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Correct answer : (a) a simple majority of members present and voting.

Explanation

When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of Parliament under Article 108 of the Indian Constitution:

Purpose: To resolve deadlocks between the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on non-money bills.

Majority Required: The bill is passed by a simple majority (more than 50%) of the total members present and voting.

Presiding Officer: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha chairs the session.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

(b) Three-fourths majority: A 3/4th majority requirement doesn't exist in the Indian Constitution.

(c) Two-thirds majority: Needed for impeachment or constitutional amendments, not applicable here.

(d) Absolute majority: Refers to more than 50% of the total membership of the House, which is not required in joint sittings.

Key Constitutional Context

Exceptions: Joint sittings cannot resolve deadlocks on Money Bills (Article 110) or Constitutional Amendment Bills (Article 368).

Historical Use: Only three bills have been passed via joint sittings since independence. These bills are: the Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1961, the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1978, and the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002.

Correct Answer- (b)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is not correct: The constituent Assembly was constituted in 1946 under the scheme which was formulated by the Cabinet Mission Plan.

Statement 2 is not correct: All the members of the Constituent Assembly were Indians. The British Government did not nominate any member to the Constituent Assembly.

Statement 3 is correct: The nominees of the Princely States were not elected by the people of the States but were nominated by the respective Princes. 

Additional information: The Constituent Assembly was to be indirectly elected by a system of proportional representation from the Provincial Legislatures. These Legislatures were themselves elected on a limited franchise, consisting of about 20% to 24 % of the adult population.

Correct answer : (b) 1 and 2 only.

Explanation 

Statement 1: The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill.

Correct. Under Article 109, the Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations on a Money Bill. The Lok Sabha may accept or reject these, but the Rajya Sabha cannot amend or veto it.

Statement 2: The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on the Demands for Grants.

Correct. Voting on Demands for Grants is the exclusive power of the Lok Sabha under Article 113. The Rajya Sabha can discuss but not vote.

Statement 3: The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement.

Incorrect. The Rajya Sabha can discuss the Annual Financial Statement (budget) but cannot vote on it. Discussion is permitted under parliamentary procedure, though amendments require Lok Sabha approval.

Correct answer: (d) Right to Equality.

Key Explanation

• Article 17 of the Indian Constitution, under the Right to Equality (Articles 14–18), explicitly abolishes untouchability and prohibits its practice in any form.
• This provision ensures that no individual can be discriminated against or subjected to disabilities based on caste, and any violation is punishable by law.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

1. Right against Exploitation: Covers prohibitions on forced labor and human trafficking (Articles 23–24).
2. Right to Freedom: Includes freedoms of speech, assembly, and movement (Articles 19–22).
3. Right to Constitutional Remedies: Provides legal mechanisms to enforce Fundamental Rights (Article 32).

The Right to Equality remains the sole category addressing caste-based discrimination through the abolition of untouchability, reflecting India’s constitutional commitment to social justice.

Correct Answer- (d)

Explanation:

About Fifth Schedule of the Constitution: The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas as well as of Scheduled Tribes residing in any State other than the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. 

• At present, 10 States namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana have Fifth Schedule Areas.

Statement 1 is correct: The Governor of the State may make rules prescribing or regulating, as the case may be 

1. the number of members of the Council, the mode of their appointment and the appointment of the Chairman of the Council and of the officers and servants thereof; 
2. the conduct of its meetings and its procedure in general; and 
3. all other incidental matters.

Fifth schedule provides for the establishment of tribes advisory councils in each State having Scheduled Areas. 

Statement 2 is correct: The Governor of the state may make regulations for the peace and good government of any area in a State which is for the time being a Scheduled Area. Such regulations can:

1.  prohibit or restrict the transfer of land by or among members of the Scheduled Tribes in such area; 
2. regulate the allotment of land to members of the Scheduled Tribes in such area; 
3. regulate the carrying on of business as money-lender by persons who lend money to members of the Scheduled Tribes in such an area.

Statement 3 is correct: The President may at any time by order can increase the area of any Scheduled Area in a State after consultation with the Governor of that State. 

The President can also direct that the whole or any specified part of a Scheduled Area shall cease to be a Scheduled Area or a part of such an area.