📘 Q.3 IAS Prelims 2024 — Polity & Governance: Parts of the Constitution
Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk
📍 The Question
Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India?
- Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX-A of the Constitution.
- Emergency provisions are given in Part XVIII of the Constitution.
- Provisions related to the amendment of the Constitution are given in Part XX of the Constitution.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
🎯 Theme of the Question
Indian Polity | Constitutional Structure | Parts of the Constitution | Local Government | Emergency & Amendment Provisions
This is a core static polity question, testing factual clarity on the location of key constitutional provisions—a classic UPSC prelims favourite.
🧠 Classroom Explanation
🔹 Statement 1: Powers of Municipalities — Part IX-A
- Part IX-A (Articles 243P to 243ZG) deals with Municipalities.
- It was inserted by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which came into force on 1 June 1993.
- It covers:
- Composition
- Powers and functions
- Finance
- Elections and duration of Municipal bodies
✔️ Statement 1 is correct.
🔹 Statement 2: Emergency Provisions — Part XVIII
- Part XVIII (Articles 352–360) contains provisions related to Emergency.
- It includes:
- National Emergency (Article 352)
- State Emergency / President’s Rule (Article 356)
- Financial Emergency (Article 360)
✔️ Statement 2 is correct.
🔹 Statement 3: Amendment of the Constitution — Part XX
- Part XX consists solely of Article 368, which lays down:
- The procedure for constitutional amendment
- Types of amendments (simple majority, special majority, special + state ratification)
✔️ Statement 3 is correct.
📊 Quick Revision Snapshot
| Subject | Part of Constitution |
|---|---|
| Municipalities | Part IX-A |
| Emergency Provisions | Part XVIII |
| Constitutional Amendment | Part XX (Article 368) |
🧩 Prelims Strategy Insight
📌 UPSC often asks “Which Part?” questions to test location-based constitutional memory.
👉 Always remember:
- Local Government → Part IX & IX-A
- Emergency → Part XVIII
- Amendment → Part XX
🧭 IAS Monk Whisper
In Polity, knowing “what” is not enough—UPSC rewards knowing “where” it lives in the Constitution.