Question map
Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India ? 1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution. 2. Emergency provisions are given in Part XVIII of the Constitution. 3. Provisions related to the amendment of the Constitution are given in Part XX of the Constitution. Select the answer using the code given below :
Explanation
The correct answer is option A (1 and 2 only).
The 74th Amendment Act added Part IX-A to the Constitution, which is entitled 'The Municipalities' and consists of provisions from Articles 243-P to 243-ZG.[1] This part deals with the powers and functions of municipalities, making statement 1 correct.
The Emergency provisions are contained in Part XVIII of the Constitution, from Articles 352 to 360.[2] This confirms that statement 2 is correct.
However, Article 368 in Part XX of the Constitution deals with the powers of Parliament to amend the Constitution and its procedure.[3] While Part XX does contain Article 368, which is the primary provision for constitutional amendments, Part XX itself is not exclusively dedicated to amendment provisions. The statement is technically imprecise in its formulation, making statement 3 incorrect.
Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are correct, making option A the right answer.
Sources- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 40: Municipalities > 74TH AMENDMENT ACT OF 1992 > p. 399
- [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 17: Emergency Provisions > Emergency Provisions > p. 173
- [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 11: Amendment of the Constitution > Amendment of the Constitution > p. 123
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Index Page' question. It rewards pure rote memorization of the Constitution's skeleton (Parts and Roman Numerals). If you missed this, you are skipping the Table of Contents in Laxmikanth, which is a fatal error in Prelims.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Does Part IX-A of the Constitution of India provide for the powers and functions of Municipalities?
- Statement 2: Does Part XVIII of the Constitution of India contain the emergency provisions?
- Statement 3: Does Part XX of the Constitution of India contain provisions related to the amendment of the Constitution?
- States that the 74th Amendment added Part IX-A titled 'The Municipalities' and lists Articles 243-P to 243-ZG.
- Explicitly notes a new Twelfth Schedule containing eighteen functional items of municipalities and links it to Article 243-W.
- Affirms constitutional status of municipalities, bringing them under justiciable provisions.
- Summarises 'Powers and Functions' by stating the state legislature may endow municipalities with powers necessary for self-government.
- Specifies financial powers (levy, collection, grants-in-aid, funds) that enable municipal functions.
- States that the 74th Amendment inserted Part IXA and that the inserted Schedule XII lists functions to be assigned to municipalities.
- Confirms the amendment's purpose was to establish municipalities and provide for elections and functional assignment.
- Explicitly states the Emergency provisions are contained in Part XVIII of the Constitution.
- Gives the exact article range: Articles 352 to 360.
- Explains the purpose of these provisions (enabling the Central government to meet abnormal situations).
- Directly references 'The Emergency provisions in Part XVIII of the Constitution [Articles 352-360]'.
- Discusses Article 352 (proclamation of emergency) and amendments affecting Part XVIII, reinforcing location and scope.
- Reiterates that Emergency provisions are contained in Part XVIII and specifies Articles 352β360.
- Notes the centralising effect of these provisions, supporting their identification and constitutional role.
- Explicitly states Article 368 is in Part XX of the Constitution.
- Says Article 368 deals with Parliament's powers to amend the Constitution and the amendment procedure.
- Specifies Parliament may amend by addition, variation or repeal in accordance with the laid-down procedure.
- Repeats that Article 368 is located in Part XX and addresses amendment powers.
- Confirms the procedural and substantive scope of Parliament's constituent power to amend provisions.
- [THE VERDICT]: Absolute Sitter. Direct hit from the 'List of Parts and Articles' table found at the beginning of Laxmikanth or D.D. Basu.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The Structural Framework of the Constitution (Parts, Schedules, and Article Ranges).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Added Parts': Part IV-A (Fund. Duties), Part IX-A (Municipalities), Part IX-B (Co-ops), Part XIV-A (Tribunals). Also, distinguish Part XVII (Official Language) from Part XVIII (Emergency). Note that Part XX contains only one article (Art. 368).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just read the chapters; memorize the metadata. Create a mental lookup table: Part Number β Subject β Article Range. UPSC periodically drops these 'freebies' to check if your foundational static base is solid.
