Which of the following factor/factors limit the authority of the Indian Parliament?

1. Written Nature of the Constitution 

2. Federal System of Government 

3. System of Judicial Review 

4. Fundamental Rights 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

a) 1 only 

b) 2 and 4 only 

c) 3 and 4 only 

d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Solution: 

• The Constitution is the fundamental law of the land in our country. It has defined the authority and jurisdiction of all the three organs of the Union government and the nature of interrelationship between them. Hence, the Parliament has to operate within the limits prescribed by the Constitution. 
• India has a federal system of government with a constitutional division of powers between the Union and the states. Both have to operate within the spheres allotted to them. 
• The adoption of an independent Judiciary with the power of judicial review also restricts the supremacy of our Parliament. Both the Supreme Court and high courts can declare the laws enacted by the Parliament as void and ultra vires (unconstitutional), if they contravene any provision of the Constitution. 
• The authority of the Parliament is also restricted by the incorporation of a code of justiciable fundamental rights under Part III of the Constitution. Article 13 prohibits the State from making a law that either takes away totally or abrogates in part a fundamental right.

Ans: (d)