CSS Political Science-II MCQs - 2025

a) Uni-Cameral

Key Details:

• The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis-e Shura-ye Eslami), Iran’s parliament, is a uni-cameral (single-chamber) legislature.

• It consists of 290 elected members who serve 4-year terms.

• While Iran has other deliberative bodies (like the Guardian Council and Expediency Discernment Council), these are not part of the parliamentary structure.

Why Not Other Options?

• b) Bi-Cameral: Incorrect—Iran had a bi-cameral system before the 1979 Islamic Revolution (with the Senate and National Assembly), but now it is uni-cameral.

• c) Tri-Cameral: Incorrect—no such system exists in Iran.

• d) None of these: Incorrect, as the current parliament is uni-cameral.

Thus, the answer is:
a) Uni-Cameral

14 members

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded the British Indian Association in 1866. This organization aimed to represent the Indian people's perspectives. The association was established in Aligarh. It is important to distinguish it from other organizations founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, such as the Indian Patriotic Association. The correct answer is therefore (c).

The correct answer is:

d) None of these

No U.S. president has ever been removed from office through impeachment.

Key Details:

• Andrew Johnson (1868) and Bill Clinton (1998) were impeached by the House of Representatives but acquitted by the Senate and remained in office.

• Richard Nixon (1974) resigned before the House could vote on his impeachment, so he was never formally removed.

• Donald Trump (2019 & 2021) was impeached twice but acquitted by the Senate both times.

Since zero U.S. presidents have been successfully removed via impeachment, the correct choice is:

b) Protect Individual Liberties

Key Details:

• The Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791) was designed to safeguard individual freedoms and limit government power.

• It includes protections such as:

  • Freedom of speech, religion, and assembly (1st Amendment).

  • Right to bear arms (2nd Amendment).

  • Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures (4th Amendment).

  • Right to a fair trial (5th, 6th, and 7th Amendments).

  • Protection against cruel and unusual punishment (8th Amendment).

Why Not Other Options?

• a) Strengthen Federal Power: Incorrect—the Bill of Rights was demanded by Anti-Federalists to restrict federal overreach, not empower it.

• c) Define State Responsibilities: Incorrect—it focuses on individual rights, not state duties (though the 10th Amendment reserves powers to states).

• d) None of these: Incorrect, as protecting liberties is its core purpose.

Thus, the answer is:
b) Protect Individual Liberties

The Turkish political system transitioned from a parliamentary to a presidential system under the 2017 constitutional amendment. This amendment abolished the Prime Minister's post and significantly altered the balance of power, weakening Parliament in favor of the executive branch. The referendum on this amendment included eighteen changes to the constitution and was a pivotal moment in Turkish political history, solidifying the role of the President.

c) Law of the Land

Key Details:

• Common Law is a legal system based on judicial precedents (case law) and customs rather than codified statutes. It forms the foundational "Law of the Land" in countries like the U.K., U.S., and other former British colonies.

• It contrasts with Civil Law systems (e.g., France, Germany), which rely heavily on written legal codes.

Why Not Other Options?

• a) Civil Liberties: While common law courts protect civil liberties, this is a function, not a definition.

• b) Franchise: Common law has no inherent link to voting rights (franchise).

• d) None of these: Incorrect, as "Law of the Land" is the closest match.

Thus, the answer is:
c) Law of the Land

a) European Union

Key Details:

• The Maastricht Treaty (officially the Treaty on European Union) was signed in 1992 and came into force in 1993.

• It established the European Union (EU), expanding the European Economic Community (EEC) into a broader political and economic union.

• Key outcomes included:

  • Creation of the Eurozone (path to a single currency).

  • Introduction of EU citizenship.

  • Pillar structure for cooperation in justice, foreign policy, and economic matters.

Why Not Other Options?

• b) SAARC: Founded in 1985, unrelated to the Maastricht Treaty.

• c) United Nations: Established in 1945, decades earlier.

• d) None of these: Incorrect, as the treaty directly created the EU.

Thus, the answer is:
a) European Union

c) Parliament

Key Details:

• The UK has no single written constitution, so legal authority flows from Parliament through the principle of Parliamentary Sovereignty.

• Acts of Parliament are the highest legal authority, and courts cannot strike them down (unlike in systems with judicial review).

• Key sources of UK law include statutes, common law, conventions, and treaties—but all derive authority from Parliament’s supremacy.

Why Not Other Options?

• a) Prime Minister: The PM leads the executive but derives power from Parliament.

• b) The Constitution: The UK lacks a codified constitution; its "constitution" is a collection of laws and traditions subordinate to Parliament.

• d) None of these: Incorrect, as Parliament is the definitive source.

Thus, the answer is:
c) Parliament

b) 1985

Key Details:

• The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was officially established in 1985, evolving from the earlier Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), which was formed in 1964.

• The founding members were Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, and it later expanded to include Afghanistan and Central Asian countries after the Soviet Union's dissolution.

Why Not Other Options?

• a) 1965: Incorrect—this refers to the earlier RCD, not ECO.

• c) 1980: Incorrect—the RCD was dissolved in 1979, and ECO was formed later.

• d) None of these: Incorrect, as 1985 is the accurate year.

Thus, the answer is:
b) 1985

Presidential ordinances in Pakistan are typically enforced for a maximum of 120 days (approximately 4 months) unless approved by the parliament. However, there have been instances where the government has issued a large number of ordinances over longer periods, as seen with the previous government. Therefore, the enforcement duration depends on whether the parliament approves the ordinance within the given timeframe, or it can be reissued.

c) Mixed (Semi-Presidential)

Key Details:

• France operates under a semi-presidential system, a hybrid model blending elements of both presidential and parliamentary systems.

• Key Features:

  • The President (directly elected by popular vote) holds significant executive powers, including defense and foreign policy.

  • The Prime Minister (appointed by the President but accountable to Parliament) handles domestic governance.

  • The Parliament (National Assembly and Senate) can dismiss the government through a vote of no confidence.

Why Not Other Options?

• a) Presidential: Incorrect—unlike pure presidential systems (e.g., the U.S.), France’s executive is shared with a Prime Minister.

• b) Parliamentary: Incorrect—the President is not ceremonial (as in purely parliamentary systems) but wields real power.

• d) None of these: Incorrect, as mixed/semi-presidential is the accurate classification.

Thus, the answer is:
c) Mixed

b) Popular Vote

Key Details:

• The President of France is elected directly by the people through a nationwide popular vote (universal suffrage).

• This system was introduced under the Fifth Republic (1958) and has been used since 1962.

• The election follows a two-round system: If no candidate wins a majority in the first round, the top two candidates face a runoff.

Why Not Other Options?

• a) Lower House (National Assembly): The French Parliament does not elect the President.

• c) Upper House (Senate): The Senate plays no role in presidential elections.

• d) None of these: Incorrect, as popular vote is the correct method.

Thus, the answer is:
b) Popular Vote