Union State Relations Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 9

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Reviewing AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Study Material Chapter 9 Union State Relations Questions and Answers can help students prepare confidently for exams.

AP Inter 2nd Year Civics 9th Lesson Union State Relations Questions and Answers

Very Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Mention any four subjects included in the Union List.
Answer:
Subjects included in the Union List:

  1. Defence
  2. Foreign affairs
  3. Banking
  4. Communication
  5. Currency

Question 2.
Mention All India Services.
Answer:
All India Services (governed by Article 312) include:

  1. IAS (Indian Administrative Service)
  2. IPS (Indian Police Service)
  3. IFS / IFoS (Indian Forest Service)

Question 3.
Composition of the Sarkaria Commission.
Answer:
The Sarkaria Commission, appointed by the Union government in 1983, was a three-member commission consisting of:

  • R.S. Sarkaria: Chairman (a retired Supreme Court judge).
  • B. Sivaraman: Member.
  • Dr. S.R. Sen: Member

Question 4.
Who appoints and who removes the members of the State Public Service Commission
Answer:
The appointment and removal of members of a State Public Service Commission are handled as follows:

  1. Appointment: The Chairperson and members are appointed by the Governor.
  2. Removal: They can be removed only by the President under specified grounds.

Union State Relations Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 9

Question 5.
Mention any two major areas of tension in Union State relations.
Answer:
Major areas of tension in Union-State relations:

  1. Mode of appointment and dismissal of Governors.
  2. Imposition of President’s Rule for political or partisan interests.
  3. Discrimination in financial allocations to States.

Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Explain the constitutional provisions of the Goods and Services Tax.
Answer:
The Amendment introduced GST, a comprehensive indirect tax on the manufacture, sale and consumption of goods and services across India.

GST aims to eliminate the cascading effect of multiple indirect taxes and to create a unified, seamless national market for goods and services.

Important Constitutional Provisions on GST

  1. Article 246A: Grants concurrent powers to both Parliament and State Legislatures to make laws on GST.
  2. Intra-State GST: Both Union and States levy CGST and SGST on supplies within the same state.
  3. Article 269A: For Inter-State trade (IGST), the tax is levied and collected by the Union and apportioned between the Union and States based on GST Council recommendations.
  4. Article 279A: Provides for the GST Council, constituted by the President.

The Council consists of:
Union Finance Minister (Chairperson), Union Minister of State for Revenue Finance Ministers (or nominees) of all States

Question 2.
Explain the composition and functions of NITI Aayog.
Answer:
The Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) on 1 January 2015 via a Cabinet Resolution to provide strategic and technical advice to the Government.

I. Composition of NITI Aayog

  1. Chairperson: The Prime Minister.
  2. Vice Chairperson: Appointed by the Prime Minister.
  3. Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Appointed by the Prime Minister; must be eligible to be a Secretary to the Government of India.
  4. Full-time Members: Experts in fields like economics, science, and other related fields.
  5.  Part-time Members: Up to two members from research institutions or universities.
  6. Ex-officio Members: Four Union Ministers nominated by the Prime Minister.
  7. Special Invitees: Administrators of Union Territories and other experts.
  8. Governing Council: Known as ‘Team India,” it includes the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of all States, the Vice Chairperson, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, and ex-officio members.

II. Key Functions of NITI Aayog:

  1. Policy Formulation: Creating long-term and sector-specific policies for national development.
  2. Promoting Cooperative Federalism: Fostering collaboration between the Union and State governments.
  3. Monitoring and Evaluation: Assessing the implementation of various government schemes and programs.
  4. Think Tank Role: Providing strategic guidance, innovation, and expertise to address economic and developmental challenges.

Question 3.
Write a brief note on the Union’s administrative directions to the States.
Answer:
The Constitution of India empowers the Union to issue administrative directions to the states to ensure national unity, the implementation of parliamentary laws, and the protection of national interests.
The following are the key areas where the Union can issue such directions:

I. Specific Administrative Matters: The Union may direct states regarding:

  1. Construction and maintenance of communications deemed of military or national importance (Article 257).
  2. Protection of railways within the state (Article 339).
  3. Primary education facilities in the mother tongue (Article 350A).
  4. Implementation of special welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) (Article 339).
  5. Promotion and development of Hindi as the Union’s official language (Article 351).

II. Emergency Situations:
During a National Emergency (Article 352), the Union can issue executive directions to any state on any subject.

Union State Relations Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 9

Question 4.
Mention any four recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission.
Answer:
The Sarkaria Commission, appointed by the Union government in 1983, was a three-member commission
Recommendations made by the Sarkaria Commission:

  1. Permanent Inter-State Council: A permanent Inter-State Council (Inter-Governmental Council) should be established under Article 263.
  2. Sparingly Use Article 356: Article 356 (President’s Rule) should be used only as a last resort in extreme cases.
  3. Strengthening All India Services: These services should be strengthened, and new ones should be created.
  4. Residuary Powers: Residuary taxation powers should remain with Parliament, while all other residuary powers should be placed in the Concurrent List.
  5. Communication on State Bills: If the President withholds assent to a State bill, the reasons for doing so should be communicated to the State government.
  6.  Reconstitution of the NDC: The National Development Council (NDC) should be renamed and reconstituted as the National Economic Development Council (NEDC).

Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Explain the rationale for the strong unitary bias in the Indian federal system.
Answer:
Rationale for a Strong Unitary Bias in the Indian Federation

1. Historical contexts and national unity:

  • Need to prevent fragmentation after independence.
  • Aim to forge a unified national identity.

