President of India general studies questions for IAS Prelims
1) What is the minimum age for the eligibility to be a Presidential candidate?
a) 30
b) 28
c) 21
d) 35
ANSWER: d) 35
Explanation: For occupying the post of the President, a person must fulfill the following criteria:
a) He should be a citizen of India.
b) He should have completed 35 years of age
c) He should be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha.
d) He should not hold any office of profit under the Union government or any state government or any local authority or any other public authority. (However, a sitting President, Vice-President, Governor of any state and a minister of the Union or any state is not deemed to hold any office of profit and is thus qualified as being a Presidential candidate)
2) Who is regarded as the head of the Indian state?
a) Prime Minister
b) President
c) Chief Justice of India
d) None of the above
ANSWER: b) President
Explanation: The President of India is the first citizen of India and he is the head of the Indian State. The President is the supposed to act as the symbol of the unity, integrity, and solidarity of the nation.
3) The executive actions of the government are carried out under whose name?
a) Cabinet
b) Prime Minister
c) President
d) Both (b) and (c)
ANSWER: c) President
Explanation: The Government of India takes all its Executive decisions in the name of the President. Some of his important executive functions:
The President appoints the Prime Minister, other ministers, attorney general of India, comptroller and auditor general of India , chief election commissioner, chairman and members of UPSC, governor, etc
The President can appoint a commission to investigate into the conditions of SC's , ST's and OBC's.
4) Who among the following is NOT directly participating in the election of the President?
a) the elected members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
b) the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the state
c)the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry
d) Both elected and nominated members of the State legislative council
ANSWER: d) Both elected and nominated members of the State legislative council
Explanation: Along with elected and nominated members of the State Legislative Council, other members who do NOT participate directly in the election of the President are: nominated members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, nominated members of legislative assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry
And following members directly participate in the election:
a) the elected members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
b) the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the state
c)the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry
5) What is the official term of the President's office?
a) 5 years
b) 10 years
c) 3 years
4) 4 years
ANSWER: a) 5 years
Explanation: The term of the President's office is 5 years. Unlike the American President who can only be elected at most two times, the President of India can be elected any number of times.
6) What are the maximum number of terms that a person can hold for the office of President?
a) 2 terms
b) No limit
c) Single term
d) 3 terms
ANSWER: b) No limit
Explanation: The term of the President's office is 5 years. Unlike the American President who can only be elected at most two times, the President of India can be elected any number of times.
So far, only Dr Rajendra Prasad has occupied the post of President for two consecutive terms
7) Who has the power to declare an area as a scheduled area?
a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Governor of that state
d) Chief Minister of that state
ANSWER: a) President
8) What is true about the money bills?
a) They must be introduced on prior recommendation of the President
b) They can originate in both Houses of Parliament
c) Both (a) and (b)
d) Neither (a) nor (b)
ANSWER: a) They must be introduced on prior recommendation of the President
Explanation: Money bills are concerned with taxation or government spending. Only Lok Sabha can introduce money bills, and they must first get recommendation of President before introducing it. The President cannot return the money bill for reconsideration, he either has to give his assent or withhold it.
9) What is the meaning of the word 'Veto'?
a) Support
b) Double
c) Forbid
d) Decide
ANSWER: c) Forbid
Explanation: Veto is the Latin word for 'forbid'. For different situations and different Bills, the President is granted with different Veto powers. They are:
a) Absolute Veto
b) Suspensive Veto
c) Pocket Veto
The one Veto which is NOT granted to the President is the 'Qualified Veto'.
a) Absolute Veto: This Veto grants the President the power to reject a bill passed by the Parliament.
b) Suspensive Veto: This Veto grants the President the power to return the Bill for reconsideration, but if that bill returns, the President must give his assent.
c) Pocket Veto: This grants the President the power to withhold his decision, and thus the Bill, for an indefinite period of time. This is possible because the Constitution does not grant any time-limit for him to take the decision.
10) Which among the following Veto powers is NOT granted to the President?
a) Absolute Veto
b) Pocket Veto
c) Qualified Veto
d) Suspensive Veto
ANSWER: c) Qualified Veto
Explanation: Veto is the Latin word for 'forbid'. For different situations and different Bills, the President is granted with different Veto powers. They are:
a) Absolute Veto
b) Suspensive Veto
c) Pocket Veto
The one Veto which is NOT granted to the President is the 'Qualified Veto'.
a) Absolute Veto: This Veto grants the President the power to reject a bill passed by the Parliament.
b) Suspensive Veto: This Veto grants the President the power to return the Bill for reconsideration, but if that bill returns, the President must give his assent.
c) Pocket Veto: This grants the President the power to withhold his decision, and thus the Bill, for an indefinite period of time. This is possible because the Constitution does not grant any time-limit for him to take the decision.
11) The President can deliver an absolute veto to which of the following bills?
a) Private members bill
b) Constitutional Amendment Bill
c) both (a) and (b)
d) neither (a) nor (b)
ANSWER: a) Private members bill
Explanation: Absolute Veto grants the President the power to reject a bill passed by the Parliament.
12) Which article of the Constitution empowers the President to promulgate ordinances?
a) Article 123
b) Article 52
c) Article 25
d) Article 78
ANSWER: a) Article 123
Explanation: An ordinance can be deemed as a temporary law that have the same power as that of a Bill. The President is given the power to issue ordinances and this could be said to his most important power.
The President is granted the power to issue ordinances according to the Article 123 of our Constitution.
