Limitations on the Powers of the President of India 

1. Constitution and Laws: The President’s powers are subject to the Constitution and laws passed by Parliament.
2. Advice of PM and Council of Ministers: The President exercises executive powers on the advice of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (CoM).
3. Bill Approval: If the President returns a bill and Parliament passes it again, the President is bound to give assent.
4. Judicial Review: The President’s decisions, including the power to grant pardons and reduce sentences, are subject to judicial review.
5. Limited Legislative Powers: The President’s legislative powers are limited to summoning and proroguing Parliament, issuing ordinances, giving assent to bills, and dissolving the Lok Sabha.
6. Term and Impeachment: The President’s term is five years and the President can be impeached by Parliament for violation of the Constitution.
7. Emergency Approval: The President’s power to declare an emergency is subject to the approval of Parliament.

Which of the following are limitations on the powers of the President of India?

1. The President’s powers are subject to the Constitution and laws passed by Parliament.
2. The President exercises executive powers on the advice of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
3. If Parliament passes a returned bill again, the President is bound to give assent.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

India’s Nuclear Policy & Programmes 

1. 1940s – Beginning of Nuclear Programme: India’s nuclear programme was initiated under the leadership of Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, with emphasis on peaceful applications of atomic energy.
2. 1945 – TIFR: The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) was established by Homi J. Bhabha to strengthen research in fundamental sciences and build India’s scientific capabilities.
3. 1948 – Atomic Energy Commission (AEC): The Atomic Energy Commission was established to formulate and implement India’s atomic energy policy.
4. 1954 – Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): The DAE was created under the direct charge of the Prime Minister and became the central institution for India’s nuclear programme.
5. 1957 – AEET/BARC: The Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) was established for multidisciplinary nuclear research. It was renamed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in 1966.
6. 1960s – Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation: India initially pursued nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including nuclear power generation, agriculture, medicine, industry and scientific research.
7. 1970 – NPT and India’s Position: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entered into force. India did not sign it, considering its division between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states discriminatory and unequal.
8. 1974 – Pokhran-I: India conducted its first nuclear test, “Smiling Buddha,” at Pokhran, Rajasthan. It was officially described as a peaceful nuclear explosion, while also demonstrating India’s nuclear capability.
9. 1974 – Formation of NSG: The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was established in response to the proliferation concerns following India’s 1974 test. India is not an NSG member, although it later gained a major waiver from NSG export restrictions.
10. 1987 – NPCIL: The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) was established to operate and generate electricity through nuclear power.
11. 1988 – India-Pakistan Nuclear Agreement: India and Pakistan signed an agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, including the annual exchange of lists of their nuclear installations.
12. 1998 – Pokhran-II / Operation Shakti: India conducted a series of nuclear tests at Pokhran in May 1998, openly establishing itself as a nuclear-weapon state and triggering international sanctions and criticism.
13. 2003 – Nuclear Command & Doctrine: India established the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) and Strategic Forces Command (SFC). India’s nuclear doctrine is broadly associated with credible minimum deterrence, No First Use (NFU), and massive retaliation.

Consider the following statements regarding the evolution of India’s nuclear programme:

1. The Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1948.
2. India conducted its first nuclear test at Pokhran in 1974.
3. India signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1970.
4. The Nuclear Command Authority and Strategic Forces Command were established in 2003.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A. 1, 2 and 4 only

Tipu Sultan 

1. Tipu Sultan (1750–1799) – Tipu Sultan, also known as the “Tiger of Mysore,” was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore and the son of Hyder Ali. He succeeded his father in 1782.
2. Resistance to British Expansion – He was one of the strongest opponents of the British East India Company in the 18th century and fought the British in the Second, Third and Fourth Anglo-Mysore Wars.
3. Third Anglo-Mysore War & Treaty of Seringapatam – After the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790–92), Tipu was forced to sign the Treaty of Seringapatam (1792) and surrender a substantial portion of his territory.
4. Alliance with Revolutionary France – Tipu maintained close relations with France and sought French assistance against the British. He is associated with the Jacobin Club of Mysore and the planting of a “Tree of Liberty” at Seringapatam during the French Revolutionary period.
5. Administrative & Economic Reforms – Tipu introduced reforms in revenue administration, trade and state-controlled commerce. He encouraged silk production, improved irrigation and promoted new agricultural and commercial practices.
6. Military Innovations – Mysore forces under Tipu made extensive use of iron-cased rockets, which were particularly effective against British troops. These Mysorean rockets later influenced the development of British Congreve rockets.
7. Death & Historical Significance – Tipu Sultan was killed on 4 May 1799 while defending Seringapatam during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. His resistance made him an important symbol of 18th-century opposition to British expansion in India.

With reference to Tipu Sultan, consider the following statements:

1. Tipu Sultan, also known as the “Tiger of Mysore,” was the son of Hyder Ali and succeeded him as the ruler of Mysore in 1782.
2. He fought against the British East India Company in the Second, Third and Fourth Anglo-Mysore Wars.
3. Following the Third Anglo-Mysore War, he signed the Treaty of Seringapatam in 1792 and surrendered a substantial portion of his territory.
4. Tipu Sultan made extensive use of iron-cased rockets, which later influenced the development of British Congreve rockets.
5. He was killed on 4 May 1799 while defending Seringapatam during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

1. Origin and Nature – The revolutionary movement emerged in the early 20th century, particularly as a radical response to British rule and the limitations of the Swadeshi Movement. Revolutionaries believed in achieving independence through militant and violent methods.
2. Major Methods – Revolutionaries used assassinations of unpopular officials, swadeshi dacoities to raise funds, and revolutionary conspiracies. During World War I, some groups also sought help from Britain’s enemies.
3. Main Objectives – Their immediate aim was to strike fear among British officials, remove the fear and passivity of Indians, and ultimately arouse nationalist consciousness and inspire people to fight for independence.
4. Causes of Early Revolutionary Movement – Important causes included British repression, famines and exploitative policies, Lord Curzon’s policies, dissatisfaction with the Moderates, and the failure of the Extremists to achieve major political concessions.
5. International Influences – Events such as Ethiopia’s victory over Italy (1896) and Japan’s victory over Russia (1905) challenged the idea of European invincibility and encouraged Indian nationalists. Later, the Russian Revolution of 1917 and Irish independence struggle further influenced revolutionaries.
6. Rise of Revolutionary Movement in the 1920s – The movement gained renewed strength due to the spread of socialism, Marxism, Bolshevism, trade unionism, and revolutionary literature. Publications such as Atmasakti, Sarathi and Bijoli helped spread radical ideas among young people.
7. Impact of Non-Cooperation Withdrawal and Congress Differences – Gandhi’s withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement created disappointment among sections of the youth. Revolutionary groups increasingly rejected the Congress’s approach and demanded complete independence, believing that violent methods were justified to achieve their goal.

Which of the following factors contributed to the growth of the Revolutionary Movement in India?

1. British repression and exploitative policies
2. Dissatisfaction with the Moderate leadership of the Congress
3. Influence of the Russian Revolution and Irish nationalist struggle
4. Withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement
5. Spread of socialism, Marxism and Bolshevism

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
(d) 2, 4 and 5 only

Answer: (c) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5