Article 1 of the Constitution describes India, that is Bharat, as a:

Article 1 describes India, that is Bharat, as a 'Union of States' rather than a federation of states.

According to Article 1, the territory of India is classified into how many categories?

Three. Territory of India: (1) territories of the states, (2) union territories, (3) territories that may be acquired by the Government of India.

Which of the following is NOT a category of the territory of India under Article 1?

Territories leased to foreign countries. The three categories are territories of the states, union territories and territories that may be acquired.

The names of states and union territories and their territorial extent are given in which Schedule?

The names of states and UTs and their territorial extent are given in the First Schedule.

Union territories and acquired territories are administered directly by:

Union territories and acquired territories are directly administered by the Central government.

Why is India called a 'Union of States' and not a federation?

The country is an integral whole, divided into states only for administrative convenience. India is an integral whole, divided into states only for the convenience of administration.

Which Article empowers Parliament to 'admit into the Union of India, or establish, new states'?

Article 2 empowers Parliament to admit into the Union, or establish, new states on terms it thinks fit.

Article 2 grants which two powers to Parliament?

To admit new states into the Union and to establish new states. Article 2: (a) power to admit new states into the Union; (b) power to establish new states.

Which Article relates to the formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing states?

Article 3 relates to the formation of new states or changes in existing states.

Under Article 3, Parliament can do all of the following EXCEPT:

Cede Indian territory to a foreign state. Ceding Indian territory to a foreign state requires a constitutional amendment under Article 368, not a law under Article 3.

A bill under Article 3 can be introduced in Parliament only with the prior recommendation of:

Such a bill can be introduced in Parliament only with the prior recommendation of the President.

Before recommending a bill under Article 3, the President must refer it to:

The President must refer the bill to the concerned state legislature for its views within a specified period.

Consider the following statements regarding Article 3: 1. The bill requires the prior recommendation of the President. 2. Parliament is bound by the views of the concerned state legislature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only. Statement 1 is correct. The President (or Parliament) is NOT bound by the views of the state legislature.

India is rightly described as:

India is 'an indestructible union of destructible states': the Centre can reorganise states, but states cannot destroy the Union.

Laws made under Articles 2 and 3 are NOT considered amendments of the Constitution under Article 368. This is declared by:

Article 4 declares that laws under Articles 2 and 3 are not amendments under Article 368.

Laws for the reorganisation of states under Article 3 can be passed by:

Under Article 4, such laws are passed by a simple majority through the ordinary legislative process.

Indian territory can be ceded to a foreign state only by:

Indian territory can be ceded to a foreign state only by amending the Constitution under Article 368.

Match the Articles with their subject: A. Article 1 – 1. Admission or establishment of new states B. Article 2 – 2. Laws under Arts 2 & 3 not amendments C. Article 3 – 3. Name and territory of the Union D. Article 4 – 4. Formation of new states and alteration of existing states

A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2. Art 1 – name & territory; Art 2 – admission/establishment; Art 3 – formation/alteration of states; Art 4 – such laws not amendments.

At the time of independence, India had which two kinds of political units?

British provinces and princely states. At independence, India had British provinces (direct British rule) and princely states (ruled by native princes under British paramountcy).

How many princely states were there within India's geographical boundaries at the time of independence?

Of the 552 princely states within India's boundaries, 549 joined India after independence.

Which three princely states initially refused to join India?

Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir refused to join initially but were later integrated.

Hyderabad was integrated with India through:

Hyderabad – police action; Junagarh – referendum; Kashmir – Instrument of Accession.

Junagarh was integrated with India through:

Junagarh was integrated through a referendum.

On which date did Kashmir sign the Instrument of Accession with India?

Kashmir joined India through the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947.

Who played an important role in the integration of the princely states along with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel?

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon played an important role in integrating the princely states.

Topic

Union and its Territory - Part 1 - Topic Guide and MCQs

Part of General Knowledge > Indian Polity - 25 questions, about 12.5 min, with an explanation after every answer.

Question count

about 12.5 min

Estimated time

Mixed

Difficulty

02 Nov 2026

Last updated

Quick answer

Union and its Territory - Part 1 is a topic inside General Knowledge (Indian Polity). It runs 25 untimed MCQs - roughly 12.5 min - and the review explains every answer once you submit.

Topic introduction

What Union and its Territory - Part 1 covers

The shape of the set before you start it.

Union and its Territory - Part 1 sits inside General Knowledge, under the Indian Polity lane, and the portal keeps it as one self-contained set: 25 questions, four options each, no clock and a written explanation behind every answer.

Attempt it once to find the gaps, read why each distractor is wrong, then retake the same set a few days later. The questions you miss twice are the ones worth writing down.

Curated by Gurpreet Singh · Punjab Police SI, Rank 2 (713/800) · Founder, House of Aspirants · Read his story →

Question bank

Union and its Territory - Part 1: all 25 questions

Read the question, pick an option, then open the answer.

