IAS Prelims 2025 — Polity & Governance | Question 14

Locked Classroom Explanation (No Drift)


📌 The Question

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India:

I. List I – Union List, in the Seventh Schedule
II. Extent of the executive power of a State
III. Conditions of the Governor’s office

For a constitutional amendment, with respect to which of the above is ratification by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States required before presenting the Bill to the President of India for assent?

Options:
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III


Correct Answer: (a) I and II only


🧑‍🏫 Constitutional Logic — Step by Step

The key lies in Article 368(2), Proviso, which specifies exactly which matters require State ratification in addition to a special majority in Parliament.


🔹 I. Union List (List I of the Seventh Schedule) ✔️

  • The Seventh Schedule distributes legislative powers between the Union and the States.
  • Any amendment affecting:
    • Union List
    • State List
    • Concurrent List
      directly alters the federal balance.

📜 Proviso to Article 368(2) explicitly includes “any of the Lists in the Seventh Schedule”.

State ratification required
✔️ Statement I is correct.


🔹 II. Extent of the Executive Power of a State ✔️

  • Governed by Article 162 (State Executive Power).
  • The proviso to Article 368(2) explicitly includes:
    • Articles 73 and 162 (extent of executive power of Union and States).

Any amendment here affects Centre–State functional relations.

State ratification required
✔️ Statement II is correct.


🔹 III. Conditions of the Governor’s Office

  • Governed by:
    • Article 158
    • Second Schedule
  • These provisions:
    • Do not appear in the proviso to Article 368(2)
    • Do not alter the federal structure directly

Hence, amendment requires only:

  • Special majority of Parliament
  • ❌ No State ratification

❌ Statement III is not correct.


📊 Final Evaluation Table

SubjectState Ratification Required?
I. Union List✔️ Yes
II. Executive Power of State✔️ Yes
III. Governor’s Conditions❌ No

🎯 Final Answer

(a) I and II only


🧠 UPSC Memory Anchor

Seventh Schedule + Articles 73/162 = State Ratification Mandatory

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