Union and its Territories — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. Which Article empowers Parliament to admit or establish new States into the Union?

   • Article 1
   • Article 2 (correct answer)
   • Article 3
   • Article 4

   Explanation. Article 2 empowers Parliament to admit into the Union, or establish, new States on such terms as it thinks fit.

2. Under Article 3, whose consent is required before Parliament can alter a State's boundaries?

   • The affected State's consent is mandatory
   • The affected State Legislature must be consulted for its views, but its consent is not required (correct answer)
   • No consultation is required at all
   • The consent of all States is required

   Explanation. The affected State Legislature must be given a chance to express its views, but its views are not binding on Parliament.

3. In Babulal Parate v. State of Bombay (1960), the Supreme Court held that:

   • Every amendment to a reorganization Bill must be re-referred to the State Legislature
   • Only the original Bill needs to be referred to the State Legislature, not subsequent amendments (correct answer)
   • State Legislatures have a veto over reorganization Bills
   • Article 3 requires a constitutional amendment

   Explanation. Once the original Bill has been referred, Parliament need not refer an amended version back to the State Legislature again.

4. According to In Re: The Berubari Union (1960), what is needed to cede Indian territory to a foreign country?

   • An ordinary law under Article 3
   • A resolution of the Union Cabinet
   • A constitutional amendment under Article 368 (correct answer)
   • A Presidential order alone

   Explanation. Article 3 covers only internal rearrangement of Indian territory; ceding territory to a foreign country requires a constitutional amendment under Article 368.

5. The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 primarily reorganized Indian States on the basis of:

   • Religion
   • Population size
   • Linguistic lines (correct answer)
   • Historical boundaries

   Explanation. The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 redrew India's internal map largely on linguistic lines.

6. Telangana was created as a separate State from Andhra Pradesh under which Act?

   • States Reorganisation Act, 1956
   • Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (correct answer)
   • Government of India Act, 1935
   • Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956

   Explanation. Telangana was created by bifurcating the undivided State of Andhra Pradesh under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

7. Under Article 239, a Union territory is administered by:

   • The State Legislature
   • The President acting through an administrator (correct answer)
   • The Chief Justice
   • The Prime Minister directly

   Explanation. Unless Parliament provides otherwise, every Union territory is administered by the President through an administrator he appoints.

8. Article 239AA makes special provisions for:

   • Puducherry
   • Delhi, the National Capital Territory (correct answer)
   • Lakshadweep
   • Ladakh

   Explanation. Article 239AA calls Delhi the National Capital Territory, with a Lieutenant Governor and a Legislative Assembly.