Indian Polity

The maximum constitutional period between two sessions of Parliament is six months. Under Article 85, the President summons Parliament so that the interval does not exceed six months.

Citizenship is a subject in the Union List of the Seventh Schedule. Parliament therefore has legislative competence over citizenship under List I.

The Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in Articles 36–51 of Part IV of the Constitution.

The members of the Election Commission of India are appointed by the President under Article 324, subject to the constitutional framework and applicable law.

The Swaran Singh Committee recommended inclusion of Fundamental Duties in the Constitution. The recommendations led to their insertion by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 as Part IVA.

A National Emergency is proclaimed under Article 352 on grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion. The 44th Amendment replaced the earlier expression “internal disturbance” with armed rebellion.

A State Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President under Article 156; therefore the President can remove the Governor before completion of the normal five-year term.

Article 352 permits National Emergency in case of war, external aggression or armed rebellion. Thus all three situations listed in the question are constitutional grounds.

Justice Parbati Kumar Goswami was the first Chief Justice of a Supreme Court from the Northeast according to the source key. He was associated with the judicial history of Assam and the Gauhati High Court.

The Governor of a State is formally appointed by the President of India; the appointment is made on the Union executive’s advice, with the Prime Minister playing the key role in that advice.

Fundamental Duties were inserted by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976. They are contained in Part IVA, Article 51A.

Untouchability is abolished by Article 17 of the Constitution. The provision is absolute and forms part of the Fundamental Rights in Part III.

The Attorney-General of India may participate in the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament, although he is not a member and has no right to vote. This is provided by Article 88.

Rita Chowdhury wrote the award-winning novel Deu-Langkhui, which deals with the historical experience of the Tiwa community and won the Sahitya Akademi Award.

Financial Emergency is provided under Article 360. It has never been proclaimed in India since the Constitution came into force.

Justice Hiralal J. Kania was the first Chief Justice of India. He served from 1950 to 1951.

A High Court Chief Justice is appointed by the President of India under Article 217, after the constitutionally prescribed consultation process.

A constitutional provision involving a change to Fundamental Rights generally requires the special majority procedure of Article 368. Creation of states and similar matters follow different constitutional procedures.

The Preamble declares India to be a secular state, meaning the state does not establish an official religion and guarantees freedom of conscience and religion.

State legislatures do not participate in impeachment of the President. Under Article 61, impeachment is initiated and investigated by either House of Parliament.