The issuing of an ordinance is subject to various limitations and conditions. Some of these limitations are:
a) Ordinance can be issued only when both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are not in session or only one of them is in session.
b) The President's decision to promulgate an ordinance is subject to judicial action in case it is found to be malafide
c) The President can issue ordinances subject to the advice of Prime Minister and his council of Ministers
d) The scope of the ordinance is limited to the subjects on which the Parliament itself is allowed to make laws
e) An ordinance is not superior to the Constitution has must follow it too. For example, an ordinance cannot breach Fundamental Rights.
13) Who addresses the Parliament after the commencement of the first session after each general election?
a) Prime Minister
b) Chief Justice of India
c) President
d) Vice-president
14) On whose behalf are the International treaties conducted?
a) President
b) Foreign Affairs Minister
c) Defense Minister
d) Prime Minister
ANSWER: a) President
15) Who is the only President to have been elected for two consecutive terms?
a) Dr Zakir Hussain
b) Rajendra Prasad
c) APJ Abdul Kalam
d) Pratibha Patil
ANSWER: b) Rajendra Prasad
Explanation: Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected in 1952 and 1957. He left office in 1962. He was succeeded by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
16) Which among the following Presidents died during his term at the office?
a) Dr Zakir Hussain
b) Rajendra Prasad
c) V.V. Giri
d) Dr S Radhakrishnan
ANSWER: a) Dr Zakir Hussain
Explanation: Dr Zakir Hussain took office on 13th May 1967, and he passed away on 3rd May, 1969. He was the third President of India. He was succeeded by V.V. Giri
17) The nomination of a candidate for election to the office of President must be subscribed by at least:
a) 50 proposers, 50 seconders
b) 25 proposers, 25 seconders
c) 20 proposers, 20 seconders
d) 50 proposers, 20 seconders
ANSWER: a) 50 proposers, 50 seconders
Explanation: Article 55 of the Constitution details the procedure of electing the President.
The nominations for the Presidential election must be subscribed by at least 50 electors as proposers and another 50 electors as seconders. A system of 'Proportional Representation' and a method of 'single transferable vote' are used to elect the President.
Each of the electing members are granted different number of votes depending different electoral formulas.
It is the Supreme Court alone which reserves the right to adjudicate on matters regarding the election of the President.
18) By which amendment bill is President's assent to constitutional amendments bill made obligatory?
a) 29th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1971
b) 27th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1971
c) 28th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1971
d) 24th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1971
ANSWER: d) 24th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1971
Explanation: This Act enabled the Parliament to dilute the Fundamental Rights. It by the Congress government headed by Indira Gandhi. This amendment came into force on 5 November 1971.
19) Who appoints the chief of Army, Navy, and Air Force?
a) Prime Minister
b) Defense Minister
c) Foreign Minister
d) President
ANSWER: d) President
Explanation: The President is the supreme commander of the defense forces of India. Depending upon the approval of the Parliament, the President can declare war or peace. He appoints the chief of Army, Navy, and Air Force.
20) Who can appoint a commission to investigate into the conditions of SC's , ST's and OBC's?
a) Prime Minister
b) Defense Minister
c) Foreign Minister
d) President
ANSWER: d) President
21) The President can nominate how many members of the Rajya Sabha?
a) 14
b) 6
c) 12
d) 16
ANSWER: c) 12
Explanation: The President appoints these members for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social services.
22) What does “respite” mean in terms of the powers granted to the President?
a) the basic punishment remains the same but the duration is shortened
b) in presence of a special circumstance, like physical disability, the President can award a lesser sentence than the one that was originally granted
c) The President can substitute one harsher punishment with some lighter form, like changing a death sentence to a life sentence
d) completely absolves the person from all types punishments and disqualifications
23) What does “remission” mean in terms of the powers granted to the President?
a) the basic punishment remains the same but the duration is shortened
b) in presence of a special circumstance, like physical disability, the President can award a lesser sentence than the one that was originally granted
c) The President can substitute one harsher punishment with some lighter form, like changing a death sentence to a life sentence
d) completely absolves the person from all types punishments and disqualifications
ANSWER: a) the basic punishment remains the same but the duration is shortened
24) What does “commutation” mean in terms of the powers granted to the President?
a) the basic punishment remains the same but the duration is shortened
b) in presence of a special circumstance, like physical disability, the President can award a lesser sentence than the one that was originally granted
c) The President can substitute one harsher punishment with some lighter form, like changing a death sentence to a life sentence
d) completely absolves the person from all types punishments and disqualifications
ANSWER: c) The President can substitute one harsher punishment with some lighter form, like changing a death sentence to a life sentence
25) What does “pardon” mean in terms of the powers granted to the President?
a) the basic punishment remains the same but the duration is shortened
b) in presence of a special circumstance, like physical disability, the President can award a lesser sentence than the one that was originally granted
c) The President can substitute one harsher punishment with some lighter form, like changing a death sentence to a life sentence
d) completely absolves the person from all types punishments and disqualifications
ANSWER: d) completely absolves the person from all types punishments and disqualifications
26) What does “reprieve” mean in terms of the powers granted to the President?
a) the basic punishment remains the same but the duration is shortened
b) in presence of a special circumstance, like physical disability, the President can award a lesser sentence than the one that was originally granted
c) The President can substitute one harsher punishment with some lighter form, like changing a death sentence to a life sentence
d) This grants a temporary stay on the execution of the sentence, allowing some time for the convict.
ANSWER: d) This grants a temporary stay on the execution of the sentence, allowing some time for the convict.
