UPSC Prelims 2024 Q74: Indian Polity – Constitutional Provisions
Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India?
1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution.
2. Emergency provisions are given in Part XVIII of the Constitution.
3. Provisions related to the amendment of the Constitution are given in Part XX of the
Constitution.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Parts of the Constitution of India - Correct Mapping
Statement-by-Statement Breakdown:
| Statement | Claim | Correct Part | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Powers of Municipalities in Part IX A | Part IX A (Articles 243P-243ZG) = Municipalities | TRUE - Part IX A was added by 74th Amendment (1992) and deals with Municipalities/Urban Local Bodies |
| 2 | Emergency provisions in Part XVIII | Part XVIII (Articles 352-360) = Emergency provisions | TRUE - National Emergency (352), President's Rule (356), Financial Emergency (360) are all in Part XVIII |
| 3 | Amendment of Constitution in Part XX | Part XX (Article 368) = Amendment of the Constitution | TRUE - Part XX contains only Article 368 which deals with the amendment procedure |
All three are correct.
Key Parts to Remember:
| Part | Articles | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| IX | 243-243O | Panchayats (73rd Amendment) |
| IX A | 243P-243ZG | Municipalities (74th Amendment) |
| XVIII | 352-360 | Emergency Provisions |
| XX | 368 | Amendment of Constitution |
| XXI | 369-392 | Temporary/Special/Transitional Provisions |
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. All three statements are correct. Part XX (Article 368) does deal with constitutional amendments - it would be wrong to exclude it.
- (b) Incorrect. All three are correct. Part IX A does cover municipal powers (74th Amendment), and Part XX covers constitutional amendments.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also correct. Part XVIII (Articles 352-360) unambiguously contains all emergency provisions - National Emergency, President's Rule, and Financial Emergency.
- (d) CORRECT. All three statements are correct: Part IX A = Municipal Powers, Part XVIII = Emergency Provisions, Part XX = Constitutional Amendment procedure.
Key point
Part IX A = Municipalities (74th Amendment). Part XVIII = Emergency provisions (Articles 352-360). Part XX = Article 368 (Constitutional amendment). All three statements are correct.
Remember
Part IX A = Municipalities. Part XVIII = Emergency provisions (Articles 352-360). Part XX = Amendment of the Constitution (Article 368). All three are correctly placed.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Part IX (Panchayats, 73rd Amendment) with Part IX A (Municipalities, 74th Amendment) - Panchayats are in Part IX, Municipalities in Part IX A.
- Not knowing Part XX contains only Article 368 (amendment procedure) - it is a single-article Part devoted entirely to the amendment process.
- Confusing Emergency provisions' Part (XVIII) with other Parts - emergency provisions are in Part XVIII (352-360), while Fundamental Rights are in Part III (12-35).
Exam tip
Parts mnemonic: IX = Panchayats (nine = rural grassroots), IX A = Municipalities (urban), XVIII = Emergency (18 = adult, emergencies happen to adults), XX = Amendment (twenty = mature constitution changes itself).
Sources
- Constitution of India - Parts IX A, XVIII, and XX (full text)
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science - Chapter 8: Local Governments