Which of the following sentences is/are true?

1)  The provisions of the Constitution related to the states are applicable to all the states.

2) Articles 1 to 4 of the Constitution deal with the Union and its territory.

a. Only 1

b. Only 2

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

Articles 1 to 4 under Part-I of the Constitution deal with the Union and its territory.

As per Article 1, the territory of India includes :

(a) Territories of the states

(b) Union territories

(c) Territories that may be acquired by the Government of India at any time.

First Schedule has the names of states and union territories and their territorial extent.

Currently, there are 29 states and 7 union territories.

Article 1 describes India, that is, Bharat as a ‘Union of States’.

Constituent Assembly had to adopt a mix of both (‘India, that is, Bharat’) as there was unanimity regarding the traditional or the modern name.

India is ‘Union’ although its Constitution is federal in structure.

According to Dr B R Ambedkar, the phrase ‘Union of States’ has been preferred to ‘Federation of States’ for two reasons - one, the Indian Federation is not the result of an agreement among the states like the American Federation; and two, the states have no right to secede from the federation.

The federation is an Union because it is indestructible.

The country is an integral whole and divided into different states only for the convenience of administration.

The provisions of the Constitution related to the states are applicable to all the states (except Jammu and Kashmir)equally.

J&K has a special provision (Article 370) for itself in the Constitution and it has its own constitution.

However, the special provisions (under Part XXI) applicable to some states override the general provisions relating to the states as a class.

Fifth and Sixth Schedules contain separate provisions with respect to the administration of scheduled areas and tribal areas within the states.