Political Science MCQs
Topic Notes: Political Science
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
1
What was the immediate political consequence of the initial defeat of Pitt's India Bill?
Answer:
Defeated, leading to the dissolution of the House
The initial version of the India Bill proposed by William Pitt the Younger faced significant opposition in the House of Commons and was defeated. This legislative failure led to the dissolution of Parliament and a subsequent general election, which ultimately allowed Pitt to secure a majority and pass the act.
2
Which legislative act formally terminated the East India Company's exclusive trading monopoly with China?
Answer:
1833
The Charter Act of 1833 completely ended the East India Company's commercial activities, including its remaining monopoly on trade with China and the tea trade. By stripping the company of its commercial functions, the act transformed it into a purely administrative body acting on behalf of the British Crown. This shift reflected the growing influence of free-trade ideology in Britain during the 19th century.
3
In what year did the Basic Principles Committee release its first report regarding the constitutional framework of Pakistan?
Answer:
1950
The Basic Principles Committee was established by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan to outline the fundamental principles for the future constitution. Its first report, presented in 1950, faced significant criticism from various political and religious factions, leading to its eventual withdrawal and the subsequent formation of revised reports in the following years.
4
On what date was the West Pakistan Act passed, which consolidated the provinces into a single unit?
Answer:
30th September, 1955
The One Unit scheme was a significant administrative and political reform in Pakistan's history. It aimed to integrate the provinces of West Pakistan into a single administrative entity to achieve parity with East Pakistan. The legislation was formally passed on September 30, 1955, and came into effect on October 14, 1955, fundamentally altering the country's federal structure.
5
Following the passing of Quaid-e-Azam, which office held the primary administrative authority in Pakistan?
Answer:
Prime Minister
Following the death of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the political structure shifted toward the Prime Minister's office. Liaquat Ali Khan, as Prime Minister, assumed the central role in governing the state, reflecting the transition toward a parliamentary model where the head of government exercises executive power, distinct from the ceremonial role of the Governor-General.
6
In the third draft of the constitution, ten seats in the upper house were allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Tribal Areas. How many seats were allocated to the lower house?
Answer:
75
The constitutional drafts in Pakistan's early history underwent several iterations. In the context of the 1954 draft, which is often referenced in historical discussions regarding the parity between East and West Pakistan, the lower house was proposed to have 300 seats, but specific regional allocations varied across drafts. This question refers to specific historical legislative proposals regarding the composition of the legislature in the early constitutional development phase of Pakistan.
7
Which specific body was established as a direct consequence of the Charter Act of 1833?
Answer:
A law Commission
The Charter Act of 1833 mandated the creation of the first Law Commission of India. This body was tasked with the codification and consolidation of Indian laws, which were previously fragmented and inconsistent. Lord Macaulay served as the first Law Member and played a pivotal role in this commission, which laid the foundation for the modern legal and judicial framework in the Indian subcontinent.
8
Who presented the second draft constitution to the Constituent Assembly on December 22, 1952?
Answer:
Khawaja Nazim-ud-Din
Khawaja Nazim-ud-Din, who served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan at the time, presented the second draft of the Basic Principles Committee report to the Constituent Assembly on December 22, 1952. This document was a significant attempt to resolve the ongoing constitutional deadlock by proposing a federal structure based on parity between the two wings.
9
What was the time interval between the publication of the first and second reports of the Basic Principles Committee?
Answer:
30 months
The second report of the Basic Principles Committee was issued approximately 30 months after the publication of the first report. This significant delay highlights the complex political negotiations and the difficulty in reaching a consensus on constitutional issues, particularly regarding the distribution of power and representation between the two wings of the country.
10
Which legal instruments formed the basis of the interim constitution of Pakistan?
Answer:
Indian Independence Act, 1947 and Government of India Act, 1935 (Amended)
Upon independence, Pakistan lacked a formal constitution. To maintain administrative continuity, the state adopted the Indian Independence Act of 1947 and the Government of India Act of 1935 (with necessary amendments) as the interim constitutional framework until a new constitution could be drafted and ratified.