2. Economic Integration and Development:

  • Central planning for balanced regional growth.
  • Equitable distribution of resources across states.
  • Coordinated implementation of national economic policies.

3. National Security and External Threats:

  • Maintaining a strong Union authority for defence.
  • Ability to respond swiftly to external aggression or internal unrest.
  • Preventing secessionist movements and ensuring territorial integrity.

4. Administrative Efficiency and Uniformity:

  • Standardised policies and regulations across the country.
  • Easier coordination of national programmes and schemes.
  • Streamlined decision-making during emergencies or crises.

Question 2.
Write about Parliament’s power to legislate on subjects in the State List.
Answer:
Parliamentary Legislation on State Subjects:
The Constitution allows Parliament to make laws on matters in the State List under the following circumstances:

1. Rajya Sabha Resolution (Article 248): If the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority declaring a State List subject of national interest, Parliament may legislate on it. Such a law remains in force for one year and can be renewed any number of times.

2. During National Emergency (Article 250): While a National Emergency is in operation, Parliament gains power to legislate on State List subjects. These laws cease to operate six months after the emergency ends.

3. On Request of States (Article 252): If two or more state legislatures pass resolutions requesting Parliament to legislate on a State List matter, Parliament may make laws for those states. Such laws can be amended or repealed only by Parliament, not by the states.

4. To Implement International Agreements (Article 253): Parliament may legislate on State List subjects to fulfil international treaties and obligations like UN Privileges and Immunities Act, 1947; Geneva Conventions Act, 1960; Vienna Convention Act, 1985.

5. Failure of Constitutional Machinery in a State (Article 356): When President’s Rule is imposed, Parliament can legislate on State List subjects. These laws continue to operate even after President’s Rule ends unless modified or repealed.

Union State Relations Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 9

Question 3.
Discuss the organisation, powers and functions of the Finance Commission.
Answer:
Finance Commission: Article 280 of the Constitution provides for a Finance Commission – a quasi-judicial body constituted by the President. It consists of a chairperson and four members and is responsible for recommending the distribution of financial resources between the Union and the States.

I. Organisation and Appointment:
The Chairman and members are appointed by the President for a term of five years and are eligible for reappointment. Parliament determines their qualifications. The Chairman must have experience in public affairs, while the four members are chosen from the following areas:

  1.  A High Court Judge or one qualified to be appointed as such.
  2. A person with special knowledge of government finances and accounts.
  3. A person with wide experience in financial administration.
  4. A person with special knowledge of economics.

II. Powers and Functions

The Finance Commission periodically reviews Union-State financial relations and submits recommendations to the President on the following matters

  1. Determining the share of Union tax revenues to be distributed among the States.
  2. Laying down the principles governing grants-in-aid to States from the Consolidated Fund of India.
  3. Reviewing and recommending on the continuance or modification of financial arrangements between the Union and any State.
  4. Suggesting measures to augment State Consolidated Funds to support Panchayats and Municipalities, based on State Finance Commission recommendations.
  5. Considering any other matter referred by the President in the interest of financial stability.
    The Commission submits its report to the President, who may accept its recommendations. These generally remain in force for five years.

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
The Constitution of India declared India as
1. Federation
2. Union
3. Union of States
4. Federation of States
Answer:
3. Union of States

Question 2.
Indian Federal System is based on
1. America
2. Canada
3. Australia
4. Russia
Answer:
2. Canada

Question 3.
Residuary Powers are vested with
1. Parliament
2. President
3. Assembly
4. Governor
Answer:
1. Parliament

Question 4.
The chairman and members of Finance Commission are appointed by
1. President
2. Parliament
3. Prime Minister
4. Supreme Court
Answer:
1. President

Question 5.
Chairperson of NITI Ayog is
1. President
2. Prime Minister
3. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
4. Vice President
Answer:
2. Prime Minister

Question 6.
The body established to coordinate between the Union and the States
1. Finance Commission
2. NITI Aayog
3. Inter-State Council
4. UPSC
Answer:
3. Inter-State Council

Question 7.
The committee appointed by the Tamil Nadu government to examine Relations is Union-State
1. Administrative Reforms Committeel 969
2. Sarkaria Commission
3. PV Rajamannar Committee
4. Punchhi Commission
Answer:
3. PV Rajamannar Committee

Union State Relations Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 9

Question 8.
Governor was appointed by the
1. Supreme Court
2. Prime Minister
3. Vice President
4. President
Answer:
4. President

Fill in the Blanks

Question 1.
The Parliament can make laws on the State List in the national interest on the resolution of ______________
Answer:
Rajya Sabha

Question 2.
The Article related to the organisation of the Finance Commission is Article ______________
Answer:
280

Question 3.
Legislative and Administrative Relations are mentioned in ______________ of the Indian Constitution.
Answer:
Part XI

Question 4.
The Anandpur Sahib Resolution was made by the ______________
Answer:
Akali Dal Party

Question 5.
The Chairperson of the First Finance Commission was ______________
Answer:
K.C. Niyoai

One Word Answers

Question 1.
Education is included in which list of the Indian Constitution?
Answer:
Concurrent List

Union State Relations Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 9

Question 2.
What is the full form of GST?
Answer:
Goods and Service Tax

Question 3.
How many recommendations were made by the Sarkaria Commission?
Answer:
247