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2016Q1(a)The Union Parliament
DefinitionHard1 mark
1

Answer briefly each of the questions (a) to (j):

What is meant by 'Residuary Powers' of the Parliament?

Topic: Residuary powers

Previous-year question practice database

Answer

Exam answer

Residuary powers mean the power of Parliament to make laws on any subject NOT MENTIONED IN ANY OF THE THREE LISTS — the Union List, the State List or the Concurrent List.

Since new subjects arise that the framers of the Constitution could not have foreseen, these residuary subjects are vested in Parliament alone, which is one of the features that gives the Indian federation a strong Centre.

Explanation

The examiners’ report for this year records that most candidates LACKED knowledge of this term and wrote vague answers about Parliament legislating on all three lists — which is the opposite of what residuary means. The definition turns on the words NOT MENTIONED IN ANY LIST. Anything already in a list is not residuary. Adding why it matters — that it strengthens the Centre — shows understanding.

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