UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Shutdown in Manipur over two missing Kuki youth

Q1. Kangpokpi, the hill district of Manipur where a shutdown was called in October 2026, falls within the State's Hill Areas. With reference to Article 371C of the Constitution, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The committee for the Hill Areas is constituted by a law made by the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
  2. The order made under Article 371C may provide for modifications in the rules of procedure of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
  3. The executive power of the Union extends to giving directions to Manipur on the administration of the Hill Areas only while a Proclamation under Article 356 is in force.
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The hill districts of Manipur, such as Kangpokpi, do not have Autonomous District Councils constituted under the Sixth Schedule.
  2. Article 371C of the Constitution prohibits the setting up of district councils in the Hill Areas of Manipur.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. The ethnic conflict in Manipur, of which the abduction-linked shutdown in Kangpokpi is one episode, is rooted partly in a dispute over Scheduled Tribe status. With reference to Article 342 of the Constitution, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The initial specification of Scheduled Tribes in relation to a State is made by the President by public notification after consultation with the Governor of that State.
  2. After the initial notification, the President may modify the list for that State by issuing a subsequent notification after consulting the Governor.
  3. A community specified as a Scheduled Tribe in relation to one State is thereby deemed a Scheduled Tribe in every other State.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q4. Suppose Parliament enacts a law excluding a community from the list of Scheduled Tribes notified in relation to a State. Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The exclusion takes effect through the Act itself, without any further notification by the President.
  2. Article 342 requires the Governor of the State to be consulted before Parliament can pass such a law.
  3. Such a law does not have to follow the procedure for amending the Constitution under Article 368.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q5. Manipur was placed under President's Rule in February 2025. With reference to a Proclamation under Article 356 of the Constitution, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Once approved by both Houses of Parliament, it remains in force until revoked by the President, without any further approval by Parliament.
  2. It ceases to operate at the end of two months from its issue unless it has been approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament before then.
  3. It may authorise the President to assume powers vested in or exercisable by the High Court of the State.
  4. If it is issued while the Lok Sabha stands dissolved and is approved by the Rajya Sabha, it lapses unless the Lok Sabha also approves it within a fixed period after first sitting on reconstitution.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Q6. President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on 13 February 2025, the Proclamation was approved by both Houses of Parliament, and Parliament later approved its continuance for six months from 13 August 2025. Suppose the Union Government wished to continue the Proclamation beyond 13 February 2026. Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Continuance would be constitutionally barred, because a Proclamation under Article 356 can be extended only once.
  2. Continuance would require resolutions approving it to be passed by both Houses of Parliament.
  3. Continuance would require, among other conditions, the Election Commission to certify that difficulties exist in holding general elections to the State Legislative Assembly.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q7. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. While a State is under President's Rule, laws on subjects in the State List for that State can be made by Parliament.
  2. A Proclamation under Article 356 can declare that the powers of the Legislature of the State shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct