment in 2003. Seven of AAP's ten Rajya Sabha members relied on it in April 2026.

In upholding the Special Intensive Revision in May 2026, the Supreme Court traced the Election Commission's power to Article 324 read with which provision?

Answer: A. Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950

Section 21(3) of the 1950 Act lets the Commission order a special revision of the rolls at any time. Section 100 of the 1951 Act lists the grounds for voiding an election.

Under Article 324(5), an Election Commissioner other than the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office:

Answer: B. Only on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner

The CEC has the same protection as a Supreme Court judge. The other Election Commissioners can be removed only on the CEC's recommendation.

National Voters' Day is observed on 25 January because on that date in 1950:

Answer: A. The Election Commission of India was established

The Commission was set up on 25 January 1950. The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came fully into force on 26 January 1950.

In Dr. Jaya Thakur v. Government of India (January 2026), the Supreme Court held that the right to menstrual health is part of:

Answer: A. The right to life under Article 21

The Court read menstrual health into Article 21, and linked it with Article 14 and the right to education under Article 21A.

In March 2026 the Supreme Court read down a provision that limited maternity benefit for adoptive mothers to children below what age?

Answer: D. Three months

Section 60(4) of the Code on Social Security, 2020 covered only adoptions of children below three months. The Court held the limit had no rational nexus with the benefit's purpose.

Which Article allows the State to make special provisions for women and children?

Answer: A. Article 15(3)

Article 15(3) permits special provisions for women and children. Article 15(4) and 16(4) concern backward classes; Article 29(1) protects distinct language, script or culture.

Who was sworn in as Chief Minister of Manipur when President's Rule was revoked on 4 February 2026?

Answer: A. Y. Khemchand Singh

Y. Khemchand Singh became Chief Minister; Nemcha Kipgen and L. Dikho became Deputy Chief Ministers. N. Biren Singh had resigned in February 2025.

The Uniform Civil Code Bill passed by the Assam Assembly in May 2026 does not apply to:

Answer: D. Members of the Scheduled Tribes living in Assam

The Bill excludes members of the Scheduled Tribes living in Assam, protecting tribal customary law.

Sikkim became the 22nd State of India by which constitutional amendment?

Answer: A. 36th Amendment, 1975

The 35th Amendment made Sikkim an associate State; the 36th made it a full State from 16 May 1975 and added Article 371F.

Who was appointed Vice-Chairperson of NITI Aayog in April 2026?

Answer: B. Ashok Kumar Lahiri

Ashok Kumar Lahiri replaced Suman K. Bery. Arvind Panagariya was the first Vice-Chairperson (2015) and chairs the 16th Finance Commission.

The Central Vigilance Commission was first set up in 1964 on the recommendation of:

Answer: D. The Santhanam Committee

The Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption recommended it. The CVC became statutory under the CVC Act, 2003.

The Enforcement Directorate, which turned 70 in May 2026, functions under which Ministry?

Answer: A. Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue)

The ED sits in the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. The CBI is under the Department of Personnel and Training.

How many central Acts does the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 amend?

Answer: B. 80

The 2026 Bill amends 80 Acts. The 2023 Jan Vishwas Act amended 42; the withdrawn 2025 Bill covered 17.

After the 2026 amendment, using unfair means in a public examination is punishable with imprisonment of:

Answer: D. Five to ten years

The amendment raised it from three to five years to five to ten years, with a fine of up to ₹50 lakh. Organised crime carries at least seven years.

The Online Gaming Authority of India, set up under the 2026 Rules, works as an attached office of which Ministry?

Answer: B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

MeitY notified the Rules on 22 April 2026, effective 1 May 2026, under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.