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
| Subject | State 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
