Answer: B

Explanation:

Since 1950, President's rule has been used more than 100 times, that is, on an average, it is used twice every year. Apart from this, on many occasions President's rule has been used arbitrarily for political and personal reasons. Therefore, Article 356 has become the most controversial and criticized provision of the Constitution. President's rule was first used in Punjab in 1951. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The first amendment to the Constitution of India was enacted in 1951. It was actually enacted to overcome certain judicial interpretations of fundamental rights.

Among the key cases that led to this amendment was the case of State of Madras v. Smt. Champakam Dorairajan (1951), where the Supreme Court of India struck down a government order providing for caste-based reservation in state-funded education. The court ruled that this was a violation of the right to equality enshrined in Article 15 of the Constitution. The government under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru introduced the first amendment, which added clause (4) to Article 15.

"Nothing in this article or in clause (2) of article 29 shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes."

It allowed reservation policies in state-funded education and state employment. Other provisions of the First Amendment impose reasonable restrictions on the right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to practice any profession or carry on any profession, trade or business.

While the other amendments mentioned also made significant changes to the Constitution, they were not primarily directed at controlling judicial interpretations of fundamental rights, as was the First Amendment. Hence, option (c) is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

In the case of pocket veto, the President neither gives assent to the bill, nor rejects it, nor returns it, but keeps the bill pending for an indefinite period. The power of the President to not give any decision on the bill is known as pocket veto. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The President uses this veto power on the basis that there is no time limit fixed in the Constitution for giving a decision on any bill before him. On the other hand, in America there is a system that the President has to return the bill for reconsideration within 10 days. Thus, it can be said that the power of the President of India is more than that of the President of America in this regard. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Lame-duck session is the last session of the present Lok Sabha before the formation of the new Lok Sabha. Those members of the present Lok Sabha who are not elected to the new Lok Sabha are called 'Lame-Ducks'. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

In the means of parliamentary proceedings, the first hour of Parliament is for Question Hour. During this, members ask questions and usually the Minister answers. There are three types of questions – Starred, Unstarred and short information type. Starred questions are answered orally and after this supplementary questions are asked. On the other hand, in case of Unstarred questions, a written report is necessary, Hence, supplementary questions cannot be asked after this. Short notice questions are those questions which are asked by giving at least 10 days' notice. These are also answered orally. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 3 is incorrect.