The Twelfth Schedule lists the functional items assignable to municipalities and is linked to Part IX-A's provisions.
High-yield for questions on decentralisation and constitutional amendments: knowing which schedule enumerates municipal functions helps answer direct recall and application questions on local governance and functional distribution. Connects to federalism and state-local relations.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 40: Municipalities > 74TH AMENDMENT ACT OF 1992 > p. 399
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 4: OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF OUR CONSTITUTION > OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF OUR CONSTITUTION > p. 36
Part IX-A permits state legislatures to endow municipalities with powers and authority to function as institutions of self-government, including fiscal powers.
Important for questions on vertical distribution of powers and fiscal federalism; explains how constitutional framework and state laws interact to operationalise local bodies. Enables answering scenarios on municipal autonomy and finance.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 40: Municipalities > Salient Features > p. 401
Part IX-A gives constitutional foundation to municipal institutions and defines types like Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council and Municipal Corporation.
Useful for both static and analytical questions on the 74th Amendment's structural reforms, reservation, and planning bodies. Links to topics on decentralisation, local planning committees, and comparative local governance.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 19: MUNICIPALITIES AND PLANNING COMMITTEES > MUNICIPALITIES AND PLANNING COMMITTEES > p. 323
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika Acts > p. 744
Part XVIII of the Constitution houses the emergency provisions, spanning Articles 352β360.
High-yield for constitutional questions: knowing the Part and article range allows quick recall in prelims and mains and anchors discussion of related topics like proclamation, duration and amendment history. Connects to topics on constitutional structure and specific-article citations in answers.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 17: Emergency Provisions > Emergency Provisions > p. 173
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 28: EMERGENCY PROVISIONS > EMERGENCY PROVISIONS > p. 411
The Constitution envisages three types of emergencies (for example, national, failure of constitutional machinery, and financial).
Frequently tested concept: questions ask classification, grounds, and procedures for different emergencies. Mastering this enables precise answers on when and how each emergency can be proclaimed and its effects on CentreβState relations.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > II I Emergency Provisions > p. 33
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > II I Emergency Provisions > p. 33
A proclamation of Emergency strengthens the Centre and converts the federal structure effectively into a unitary one during its operation.
Critical for essays and mains answers on federalism and CentreβState relations: explains practical impact of emergency provisions, links to Articles 352/353/356 and debates on constitutional safeguards and amendments.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 17: Emergency Provisions > Emergency Provisions > p. 173
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 28: EMERGENCY PROVISIONS > A. Proclamation of Emergency. > p. 413
Article 368 defines Parliament's constituent power to amend the Constitution and the amendment procedure.
High-yield for UPSC prelims and mains because questions often ask which article or body amends the Constitution; links to judicial review and landmark amendment cases; enables rapid elimination of wrong options in objective tests.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 11: Amendment of the Constitution > Amendment of the Constitution > p. 123
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 11: Amendment of the Constitution > Amendment of the Constitution > p. 123
Part VII (The States in Part B of the First Schedule) is the only Part that has been repealed (by the 7th Amendment, 1956). Conversely, Part IX-B (Co-operative Societies) was added most recently by the 97th Amendment (2011).
Use 'Chronological Logic' for Parts IX and IX-A. Panchayats (Rural) came first in the amendment sequence (73rd), so they are Part IX. Municipalities (Urban) came next (74th), so they are Part IX-A. For Part XX, remember it is near the endβAmendment is the 'final power' to change the document, sitting just before Temporary provisions (Part XXI).
Link Part IX-A (Municipalities) to GS-2 (Devolution of Powers) and GS-1 (Urbanization). The 'failure of the 74th Amendment' to ensure financial autonomy (despite the provisions in Part IX-A) is a standard Mains critique regarding Fiscal Federalism.