Article 1 of the Constitution describes India, that is Bharat, as a:
1. Quasi-federal Union
2. Federation of States
3. Union of States
4. Confederation of States
Show answer

Answer: (C) Union of States

Explanation: Article 1 describes India, that is Bharat, as a 'Union of States' rather than a federation of states.
According to Article 1, the territory of India is classified into how many categories?
1. Two
2. Four
3. Three
4. Five
Show answer

Answer: (C) Three

Explanation: Territory of India: (1) territories of the states, (2) union territories, (3) territories that may be acquired by the Government of India.
Which of the following is NOT a category of the territory of India under Article 1?
1. Union territories
2. Territories leased to foreign countries
3. Territories that may be acquired by the Government of India
4. Territories of the states
Show answer

Answer: (B) Territories leased to foreign countries

Explanation: The three categories are territories of the states, union territories and territories that may be acquired.
The names of states and union territories and their territorial extent are given in which Schedule?
1. Fourth Schedule
2. Second Schedule
3. Seventh Schedule
4. First Schedule
Show answer

Answer: (D) First Schedule

Explanation: The names of states and UTs and their territorial extent are given in the First Schedule.
Union territories and acquired territories are administered directly by:
1. The nearest state government
2. The Central government
3. The Supreme Court
4. The Election Commission
Show answer

Answer: (B) The Central government

Explanation: Union territories and acquired territories are directly administered by the Central government.
Why is India called a 'Union of States' and not a federation?
1. States have their own constitutions
2. States have the right to secede
3. The country is an integral whole, divided into states only for administrative convenience
4. States signed an agreement to form India
Show answer

Answer: (C) The country is an integral whole, divided into states only for administrative convenience

Explanation: India is an integral whole, divided into states only for the convenience of administration.
Which Article empowers Parliament to 'admit into the Union of India, or establish, new states'?
1. Article 3
2. Article 2
3. Article 4
4. Article 1
Show answer

Answer: (B) Article 2

Explanation: Article 2 empowers Parliament to admit into the Union, or establish, new states on terms it thinks fit.
Article 2 grants which two powers to Parliament?
1. To admit new states into the Union and to establish new states
2. To cede territory and to acquire territory
3. To create union territories and abolish states
4. To alter boundaries and names of states
Show answer

Answer: (A) To admit new states into the Union and to establish new states

Explanation: Article 2: (a) power to admit new states into the Union; (b) power to establish new states.
Which Article relates to the formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing states?
1. Article 2
2. Article 1
3. Article 368
4. Article 3
Show answer

Answer: (D) Article 3

Explanation: Article 3 relates to the formation of new states or changes in existing states.
Under Article 3, Parliament can do all of the following EXCEPT:
1. Cede Indian territory to a foreign state
2. Alter the name of any state
3. Increase the area of any state
4. Alter the boundaries of any state
Show answer

Answer: (A) Cede Indian territory to a foreign state

Explanation: Ceding Indian territory to a foreign state requires a constitutional amendment under Article 368, not a law under Article 3.
A bill under Article 3 can be introduced in Parliament only with the prior recommendation of:
1. The President
2. The Prime Minister
3. The Speaker of Lok Sabha
4. The concerned Governor
Show answer

Answer: (A) The President

Explanation: Such a bill can be introduced in Parliament only with the prior recommendation of the President.
Before recommending a bill under Article 3, the President must refer it to:
1. The Finance Commission
2. The Supreme Court for its opinion
3. The Election Commission
4. The concerned state legislature for its views
Show answer

Answer: (D) The concerned state legislature for its views

Explanation: The President must refer the bill to the concerned state legislature for its views within a specified period.
Consider the following statements regarding Article 3:1.The bill requires the prior recommendation of the President.2.Parliament is bound by the views of the concerned state legislature.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer

Answer: (A) 1 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. The President (or Parliament) is NOT bound by the views of the state legislature.
India is rightly described as:
1. A confederation of sovereign states
2. An indestructible union of destructible states
3. A destructible union of indestructible states
4. An indestructible union of indestructible states
Show answer

Answer: (B) An indestructible union of destructible states

Explanation: India is 'an indestructible union of destructible states': the Centre can reorganise states, but states cannot destroy the Union.
Laws made under Articles 2 and 3 are NOT considered amendments of the Constitution under Article 368. This is declared by:
1. Article 4
2. Article 352
3. Article 5
4. Article 1
Show answer

Answer: (A) Article 4

Explanation: Article 4 declares that laws under Articles 2 and 3 are not amendments under Article 368.
Laws for the reorganisation of states under Article 3 can be passed by:
1. A two-thirds majority in a joint sitting
2. Special majority plus ratification by half the states
3. A simple majority through the ordinary legislative process
4. A special majority under Article 368
Show answer

Answer: (C) A simple majority through the ordinary legislative process

Explanation: Under Article 4, such laws are passed by a simple majority through the ordinary legislative process.
Indian territory can be ceded to a foreign state only by:
1. A law under Article 3
2. Amending the Constitution under Article 368
3. A resolution of the Lok Sabha
4. An executive order of the President
Show answer

