Answer: (c)

Explanation:

The integration of the princely states with the rest of India was a purely temporary arrangement. Demands began to arise from different parts of the country, especially the South, for reorganization of the states on the basis of language. In June 1948, the Government of India appointed the Linguistic Province Commission under the chairmanship of S.K. Dhar. The Commission presented its report in December, 1948. The Commission recommended that the reorganization of states should be according to administrative convenience rather than linguistic factors. This caused great dissatisfaction, as a result of which another Linguistic Province Committee was formed by the Congress in December, 1948. It included Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and Pattabhi Sitaramayya, which became known as the JVP Committee. It presented its report in April, 1949 and formally rejected the idea that language should be the basis of reorganization of states.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

In October 1953, the Government of India was forced to create the first state on the basis of language, when Andhra Pradesh was formed by separating the Telugu-speaking areas from Madras. This led to a long protest movement, leading to the death of Potti Sriramulu, a Congress worker, after a 56-day hunger strike. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

Article 17 of the Indian Constitution prohibits the abolition of untouchability and its practice in any form. Enforcing any disability arising out of untouchability would be an offence, punishable as per law. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

In 1976, the Untouchability (Offence) Act, 1955 was fundamentally amended and renamed as 'Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955' and the penal provisions were expanded and made more stringent. The provision was ensured in Article 17 by abolishing every form of untouchability in the Act. The word 'untouchability' was neither defined in the Constitution nor in the Act. However, the Mysore High Court ruled in the case of Article 17 that its use beyond literal and grammatical understanding is historical. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

Parliamentary government is also called 'Cabinet government' or 'Responsible government' or 'Westminster form of government' and it is prevalent in Britain, Japan, Canada, India etc. On the other hand, presidential government is also called 'non-accountable' or 'non-parliamentary or fixed executive system' and is prevalent in America, Brazil, Russia, Sri Lanka, etc. Hence, option (d) is correct.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

In the Constitution, the Union List is placed above the State and Concurrent List and the Concurrent List is placed above the State List. In case of conflict between the Union List and the State List, the Union List will prevail. The same arrangement will be in the case of Union List and Concurrent List also. In case of conflict between the concurrent and state lists, the former will prevail. If there is a conflict between the Central law and the State law regarding any subject in the Concurrent List, then the Central law will prevail over the State law. But there is an exception to this. If the law made by the State is subject to the recommendation of the President and gets the assent of the President, then the State law will be effective, but Parliament can also make laws on it. Hence, option (b) is correct.