MPPSC 2020 Prelims Paper-I · Question 55 of 100

Correct — D, 1971. The special privileges and privy purses of the former rulers of the princely states were abolished by the 26th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1971. An earlier attempt in 1970 was struck down by the Supreme Court, so the constitutional amendment in 1971 was the decisive step.

• (a)1950 — In 1950 the Constitution came into force and actually guaranteed the privy purses (Articles 291 and 362); they were not abolished then.
• (b)1949 — 1949 saw the integration of princely states and the adoption of the Constitution's text, but the privy purses continued, not abolished.
• (c)1962 — No abolition of privy purses occurred in 1962; the change came only with the 1971 amendment.

To secure the accession and integration of princely states, the Constitution (Articles 291 and 362) had guaranteed the rulers privy purses and privileges. These were withdrawn by the 26th Amendment, 1971, completing the states' integration on an equal footing.

Sequence the dates: 1947-49 integration -> 1950 purses guaranteed -> 1970 abolition move struck down by the Supreme Court -> 1971 26th Amendment abolishes them.

• Privy purses were guaranteed by Articles 291 and 362 of the Constitution.
• The 1970 presidential order de-recognising rulers was quashed by the Supreme Court (Madhavrao Scindia case).
• The 26th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1971 abolished privy purses and privileges.
• It was part of Indira Gandhi's programme of the early 1970s.

• Choosing 1950 (when the purses were guaranteed, not abolished)
• Confusing the 1970 struck-down attempt with the 1971 amendment

'When were privy purses abolished' — the fixed answer is 1971 (26th Amendment).

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Privy purses were abolished by which Constitutional Amendment?

  • (a)26th Amendment (1971)
  • (b)24th Amendment
  • (c)42nd Amendment
  • (d)44th Amendment

  Answer(a) The 26th Amendment Act, 1971.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Which Articles of the Constitution had originally guaranteed privy purses to former rulers?

  • (a)Articles 291 and 362
  • (b)Articles 15 and 16
  • (c)Articles 370 and 371
  • (d)Articles 32 and 226

  Answer(a) Articles 291 and 362.