Answer: (B) Amending the Constitution under Article 368

Explanation: Indian territory can be ceded to a foreign state only by amending the Constitution under Article 368.
Match the Articles with their subject:A.Article 1 – 1. Admission or establishment of new statesB.Article 2 – 2. Laws under Arts 2 & 3 not amendmentsC.Article 3 – 3. Name and territory of the UnionD.Article 4 – 4. Formation of new states and alteration of existing states
1. A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
2. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
3. A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
4. A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
Show answer

Answer: (D) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2

Explanation: Art 1 – name & territory; Art 2 – admission/establishment; Art 3 – formation/alteration of states; Art 4 – such laws not amendments.
At the time of independence, India had which two kinds of political units?
1. States and union territories
2. Part A and Part B states
3. British provinces and princely states
4. Provinces and districts
Show answer

Answer: (C) British provinces and princely states

Explanation: At independence, India had British provinces (direct British rule) and princely states (ruled by native princes under British paramountcy).
How many princely states were there within India's geographical boundaries at the time of independence?
1. 500
2. 552
3. 565
4. 549
Show answer

Answer: (B) 552

Explanation: Of the 552 princely states within India's boundaries, 549 joined India after independence.
Which three princely states initially refused to join India?
1. Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir
2. Patiala, Hyderabad and Kashmir
3. Junagarh, Bhopal and Kashmir
4. Hyderabad, Mysore and Travancore
Show answer

Answer: (A) Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir

Explanation: Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir refused to join initially but were later integrated.
Hyderabad was integrated with India through:
1. Referendum
2. Instrument of Accession
3. Treaty with Pakistan
4. Police action
Show answer

Answer: (D) Police action

Explanation: Hyderabad – police action; Junagarh – referendum; Kashmir – Instrument of Accession.
Junagarh was integrated with India through:
1. Instrument of Accession
2. Police action
3. Military war
4. Referendum
Show answer

Answer: (D) Referendum

Explanation: Junagarh was integrated through a referendum.
On which date did Kashmir sign the Instrument of Accession with India?
1. 13 September 1948
2. 26 January 1950
3. 15 August 1947
4. 26 October 1947
Show answer

Answer: (D) 26 October 1947

Explanation: Kashmir joined India through the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947.
Who played an important role in the integration of the princely states along with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel?
1. K.M. Munshi
2. V.K. Krishna Menon
3. V.P. Menon
4. B.N. Rau
Show answer

Answer: (C) V.P. Menon

Explanation: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon played an important role in integrating the princely states.

Why it matters

Why Union and its Territory - Part 1 is worth the hours

Where the marks actually come from.

Union and its Territory - Part 1 is factual rather than analytical: you either recall it in seconds or you lose the mark to somebody who did. That makes it one of the cheapest sections to convert - a handful of short sittings usually settles the whole cluster.

Exam relevance

Exams where Union and its Territory - Part 1 matters

Derived from the subject and lane this topic belongs to.

Punjab Police Sub-Inspector (SI)

The most competitive paper here. Polity, history and quant reasoning decide the rank - so take full timed mocks before the exam.

Naib Tehsildar

Land records, Punjab history and polity, plus data interpretation. A strong polity base is the fastest score to build.

Punjab Civil Services

The state civil services paper. Polity, history and economy run deep here, and the descriptive sections reward candidates who have read a subject rather than skimmed it.

Union Public Service Commission

The civil services examination. The preliminary paper tests a broad syllabus on precision, and the preparation it needs is the preparation a state services candidate needs too.

Expected questions

Expected questions from Union and its Territory - Part 1

What an examiner usually reaches for in this cluster.

Expect one-line recall questions - definitions, stand-for expansions, identifiers and the ordering of things. Practise the wording as well as the concept: these papers test terminology, and the set above uses the same four-option shape they do.

Daily habit

Keep the Expected MCQs habit running

20 fresh mixed questions a day, plus the current-affairs sets examiners keep reusing.

Daily Quiz Expected MCQs

Previous year questions

Previous Year Questions

How this topic behaves in real papers.

Past papers reuse clusters like this almost verbatim across years and posts. Run the same set until every distractor is familiar - previous-year style questions stop being recall and start being free marks.

Where the previous-year sets live

The portal's previous-year practice runs through the General Knowledge lane and the daily mixed quiz.

Previous Year Questions Daily Quiz

Keep going

Take the Union and its Territory - Part 1 quiz

25 questions, about 12.5 min, instant scoring and a full review at the end.

Start Union and its Territory - Part 1 quiz General Knowledge page Daily Quiz Mock Tests

Questions

Union and its Territory - Part 1 - common questions

Answered against the set as it is published today.

All questions →

How long is the Union and its Territory - Part 1 quiz?

Union and its Territory - Part 1 runs 25 untimed questions - about 12.5 min at a steady pace. The set clears at 40% and you can retake it as often as you like.

What kind of questions does Union and its Territory - Part 1 ask?

The set answers that: each question carries four options and a full explanation, so you learn the wording an examiner uses, not just the fact behind it.

Where else can I practise General Knowledge?

Open the quiz page above, or start from the General Knowledge subject page if you want to drill neighbouring lanes in the same sitting.

Do my scores save?

Scores, bookmarks and streaks need the optional Google sign-in. Opening the set and answering questions does not.