UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Centre cannot treat States as ‘subordinates’, says SC judge

Q1. In which of the following cases did a nine-judge Bench of the Supreme Court authoritatively hold that federalism is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution?

  • A. State of West Bengal v. Union of India (1963)
  • B. S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994)
  • C. Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu (1992)
  • D. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)

Q2. In the S.R. Bommai judgment, the 'floor test' laid down as the correct way to determine a State government's majority refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Ascertaining majority support on the floor of the Legislative Assembly through a vote
  • B. The Governor's subjective satisfaction, reported to the President, that the government has lost majority
  • C. A confidence motion moved and decided in the Rajya Sabha over the concerned State
  • D. Judicial verification of party membership registers by the High Court

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the constitutional framework of Union-State relations: 1. Article 1 of the Constitution declares India, that is Bharat, to be a Union of States. 2. The subjects on which both Parliament and the State Legislatures may legislate are enumerated in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule. 3. Under Article 263, the power to establish an Inter-State Council rests with the Chief Justice of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Article 1 of the Constitution declares India, that is Bharat, to be a Union of States.
  2. The subjects on which both Parliament and the State Legislatures may legislate are enumerated in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule.
  3. Under Article 263, the power to establish an Inter-State Council rests with the Chief Justice of India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India are legislative subjects divided into the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List?

  • A. Fourth Schedule
  • B. Sixth Schedule
  • C. Seventh Schedule
  • D. Eleventh Schedule

Q5. The Dr Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture delivered by Justice B.V. Nagarathna at Chanakya National Law University, Patna, in April 2026 was which numbered edition in the lecture series?

  • A. The 1st
  • B. The 3rd
  • C. The 5th
  • D. The 10th

Q6. With reference to Justice B.V. Nagarathna's remarks in her 2026 CNLU lecture on constitutionalism and structure, consider the following: 1. The Centre ought to view the States as coordinates and not as subordinates. 2. The Union should avoid a 'pick and choose' approach towards States. 3. Institutions such as the Election Commission must function independently. 4. The constitutional office of the Governor should be abolished. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly attributed to her lecture?

  1. The Centre ought to view the States as coordinates and not as subordinates.
  2. The Union should avoid a 'pick and choose' approach towards States.
  3. Institutions such as the Election Commission must function independently.
  4. The constitutional office of the Governor should be abolished.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q7. In which year was Justice B.V. Nagarathna elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court of India?

  • A. 2008
  • B. 2010
  • C. 2021
  • D. 2024

Q8. Recommendations for the appointment and elevation of Supreme Court judges, such as Justice B.V. Nagarathna, are made by which of the following?

  • A. The Supreme Court Collegium
  • B. The National Judicial Appointments Commission
  • C. The Union Ministry of Law and Justice acting alone
  • D. The Department of Justice under a warrant of the President

Q9. The twin mandate of promoting cooperative and competitive federalism among the States and Union Territories is entrusted primarily to which of the following bodies?

  • A. The Finance Commission
  • B. NITI Aayog
  • C. The Inter-State Council
  • D. The erstwhile Planning Commission

Q10. The Punchhi Commission's recommendation of a 'localised emergency' in the context of Article 356 refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Confining President's Rule to a specific troubled area rather than imposing it over the entire State
  • B. Declaring a financial emergency limited to a single State's budget
  • C. Suspending only the fundamental rights of citizens in the affected district
  • D. Deploying central armed forces in a district without dismissing the State government

Q11. In April 2025 the Supreme Court, for the first time, invoked its powers to declare pending Bills as 'deemed to have been assented'. This landmark ruling concerned the Governor of which State?

  • A. Kerala
  • B. Punjab
  • C. Tamil Nadu
  • D. West Bengal

Q12. Following S.R. Bommai, the exercise of power under Article 356 is subject to 'judicial review'. In this context, judicial review means which one of the following?

  • A. Courts may examine whether the proclamation is based on relevant material and may restore a State government dismissed malafide
  • B. Courts may stay a proclamation only after it has completed two years of operation
  • C. Courts may review the proclamation solely to check whether it was laid before Parliament in time
  • D. Courts may substitute their own opinion for that of the President on the political wisdom of the proclamation